Tus Desprecios

"Tus Desprecios" (Your Slights/Scorn) is a classic example of the desamor (heartbreak) theme prevalent in Tejano and Ranchera music. The song's central meaning revolves around the agony of unrequited love within an existing relationship. Unlike a breakup song where the end has already occurred, this track captures the painful limbo of being with someone who has emotionally checked out.

The title itself, "Tus Desprecios," refers to the small, daily acts of rejection—ignoring a comment, turning away from a kiss, or disagreeing just for the sake of it. The lyrics illustrate a dynamic of total incompatibility and emotional cruelty. The narrator is constantly trying to bridge the gap ("I offer you kisses"), while the partner actively widens it ("you turn away").

Implicitly, the song explores the theme of resignation versus hope. The upbeat music suggests a lively energy, perhaps reflecting the narrator's desperate attempts to keep the relationship alive, while the lyrics reveal the crushing reality that the love is "ending little by little." It is a narrative about the realization that love cannot survive on one person's effort alone, and that indifference is often more painful than hate.

The song opens with a direct confession of pain, where the narrator declares that her partner's scorn and disdain are slowly killing her heart. She uses vivid imagery to describe his indifference, comparing his slights to daggers being driven into her soul. There is a sense of helplessness as she admits she no longer knows what to do to recover his love or make him want her again.

As the verses progress, the narrator describes the daily deterioration of their relationship. She explains that day by day, little by little, their love is ending specifically because of his contempt. The lyrics highlight the communication breakdown and constant contradictions between them; when she suggests one thing, he insists on the opposite. If she says 'here', he says 'there'; if she says 'yes', he says 'never'. Even in simple decisions, like wanting to go out, he chooses to stay in, emphasizing his desire to be contrary to her wishes.

The emotional climax reveals the depth of her suffering. She tells him she loves him, but he doesn't answer; she offers him kisses, and he turns away (literally 'takes turns' or avoids them). The narrator laments that he cannot imagine how deeply it hurts to love him so much while realizing that he no longer loves her back. The song cycles through these complaints, reinforcing the tragedy of unreciprocated effort and the slow, painful death of a relationship caused not by a single event, but by accumulated neglect.

"Tus Desprecios" was released in 1994 as part of Selena's fourth major studio album, Amor Prohibido, which became one of the best-selling Latin albums of all time. The song was written by the band's keyboardist, Ricky Vela, and Selena's brother and producer, A.B. Quintanilla III.

Ricky Vela was known for writing some of the band's most poignant ballads (including "No Me Queda Más"), often drawing from his own unrequited feelings for Selena's sister, Suzette. While not explicitly confirmed as being about that specific situation, "Tus Desprecios" fits Vela's signature style of lyrical vulnerability combined with A.B. Quintanilla's knack for catchy, danceable arrangements. The song served as a traditional Tejano/Ranchera anchor on an album that was otherwise experimenting with more pop and cumbia-rap influences (like "Techno Cumbia"), ensuring the band maintained its connection to its core Tejano roots.

Rhyme Scheme: The song largely follows an AABB or ABAB structure typical of Ranchera songs, relying on perfect rhymes in Spanish (e.g., corazón/razón, matando/clavando). This simple, repetitive rhyming structure makes the song easy to memorize and sing along to, reinforcing its "folksy" and accessible nature.

Rhythm: The song is set in a 2/4 meter (polka rhythm), which gives it a bouncing, "oom-pah" feel. This upbeat rhythm creates an ironic contrast; the body wants to dance with joy, while the mind processes a story of rejection. This is a hallmark of Mexican regional music, where tragedy is often danced away. The phrasing is rhythmic and punchy, matching the staccato nature of the accordion.

Musical Techniques: The song is a textbook example of a Tejano Polka. It features a prominent, driving accordion riff (a staple of the genre) and a 2/4 drum beat that compels listeners to dance, creating a stark juxtaposition with the sad lyrics. The arrangement is tight and rhythmic, typical of A.B. Quintanilla's polished production style on Amor Prohibido.

Literary/Lyrical Techniques: The lyrics use antithesis heavily to depict the incompatibility of the couple (Yes vs. Never, Here vs. There, Go out vs. Stay in). This rhetorical device emphasizes the total disconnect between the two lovers. The vocal delivery by Selena employs a technique common in Ranchera called el lamento (the lament), where her voice carries a "cry" or sob, particularly in the chorus, despite the upbeat tempo.

While "Tus Desprecios" was not released as a standalone commercial single like the mega-hits "Amor Prohibido" or "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," it remains a critical piece of the Amor Prohibido album, which is widely considered one of the most important Latin albums ever recorded. The song is significant for showcasing the band's mastery of traditional Tejano roots even as they were crossing over into pop. It remains a fan favorite for its danceability and is a staple in the repertoire of Tejano music, often cited as a prime example of the genre's ability to mix tragic lyrics with happy music.

The lyrics employ sharp, visceral metaphors to convey emotional pain:

• "Tus desaires son como puñales" (Your slights are like daggers): This is the central metaphor of the song. It transforms abstract emotional neglect into physical violence, suggesting that every time her partner ignores her, it feels like a physical wound.
• "Matando" (Killing): The recurring idea that the heart is being "killed" implies that love is a living entity that requires nourishment (attention/affection) and is slowly dying of starvation (neglect).
• "Aquí... Allá" (Here... There): The use of spatial opposites symbolizes the emotional distance. Even when they are physically together, they are in different places mentally and emotionally.
• "Me sacas vueltas" (You turn around/avoid me): This idiom represents the physical manifestation of rejection—the literal turning of a cheek or body to avoid intimacy.

The phrase "Tus desprecios" is the central motif, repeated as the explanation for every sorrow the narrator feels. The chorus acts as a hook, reiterating the image of "puñales" (daggers) and the feeling of dying. Another recurring structural motif is the list of contradictions (I say X, you say Y), which serves as a lyrical hook that listeners anticipate. Musically, the accordion intro and interludes provide a melodic motif that anchors the track in the distinct Tejano sound.