When thousands of fans first heard "Alguien Que Te Amaba" from Karol G's latest album, they quickly noted its resemblance to Selena Quintanilla's style. Their instincts were spot on: the song was co-written by Pete Astudillo, a close collaborator of the late Tex-Mex Queen.
Astudillo is renowned for penning classics like "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "Amor Prohibido," and he duetted with Selena on "Siempre Estoy Pensando en Ti." Now, his name joins Karol G and producer Édgar Barrera, a highly decorated Latin Grammy winner, in the credits for "Alguien Que Te Amaba."
The origins of this collaboration are as enchanting as the song itself. Karol G personally requested Barrera to reach out to Astudillo, expressing her desire to work with him. Barrera connected with Astudillo through social media, and the musician eagerly agreed to the collaboration.
The result is a heart-wrenching cumbia with a distinct Tejano flair, featured on "No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto," Karol G's sixth studio album, released on August 7th.
Astudillo couldn't contain his excitement and shared his feelings on Instagram shortly after the song's release: "I have no words to describe the emotion I feel listening to this song. Eternally grateful to @karolg and @edgarbarrera for the trust, the opportunity, and for believing in me. This is a dream come true."
The Longstanding Connection Between Karol G and Selena
Karol G's admiration for Selena is neither recent nor coincidental. In 2023, she paid homage to Selena during a Texas concert by performing "Como la Flor" and proclaiming her as her idol. That same year, Karol G released "Mi ex tenía razón," a Tejano-style cumbia explicitly dedicated to Selena on social media.
Interestingly, fans sensed the connection before it was publicly acknowledged. The most popular comment on the song's YouTube visualizer, garnering thousands of reactions, simply stated, "THIS RHYTHM REMINDS ME OF SELENA QUINTANILLA." Another user remarked, "In another life, this song is a collaboration with the queen Selena Quintanilla." An astute fan revealed the secret before it went viral: "Everyone says it reminds them of Selena, but what no one knows is that this song is by Pete Astudillo, who once sang with Selena."
A Sentimental Nod Hidden Within the Lyrics
The song also contains a deeply emotional nod. The line "And the pink summer is now a winter" directly references "Verano Rosa," a collaboration Karol G recorded with her ex-boyfriend Feid, symbolizing their past relationship. Many fans interpret the entire album as a narrative of that breakup, with "Alguien Que Te Amaba" serving as the final chapter.
The album shot to the top of iTunes charts in the United States and racked up 16.6 million streams on Spotify on its first day, according to platform analytics. For Pete Astudillo, who was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 2019, this collaboration marks a poignant and unexpected return to the forefront of Latin music.
Exploring the Impact of "Alguien Que Te Amaba" by Karol G
Who co-wrote "Alguien Que Te Amaba" with Karol G?
"Alguien Que Te Amaba" was co-written by Pete Astudillo, a close collaborator of Selena Quintanilla, along with Karol G and producer Édgar Barrera.
How does Karol G's song connect to Selena Quintanilla?
The song "Alguien Que Te Amaba" connects to Selena Quintanilla through its co-writer Pete Astudillo, known for his work with Selena, and its Tejano music style reminiscent of Selena's iconic sound.
What is the significance of the line "And the pink summer is now a winter" in the song?
The line "And the pink summer is now a winter" is a poignant reference to Karol G's past relationship with Feid, specifically alluding to their collaboration "Verano Rosa" and symbolizing the end of that chapter in her life.