La Reina (song) explained

La Reina
Type:song
Artist:Christina Aguilera
Album:Aguilera
Language:Spanish
English Title:"The Queen"
Recorded:2021
Studio:Art House (Miami)
Genre:Ranchera
Label:Sony Latin

"La Reina" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for her ninth studio and second Spanish-language album, Aguilera (2022). It was written by Aguilera, Luigi and Santiago Castillo, Servando Primera and Yasmil Marrufo, and its production was handled by the latter, alongside Rafa Arcaute, Federico Vindver, Afo Verde as co-producer, and Jean Rodríguez as a vocal producer. "La Reina" was conceived in 2017, when Aguilera invited Primera to work with her on the album. The song was then recorded in 2021 and serves as the closing track on the album's first of three parts, La Fuerza, which was released as a separate extended play (EP).

Musically, "La Reina" is a ranchera song, a genre that originates from Mexico. It was inspired by Vicente Fernández's 1973 rendition of José Alfredo Jiménez's "El Rey" (1971), serving as a "respectful response". The song is in theme with the rest of La Fuerza, which focuses on female empowerment, telling a man that he can be the king, but he will be nothing without his queen. The song received critical acclaim and was labelled as a standout track on the record. Time and Latina named it one of the best Latin songs of the year. A music video for "La Reina" was released on May 6, 2022, though it has not been confirmed as a single.

Background and composition

In 2017, at Aguilera's request, A&R of RCA Records Katie Welle invited composer and singer Servando Primera of Servando & Florentino to help Aguilera with writing in Spanish.[1] [2] Primera wrote the song with Aguilera.[3] "La Reina" was recorded along with the rest of the album at Art House studios in Miami in early 2021.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] The song was released on January 21, 2021, as the final track on the first EP from Aguilera, La Fuerza.[9]

"La Reina" is a ranchera, written in the key of E major at 174 beats-per-minute. Lyrically, the song takes an empowering approach to a breakup song, where the protagonist swears to never let a man break her heart again, with Aguilera singing, "And I cried, and I cried, and I cried the day you left. And I swore, and I swore, and I swore that no man would ever make me sad again,".[10] Serving as a "respectful response" to Vicente Fernández's rendition of El Rey (1973),[11] [12] [13] Aguilera's response emphasizes "how a king wouldn’t be a king without his queen".[14] [15]

Critical reception

"La Reina" received widespread acclaim from critics. In the official write-up for the Grammy Awards website, Bianca Gracie called it "impassioned".[16] In a review of La Fuerza for Rolling Stone, Lucas Villa named "La Reina" the best song on the EP.[17] He added that the song had "raw emotion that underscores ranchera" while praising Aguilera stating that "her vocal prowess is extraordinary in any language". NEIU Independent's Enrique Cerros called it the standout track on La Fuerza, applauding Aguilera's "powerhouse vocals" and emotion displayed on the song.[18] He went on to compliment Aguilera's versatility, saying that she "can sing any type of music if she chooses to do so. Pip Ellwood-Hughes of Entertainment Focus called it one of the strongest moments on the record and "a showcase for what she can do when she exercises more vocal control and less inclination to scream".[19]

Billboard placed "La Reina" at the number one spot on their ranking of La Fuerza, complimenting the ability of Aguilera's "powerful gifted vocals to deliver a heartfelt ranchera that perfectly transmits the popular phrase 'What's a king without his queen?'", and calling it the album's anthem. Genna Rivieccio of Culled Culture praised "La Reina", noting that "Aguilera owns her queen’s status through the tears". The reviewer also added that the song's chorus "translates to a sentiment Scarlett O'Hara could get on board with".[20] Moises Mendez II from Time considered it as one of the best Latin songs of 2022, praising Aguilera for her "gorgeous, bombastic vocals".[21] Latina shared the same sentiment and placed "La Reina" at number four on its list of 2022's best Latin songs. The magazine added: "In an empowering performance, Aguilera asserted her queenly authority while showing there’s no language barrier when it comes to her unparalleled vocal prowess".[22]

Commercial performance

"La Reina" debuted and peaked at number nine on the Billboard Latin Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Aguilera's seventh top 10 hit on the chart.[23]

Music video

Despite not being confirmed as an official single, "La Reina" received a music video. was released on May 6, 2022.[24]

In March 2022, Aguilera was spotted filming a music video in Miami Springs, Florida.[25] Directed by Nuno Gomes, the music video was filmed in the courtyard of the historic Glenn Curtiss Mansion, a Pueblo Revival style home constructed in 1925. In the video, a red-haired Aguilera wears a red dress, singing the song on the Glenn Curtiss Mansion's courtyard, which is decorated with papel picado.[26] [27] [28] Aguilera is surrounded by the song's songwriters and producers, who are playing various instruments and singing the background vocals.[29]

