I Could Fall in Love
"I Could Fall in Love" is a song by American Tejano singer Selena. It was written and produced by Keith Thomas. It was for Selena's fifth album Dreaming of You (1995). The song's lyrics are about a woman who loves a guy. She is scared of rejection so she decides not to tell him and keeps it to herself.
"I Could Fall in Love" | ||||
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Single by Selena | ||||
from the album Dreaming of You | ||||
Released | 26 June 1995 | |||
Recorded | December 1994 – 25 March 1995 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:41 | |||
Label | EMI Latin | |||
Songwriter(s) | Keith Thomas | |||
Producer(s) | Keith Thomas | |||
Selena singles chronology | ||||
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It was released in the United States on June 26, 1995 as a promotional recording and not as a CD single. Because of this, it was not eligible for the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was released three months after Selena was killed by her friend and ex-employer of her clothing stores, Yolanda Saldivar.[1] "I Could Fall in Love" reached number eight on the US Hot 100 Airplay chart. It reached number one in Canada and the US Latin Pop Airplay chart. "I Could Fall in Love" had also reached many other positions on other charts.
Helped by heavy rotation, "I Could Fall in Love" became Selena's most famous songs. It also helped her gain English speaking fans. Many American Idol contestants have covered the song. Puerto Rican singer and actress, Jennifer Lopez have covered the song as a tribute to Selena during one of her concerts. Cuban singer, Gloria Estefan have covered the song during the Selena ¡VIVE! concert held on April 9, 2005.
Recording and composition
changeSelena, and her brother A.B. Quintanilla III, went to Nashville, Tennessee to see Keith Thomas.[2] Thomas is a music producer and a songwriter who has worked with Amy Grant before.[3] Thomas had introduced himself to both Selena and A.B. He explained to them that he did not add any vocals to the song called "I Could Fall in Love". The vocals in a song help singers learn the lyrics quicker. Thomas began singing the introduction of "I Could Fall in Love". At that moment, Selena and A.B. had wanted the song to be included in Selena's crossover album. Thomas had given Selena the lyrics so she can memorize it for her recording session. In December 1994, Selena went back to Nashville by herself on a plane. She recorded "I Could Fall in Love" that day.[2] Thomas later told Biography, that "all eyes were on her". He also said that Selena had no "ego" problems and was "down to-Earth" (a person who keeps a positive attitude and always acts nice to everyone).[4]
"I Could Fall in Love" is a contemporary R&B, soul and a power ballad.[5][6] The song is about a women who loves a guy. She is scared to be rejected by him. Because of this, she decides not to tell him.[2] It is composed in C minor with 157 beats per minute.[7] The electronic keyboards, Spanish guitar, and the drums is the song's background music.[7][8] Selena uses the soprano voice. She has a light-deep voice and uses her emotional voice when she sings the title of the song.[7][8] Trey Lorenz is the backing vocalist. After Selena sings the chorus, she sings in Spanish during the down-tempo part of the song.[6][7] She goes back to singing in English. At the end of the song, she uses the melisma technique and hits a high F note.[7]
Release and reception
change"I Could Fall in Love" was released as a promotional recording on June 26, 1995 and to radio stations on June 15.[9] It soon became a hit single across the United States.[10] "I Could Fall in Love" had dominated the Top 40 radio stations.[5][11][12] It also had heavy rotation in Southern United States.[13] "I Could Fall in Love" became the most played song in Kansas City, Miami, and Boston, while it was the second-most played song in Los Angeles.[14] It was played on radio stations in Tucson, Arizona every 2½ hours.[15]
In 1996, "I Could Fall in Love" won the Tejano Crossover Song of the Year at the 16th Tejano Music Awards.[16] In 1997, Thomas won the "Among Most Played Song" award at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for "I Could Fall in Love".[17] Selena's three top-five singles, including "I Could Fall in Love", made her runner-up to Shania Twain on UU-BRU Radio Playlist's "Top Female Act of the Year" in 1995.[18] The songs "Dreaming of You" and "I Could Fall in Love" were EMI Records' top selling digital downloads from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005.[19]
