Contigo Quiero Estar

For the song by Alejandra Guzmán, see Quiero Estar Contigo.

"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
"Contigo Quiero Estar"
(1989)		 "Sukiyaki"
(1989)

"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". 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 mixed reception to the song, with Sally Jacobs of The Boston Globe stating that Selena "made a mistake" with the song. Deborah Vargas wrote in her book that the single "marked the beginning of her [Selena's] international trajectory". "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.[1] According to Selena's record producer—sibling A.B. Quintanilla III[2]—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.[3]

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.[3] The song makes use of the drums, an electronic keyboard, a french horn, and the piano.[4] Lyrically, "Contigo Quiero Estar" talks about the narrator's feelings for her lover, who wants to be by his side constantly.[3]

Critical reception and covers

"Contigo Quiero Estar" received a mixed response from music critics. Sally Jacobs of The Boston Globe said that Selena made a "mistake with this song."[5] Carmina Danini of the San Antonio Express-News praised "Contigo Quiero Estar"'s "Tejano-rich" sounds.[6] Dave Hoekstra of the Chicago Sun-Times called "Contigo Quiero Estar" a "weak ranchera song".[4] Deborah Vargas wrote in her book Dissonant Divas in Chicana Music: The Limits of la Onda that the song marked "the beginning of her [Selena's] international trajectory".[7] Mexican band Los Reyes De Mexico recorded a mariachi version of the song on their album Reyes De Mexico Lo Lindo Ti.[8] Puerto Rican band Orquesta Armonia Show recorded both a merengue and a cumbia version, which were included on their album Merengues y Cumbias.[9]

Track listings

  1. "Contigo Quiero Estar" — 3:49
  2. "Quiero Ser" — 2:33

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the album's liner notes.[3]

Chart performance

Chart (1989) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot Latin Songs[11][12] 8

References

  1. ↑ Lannert, John (10 June 1995). "A Retrospective". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media) 107 (23): 112. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Selena (Media notes). Selena. EMI Latin. 1989. 724354083921.
  4. 1 2 Hoekstra, Dave (24 July 1995). "New CD Displays Her Vast Range". Chicago Sun-Times (Sun-Times Media Group).
  5. ↑ 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).
  6. ↑ Danini, Carmina (21 July 1995). "Selena fans scoop up CD in Mexico". San Antonio Express-News (Hearst Corporation).
  7. ↑ Vargas, Deborah R. (2012). Dissonant divas in Chicana music : the limits of la onda. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 0816673160. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Amazon.com: Reyes De Mexico Lo Lindo Ti". Amazon.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "iTunes > Music > Merengues y Cumbias". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  10. ↑ Contigo Quiero Estar/Quiero Ser (CD single). Selena. EMI Latin. 1989. HA-19328.
  11. ↑ Peña 2002, p. 205.
  12. ↑ "Selena, the Queen of Tejano Music". Legacy. Retrieved 11 October 2011.

Books

External links

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