Live performances

Aguilera performed "La Reina" for the first time at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards on September 29, 2022.[30]

Impact

In 2023, singer Miriam Rodríguez covered the song in the Spanish edition of an interactive talent show Your Face Sounds Familiar. Her performance imitated the song's music video.[31]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: January 25, 2022 . 'La Reina': El tema de Christina Aguilera que contó con el talento de cuatro venezolanos . October 14, 2022 . NTN24 . es . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014125203/https://www.ntn24.com/tendencias/la-reina-el-tema-de-christina-aguilera-que-conto-con-venezolanos-390877 . live .
  2. Web site: 'La reina,' Christina Aguilera's song full of Latin talent . October 14, 2022 . Al Día . en . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014091645/https://aldianews.com/en/culture/music/who-wrote-la-reina . live .
  3. Web site: Christina Aguilera lanza "La Reina", un tema escrito por varios artistas venezolanos como Servando Primera ¡Mira la historia detrás de esta colaboración! . October 14, 2022 . Qué! . May 11, 2022 . es . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014084837/https://quenoticias.com/entretenimiento/christina-aguilera-la-reina-lyrics/ . live .
  4. Web site: October 7, 2015 . Christina Aguilera Is Working On New Albums In English And Spanish: Watch Her 'Today' Interview . September 5, 2022 . idolator . January 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230113214503/https://pixels.ad.gt/api/v1/getpixels?tagger_id=32838c3c8c0a50a56b731c491938cf85&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.idolator.com%2F7610695%2Fchristina-aguilera-new-albums-2016-english-spanish-today-interview%3Fview-all%26chrome%3D1&code=%27none%27 . live .
  5. Associated Press . September 30, 2015 . Christina Aguilera Returns to Her Roots On Ecuador Hunger Relief Trip . October 1, 2022 . Billboard . en-US . May 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519171633/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/christina-aguilera-ecuador-hunger-relief-trip-6714543/ . live .
  6. Romero . Angie . November 4, 2015 . Christina Aguilera Shares Video of Ecuador Trip for Hunger Relief: Watch . October 1, 2022 . Billboard . en-US . October 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001184720/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christina-aguilera-ecuador-trip-hunger-relief-yum-brands-6753039/ . live .
  7. Web site: Christina Aguilera Returns to her Roots with a New All-Spanish Album . live . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220106170128/https://oceandrive.com/Christina-Aguilera-New-All-Spanish-Album . January 6, 2022 . January 16, 2022 . Ocean Drive.
  8. Web site: Christina Aguilera's fans are still waiting for her second Spanish album . September 20, 2022 . Al Día News . en . September 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922115235/https://aldianews.com/en/culture/music/xtina-goes-back-spanish . live .
  9. Flores . Griselda . January 19, 2022 . Christina Aguilera Unveils Release Date & Tracklist for Her Upcoming Spanish-Language EP 'La Fuerza' . October 14, 2022 . Billboard . en-US . January 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119224957/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christina-aguilera-la-fuerza-release-date-tracklist-1235020543/ . live .
  10. January 21, 2022 . Every Song on Christina Aguilera's 'La Fuerza' Ranked: Critic's Picks . October 14, 2022 . Billboard . en-US . January 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220122211747/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christina-aguilera-la-fuerza-songs-ranked-1235021166/ . live .
  11. February 23, 2022 . Christina Aguilera Talks Spanish EP, Motherhood & More During Twitter Space With Billboard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602223558/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christina-aguilera-twitter-space-interview-1235035390/ . June 2, 2022 . June 2, 2022 . Billboard.
  12. CHRISTINA AGUILERA PREMIERES THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO OF 'LA REINA' SURROUNDED BY VIBRANT COLORS AND MEXICAN STAPLES . October 8, 2022 . Billboard . May 9, 2022 . May 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517132301/https://www.hola.com/us/entertainment/20220509332474/christina-aguilera-premieres-the-video-of-la-reina/ . live .
  13. Web site: September 30, 2022 . 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards live updates: Recap of one of the most important events in the music industry . October 14, 2022 . HOLA . en-US.
  14. Web site: Dino . Hiras Di . May 9, 2022 . CHRISTINA AGUILERA Estrena Video De "LA REINA" . October 14, 2022 . Sony Music Entertainment Latin . en-US . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007172039/https://www.sonymusiclatin.com/christina-aguilera-estrena-video-de-la-reina/ . live .
