This week, I’ve had Selena’s “I Could Fall in Love.” I grew up listening to Selena, dancing and singing along to all of her songs as a little girl, but recently revisited this song because of the resurgence online of Solange Knowles’ cover of this iconic song featured during her 2013 tour.
Selena Quintanilla was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer. Her fashion choices, music, and performance style earned her the title the “Queen of Tejano Music,” and even earned her a Grammy in 1994. Some of her most memorable songs are “Dreaming of You,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,”and “Como La Flor.”
“I Could Fall in Love” is one of Selena’s songs that would have made her a cross-over star, had her life not been ended abruptly. Her high vocal range and bright tone made her a success in the Tejano/ Cumbia style of music she was known for performing, but also translated well into the R&B and Pop music she was starting to create. The song talks about a person being so infatuated with another that they feel as though they could fall in love with the person; though they feel it may be best for the other person to walk away before their love becomes too intense. Although Solange’s version is intimate and vulnerable at times, it lacks the impact that the original version has. Selena’s powerful voice and performance style perfectly captures the agony and desperation the lyrics describe. Both versions can be viewed below for reference.
Take a listen:
Is there a certain version of a song performed by a singer that you like? Leave a comment below!