Selena Gomez Was ‘Mesmerized’ by The Marías & Recruited the Band for ‘Ojos Tristes’
Written by djfrosty on April 24, 2025
There’s a nostalgia to Jeanette’s ’80s hit song “El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes” that has transcended generations. Most recently, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco tapped The Marías for a reimagination of the ballad, titled “Ojos Tristes,” that is part of the couple’s collaborative album, I Said I Love You First.
“I am very proud of this song,” Gomez — who is set to be honored with the Woman of the Year award at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music — tells Billboard about the bilingual track, powered by the Grammy-nominated singer’s velvety and soothing vocals, plus María Zardoya’s (The Marías) ethereal voice. “Benny and I went and saw The Marías in concert last summer. I was mesmerized by them and knew I wanted to have them on our album.”
While the original song — penned by the legendary Spanish songwriter Manuel Alejandro — did not enter the charts, “Ojos Tristes” scored Gomez her a fifth top 10 on Billboard‘s Hot Latin Songs chart, where it currently sits at No. 5 (chart dated April 26).
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“’El Muchacho De Los Ojos Tristes’ to me is one of those cross generational songs that brings people together no matter how old you are,” Gomez adds. “You either knew as an adult or something your mother or abuela listened to, so it conjures up nostalgic memories. I loved seeing all the posts about the song and the feeling it reminds people of. I might have teared up a few times.”
The 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music, which is set to take place Thursday (April 24) in Miami.
The third annual Billboard Latin Women in Music special will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24 exclusively on Telemundo, Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on Telemundo Internacional.
Check out Billboard’s Latin Women In Music 2025 executive list here.