Canalla is a fantastic, dramatic word that translates to "scoundrel" or "cad". It's a powerful, somewhat old-fashioned insult used for a dishonorable or despicable person.
In the song, Selena spits this word out right after describing how she caught her partner kissing another woman: "...eran tus labios los que la besaban, canalla" (...it was your lips that were kissing her, you scoundrel). It perfectly captures the anger and betrayal in this iconic breakup anthem, making it a truly memorable word to learn.
“La Llamada” is a fiery Tejano breakup anthem about knowing your worth and cutting ties with someone who has betrayed your trust. The song opens like a phone call, but the conversation is short-lived: Selena’s narrator has already seen her partner kissing another woman, so she refuses to listen to his excuses. Each sharp, rhythmic verse reinforces her resolve—no more lies, no more second chances, no more calls.
As the accordion and percussion push the track forward, Selena delivers a message of empowerment: when respect is gone, hanging up is the strongest reply. By the chorus, she turns the phone into a symbol of self-respect, promising to “colgar” (hang up) every time he tries to reach her. “La Llamada” celebrates standing firm, shutting the door on deceit, and dancing away with confidence.