Como La Flor

“Como la Flor” by Selena is one of the most important songs in Tejano and Latin pop history. Released in June 1992 as the second single from Selena’s third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo, the song was issued by EMI Latin and produced by A. B. Quintanilla, Selena’s brother and longtime creative collaborator. It was written by A. B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. (Wikipedia)

Musically, “Como la Flor” is an uptempo Tejano cumbia song that blends tropical cumbia rhythms with touches of reggae and pop. The main instruments and production elements include keyboards, guitar, programming, bass-driven cumbia rhythms, and Selena’s lead vocals. According to the album credits, the recording features Selena on lead vocals, Ricky Vela and Joe Ojeda on keyboards, Chris Pérez on guitar, and A. B. Quintanilla on production, programming, mixing, and background vocals. (Wikipedia)

The lyrics compare a fading relationship to a flower that has withered. Selena sings from the perspective of someone who has been left for another person, but instead of reacting with anger, she wishes her former lover the best while admitting the pain of losing him. That emotional contrast — dignity, heartbreak, and vulnerability — helped make the song one of Selena’s signature performances.

“Como la Flor” became a major breakthrough for Selena. It reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and later climbed to No. 3 on Mexico’s Grupera Songs chart, helping establish her as a major artist in Mexico as well as in the United States. The song also won Regional Mexican Song of the Year at the 1993 Premio Lo Nuestro Awards. (Wikipedia)

One of the most famous curiosities about the song is its origin. A. B. Quintanilla was inspired by a family selling illuminated plastic flowers at a concert in Sacramento, California, in 1982. Years later, while in a hotel room in Bryan, Texas, he suddenly remembered a melody, rushed out of the shower, and recreated it on a keyboard with Pete Astudillo. Quintanilla reportedly completed the music in about 20 minutes, while Astudillo finished the lyrics in around an hour. (Wikipedia)

Another powerful detail is how Selena performed the song live. She often began it slowly and emotionally, using a flamenco-inspired hand gesture before moving into the upbeat cumbia section and emphasizing the phrase “cómo me duele”. “Como la Flor” was also the closing number of Selena’s final live performance in Bryan, Texas, on March 19, 1995, just days before her death. (Wikipedia)

“Como la Flor” by Selena is one of the most important songs in Tejano and Latin pop history. Released in June 1992 as the second single from Selena’s third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo, the song was issued by EMI Latin and produced by A. B. Quintanilla, Selena’s brother and longtime creative collaborator. It was written by A. B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. (Wikipedia)

Musically, “Como la Flor” is an uptempo Tejano cumbia song that blends tropical cumbia rhythms with touches of reggae and pop. The main instruments and production elements include keyboards, guitar, programming, bass-driven cumbia rhythms, and Selena’s lead vocals. According to the album credits, the recording features Selena on lead vocals, Ricky Vela and Joe Ojeda on keyboards, Chris Pérez on guitar, and A. B. Quintanilla on production, programming, mixing, and background vocals. (Wikipedia)

The lyrics compare a fading relationship to a flower that has withered. Selena sings from the perspective of someone who has been left for another person, but instead of reacting with anger, she wishes her former lover the best while admitting the pain of losing him. That emotional contrast — dignity, heartbreak, and vulnerability — helped make the song one of Selena’s signature performances.

“Como la Flor” became a major breakthrough for Selena. It reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and later climbed to No. 3 on Mexico’s Grupera Songs chart, helping establish her as a major artist in Mexico as well as in the United States. The song also won Regional Mexican Song of the Year at the 1993 Premio Lo Nuestro Awards. (Wikipedia)

One of the most famous curiosities about the song is its origin. A. B. Quintanilla was inspired by a family selling illuminated plastic flowers at a concert in Sacramento, California, in 1982. Years later, while in a hotel room in Bryan, Texas, he suddenly remembered a melody, rushed out of the shower, and recreated it on a keyboard with Pete Astudillo. Quintanilla reportedly completed the music in about 20 minutes, while Astudillo finished the lyrics in around an hour. (Wikipedia)

Another powerful detail is how Selena performed the song live. She often began it slowly and emotionally, using a flamenco-inspired hand gesture before moving into the upbeat cumbia section and emphasizing the phrase “cómo me duele”. “Como la Flor” was also the closing number of Selena’s final live performance in Bryan, Texas, on March 19, 1995, just days before her death. (Wikipedia)