La Llamada

{{About||the 1965 film|La llamada (1965 film)|the 2013 musical|La llamada (musical)|the 2017 film|Holy Camp!|the song by AK-7|El Avion De Las Tres}}

{{Infobox song

| name = La Llamada

| cover = Lallamadasingle.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Selena

| album = Selena Live!

| B-side = ¿Qué Creías?

| released = October 18, 1993

| recorded = 1993

| studio = Q-Productions (Corpus Christi, TX)

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|Tejano|Mexican cumbia}}

| length = {{duration|m=3|s=49}}

| label = EMI Latin

| writer = {{hlist|Pete Astudillo|A.B. Quintanilla III}}

| producer = {{hlist|A.B. Quintanilla III|Bebu Silvetti}}

| prev_title = No Debes Jugar

| prev_year = 1993

| next_title = Donde Quiera Que Estés

| next_year = 1994

| misc = {{External music video|type=single|header=Music video|{{YouTube|om3KWmuFRAA|"La Llamada"}}}}

}}

"La Llamada" ({{langx|en|"The Phone Call"}}) is a song recorded by American recording artist Selena for her first live album Live! (1993). It was composed by Selena y Los Dinos backup singer Pete Astudillo and Selena's brother and principal record producer A.B. Quintanilla III and produced by Quintanilla III and Argentine music producer Bebu Silvetti. "La Llamada" was released as the second single from Live!. "La Llamada" is an uptempo Mexican cumbia song centering on female empowerment. Lyrically, the song sees Selena break up with her cheating boyfriend over the phone.

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. It peaked at number 5 on the US Hot Latin Tracks on the week ending 23 October 1993. On the week ending 9 April 2011, "La Llamada" entered the Regional Mexican Digital Songs chart. A music video was released and features Selena dancing in a crowd at a beach house in Malibu, California. There have been many cover versions of "La Llamada" ranging from Mexican to Dominican artists.

Background and composition

"La Llamada" was one of three studio tracks recorded for Live! (1993). It was written by Selena y Los Dinos backup singer Pete Astudillo and Selena's brother, principal record producer and songwriter A.B. Quintanilla III. It was produced by Quintanilla III and Argentine music producer Bebu Silvetti. The song was intended to be one of three studio tracks for Selena's Live! album. Astudillo and Quintanilla III had spent an hour writing a song together. They wanted to write a song on a topic that many women face with their boyfriends. Quintanilla III had wanted to empower women, letting them know that they should hold their heads up and remember that life goes on. Selena favored the lyrical content and central theme, a common one in her songs. "La Llamada" was recorded in Corpus Christi, Texas, at Selena's father and manager Abraham Quintanilla, Jr.'s recording studio Q-Productions. Before Live! was released, the song was mixed by Brian "Red" Moore, a family friend.{{cite AV media notes |title=Live! |others=Selena |year=2002 |type=CD |publisher=EMI Latin |id=724354084027 }} Because Selena favored the song, the band released a music video. It was filmed in a beach house in Malibu, California. The video features Selena dancing with guys on one side and woman on the other. In other scenes, Selena is belting the lyrics behind blue curtains.{{cite book|last=Perez|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Perez|title=To Selena, With Love|year=2012|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-1101580264|pages=304|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=agvzRX-2SPwC&q=Selena+La+Llamada&pg=PT162}}

"La Llamada" is an uptempo Mexican cumbia song.{{cite book|title=La época|year=1994|publisher=University of Texas|location=Epoca de México|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mMULAAAAYAAJ&q=No+Debes+Jugar+Selena}} Written in the key of A minor, the beat is set in common time and moves at a moderate 90 beats per minute.{{cite journal|first1=Selena |last1=Quintanilla-Perez |first2=A.B. |last2=Quintanilla III |author-link1=Selena |author-link2=A.B. Quintanilla III |title=Live!: Selena Digital Sheet Music |year=1993 |website=Musicnotes.com |publisher=Alfred Music Publishing|at=MN090674 (Product Number)}} "La Llamada" describes a woman telling her boyfriend over the phone that she saw him kissing another girl, while her boyfriend tries to persuade to her that it was not him. The central theme explored on "La Llamada" suggests female empowerment.{{cite news|title=Tejano music celebrates its best|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8EEED5AF80A6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=21 June 2012|newspaper=Fort Worth Star Telegram|date=13 March 1993}}

Critical reception and covers

Howard Blumenthal wrote in his book The World Music CD Listener's Guide that "La Llamada" is an "energetic" song.{{cite book|last=Blumenthal|first=Howard J.|title=The World Music CD Listener's Guide|year=1997|publisher=Billboard Books|location=New York|isbn=0-8230-7663-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uCc5AQAAIAAJ&q=No+Debes+Jugar,+La+Llamada,+Tu+Robaste+Mi+Corazon|edition=1st print.}} An editor from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram compared "La Llamada" and another Live! single "No Debes Jugar". The editor expressed the similarities the songs shared in both its lyrical content and the instruments used in the songs.{{cite news|title=With Tejano music, Selena joins pioneers|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ST&s_site=dfw&p_multi=ST&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF8FF2AD4C7F8A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=21 June 2012|newspaper=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|date=4 April 1995}} Sue Anne Pressley of the Chicago Sun-Times believed that "La Llamada" is a "fan favorite", calling it "a danceable pop number".{{cite news|last=Pressley|first=Sue Anne|title=Suspect Charged In Selena's Death Warnings Cited|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB4221C36591B57&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=21 June 2012|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=2 April 1995}} A Philadelphia Daily News editor called "La Llamada" a "catchy tune", though commented that it is the least memorable song on Live!.{{cite news|title=Selena's Story Going on Film|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DN&s_site=philly&p_multi=PI%7CDN&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB2A296B65ABA83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date=21 June 2012|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=29 August 1995}}