"I Could Fall in Love" was given positive reviews from music critics. Mario Tarrradell of The Dallas Morning News wrote that "I Could Fall in Love" reminded him of songs recorded by TLC and Brandy Norwood.[6] A San Jose Mercury News writer believed "I Could Fall in Love" and "Dreaming of You" helped Selena to become the new "Gloria Estefan".[20] Richard Torres of Newsday believed "I Could Fall in Love" and "Dreaming of You" became romantic anthems.[21] According to James Hunter of Vibe magazine, "I Could Fall in Love" is a "masterpiece". On March 31, 2010, Teresa Jusino of Popmatters wrote that English-speaking music fans no longer knows Selena's name. She also said that if you played "Dreaming of You" or "I Could Fall in Love", they will most likely say "I remember that song!" or "I love that one!".[22] "I Could Fall in Love" became a popular wedding song after its release.[23] It also became one of Selena's most famous songs.[24][25] It helped her gain English language speaking fans.[14]
The music video for "I Could Fall in Love" was released in August 1995. It features pictures and videos of Selena.[26] The music video reached number 11 on the Billboard Video Monitor VH1 Top Music Videos list. It also reached number six on The BOX Video List,[27] number 10 on the MOR Music list, and number 3 on the California Music Channel (CMC).[28]
Cover versions
changeIn 2001, Jennifer Lopez covered the song during her Lets Get Loud Tour in Puerto Rico.[29] During the Selena ¡VIVE! (2005) concert, Cuban singer Gloria Estefan covered the song.[30] Puerto Rican singer Ana recorded the song on her album Amor Latino.[31] American Idol contestants have covered the song. They include, Lisa Leuschner (season 3) and Karen Rodriguez (season 10).[32][33] Korean singer Im Tae Kyung have recorded the song on his album Sentimental Journey.[34] Reggae singer Fiona had also recorded the song on her album Best of Sweet Love.[35] American R&B singer Ali-Ollie Woodson recorded the song on his album Love At the Same Time. Filipino singer Ivy Violan recorded the song for her album Ivy Silver Series.[36] American singer Blake Cardenas recorded the song on his debut album Born Ready.[37]
American singer and actress Keke Palmer had done an acoustic version of the song on her YouTube account.[38] Snooki, from the American reality television series Jersey Shore, lip sync the song on her YouTube account.[39]
Chart performance
change"I Could Fall in Love" reached number eight on the US Hot 100 Airplay.[40] It also reached to number two for five weeks on the Hot Latin Tracks.[40] "I Could Fall in Love" became the highest ranking English language song on the Hot Latin Tracks for two years.[41] The song "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion surpassed it in 1998 when it peaked at number one.[42][43] It reached number four on the Latin Tropical/Salsa Airplay and number five on both the Latin Regional Mexican Airplay.[40] The song reached number one on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.[44] "I Could Fall in Love" reached number 17 on the Adult Top 40 chart.[40] The song peaked at number three on the Hot 100 Recurrent Airplay chart.[45] It also peaked at number six on the Hot Adult Contemporary Recurrent chart.[46] On the Rhythmic Top 40, it reached number six and on number 15 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart.[44]
In New Zealand, "I Could Fall in Love" debuted at number 36 on the New Zealand Top 40 chart.[47] On the fifth week while being on the chart, "I Could Fall in Love" reached number ten.[47] Selena became the first and only Tejano singer to have one of her songs be played in that country.[48] In Canada, "I Could Fall in Love" debuted at number 55 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[49] It reached number one on November 6, 1995.[50] The song debuted at number 94 on the Top Singles chart.[51] On the eleventh week while being on the chart, it reached number ten.[52] It remained there for two weeks at number ten.[53] "I Could Fall in Love" peaked at number 37 on the Tokyo Hot 100.[54]
Formats and track listings
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Credits and personnel
changeCredits adapted from Dreaming of You album liner notes.[57]
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Charts
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Weekly chartschange
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Year-end chartschange
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Release and radio history
changeCountry | Date | Format | Label |
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United States[70][71] | June 15, 1995 | Contemporary hit radio, Top 40, rhythmic contemporary airplay | EMI Latin |
June 26, 1995 | Promotional recording | ||
Mexico[72] | |||
Australia[56] | Maxi single | ||
Japan[56] | |||
Germany[73] | August 10, 1995 | CD single | |
France[74] | July 18, 1995 | digital download | |
Japan[75] | February 25, 1999 | ||
United Kingdom[76] | September 24, 2002 |
References
change- ↑ "Singer Selena, an idol of Mexican-Americans, dies of gunshot wounds". The Vindicator. 1 April 1995. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Selena (1995). Dreaming of You (Compact disc). EMI Latin/EMI Records. 724354096907.
