On September 20–21, LE SSERAFIM surprised everyone by covering Selena Quintanilla’s Amor Prohibido.
Released on YouTube as a music video, it shot up to #2 on YouTube Music Videos Trending Worldwide. For FEARNOTS, the cover felt like a gift. The girl group is currently on the U.S. leg of their EASY CRAZY HOT tour, with a stop in Mexico City on September 23.
The Legacy of Amor Prohibido
To understand why this cover is a big deal, you have to understand the legacy of Amor Prohibido. The song was Selena’s first number one as a soloist and was the most successful Latin song of 1994.
One thing to keep in mind is that Amor Prohibido is a deceptively simple song. There are no high notes or Mariah Carey-style runs. Yet there’s no denying the power of Selena’s voice. She weaves a story about an underprivileged girl who’s forbidden from being with her love interest due to her social class. The song was actually inspired by Selena’s grandparents. Her grandmother used to work as a maid for a wealthy family and fell in love with their son. It’s a Tejano classic with many viewing it as one of Selena’s signature songs.
How LE SSERAFIM Measures Up
I was shocked at how much care went into the production. LE SSERAFIM sings the entire song in Spanish. Their pronunciation mirrors the original closely enough to earn praise from Spanish-speaking listeners. Their vocals aren’t heavily processed for once, a stark contrast to the vocal filters that’s in their discography. They’re clear with their tones reflecting the song’s emotional weight.
LE SSERAFIM don’t have the powerhouse vocals that Selena had but they are able express the longing in the song. To me that’s what matters in the end. This stripped-down approach shows that a great vocal performance is about carrying emotion with subtlety.
A Strategic Response to Criticism?
I view this cover as a very subtle move from SOURCE MUSIC to shut down all the discourse surrounding LE SSERAFIM’s singing abilities. The girls have faced ongoing criticism over it, especially when it comes to live performances. It’s clear they’re working hard to improve and it shows in this cover.
Dropping a Selena cover days before their Mexico City show is a thoughtful gesture toward their Latin American fans. It also positions the group as global artists willing to go beyond their comfort zone.
LE SSERAFIM’s Amor Prohibido cover isn’t just a tribute to Selena. It’s hopefully a hint of where the group is heading right now. I look forward to hearing LE SSERAFIM tackle more songs like this. Songs that are a little wistful that actually highlight their strengths.
