It’s amazing how time flies. It seems like yesterday I was listening to the radio announce the murder of a groundbreaking artist, Selena Quintanilla. The Queen of Tejano Music was killed by Yolanda Saldívar, her friend and former employee. March 31, 1995 might’ve been the physical death of Selena, but her music is still relevant, and 22 years after her untimely passing, we still remember her contributions to music and fashion, which made her one of the most celebrated Mexican American entertainers of the end of the 20th century.
For Selena’s 22nd death anniversary, we would like to remember some of her best lyrics from different songs. These were mostly written by her brother, A.B. Quintanilla III, who was part of Selena’s band along with her sister, Suzette. Before Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias or Shakira, Selena was about to become the most successful crossover sensation of the 90s, but her life was cut too soon. Although she did record a few English songs, we’ve focused on her Spanish ones, with English translation just in case your Spanish is not muy bueno.
From “Como La Flor”
Si vieras cómo duele perder tu amor
Con tu adiós, te llevas mi corazón
No sé si pueda volver a amar
Porque te dí todo el amor que pude dar
(If you saw how much it hurts losing your love
With your goodbye, you took my heart
I don’t know if I can love again
Because I gave you all the love I could ever give)
From “La Carcacha”
Miren muchachas que no me arrepiento
Y tampoco me a me averguenzo yo de mi galán
Aunque sea pobre y tenga un carro viejo
Me trata como reina, un hombre de verdad
(Look girls, I don’t regret it
And I’m not embarrassed by my man
Even if he’s poor and has an old, rusty car
He treats me like a queen, he’s a real man)
From “Amor Prohibido”
Aunque soy pobre, todo esto que te doy
Vale más que el dinero porque sí es amor
Y cuando al fin estemos juntos, los dos
No importa qué dirá, también la sociedad
Aquí sólo importa nuestro amor, te quiero
(Even though I’m poor, all this I’m giving you
Is worth more than money because it is love
And in the end, when we’re together
It won’t matter what society will say
Only our love matters, I love you)
From “No Me Queda Más”
No me queda mas
Que perderme en un abismo
De tristeza y lagrimas
No me queda mas
Que aguantar bien mi derrota
Y brindarte felicidad
(I have nothing left
But to get lost in an abyss
Of sadness and tears
I have nothing left
But to brave my defeat
And wish you happiness)
From: “Si Una Vez”
(Let’s face it, the whole song is worth mentioning!)
Yo te di todo mi amor y más
Y tú no reconoces ni lo que es amar
Yo me puse dispuesta a tus pies
Y tan sólo con desprecio me has pagado, pero ahora ve
(I gave you all my love and more
But you don’t recognize what love is
I put myself at your feet
And you only paid me back with contempt. Now go)
Si una vez dije que te amaba
Hoy me arrepiento
Si una vez dije que te amaba
No sé lo que pensé estaba loca
Si una vez dije que te amaba
Y que por ti la vida daba
Si una vez dije que te amaba
No lo vuelvo a hacer
Ese error es cosa de ayer
(If I ever said I loved you
I regret it
If I ever said I loved you
I don’t know what I was thinking, I was crazy
If I ever said I loved you
And I would give my life for you
If I ever said I loved you
I won’t do it again
That’s yesterday’s mistake)
Yo sé que un día tú volverás
Y tú de todo te arrepentirás
Yo me puse dispuesta a tus pies
Y tan sólo con desprecio me has pagado, pero ahora ve
(I know one day you’ll come back
And will regret everything
I put myself at your feet
And you only paid me back with contempt. Now go)
Si una vez dije que te amaba
Hoy me arrepiento
Si una vez dije que te amaba
No sé lo que pensé estaba loca
Si una vez dije que te amaba
Y que por ti la vida daba
Si una vez dije que te amaba
No lo vuelvo a hacer
Ese error es cosa de ayer
(If I ever said I loved you
I regret it
If I ever said I loved you
I don’t know what I was thinking, I was crazy
If I ever said I loved you
And I would give my life for you
If I ever said I loved you
I won’t do it again
That’s yesterday’s mistake)
Si una vez dije que te amaba
Y que por ti la vida daba
Si una vez dije que te amaba
No lo vuelvo a hacer
Ese error es cosa de ayer
(If I ever said I loved you
And I would give my life for you
If I ever said I loved you
I won’t do it again
That’s yesterday’s mistake)
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