  15. Web site: Christina Aguilera premieres the official music video of 'La Reina' surrounded by vibrant colors and Mexican staples . Hola . May 9, 2022 . October 14, 2022 . May 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517132301/https://www.hola.com/us/entertainment/20220509332474/christina-aguilera-premieres-the-video-of-la-reina/ . live .
  16. Web site: 2022 In Review: 8 Trends That Defined Pop Music. Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Bianca. Gracie. December 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221228231057/https://www.grammy.com/news/pop-music-songs-artists-trends-2022-beyonce-rihanna-drake-the-weeknd-tiktok-ed-sheeran-collaborations-albums. December 28, 2022. December 29, 2022. bot: unknown.
  17. Villa . Lucas . January 24, 2022 . Christina Aguilera Successfully Embraces Her Roots on 'La Fuerza' . October 14, 2022 . Rolling Stone . en-US . March 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314225409/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/christina-aguilera-la-fuerza-1289611/ . live .
  18. Web site: Cerros . Enrique . Christina Aguilera Embraces her Latin Roots with 'La Fuerza' . October 14, 2022 . NEIU Independent . March 6, 2022 . March 6, 2022 . https://archive.today/20220306173342/https://neiuindependent.org/18053/arts-life/christina-aguilera-embraces-her-latin-roots-with-la-fuerza/ . live .
  19. Web site: Ellwood-Hughes . Pip . Christina Aguilera – 'La Fuerza' EP review . January 27, 2022 . October 14, 2022 . en-US . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128202356/https://entertainment-focus.com/2022/01/27/christina-aguilera-la-fuerza-ep-review/ . live .
  20. Web site: La Fuerza is with Xtina. Culled Culture. Neonmagzin. January 21, 2022. Genna. Rivieccio. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240331200333/https://www.culledculture.com/christina-aguilera-la-fuerza/. March 31, 2024. March 31, 2024. live.
  21. The Best Latin Songs and Albums of 2022. Time. Time USA, LLC.. Moises. Mendez II. December 16, 2022. https://archive.today/20221223103047/https://time.com/6241965/best-latin-songs-albums-2022/. December 23, 2022. December 23, 2022.
  22. Web site: Top 20 Songs of 2022 by Latina Artists. Latina. Latina Media Ventures, LLC. December 31, 2022. https://archive.today/20230102121250/https://latina.com/top-20-songs-of-2022-by-latina-artists/. January 2, 2023. January 2, 2023.
  23. Christina Aguilera . October 14, 2022 . Billboard . en-US . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014125202/https://www.billboard.com/artist/christina-aguilera/ . live .
  24. Web site: Kelley . Jenna . May 26, 2022 . You Can Get Married In The Miami Mansion Where Christina Aguilera Filmed Her Music Video . October 14, 2022 . Narcity . en-us.
  25. Web site: March 12, 2022 . Christina Aguilera – Prepares to Film Her Music Video in Miami 03/10/2022 • CelebMafia . October 14, 2022 . CelebMafia . en-US.
  26. Web site: Manno . Jackie . May 7, 2022 . Christina Aguilera Is Red Hot In Plunging Dress For 'La Reina' Video: Watch . October 14, 2022 . Hollywood Life . en-US . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014125207/https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/05/06/christina-aguilera-la-reina-music-video-dress/ . live .
  27. Web site: Suarez . Nestor . May 10, 2022 . Christina Aguilera Premiers Video Filmed at Curtiss Mansion . October 14, 2022 . MiamiSprings.com Miami Springs News and Events . en . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014125207/https://new.miamisprings.com/christina-aguilera-premiers-video-filmed-at-curtiss-mansion/ . live .
  28. Web site: Rodriguez . Josef . May 10, 2022 . Christina Aguilera's New Single is a Glorious Response to Vicente Fernández's 'El Rey' . October 14, 2022 . Mitú . October 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014084837/https://wearemitu.com/latidomusic/la-reina-christina-aguilera/ . live .
  29. Web site: Marr . Madeleine . May 25, 2022 . Christina Aguilera's new music video was shot at this Miami landmark. Take a look . Miami Herald.
  30. Christina Aguilera Earns Her Crown at 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards With Ranchera Anthem 'La Reina' . October 2, 2022 . Billboard . September 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930020205/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/christina-aguilera-performs-la-reina-billboard-latin-music-awards-2022-1235147723/ . live .
  31. Web site: Miriam Rodriguez interpreta La Reina de Christina Aguilera #TuCaraMeSuena. Twitter. Twitter, Inc.. May 26, 2023. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230529110552/https://twitter.com/XtinaLvV/status/1662212325598986242. May 29, 2023. May 29, 2023. live.
  32. Christina Aguilera – Latin Digital Song Sales. October 14, 2022 . Billboard.

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