Learn Spanish with 4 Selena Quintanilla Pop Songs
Are you tired of trying to learn Spanish from a textbook?
It’s easy to become disheartened on the language learning journey. Many students get bogged down with long, boring assignments and readings.
Are you bored of seemingly endless grammar rules? Are you starting to forget why you wanted to learn Spanish in the first place?
Don’t stress! These feelings and frustrations are completely normal when you decide to pick up another language. But, that doesn’t mean you always have to feel this way! You just need someone to help guide your journey back into the light.
I’m here to help put the passion back into language learning!
In this article, I introduce you to world-renowned singer Selena Quintanilla and share four of her most incredible Spanish songs. Stay tuned to uncover why her songs are ideal for Spanish beginners.
Keep reading to understand why music is one of the most powerful language learning tools and how to take advantage of it.
Ready to tune up your Spanish lessons?
Table of Contents:
- Listening to Music Helps You Master Your Target Language
- Who Was Selena Quintanilla?
- Why Selena’s Songs are Perfect for Spanish Learners
- 4 Selena Quintanilla Pop Songs for Learning Spanish
- Selena Took Spanish Classes — You Can Too!
Listening to Music Helps You Master Your Target Language
It’s no secret that immersion is the best way to learn another language. When you’re surrounded and fully submerged in the language, you quickly pick up new words and phrases.
This is especially true if you live in a country where people speak your target language. As you experience the music, food, and way of life around you, the language stays with you.
However, not everyone can take a trip abroad or move to another country. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring Hispanic music and culture into your own home!
Create your own immersive Spanish experience through Latin music. Music is a window into the culture, a storytelling experience, and, most importantly, an excellent way to learn another language!
Music teaches you relevant vocabulary terms and slang in a fun way. Catchy songs have a habit of getting stuck in your head. Use this repetition to your advantage by listening to songs in your target language! You’ll soon be humming to yourself in Spanish.
Another benefit of music is that it gives you exposure to native speakers. Textbooks and recordings don’t fully capture how normal people naturally talk.
Songs, on the other hand, challenge your ear to pull out words from lyrical intonations and drawn-out notes. With practice, your Spanish hearing will level up!
Lastly, music adds entertainment back into the language learning process. Grammar lessons and verb tense practices are important, but it is equally essential to stay passionate about your goals. If you actually enjoy the Spanish learning experience, you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Who Was Selena Quintanilla?
Selena Quintanilla was a famous American singer/songwriter. She was a best-selling Latin artist who stood out thanks to her breathtaking voice and jaw-dropping outfits.
Music ran through Selena’s veins. In fact, it was her father who first taught her to sing. And at just 10 years old, Selena became the lead singer in her family’s band!
With so many talented musicians surrounding her, it’s no surprise that Selena ended up marrying one. American guitarist Chris Pérez was the musical match to Selena’s heart.
How Selena Quintanilla Learned Spanish
Although Selena was Latina, she didn’t always speak Spanish!
Selena grew up speaking English. However, her father wanted Selena to resonate with their Latino community. Selena played tapes, watched soap operas, and, of course, listened to music for practice. Her father was a huge aid in teaching her the proper Spanish pronunciation and phonetics for singing.
It’s impossible to talk about Selena’s singing career without mentioning Tejano music. This rhythmic style combines various types of Mexican music like country and folk.
Her albums made waves and helped her become the first female Tejano artist to win a Grammy for Best Mexican/American Album. Her rise to fame led to a net worth of $164,000 by 1995.
How Did Selena Quintanilla Die?
Sadly, Selena’s story has a tragic ending. The manager of Selena’s clothing boutiques, Selena Etc., fatally shot Selena after a dispute over financial papers.
Who killed Selena Quintanilla? Yolanda Saldivar, murdered the star in 1995. The two got into an argument in Saldivar’s motel room on the night of the killing. As Selena tried to leave the room, Saldivar shot her in the back.
