La Carcacha
"La Carcacha" () is a song recorded by American singer Selena for her third studio album, Entre a Mi Mundo (1992). The song was written by A.B. Quintanilla and Pete Astudillo. It was inspired by a dilapidated car and an experience in which A.B. observed a woman's willingness to court the owner of a luxury car. The song, characterized by its rhythmic melodies and satirical portrayal of life in the barrio, highlights the importance of love and genuine connection over material wealth. It is a Tejano cumbia song that is emblematic of Selena's typical style, while music critics found it to be musically similar to "Baila Esta Cumbia". The song experienced considerable airplay and chart success, reaching the top spot on Radio & Records Tejano Singles chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified it triple platinum, denoting 180,000 units consisting of sales and on-demand streaming in the US. "La Carcacha" played a pivotal role in propelling Selena to prominence within the Tejano music industry, as well as facilitating her breakthrough in Mexico, and emerged as one of her signature songs. The song inspired a lowrider car show and was included in the Broadway musical, Selena Forever (2000). In 2005, Ana Bárbara performed the song at the Selena ¡Vive! benefit concert. Background and inspiration In 1991, A.B. Quintanilla, Selena's brother, and the band's keyboardist Joe Ojeda walked from their hotel in Uvalde, Texas, to get food. While eating, A.B. observed a dilapidated vehicle and proclaimed his desire to compose a song inspired by it. He asked Ojeda for the Spanish translation of "broken-down car," which Ojeda provided as "carcacha". A.B. was initially uncertain about the thematic direction he would pursue with the composition. A month later after his observation of the run-down car, A.B. bought a BMW and went to pick up food. At the restaurant, a worker kept asking about his car, much to his frustration, as he simply sought to retrieve his meal. Overhearing a nearby woman expressing her willingness to court the owner of the car, A.B. utilized this experience to forge "La Carcacha" in collaboration with backup dancer and vocalist Pete Astudillo. Astudillo learned about A.B.'s idea in Eagle Pass, Texas, after a friend of Selena poked fun at a couple arriving at a dance in their beat-up car. Astudillo aspired to craft lyrics centered around a woman devoid of materialistic inclinations, whose acquaintances may deride her and engage in mockery. However, she lacks concern over her partner's possession of a battered car, showing that the paramount sentiment is the significance of love. Music and lyrics Musically, "La Carcacha" is primarily a Tejano cumbia song, incorporating elements of piano and synthesizers "woven into it", under a "tasty beat". It features the characteristic danceable tempo typically associated with cumbia recordings. "La Carcacha" contains a fusion of traditional cumbia, Tejano, and alternative rock melodies. The track is emblematic of Selena's cumbia style, with her exuberance discernible in her vocal delivery, as observed by Marysabel E. Huston-Crespo