Selena is an icon in the music industry and beyond. Not only was she one of the first Tejano stars to make it big but her talent spoke for itself. Selena ventured into the music business at just 10 years old in the early ‘80s as part of the family band Selena y Los Dinos, which also featured her siblings, AB and Suzette Quintanilla.
The next decade would see her grow into the legend she became known for and by 1994, she was a full-on superstar with a Grammy Award for her album, Live! which was awarded the accolade for Best Mexican-American Album by the Recording Academy. However, Selena’s life was taken far too early following her tragic death on March 31, 1995, after she was shot and killed by the former manager of her fashion boutiques.
Her life and legacy has been celebrated in multiple ways ever since, be it on-screen through her Jennifer Lopez-led biopic in 1997 or more recently, “Selena: The Series” on Netflix. We’ve also seen her mark in the fashion and beauty worlds, including a MAC Cosmetic’s Selena-inspired collection. Most notably, however, is the music Selena left behind.
From her first major US single “Como La Flor,” which remains her most popular anthem, to hits including “I Could Fall in Love,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “Si Una Vez,” we’ve rounded up Selena’s top ten songs to sing along to and add to your favorite playlist.
“Como La Flor” is the iconic single from Selena’s third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo, released in 1992. The song peaked at no. 6 on the Billboards Hot Latin Tracks and was the third song to chart from the album. Easily one of the best Selena Quintanilla songs ever.
The empowering “Sin Una Vez” is all about a woman questioning why she ever fell in love with her ex and that she’ll never make the same mistake again. The fiery track was co-written by Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, and remains a fan favorite.
The electric summer track is from Selena’s fourth studio album Amor Prohibido. The love song is all about the feeling you get in your heart when you see someone you love, with the title referencing the sound of a fast heartbeat. The song earned Selena a four-week-long number one spot on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs in 1994.
One of the most popular Selena Quintanilla songs, translating in English to “Forbidden Love”, “Amor Prohibido” was the debut single from Selena’s fourth album of the same name. It marked Selena’s first-ever number one the Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs as a solo artist. The song was at the top of the charts for nine weeks and has been certified platinum seven times by the Recording Industry Association of America. A legendary hit!
Peaking at number two on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart, “I Could Fall In Love” is a sensual R&B infused pop ballad from Selena’s fifth studio album, Dreaming of You.
Yet another classic love track, “Fotos y Recuerdos” is about a woman who is so madly in love that she kisses the photo of her lover every night before going to bed. If you’re in a long-distance relationship, you’ll definitely feel this one. The song topped the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, marking Selena’s fourth number-one single.
When it comes to Selena Quintanilla songs, there’s no forgetting “No Me Queda Mas” which was at the top of the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for seven weeks. The song also marked Selena’s first track on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart and the most successful U.S. Latin single of 1995. Not only that but the song’s music video won the Music Video of the Year award at the 1995 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
“La Llamada” was the second single from Live! as all about a woman who catches her man cheating on her after kissing another girl and furiously tells him to leave her alone. The song charted at number five on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
This catchy feel-good track was the last single Selena released before she was murdered. The sixth release from Amor Prohibido, the song dropped just one day before died.
This duet with Selena and the Barrio Boyzz, a Puerto Rican boy band popular during the 1990s, bagged the singer yet another number one hit on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, holding the spot for six weeks. Despite being an upbeat pop anthem, the song, which translated to English is “Where Do You Want Me to Be” is about the heartache of breaking up with your first love.
For breaking Tejano news follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive artist interviews. Listen to new Tejano music first with our playlists on Spotify and podcast on iHeartRadio.