| "La Carcacha" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Selena | ||||
| from the album Entre a Mi Mundo | ||||
| A-side | "Baila Esta Cumbia" | |||
| Released | April 1992 | |||
| Genre | Tejano cumbia | |||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | EMI Latin | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | A.B. Quintanilla | |||
| Selena singles chronology | ||||
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| Music Video | ||||
| "La Carcacha" on YouTube | ||||
"La Carcacha" (English: "The Jalopy") 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.