LISTEN! Sammy Arriaga Heats Things Up with Sultry New Single “Selena”

Photo by Eric Ahlgrim.

One of Nashville’s most magnetic rising stars, Sammy Arriaga is fanning the flames of his meteoric rise with “Selena,” a steamy new single that doubles as a heartfelt homage to love, Latin roots, and the queen of Tejano music. From the first verse, the track plunges listeners into a tequila-fueled night in San Antonio, where sparks fly beneath the glow of neon lights and Selena’s “Como La Flor” plays in the background like a ghost of memories past.

Co-written with Brad Wagner and Brian Alexander, “Selena” is more than just a sultry love song, it’s a vivid snapshot of cross-cultural romance. Arriaga’s warm vocals glide over a smooth, rhythmic arrangement as he spins the tale of a chance encounter that turned unforgettable. The lyrics conjure up the smoky charm of a border-town cantina, where the air is thick with heat, music, and unspoken connection. It’s cinematic, soulful, and undeniably catchy.

“The song was inspired by a girl that I met in Texas that really left her mark on me," Arriaga shares of the song. "We danced to ‘Como La Flor’ and from that day on, every time I hear a Selena song, I think of her and that moment."

In the same way Eric Church’s “Springsteen” immortalized a youthful moment set to a musical icon, Arriaga’s “Selena” turns a memory into a monument. It’s a tribute both to the Tejano legend and to the feeling of falling fast and deep, soundtracked by a song that never quite lets go.

But “Selena” is also a celebration of identity. Arriaga, proudly straddling his Hispanic and American heritage, has carved out a unique lane in country music by blending cultures rather than choosing between them. “I’ve always wanted to merge my background with the country genre. I’m an artist that can wear that Hispanic-American crown proudly, because I was raised that way. It’s who I am. I speak it, I live it, I am it."

That authenticity has resonated loudly. Since February 2024, Arriaga’s social media presence has skyrocketed, growing by over 182,000 followers on Instagram, 200,000 on TikTok, and 168,000 on Facebook. It’s a testament to his ability to connect in real time, to share his culture and creativity without compromise.

Whether he’s singing in Spanish, Spanglish, or pure country twang, Arriaga's voice is clear and compelling. “Selena” proves that he’s not only a genre-bender, but a storyteller with heart, one who knows how to turn a dance, a memory, and a melody into something unforgettable. With “Selena,” Arriaga invites us to the dance floor once again. And just like the memory that inspired it, it’s a moment you won’t want to forget.