Twenty-five years ago, the self-proclaimed La Chica Dorada bid farewell to the old millennium in unparalleled style. With the release of her fifth studio album, Paulina, on May 23, 2000, in the U.S., Paulina Rubio reaffirmed her status as a Latin pop icon. It was the evolution of an artist who, despite an already impressive career, revealed that her true artistic brilliance was only beginning to unfold.
Under the Universal Music México label, Paulina came to life thanks to the collaboration of a diverse and talented team of songwriters and producers, including Estéfano (lead contributor), Christian De Walden (“Yo No Soy Esa Mujer”), Armando Manzanero (“Tal Vez, Quizás”), and Juan Gabriel (“Cancún y Yo”), among others. The Mexican singer fused pop, Latin rhythms, and elements of dance and rock, crafting an album as bold and multifaceted as she is. The results? A record that celebrated love, independence, and empowerment with irresistible energy, transforming into an instant classic.
The impact was instant. The album debuted at the top of Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. It also made waves beyond the Latin music sphere, debuting at No. 156 on the Billboard 200 — a notable feat for a Spanish-language album at the time. The singles also dominated the charts: “Y Yo Sigo Aquí” landed at No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay, while “Lo Haré Por Ti” peaked at No. 13 and “El Último Adiós” reached No. 18 on Hot Latin Songs. On Latin Airplay, “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer” secured the No. 7 spot, and “Sexi Dance” made its way to No. 34.
With over 2.5 million copies sold worldwide, Paulina marked a new era in Rubio’s career. A quarter of a century later, we’re diving back into the album’s tracks, ranking them from least to most iconic.
Paulina Rubio, “Paulina”
Courtesy Photo
-
“Mírame a Los Ojos”
We have to admit this isn’t the most memorable track on the album and not because it’s bad, but because you have really strong songs like “Y Yo Sigo Aquí,” “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer” and “El Último Adiós” that became instant hits and Spanish-language classics. “Mírame” is a fusion of Latin rhythms that gives the song an uplifting tempo — but it’s the killer electric guitar solo mid-track that really elevates the song.
-
“Vive el Verano”
An anthem to celebrate the last summer of the millennium, this drum and brass-driven track has a cheerful rhythm and an infectious chorus that invites you to enjoy every second of the season: “Live, live the summer/ Live, live/ Live, live life/ Live love/ Live, live summer/ Live, live/ Dance, dance my life/ Give me warmth.”
-
“Cancún y Yo”
Written by the great Juan Gabriel, “Cancún y Yo” is an evocative ballad about yearning for a loved one in the middle of a tropical paradise. “What a shame you’re not here/ So you could see what a sea/ What water so blue/ And its waves,” Rubio sings with the perfect mix of melancholy and sensuality.
-
“Tan Sola”
In “Tan Sola,” La Chica Dorada is vulnerable, heartbroken and pensive. The rock ballad backs Rubio’s soft and melancholic vocals, where she questions a relationship that didn’t work out. She’s unsure if she needs to change, wait, or stick to the routine, but she’s certain that she feels very lonely. “Here I am, doing nothing/ Patching up my soul/ With your memory that kills me,” she sings.
-
“Sin Aire”
This passionate, electric-guitar-driven pop-rock song written by Estéfano narrates what it’s like to be completely crazy about someone who leaves you breathless. “You hypnotize me/ You distract me/ Like an invisible warrior, you confront me/ And you defeat me, yes/ With that mouth and its deadly venom,” Rubio sings with an intensity that builds up to the potent chorus: “Breathless/ You leave me breathless/ Your love, a damn vice that I like/ And that I can’t let go of.”
-
“Sexi Dance”
“Sexi Dance” takes you straight to the heart of the dance floor, where the beat and your senses collide in a magnetic, euphoric trance. With an irresistible mix of techno and dance, the track is a burst of pure energy, while Rubio’s sultry, hush-hush vocals turn up the heat with her seductive charm. The epic chorus — “No pares, no/ No te detengas, no...” — perfectly captures the moment: a frenzy you never want to end. Every feeling Paulina describes pulls you into the experience, lost in the adrenaline and thrilling escape of the music. It’s glamorous, intoxicating and impossible to resist.
-
“Y Yo Sigo Aquí”
Sonically, this song is a total party blending elements of pop, dance and techno. But the lyrics are about Pau waiting around for the guy who left her to come back. “And I’m still here, waiting for you and for your sweet mouth to roll across my skin,” she sings with conviction. “Y Yo Sigo Aquí” peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, becoming her biggest single since the 1993 “Mío.” After achieving commercial success in the U.S., Latin America and Europe, the song was critically acclaimed receiving a song of the year nomination at the 2001 Latin Grammys.
-
“Tal Vez, Quizás”
There’s a softness that sets the tone for this moody pop ballad that even requires Paulina Rubio to sing in an almost whisper-like tone. This may not be the high-energy pop anthem that she’s known for, which is what makes this song stand out, showcasing a more romantic side of the Mexican star. Penned Armando Manzanero, the legendary Mexican singer-songwriter, Rubio sings delicately, “Maybe because you didn’t decide to stay with me/ Maybe I have to resign myself to run away with you/ I don’t know if next time/ I’ll be imprisoned by you and you’ll melt into me and you don’t leave me.”
-
“Lo Haré Por Ti”
The sensual electric guitar riffs in “Lo Haré Por Ti” kick off the 12-song set, Paulina. With its pop-rock melodies, Rubio delivers a love letter about a good girl and a bad boy who are meant to be together, and where she’ll basically do anything for him. “I’ll do it for you, because I believe in you/ Because your gaze is seeing the same sky/ And when I kiss you, I feel like you’re shooting/ In the middle of my soul,” she deeply chants. “Lo Haré Por Ti” reached No. 7 on the Latin Pop Airplay chart, and also entered the top 20 on Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay.
-
“El Último Adiós”
Before música mexicana soared to new heights on the Billboard charts during its recent resurgence, Paulina Rubio — an unstoppable force in Latin pop — had already dared to venture into the world of rancheras with “El Último Adiós,” and the results were nothing short of phenomenal. With a performance brimming with strength and personality, Rubio blended the classic essence of ranchera reveries with a fiery pop twist, creating a track that celebrated heartbreak with gusto.
The song, which peaked at No. 18 on Hot Latin Songs, became one of Paulina’s boldest moments. This success proved that La Chica Dorada had no limits and could effortlessly command not just pop, but also more traditional genres.
-
“Yo No Soy Esa Mujer”
Just as she has songs about being in love and getting heartbroken, Rubio also stood her ground in the empowered “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer.” Translated to “I’m not that woman,” the artist sings about caring and loving for a man, but letting him know that she will not be a submissive woman and will continue to be a free-spirited soul. Also, that he will never see her cry, fall, or get lost, because above all, she’s her first priority. “I am not that woman who never leaves the house/ And who places the best of her soul at your feet/ I will not become the echo of your voice,” she sings. “Yo No Soy Esa Mujer” reached No. 4 on Latin Pop Airplay chart, and top 10 on both Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay, becoming a timeless staple from the album.
