Celebrating her legacy, Billboard highlights some of the best life lessons found in her lyrics. See them below.
Song: “La Llamada”
Lyric: No me vuelves a llamar/ No te voy a perdonar/ Otra oportunidad/ No te la doy/ No vales la pena
Translation: Do not call me again/ I am not going to forgive you/ I won’t give you another chance/ You are not worth it
Life Lesson: “Once a cheater, always a cheater.” Don’t pick up his phone calls, don’t respond to his text messages, don’t look for him. He’s not worth it!
Song: “Si Una Vez”
Lyric: Si una vez dije que te amaba/ Y que por ti la vida daba/ Si una vez dije que te amaba, no lo vuelvo a hacer/ Ese error es cosa de ayer
Translation: If I once said I loved you/ And that my life was for you/ If I once said I loved you, I won’t do it again/ That mistake is a yesterday thing
Life Lesson: Further adding to the previous song, know that you’re too good for your ex anyway! In Selena’s own words, that relationship is an error from the past.
Song: “Amor Prohibido”
Lyric: Aunque soy pobre todo esto que te doy/ Vale más que el dinero porque sí es amor/ Y cuando al fin estemos juntos, los dos/ Qué importa qué dirán, también la sociedad/ Aquí sólo importa nuestro amor, te quiero
Translation: Although I am poor, all this that I give you/ Is worth more than money because it's love/ And we’re finally together/ Who cares what society thinks?/ The only thing that matters here is our love
Life Lesson: Fight for your love! It doesn’t matter if the whole world is against your relationship with your partner. If it’s true love, it will last forever.
Song: “Como La Flor”
Lyric: Yo sé que tienes un nuevo amor / Sin embargo, te deseo lo mejor / Si en mí, no encontraste felicidad / Tal vez, alguien más te la dará
Translation: I know you have a new love / However, I wish you the best / If in me, you did not find happiness / Maybe, someone else will give it to you
Life Lesson: Be the bigger person in the relationship when things don’t work out. Make peace with it, wish them well and move on!
Song: “La Carcacha”
Lyric: Miren muchachas que no me arrepiento/ Y tampoco me avergüenzo yo de mi galán/ Aunque sea pobre y tenga un carro viejo/ Me trata como reina/ Un hombre de verdad
Translation: Look girls, I don’t regret it/ And I’m not ashamed of my boyfriend/ Even if he is poor and has an old car/ He treats me like a queen/ A real man
Life Lesson: Be humble! Don’t be ashamed of what you have and don’t have. Enjoy the simple things in life.
Song: “No Quiero Saber”
Lyric: Ya no estés triste, ven conmigo a cantar/ Tira tus penas al aire, hoy vamos a disfrutar/ Qué linda es la vida, vive cada día/ Sin poner medida, vive hasta lo máximo
Translation: Do not be sad anymore, come sing with me/ Throw your sorrows in the air, let’s enjoy today/ Life is so beautiful, live each day/ Without putting a stop, live to the fullest
Life Lesson: YOLO! In this '90s techno dance track, Selena sends the message of living your life to the fullest and finding happiness.
Song: “Las Cadenas”
Lyric: Ahora que ya no estás me siento libre/ Me voy donde voy, y nadie lo impide/ Yo mando mi vida y me siento más feliz/ Y nunca nunca volveré a caer contigo
Translation: Now that you're gone, I feel free/ I go where I want, and no one stops me/ I rule my life and I feel happier/ And I'll never fall for you again
Life Lesson: In true Selena fashion, this song is all about women empowerment, knowing your self-worth and finding yourself again after a toxic relationship.
