The song received generally positive reviews from music critics who praised its originality and mixing of music genres. It peaked at number 3 on the US Hot Latin Tracks on the week ending 14 August 1993. On the week ending 9 April 2011, "No Debes Jugar" entered the Regional Mexican Digital Songs chart. "No Debes Jugar" received a "Song of the Year" nomination from the 1994 Tejano Music Awards and the 1994 Lo Nuestro Awards. The song has been covered by Mexican American singer Jennifer Peña, Puerto Rican salsa singer La India, Mexican contestant Érika Alcocer Luna, and Mexican band Banda El Grullo.
Background and composition
"No Debes Jugar" was written by Selena y Los DinoskeyboardistRicky Vela and Selena's brother, principle record producer and songwriter A.B. Quintanilla III.[2] It was produced by Quintanilla III and Argentine music producer Bebu Silvetti. The song was intended to be one of three studio tracks for Selena's Live! (1993) album. Vela had written most of the lyrics while touring with Los Dinos in the 1992-93 period. Quintanilla III later co-wrote the song after Vela finished the lyrics. Quintanilla III only made a few adjustments to the song and began adding music notes for pre-production. "No Debes Jugar" was recorded in Corpus Christi, Texas at Selena's father and manager Abraham Quintanilla, Jr.'s recording studio Q-Productions. After recording sessions were done, EMI Latin argued that the song should be the lead single from Live!. Before the album was released, the song was mixed by Brian "Red" Moore, a family friend.[3]
"No Debes Jugar" is an uptempo Mexican cumbia song with influences of Rock en Español.[4] Written in the key of E-flat major, the beat is set in common time and moves at a moderate 89 beats per minute.[5] It centers the organ as its musical instrument foundation.[6] Ramiro Burr of the Houston Chronicle stated that Selena blendedMexican polka rhythms with melodic, synth-driven pop hooks in "No Debes Jugar" and "La Llamada".[7] Lyrically, the song describes a woman whose life is centered on being unappreciated by her boyfriend. She finally stands up for herself announcing that she is done playing around and threatens to leave.[5] The central theme explored in the song suggests female empowerment.[8]
Critical reception and covers
Jim Beal Jr. of the San Antonio Express-News wrote that "No Debes Jugar" "outshines" the rest of the songs on Live! including the two other studio tracks.[9] An editor from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram praised Selena's usage of different genres when recording "No Debes Jugar", which the editor believed helped the song to be distinguished when played on radio.[10] Sally Jacobs of the Boston Globe noted the originality of "No Debes Jugar" as being Selena's trademark. Jacobs also believed that it is one of her cumbia signature songs and most popular cumbia song.[11] "No Debes Jugar" received a "Song of the Year" nomination at the 1994 Tejano Music Awards,[12] and "Regional Mexican Song of the Year" at the 1994 Lo Nuestro Awards Awards.[13] It was among the "Top 10 Spanish Hits of 1993" according to the Orlando Sentinel.[14] According to the Austin American-Statesman, "No Debes Jugar" was the best Tejano single of 1993.[15]
^"1993: The Year in Music"(PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 52. Prometheus Global Media. 25 December 1993. p. YE-58. ISSN0006-2510. Retrieved 12 January 2021.