La Fama
by Rosalia (featuring The Weeknd)

Album: Motomami (2021)
Charted: 94
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Weeknd joins Rosalia for this cautionary tale about how fame can be a double-edged sword. The two artists compare stardom to a shallow lover; it can be appealing and seductive, but then disappear as quickly as it appeared.
  • Bachata is guitar-based music that originated in the Dominican Republic. Back in 2018, Rosalia expressed her wish to write a track in that genre. Romeo Santos, the lead vocalist of the bachata group Aventura, helped the Spanish singer out by sending her an extensive playlist.

    "I wanted to write, in my own way, a bachata with a little story around ambition," Rosalía said. "Taking as a reference the lyrics of Ruben Blades or Patti Smith and the songs of Aventura, I ended up writing a story of romance with fame."
  • Originally intended to be a solo song, the Weeknd jumped on the track in early 2020. Rosalia kept chipping away at the production, trying to nail it, but the Weeknd wanted to get on with the release. She finally dropped it as the lead single from Motomami on November 11, 2021.
  • The Weeknd recorded his vocals around the same time that Rosalia hopped on the remix for his 2020 single "Blinding Lights."
  • The Weeknd sings in Spanish on this track. He previously recorded vocals in Spanish when he jumped on the remix of Maluma's 2020 track "Hawái."
  • Director X helmed the video, in which Rosalía portrays the star of a nightclub. After being introduced by American actor Danny Trejo, she takes the stage and slowly seduces The Weeknd.
  • Rosalía delivered a solo performance of this song on the March 12, 2022 episode of Saturday Night Live. It was her debut as the musical guest on the comedy show.
  • Rosalia chose the album title in honor of her mother, Pilar Tobella, and the company she runs, Motomami SL. "Back when I was a teenager, I had a friend whose email account was 'Motomami,'" She explained to Billboard. "I loved the name and it stayed with me. I associate it with my friend and with motorcycles. My mom has always had motorcycles, I've ridden since I was eight years old with my dad."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?