Mexican band Banda El Grullo recorded the song on their tribute album Lo Mejor De Selena Con Banda.{{cite web|title=iTunes > Music > Lo Mejor de Selena Con Banda|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/lo-mejor-de-selena-con-banda/195009929|work=iTunes Store|date=11 October 2005 |publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=21 June 2012}} Mexican singer Dalila also recorded the song for her album Dalila en Vivo.{{cite web|title=iTunes > Music > Dailia en Vivo|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dalila-en-vivo/id430134824|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226235600/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/dalila-en-vivo/id430134824|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2015|work=iTunes Store|publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=21 June 2012}} Dominican bachata singer Kiko Rodriguez recorded the song on his album Otra Vez Con Amor.{{cite web|title=iTunes > Music > Otra Vez Con Amor|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/otra-vez-con-amor/id449192604|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085908/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/otra-vez-con-amor/id449192604|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2016|work=iTunes Store|date=January 2007 |publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=21 June 2012}}

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
Chart (1993) !Peak position
scope=row\|US Billboard Hot Latin Tracks{{cite web\|title=Allmusic > Selena Awards\|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/selena-mn0000004852/awards\|work=Allmusic\|publisher=Rovi Corporation\|access-date=21 June 2012}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|5
scope=row\|Mexico Grupera Songs (El Siglo de Torreón){{cite web \|title=Posiciones de las Canciones Con Mayor Exito en America Latina \|url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1993/12/07/39/Ar03903.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=1441676&PageLabelPrint=39&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sDateFrom=%30%31%25%32%46%30%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%33&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%33&dummy=%31%39%39%33&sQuery=%53%65%6c%65%6e%61&x=%30&y=%30&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%32%35&ViewMode=HTML \|website=El Siglo de Torreón\|date=December 7, 1993 \|access-date=13 May 2022\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220513010428/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1993/12/07/39/Ar03903.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=1441676&PageLabelPrint=39&skin=ElSiglo&sLanguage=English&Content=ALL&selLanguage=&sPublication=EDT&sDateFrom=01%252F01%252F1993&sDateTo=12%252F31%252F1993&dummy=1993&sQuery=Selena&x=0&y=0&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=25&ViewMode=HTML\|archive-date=May 13, 2022}} \| style="text-align:center;"\|15
Chart (2011) !Peak position
scope=row\|US Billboard Regional Mexican Digital Songs{{cite magazine\|title=Latin Regional Digital Songs: 9 April 2011 {{!}} Billboard Chart Archive \|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11947298 \|magazine=Billboard \|publisher=Prometheus Global Media \|access-date=3 August 2012 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526030730/https://www.webcitation.org/69d31Wwhk?url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11947298 \|archive-date= 26 May 2024 }} \| style="text-align:center;"\|10

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

Chart (1993)

!Peak
position

scope=row|US Billboard Hot Latin Tracks{{cite web|title=Allmusic > Selena Awards|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/selena-mn0000004852/awards|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=21 June 2012}}

| style="text-align:center;"|5

scope=row|Mexico Grupera Songs (El Siglo de Torreón){{cite web |title=Posiciones de las Canciones Con Mayor Exito en America Latina |url=http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1993/12/07/39/Ar03903.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=1441676&PageLabelPrint=39&skin=%45%6c%53%69%67%6c%6f&sLanguage=%45%6e%67%6c%69%73%68&Content=%41%4c%4c&selLanguage=&sPublication=%45%44%54&sDateFrom=%30%31%25%32%46%30%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%33&sDateTo=%31%32%25%32%46%33%31%25%32%46%31%39%39%33&dummy=%31%39%39%33&sQuery=%53%65%6c%65%6e%61&x=%30&y=%30&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=%32%35&ViewMode=HTML |website=El Siglo de Torreón|date=December 7, 1993 |access-date=13 May 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220513010428/http://h.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Search&Key=EDT/1993/12/07/39/Ar03903.xml&CollName=EDT_1990_1999&DOCID=1441676&PageLabelPrint=39&skin=ElSiglo&sLanguage=English&Content=ALL&selLanguage=&sPublication=EDT&sDateFrom=01%252F01%252F1993&sDateTo=12%252F31%252F1993&dummy=1993&sQuery=Selena&x=0&y=0&RefineQueryView=&StartFrom=25&ViewMode=HTML|archive-date=May 13, 2022}}

| style="text-align:center;"|15

Chart (2011)

!Peak
position

scope=row|US Billboard Regional Mexican Digital Songs{{cite magazine|title=Latin Regional Digital Songs: 9 April 2011 {{!}} Billboard Chart Archive |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11947298 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |access-date=3 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526030730/https://www.webcitation.org/69d31Wwhk?url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/chart-search-results/singles/11947298 |archive-date= 26 May 2024 }}

| style="text-align:center;"|10