Watch: Before the Iconic Hits, Selena Sang ‘Oh Mamá’

Before “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Amor Prohibido,” and “Como La Flor” became Selena Quintanilla’s signature hits, there was “Oh Mamá.” The song offers a glimpse of a young performer finding her footing—and a family whose resourcefulness extended from the stage to their outfits.

In 1985, Selena y Los Dinos performed “Oh Mamá” on The Johnny Canales Show. It was an early introduction to the singer who would become the Queen of Tejano music. Long before her embellished bustiers became synonymous with her style, Selena and her band appeared in matching white outfits splattered with paint. They had decorated the clothes themselves, turning a simple wardrobe into something unmistakably their own.

In her 1995 interview with Don Francisco on Sábado Gigante, Selena recalled “Oh Mamá” as the first song she recorded. The recording predates its release: Selena y Los Dinos’ self-titled debut album came out in 1984, before their 1985 performance of “Oh Mamá” on The Johnny Canales Show.

A decade later, Selena looked back on her beginnings in an interview with Don Francisco on Sábado Gigante. She discussed starting to sing as a child and learning Spanish for her music—experiences that helped shape the Mexican American artist fans came to know. Her career began as a family undertaking, with her siblings Suzette and A.B. by her side, and grew far beyond the Tejano scene.

Selena died on March 31, 1995, in Corpus Christi, Texas. But revisiting “Oh Mamá” brings the focus back to her beginnings: a young singer, a family band, and paint-splattered outfits made to stand out. Before the iconic hits and enduring tributes, there was already a performer determined to make an impression.