This is an entry into Ekidd911’s write-off called In Memory Of. The objective of the write-off is to choose someone who is passed away and review something pertaining to that person. I went round and round in my mind trying to finally settle on someone who I thought needed to be highlighted and eventually the spotlight rested on Selena.

Selena Quintanilla Perez was taken away from her family, friends and fans on March 31, 1995 – about 4 months before I would even stumble across her music. Although Selena is no longer with us – she has an anthology of music that keeps going on. Her impact on the Tejano music scene won’t go away anytime soon (if ever) and I think she’s one of those singers who’s success could only be limited by an event as unfortunate as death.

Track Listing
1. I Could Fall In Love
2. Captive Heart
3. I’m Getting Used To You
4. God’s Child
5. Dreaming Of You
6. Missing My Baby
7. Amor Prohibido
8. Wherever You Are (Dondequiera Que Estes) featuring Barrio Boyzz
9. Techno Cumbia
10. Toro Relajo
11. Como La Flor
12. Tú Solo Tú
13. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom


Released a short time after Selena’s death, Dreaming Of You reached platinum status quickly which only stood to solidify Selena’s talent and depth as an artist. As it stands Dreaming Of You is the best showcasing of released and unreleased material by the late queen of Tejano music.

I Could Fall In Love along with Missing My Baby are two of the songs that were supposed to have been included on Selena’s English language debut. Both semi-ballads produced by Full Force, 80’s masterminds and former members of Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam. Both songs manage to maintain the Latin appeal while mixing in an R&B feel also. I Could Fall In Love is my personal favorite English song and combined with Dreaming Of You were two of the hits that introduced the world to the music of a star who was gone much too soon.

Captive Heart has a pop edge to it and reminds me of vintage Gloria Estefan. What made Dreaming Of You the album so special besides the fact that it was to introduce the public to Selena as a superstar is that it walks a very fine line between Tejano (the music that made Selena famous), R&B, and Pop music. It manages to effortlessly blend all of them together and although not all of the songs are sung entirely in English the continuity of the album is smooth and every song is potentially a hit.

I’m Getting Used To You musically has some element of calypso with the percussion used but doesn’t come off as schmaltzy in anyway. Vocally Selena possessed a range that allowed her to go from breathlessly sexy to power ballads with a clearing of the throat, this album showcases everything that her voice has to offer and if you listen to it only from a vocal perspective it would still be pretty amazing.

God’s Child is one of my favorite un-released songs of all time. A duet with David Byrne there are a lot of drums on this track and it has an earthy appeal. Definitely a sexy song with a hint of mysteriousness – it jumps back and forth between English and Spanish and sounds good all the while. In some ways it reminds me of the music used to Flamenco with the beats and energy – every part of it is good. When it was released Amor Prohibido or Forbidden Love was a mega-hit and to this day is probably the most easily recognized Selena song ever. About falling in love with someone from “the wrong side” and not caring that he has money or anything – it’s pretty much a Tejano music anthem. Classic sounding with the percussion and polka-like feel Amor Prohibido is classic Selena and is included on just about everything musical released that has her name on it.

Wherever You Are (Dondequiera Que Estes) features Latin boy band The Barrio Boyzz and is just one of those songs that’s infectious. Along the same lines story wise as Amor Prohibido – I think pulling of a duet with a group of 5 and singing in both English and Spanish is a feat but it sounds effortless here. Techno Cumbia is one of those songs I suppose was supposed to be revolutionary. It combines “Techno” music with a bit of “Cumbia” music (ahh, aptly named title) and attempts to create something new. Although I respect the blending of the two, this isn’t one of my favorite songs and if I had to choose one song to be extracted from the album – I would pick this one.

Toro Relajo and Tú Como Tú are two album standouts and songs that I hold high in regards to a showcasing of Selena’s talent. Where Toro Relajo has the classically Tejano feel to it and celebrates a bullfight, Tú Como Tú evokes an image of Spain for me. At the same time you can picture a woman backed with a Mariachi band singing her soul out by moonlight. Both excellent showing of Selena’s vocals both are hits in their own right.

Como La Flor is along the lines of Amor Prohibido in being easily recognized by fans everywhere. Basically twin sisters, the two songs follow each other from album to album. A mid-tempo dedication to lost love, Como La Flor is classic Selena. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom is supposed to mimic the syncopation of the heart and is a fun treat. Like some of the other songs included on this CD, it often appears on collections and most of the posthumous recordings that have surfaced.

As with all major talent, it’s sad to see them go especially at the hands of someone like Selena’s murderer. I recall being so excited when I initially heard her music only to be disheartened soon thereafter when finding out that this amazing person was no longer of the physical. If there is any solace to be found in losing a superstar like Selena it is that her music discography allows her to be forever memorialized.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House