Maná‘s Revolución de Amor was exactly that: an album that conquered and revolutionized with a resounding message of love. Released Aug. 20, 2002, the seminal album — packed with poignant lyrics and songs now turned rock en español anthems — celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Revolución de Amor — then Maná’s first studio album in five years — debuted and peaked atop the Latin Pop Albums chart in Sept. 7, 2002, and stayed at No. 1 on the list for four weeks. On Top Latin Albums, the 12-track set debuted at No. 1 in the same chart week.
The album, “ambitious in musical scope and lyrical depth” (as Billboard‘s Leila Cobo wrote in 2002 when it was released), houses some of the iconic group’s most memorable songs to date, including “Mariposa Traicionera” and “Eres Mi Religión.” The former peaked at No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (chart dated July 5, 2003), earning Maná their first No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs. Meanwhile, “Eres Mi Religion” peaked at No. 17 on Hot Latin Songs in January 2003 and scored Maná their 10th top 10 on Latin Pop Airplay, where it peaked at No. 10.
The set, released via Warner Music México, also includes other fan favorites such as the powerful “Justicia, Tierra y Libertad,” which opens the revolutionary album with a call to justice, land and liberty, and the melodic “Ángel de Amor.”
In a tour diary vlog back in 2002, Maná’s members — Fher Olvera, Alex González, Sergio Vallín and Juan Calleros — described Revolución de Amor as “a calling … what the world needs right now is love and that’s why we’re calling for this revolution of love,” says González and “a way to express what we want to say,” offers Calleros. “It takes from different perspectives of what love is,” adds Vallín. “We talk about love, heartbreak, dreams, ideals and social justice issues,” expresses Olvera.
In honor of the album’s 20th anniversary, Billboard‘s Latin editors have ranked all 12 tracks on the set. See which one takes the No. 1 spot on our list below.
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"Ay, Doctor"
Penned by Alex and Fher, “Ay, Doctor” is the second track on the set and is a quintessential Maná song where Fher narrates a heartbreak story and is desperately looking for something to ease his pain. “Oh Doctor, give me something please, oh how love hurts,” he sings with such pathos.
Listen to it here.
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"Sin Tu Cariño"
This album may be all about a revolution and taking charge to inspire change, but there are songs that are simply about heartbreak and feeling vulnerable. Such is the case for “Sin Tu Cariño,” sung by Alex. The slowed-down track is a ballad at its core where he bares it all and confesses, “I don’t know what I’ll do without your love. I don’t know if I’ll live without your love.”
Listen to it here.
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"Fe"
A positive and powerful single about acceptance in the voice of Alex together with Fher, this song is an anthem that asks for faith and strength to survive. “Why can’t we all get along like brothers?” they ask. It’s powered by a fusion of deep hard rock and with electric guitars and drumbeats.
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"No Voy A Ser Tu Esclavo"
In “No Voy a Ser Tu Esclavo,” the Mexican group fuse their traditional rock sound with tropical and Bossa Nova melodies, converting this into one of the most rhythmic tracks on the set. But despite its danceable, party vibes, the lyrics are about a man who doesn’t want to get involved with a femme fatale. “Beautiful woman, you’re a dangerous queen, you’re a thorn on a rose, I don’t want to be your slave,” the chorus says.
Listen to it here.
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"Justicia, Tierra y Libertad"
The song that opens the set thrives on its groovy sound rather than its somewhat cliché lyrics. But the message that its trying to get across (justice, land and liberty) is very much in tune with the album’s title. “Brothers and sisters of other races, colors, but a same heart. You pray and pray but nothing gets fixed. That’s why, let’s do a revolution of love,” Fher passionately sings in the song that features the legendary Carlos Santana.
Listen to it here.
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"Por Qué Te Vas"
On this track, the group’s guitarist Sergio Vallín debuted as a singer, flaunting his crispy, dulcet vocals. The soft rock song, accompanied by acoustic guitars and a cajón, holds very nostalgic lyrics about missing someone. “In a blink of an eye everything ended/I don’t know why you left without saying goodbye/Why are you leaving? Why are you leaving? When I love you more,” he chants in the track.
Listen to it here.
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"Nada Que Perder"
A hidden gem, for sure. This 2000’s-rock track takes you to simpler times with every drum beat. “Nada que perder Nothing to Lose)” is interpreted by Alex, Maná’s drummer and songwriter, and it talks about finding new dreams and starting all over, and if it doesn’t work, you keep trying because, in the end, there is nothing to lose.
Listen to it here.
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"Pobre Juan"
Just as Maná has countless love songs they also sing about real-life situations. In “Pobre Juan,” the group narrates the struggles of a man named Juan who decided to cross the border for better opportunities for he and his wife. Sadly, lead vocalist Fher chants, “poor Juan” passed away in the dessert en route to the “American Dream.” The harmonica throughout the track set the tone for this very emotional story.
Listen to it here.
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"Mariposa Traicionera"
This hit gave Maná their first No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and it is one of the band’s classics. It has become a timeless anthem with powerful lyrics that sing to all wondering butterflies that can’t commit. “You’re like butterfly, you fly and pose going from mouth to mouth. Easy, light to those who provoke you. I’m a rat from your rat tramp. Tramp that doesn’t kill but also doesn’t liberate you,” he sings out of spite. “Mariposa Traicionera” is powered by the sound of an acoustic guitar that runs through the song giving it the melancholy sound fused with the raspy voice of Fher.
Listen to it here.
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"Sábanas Frías"
Another symbolic track from this album. This collaboration between Mana and Panamanian salsa icon Ruben Blades evolves into the sound of an empty bed. Fher chants about “cold sheets” while Blades takes it to the next level with his signature vocals. The fusion of Latin rock with the electric guitar and percussions results in an emblematic tropical rock sound.
Listen to it here.
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"Ángel de Amor"
A formidable rock anthem, the track is a stand out in the album. Powered by Maná’s signature rock sound powered by heavy drums, electric guitars and Fher’s deep and raspy vocals. “Ángel de Amor” is equally melodic as it is lyrically strong. It’s almost as if Fher is speaking directly to you asking: “Who cut your wings, my angel? Who destroyed your dreams today? Who humiliated you today? And who caged your spirit, my love? Let me cure you. Let me give you all my love.”
Listen to it here.
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"Eres Mi Religión"
Considered one of Maná’s most emblematic songs, “Eres Mi Religión” is a rocking romantic ballad describing how pure and unexpected love can be. Telling the story of a person who’s lost in the world, with broken wings and surrounded by fallen angels, the song turns into a hopeful love miracle. A new version of this romantic staple was released in 2021 alongside Mexican songstress Joy of Jesse y Joy.
Listen to it here.