As Saldivar retreated back to her room, Selena begged the motel staff for help. The workers tried to comfort her as they quickly called emergency services. Selena’s last words were, “Yolanda… (room) 158,” as she desperately tried to warn them about her attacker.
This bright, young artist lost her life on March 31, 1995. Although Selena was just 23 at the time of her death, her songs continue to live on in the hearts of fans everywhere.
Why Selena’s Songs are Perfect for Spanish Learners
Since Selena was a language learner herself, her songs are tailor-made for other beginners!
Unlike fast-paced rappers and native-speaking Latino artists, Selena takes her time singing each song. Her pronunciation never misses a syllable and she sings each word clearly. Most of her songs are in the present tense and avoid complex grammar. Selena also loves repeating choruses and keeping the vocabulary simple.
Her songs are a recipe for Spanish success!
4 Selena Quintanilla Pop Songs for Learning Spanish
Here are four hand-picked Selena Quintanilla songs that are perfect for language learners. Be sure to add them to your Spanish playlist!
1. Como la flor (Like a Flower)
Como la flor is one of Selena’s most famous songs.
This iconic single is on Selena’s third studio album, Entre a mi mundo (Enter My World). Released in 1992, this song peaked at #6 on the Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks. Many fans deem it the best Selena Quintanilla song ever.
The song has a deep, rich tone. As she sings, Selena compares a dying flower to losing love.
Why It’s Perfect for Spanish Learners: Selena sings at a slow and soothing pace that learners can keep up with.
2. Si una vez (If Once)
Selena and her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, co-wrote Si una vez together. It’s the ninth track on the 1994 album Amor prohibido (Forbidden Love).
Everyone makes mistakes in love. This fiery Selena song follows a woman as she wonders why she ever fell in love with her ex. She goes on to promise never to make this same mistake again.
Why It’s Perfect for Spanish Learners: This song is full of easy repetition! Count how many times Selena sings si una vez dije que te amaba (if I once told you I loved you).
3. Bidi bidi bom bom
Just like its name suggests, Bidi bidi bom bom is an electric and groovy hit.
This love song describes the wonderful, giddy feelings you get when you’re with your crush. Your breath catches, you start to blush, and your heartbeat quickens! That’s exactly where the song gets its name from too. Bidi bidi bom bom refers to the fast heartbeat of someone who’s in love!
Why It’s Perfect for Spanish Learners: Repetition, easy pace, and clear pronunciation—this song has it all!
4. Amor prohibido (Forbidden Love)
Amor prohibido was the title track from Selena’s fourth album. Forbidden Love was her first #1 song on the Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs.
This catchy tune is a lyrical telling about love persevering over resistance.
Why It’s Perfect for Spanish Learners: This song is full of useful vocabulary words and phrases! The lyrics are perfect for learning how to talk about love, money, and family in Spanish!
Selena Took Spanish Classes — You Can Too!
Learning Spanish opens the doors to millions of new opportunities and friendships.
You’ll be able to connect with any of the 500 million Spanish speakers across the globe or meet the 40 million Spanish speakers in the U.S.! Whether you want to make your resume shine or earn a higher salary, learning Spanish is the way to go.
Selena’s songs are a fantastic way to pump up your Spanish skills! However, you need more than just rhythm and tone to get to fluency.
Homeschool Spanish Academy offers online lessons with native-speaking teachers who help you learn to converse fast. We have over a decade of language teaching experience and provide our students with affordable pricing and flexible programs.
Learn Spanish like Selena Quintanilla by signing up for a free trial class today!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”
– Sharon K, Parent of 3
“It’s great being able to interact with native speaking people and having a conversation with them not just doing all the work on paper. It’s also an amazing opportunity to speak with native Spanish-speaking people without having to travel to a native Spanish-speaking country.”
– Melanie
“Getting to know wonderful teachers who care about me and my growth in language and education. Evelyn Gomez and Erick Cacao are two of the most extraordinary people I have ever met, and talking with them in Spanish at the beginning of classes is always so fulfilling and greatly contributes to my happiness, joy, and wellbeing.”
– Abby
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