Contigo Quiero Estar
| "Contigo Quiero Estar" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Selena | ||||
| from the album Selena | ||||
| Released | May 27, 1989 | |||
| Format | CD single | |||
| Recorded | 1989 | |||
| Genre | Tejano , folk , ranchera | |||
| Length | 3:12 | |||
| Label | EMI Latin | |||
| Writer(s) | Alejandro Montealegre | |||
| Producer(s) | A.B. Quintanilla III | |||
| Selena singles chronology | ||||
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"Contigo Quiero Estar" (English: "With You, I Want To Be") is a song recorded by American recording artist Selena for her debut studio album Selena (1989). It was released by EMI Latin on 27 May 1989, as the album's lead single alongside "Quiero Ser".[1] Lyrically, the song explores the narrator's feelings of wanting to be closer romantically with her lover. Composed by Mexican songwriter Alejandro Montealegre, "Contigo Quiero Estar" is a Tejano song with folk and ranchera influences.
Critics gave a negative reception to the song. "Contigo Quiero Estar" received a "Single of the Year" at the 1990 Tejano Music Awards. Many critics dismissed the recording when Selena performed a live performance of "Where Did the Feeling Go?", calling it a more suitable standout song then the former. "Contigo Quiero Estar" peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in 1989. Many other recording artists have covered the song.
Background and composition
In 1989, Selena signed a recording contract with EMI Latin, and that same year, began recording songs for her debut album with them.[2] According to Selena's record producer—sibling A.B. Quintanilla III[3]—EMI Latin did not want A.B. to produce any songs for Selena's debut album. He explained to an interview with Brian "Red" Moore, a family friend who overshadowed the Selena: 20 Years of Music collection interviews, that the recording company was already gambling on releasing a Latin division, and hesitated any family involvement that could hinder the sales of the album.[4]
Selena's father and manager, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. expressed that he tried to persuade the recording company to give A.B. a try. After this, A.B. was allowed to produce Selena's songs for her album, including "Contigo Quiero Estar". Mexican songwriter Alejandro Montealegre, sent in lyrics to a song he wrote to EMI Latin. They instantly wanted Selena to record it for her album, believing it fit well with her other recorded materials.[4]
"Contigo Quiero Estar" is a mid-tempo Tejano song with folk and ranchera influences.[1] The song makes use of the drums, an electronic keyboard, a french horn, and the piano.[5] Lyrically, "Contigo Quiero Estar" talks about the narrator's feelings for her lover, who wants to be by his side constantly.[4]
Critical reception and covers
"Contigo Quiero Estar" received a negative response from music critics. During a review of all of Selena's albums and their respective singles, an editor from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, opined that "Contigo Quiero Estar" is one of the worst recorded songs Selena recorded in her career,[1] while Sally Jacobs of The Boston Globe affirmed The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's commentary review, professing that Selena made a "mistake with this song."[6] Carmina Danini of the San Antonio Express-News praised "Contigo Quiero Estar"'s "Tejano-rich" sounds.[7] Dave Hoekstra of the Chicago Sun-Times called "Contigo Quiero Estar" a "weak ranchera song".[5] An editor from the Austin American-Statesman gave the song a score of 2 out of a possible 5 star rating.[8]
The single received a "Single of the Year" nomination at the 1990 Tejano Music Awards,[9] which honors Tejano musicians annually in South Texas.[10] Selena performed "Where Did the Feeling Go?", a demo recorded by Selena earlier that previous year,[11] instead of "Contigo Quiero Estar".[12] Many critics praised the song and noted its standout ability.[9][13] Ben Tavera King of the San Antonio-Express News favored the "Where Did the Feeling Go?" over "Contigo Quiero Estar".[14]
Mexican band Los Reyes De Mexico recorded a mariachi version of the song on their album Reyes De Mexico Lo Lindo Ti.[15] Puerto Rican band Orquesta Armonia Show recorded both a merengue and a cumbia version, which were included on their album Merengues y Cumbias.[16]
Track listings
- 12" Single[17]
- "Contigo Quiero Estar" — 3:49
- "Quiero Ser" — 2:33
Credits and personnel
Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.[4]
|
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Chart performance
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot Latin Songs[18][19] | 8 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Selena: Singer was on the verge of mainstream stardom". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Cox Enterprises). 5 April 1995.
- ↑ Lannert, John (10 June 1995). "A Retrospective". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media) 107 (23): 112. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ↑ Lannert, John (4 May 1996). "Billboard's Latin Awards Show Becomes Mas Grande, Mas Bueno". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media) 108 (18): 122. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Selena (Media notes). Selena. EMI Latin. 1989. 724354083921.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hoekstra, Dave (24 July 1995). "New CD Displays Her Vast Range". Chicago Sun-Times (Sun-Times Media Group).
- ↑ Jacobs, Sally (19 October 1995). "The canonization of Selena The slain Tejano singer looms larger than life as her alleged killer stands trial". The Boston Globe (The New York Times Company).
- ↑ Danini, Carmina (21 July 1995). "Selena fans scoop up CD in Mexico". San Antonio Express-News (Hearst Corporation).
- ↑ "A singer of many record labels". Austin American-Statesman (Cox Enterprises). 2 April 1995.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Associated Press (26 December 1995). "Selena, concealed handguns top headline grabbers in '95". San Antonio Express-News (Hearst Corporation).
- ↑ Clark 2002, p. 120.
- ↑ Minnick, Doug (24 September 2010). "Jose Behar, interview". Taxi A&R. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
- ↑ McLemore, David (5 April 1995). "Corpus Christi searches for answers in aftermath of seven shooting deaths Slayings leave city shocked, saddened". The Dallas Morning News (A. H. Belo Corporation).
- ↑ "Roots of Tejano celebrated A symposium at UT-Arlington explores the history and renewed popularity of the Mexican-American music form.". Fort Worth Star-Telegram (The McClatchy Company). 13 October 1995.
- ↑ Tavera King, Ben (31 January 1992). "1992 Tejano Music Awards Leading nominees announced". San Antonio Express-News (Hearst Corporation).
- ↑ "Amazon.com: Reyes De Mexico Lo Lindo Ti". Amazon.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ "iTunes > Music > Merengues y Cumbias". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
- ↑ (CD single). Selena. EMI Latin. 1989. HA-19328.
- ↑ Peña 2002, p. 205.
- ↑ "Selena, the Queen of Tejano Music". Legacy. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
Books
- Clark, Walter Aaron (2002), From Tejano to Tango: Latin American Popular Music, Psychology Press, ISBN 081533639X
- Peña, Manuel (2002), Música tejana : the cultural economy of artistic transformation, Texas A&M University Press, ISBN 9780890968888
External links
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