- ↑ Bronson (2003), p. 785.
- ↑ Engel, Scott; Nayer, Tracy (28 November 2007). "Biography: Selena". Biography. Season 20. 60 minutes in. A&E.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Valdes, Alisa (4 August 1995). "Selena's last CD has danceable power". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Tarradell, Mario (28 July 1995). "New Album Hints At What Would Have Been Selena". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Quintanilla-Perez, Selena; Astudillo, Pete (1995). "Dreaming of You: Selena Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. EMI Music Publishing. MN092893 (Product Number). Archived from the original (Musicnotes) on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Talbot, Mary (25 July 1995). "'Dreaming' Of What Might've Been Selena's Cd Blends The Old And New With Mixed Results". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Names In The News". The Argus-Press. 17 June 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Newmark, Judith (15 February 2001). "St. Louis Can't Get Enough of R&J". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Tarradell, Mario (30 March 2000). "Mainstream was Selena's main goal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2010). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 9th Edition: Complete Chart Information. Billboard Books. p. 984. ISBN 978-0-8230-8554-5. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ↑ "Selena's Star Still Rising Slain singer's new - single is a top request on both Tejano and Top 40 radio stations". Austin American-Statesman. 17 June 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lannert, John (August 1995). "Dreaming of You Is Bittersweet for Selena". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 31. p. 108. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Tucson goes wild for Selena album". Arizona Daily Star. 28 July 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Past Tejano Music Award Winners". Tejano Music Awards. Talent Texas Musicians Association. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
- ↑ Rodarte, Larry J. (1997). ""I Could Fall In Love" Producer Remembers Selena". Mi Gente. 3 (7): 67.
- ↑ "UU-BRU Radio Playlist, For Week Ending November 18, 1995". UU-BRU Radio Playlist. Nielsen Business. 5 August 1995. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Cobo, Leila (2005). "Selena's Appeal Still Strong". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 17. p. 63. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ↑ "Crossover Dreams". San Jose Mercury News. 17 July 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Torres, Richard (2 May 1999). "The Best of Selena Lives On". Newsday. Retrieved 30 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Jusino, Teresa (24 September 2010). "'La Leyenda' Lives On: An Interview with Selena's Sister". July 8, 2010. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
- ↑ Cox (2001), p. 74.
- ↑ Saldana, Hector (14 October 1999). "Local girls make pitch for Selena role". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Tarradell, Mario (16 March 1997). "Selena's power biography capturesbreadth of singer's appeal". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Griffin, Andrew (14 October 2003). "Selena Greatest Hits' testament to departed diva's talent". The Town Talk. Retrieved 30 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Dreaming of You Is Bittersweet for Selena". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 34. August 1995. p. 128. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "The Clip List > September 16, 1995". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 37. September 1995. p. 124. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Flashback Friday: Jennifer Lopez Sings Selena's I Could Fall In Love". Crushable. 11 July 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Univision's 'Selena ¡Vive!' Breaks Audience Records". Hispanicwire. 11 April 2005. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Ana (2007). Amor Latino (Media notes). Bell Music. 8430201002114.
