Raul Malo’s career is built on a handful of instantly recognizable performances and a broader catalog that blends country, Latin, pop and classic American songcraft. This article looks at the songs that defined him — both the Mavericks hits he led and the solo tracks that show his range — and gives a clear, fact-first snapshot of his musical legacy as verified today.
Table of Contents
Early signature songs that put him on the map
Raul Malo first became widely known as the singer and creative force behind The Mavericks. The band’s 1994 album What a Crying Shame produced several of their enduring tracks: the title track “What a Crying Shame,” “O What a Thrill,” “There Goes My Heart,” and “All That Heaven Will Allow.” Those songs helped the group cross over from niche roots-country into mainstream attention and remain core entries in any look at Raul Malo songs.
The singles that reached new audiences
Two songs pushed The Mavericks into larger markets. “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down,” a collaboration with accordionist Flaco Jiménez, became one of the band’s highest-charting U.S. singles. “Dance the Night Away,” written by Malo and released in 1998 from the album Trampoline, became a breakout hit in Europe and remains one of the group’s best-known tracks globally. Both songs illustrate Malo’s ability to write and sing across styles — a pop-leaning Latin-tinged arrangement on one hand, and a Tex-Mex–inflected duet-style country cut on the other.
Songs that show his songwriting and emotional range
Malo’s co-writes and solo work reveal his strengths as a melodist and interpreter. “Here Comes the Rain” (co-written with Kostas) is an early-to-mid-1990s Mavericks single that underlines Malo’s gift for dramatic, Orbison-like phrasing. Solo tracks and covers — including material from albums such as Lucky One, After Hours, and later releases — highlight his interest in standards and torch songs as much as in contemporary country and Latin pop.
Notable solo recordings and covers
Outside The Mavericks, Malo’s solo discography contains both original songs and distinctive covers. Across his solo albums and singles you’ll find material that ranges from holiday standards to stripped-down balladry. Songs like “Every Little Thing About You,” and his recorded interpretations of classics such as “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” show his dual life as songwriter and interpretive vocalist.
Why these songs matter
What unites the most-cited Raul Malo songs is his vocal character: a dramatic, operatic tenor with a warm, Cuban inflection that allows him to move between mournful ballad and exuberant party anthem. That versatility made the Mavericks’ material feel both roots-based and cosmopolitan, and it’s why songs like “What a Crying Shame” and “Dance the Night Away” continue to circulate in playlists, radio, and streaming services.
How to explore his catalog today
If you’re just starting, begin with the Mavericks’ album What a Crying Shame (1994) and the single “Dance the Night Away” (1998). From there, explore Music for All Occasions to hear “Here Comes the Rain” and the Jiménez collaboration, then Malo’s solo albums (for example After Hours and Lucky One) to hear his range outside the band. Streaming platforms and official artist pages list top tracks and albums, which make it simple to jump between signature Mavericks singles and lesser-known solo cuts.
A recent and solemn context for his music
Today’s conversation about Raul Malo songs comes amid major, verified developments in his life. Raul Malo was hospitalized during celebrations planned for his career, and in early December 2025 family statements and multiple outlets confirmed he died on December 8, 2025 at age 60 after a battle with cancer. In recent months he had publicly disclosed an initial cancer diagnosis in 2024 that progressed to leptomeningeal disease in 2025, and a series of tribute shows and bedside visits from fellow musicians were held as the music community rallied around him. Those events have refocused attention on his recorded work — both the Mavericks catalog and his solo recordings — prompting renewed listening and tributes across stages and streaming playlists.
Quick listening checklist — essential Raul Malo songs
- Dance the Night Away (The Mavericks)
- What a Crying Shame (The Mavericks)
- O What a Thrill (The Mavericks)
- All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down (The Mavericks feat. Flaco Jiménez)
- Here Comes the Rain (The Mavericks)
- There Goes My Heart (The Mavericks)
- Every Little Thing About You (Raul Malo, solo recordings)
- Selected covers and standards from Malo’s solo albums (explore After Hours, Lucky One, Say Less)
Final note on legacy
Raul Malo’s voice and songs bridged genres and audiences. Whether through full-band, horn-forward Mavericks arrangements or intimate solo recordings, his work remains a touchstone for listeners who appreciate genre-fluid songwriting and an emotive, larger-than-life singing style. In the wake of the recent events surrounding his health and passing, his recorded songs are the clearest, most durable way to feel the breadth of his artistry.
