Paquita la del Barrio’s Best Female Anthems: 5 Emblematic Songs

“Rata inmunda, animal rastrero, escoria de la vida, adefesio mal hecho.”

Loosely translating to “filthy rat, creeping animal, scum of life, shoddy monstrosity” in English, these are the opening lyrics to one of Paquita la del Barrio’s most popular songs, “Rata de dos Patas.”

Whether the lyrics to her songs — most penned by other composers, including Manuel Eduardo Toscano — were poetic is subjective, but they were very much the essence of Paquita. She was refreshingly honest, which made her one of the most unique artists of her generation.

It was announced on Monday (Feb. 17) that the great and oh-so-blunt Paquita la del Barrio had died at age 77, leaving behind a hefty catalog of female anthems that have soundtracked Spanish-language households in Mexico and beyond for decades.

“With deep pain and sadness, we confirm the sensitive passing of our beloved ‘Paquita la del Barrio’ at her home in Veracruz [Mexico], being a unique and irreplaceable artist, who will leave an indelible mark in the hearts of all who knew her and enjoyed her music,” reads a statement posted on her official Instagram account. “In this moment of great pain, we respectfully ask all media and the public to give us space and understanding so that her family can experience their mourning in privacy and peace.”

Paquita la del Barrio was a force to be reckoned with in regional Mexican music, a genre historically and still dominated by men. Her perspective and take on rancheras — often calling out the macho culture — was not only unique, but extremely important. No one was else was singing what Paquita la del Barrio was singing about, and for that, she will go down in history as one of the most iconic singers in Latin music.

Injecting pathos into her delivery, Paquita made women feel seen. Our point of view mattered, too, she proclaimed, singing about the peaks and valleys of womanhood and, more often than not, singing directly to the men who disrespected her. “I should shut up like a lady would,” she sings in “Taco Placero.” “But now they will know that you are a dud in bed.”

While most of Paquita la del Barrio’s songs became anthems, here are five emblematic ones (in no particular order).