- ↑ Lisa Leuschner (2007). Reality (Compact disc). K-Tel. 820869018820.
- ↑ Mousavinezhad, Jasmine (9 March 2011). "Stefano Langone does Stevie, Karen Rodriguez Selena on 'American Idol'". Newsday. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Im Tae Kyung (2004). Sentimental Journey (Media notes). CJ Music. 1003920382.
- ↑ Fiona (2008). Best of Sweet Love (Media notes). VP Records. 054645180825.
- ↑ Ali-Ollie Woodson (2009). Love at the Same Time (Media notes). Uni-Global Records. 884502667530.
- ↑ Blake Cardenas (2009). Born Ready (Media notes). Blake Cardenas Records. 186960000578.
- ↑ "KeKe Palmer Singing I Could Fall in Love". Retrieved 27 June 2012 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "I Could Fall In Love by snooki". Retrieved 14 July 2012 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 "I Could Fall in Love chart performance". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ Lannert, John (2 September 1995). "The Selena Phenomenon". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 35. p. 120. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
- ↑ "My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion chart performance". Billboard. 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ Lannert, John (February 1998). "Arists & Music". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 9. p. 86. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 44.3 "Dreaming of You singles chart performance". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Hot 100 Charts > December 23, 1995". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 1995. p. 100. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Hot 100 Charts > January 27, 1996". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 4. January 1996. p. 104. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 "I Could Fall in Love chart performance". Hung Medien Charts. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ↑ Martinez, Deborah (11 January 2011). "Cancer patient picks Selena over morphine". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Adult Contemporary > July 24, 1995". RPM. 61 (25). July 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Canadian Adult Contemporary > November 6, 1995". RPM. 62 (14). August 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Canadian Top Singles > August 21, 1995". RPM. 62 (3). August 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Canadian Top Singles > October 30, 1995". RPM. 62 (13). October 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Canadian Top Singles > November 6, 1995". RPM. 62 (13). November 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Tokio Hot 100 > November 12, 1995". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 48. November 1995. p. 104. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Selena; Keith, Thomas (1995). I Could Fall in Love (Promotional recording). EMI Latin.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 Selena; Keith, Thomas (1995). I Could Fall in Love (Maxi single). EMI Latin.
- ↑ Selena (1995). Dreaming of You (Special Edition Compact Disc liner notes). EMI Latin. p. 7. 724383412327.
- ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 14 Jan 1996". ARIA. Retrieved 20 July 2017 – via Imgur.
- ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2794." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2788." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (7.10. '95 – 13.10. '95)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 7 October 1995. p. 26. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ↑ "Selena – I Could Fall in Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ↑ "Selena Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ↑ "Selena Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ↑ "Selena Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ↑ "Selena Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- ↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 18 December 1995. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ↑ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 18 December 1995. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ↑ "Latin Music Quarterly". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 48. Prometheus Global Media. November 1998. p. 104. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ "Names In The News". The Argus-Press. Thomas E. Campbell. 17 June 1995. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
- ↑ Lanert, John (19 August 1995). "Peermusic Thrives in Latin market". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 33. p. 96. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ↑ Keith, Thomas (1995). I Could Fall in Love (CD single). Selena. EMI Latin.
- ↑ "I Could Fall in Love > Germany Singles". Amazon Germany (in German). Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ "I Could Fall in Love > French singles". Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ "I Could Fall in Love > Japan singles". Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ "I Could Fall in Love > UK singles". Amazon UK. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
Books
change- Cox, Bill; Franz, Janie (2001). The Ultimate Wedding Reception Book. Bill Cox. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-9715082-0-0.
- Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Random House Digital. p. 980. ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2.