Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, known simply as Selena, was a Mexican-American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was widely regarded as the “Queen of Tejano Music” and was the most successful Latin artist of the 1990s. Her career was tragically cut short when she was murdered on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas, by her friend and former employee Yolanda Saldívar.

Selena’s fifth studio album, “Dreaming of You”, was released posthumously in July 1995. The album featured a mix of English and Spanish language songs, and was a huge success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It was the first album by a Latin artist to debut at number one and sold over 175,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified 6x platinum by the RIAA and is the best-selling Latin album of all time.

The title track of the album, “Dreaming of You”, was written by Selena and was intended to be the lead single for the album. The song was recorded in March 1995, just weeks before her death. It was released as a single in July 1995 and became a huge hit, peaking at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was certified gold by the RIAA and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.

The song was recorded with Selena’s backing vocalists, the Kumbia Kings. After Selena’s death, the group decided to re-record the song with Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla, providing the backing vocals. The re-recorded version was released as a single in August 1995 and became a huge hit, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was certified gold by the RIAA and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.

The song has become an anthem for Selena’s fans and is still played regularly on the radio. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Jennifer Lopez, who starred in the 1997 biopic “Selena”. The song has also been featured in films, television shows, and commercials.

Selena’s legacy continues to live on through her music. “Dreaming of You” is a reminder of her immense talent and her untimely death. The song is a testament to her enduring popularity and her lasting impact on Latin music. Selena will always be remembered as the “Queen of Tejano Music” and her music will continue to inspire generations to come.