María Isabel grew up in a musical family while living in Queens. She always knew she wanted to make music, citing powerful women such as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, and Lauryn Hill as her biggest influences.
She studied in the music program at New York University while singing for the campus' a cappella group, APC Rhythm. Only during her first year at NYU did she start writing and recording her own songs, giving her a new outlet to express her thoughts and feelings. Soon after, she began to gain popularity through her Instagram and SoundCloud, where she would publish covers in addition to her own music.
After graduation, María Isabel moved to Los Angeles to further her career. In February 2020, she released her debut single “The 1,” followed by her debut EP Stuck In The Sky in October of the same year, which is based on the painful experience of a long-distance relationship.
(2) María Isabel López Rodríguez (b. 4 January 1995), known professionally as María Isabel, is a Spanish singer and songwriter. She is best known for winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Antes muerta que sencilla". Winning at the age of nine years, ten months, and 16 days old, she became the youngest person to win the contest to date (a few days younger than the Tolmachevy Sisters, the only other nine-year-old winners).
Several weeks before winning the festival she released her first album, titled "¡No me toques las palmas que me conozco!". This CD included "Antes muerta que sencilla", which launched her career in the Spanish show business world, making her a competitor of another Spaniard child star, Melody.
La Pepa
María Isabel Lyrics
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y estaba en una jaulita, en una guardería,
es de raza peligrosa, pero poca cosa.
Es una perrita guapa, blanca, negra y rosa.
• Parecía no haber roto, en su vida un plato.
Le faltaba el uniforme de escuela de pago.
Me miro con sus ojitos de carnero degollado,
• Y ahora yo de mi pepa no me quiero separar.
Aunque no sea valiente y no sirva para cuidar la casa.
Si oye ruidos extraños se esconde debajo la mesa toa asustá.
Pero sé que me quiere y me sigue siempre detrás.
Y lo demás que más me da
• Si le das una pelota se volverá loca y querrá
que se la tires pa traerla en la boca.
Ella piensa que es ligera como una gatita
se me sube a la cama y me aplasta la tripa.
• Yo le cuento a mi pepa todo lo pienso
y ella me mira y escucha y guarda el secreto.
Yo no se si ella me entiende pero pone tanto empeño
que no importa lo demás, porque yo la quiero.
• Y ahora yo de mi pepa no me quiero separar.
Aunque no sea valiente y no sirva para cuidar la casa.
Si oye ruidos extraños se esconde debajo la mesa toa asustá.
Pero se que me quiere y me sigue siempre detrás.
Y lo demás que más me da
• Trae la pata, ahora la otra, da una vuelta,
tumbate, panza arriba, hazte la muerta,
el pino puente y siéntate y ella pasa ampliamente
de hacer na porque pa que? Y te mira con ese aire
superior…
• Y se pira con tu madre a la cocina vaya a ser
que se escurra algo pal suelo y no este ella pa recoger.
Porque a ella no le importa que sea pollo que café
ay que ver este bicho es que ha nació pa come, quillo!
• Y ahora yo de mi pepa no me quiero separar.
Aunque no sea valiente y no sirva para cuidar la casa.
Si oye ruidos extraños se esconde debajo la mesa toa asustá.
Pero se que me quiere y me sigue siempre detrás.
Y lo demás que más me da
In María Isabel's song La Pepa, she tells the story of a little dog that nobody wanted and how it ended up becoming her best friend. In the first verse, María Isabel describes how the dog was stuck in a daycare center in a cage as nobody wanted it because it was a dangerous breed. However, despite its appearance, it was a lovely dog, a mix of white, black, and pink colors. In the second verse, she describes how the dog became an important part of her life. Even though it had never done anything wrong, it was missing the expensive school uniform, which made the people reject it. Eventually, Maria Isabel took it home, and the little dog now sleeps by her side. She notes that the dog may not be brave or great at protecting the house, as it always hides when it hears strange noises, but it loves her and always stays by her side.
Throughout the song, María Isabel talks about her bond with the Pepa, how she tells her everything and how her dog seems almost human, listening intently to her words. The song highlights the perception that love is an essential element that goes beyond strength or duty, and sometimes, it can come from the unlikeliest of places. Even though Maria Isabel's dog is small, she finds so much joy in its companionship and its playful nature. The song has a light-hearted tone, describing the relationship between the singer and her little dog.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando era chiquitita, nadie la quería
y estaba en una jaulita, en una guardería,
es de raza peligrosa, pero poca cosa.
Es una perrita guapa, blanca, negra y rosa.
María Isabel adopted an unwanted puppy at a daycare center. The puppy is a small, yet dangerous breed, but is beautiful and has a coat of white, black, and pink.
Parecía no haber roto, en su vida un plato.
Le faltaba el uniforme de escuela de pago.
Me miro con sus ojitos de carnero degollado,
y se vino pa mi casa, y duerme a mi lado
The puppy, despite its breed, appeared to be well-behaved and obedient. María Isabel saw the puppy's innocent eyes and decided to take it home. The puppy sleeps next to her.
Y ahora yo de mi pepa no me quiero separar.
Aunque no sea valiente y no sirva para cuidar la casa.
Si oye ruidos extraños se esconde debajo la mesa toa asustá.
Pero sé que me quiere y me sigue siempre detrás.
Y lo demás que más me da
María Isabel loves her puppy, Pepa, despite its lack of bravery and usefulness as a guard dog. Pepa may become frightened by strange noises and hide under the table, but she always follows and loves María Isabel.
Si le das una pelota se volverá loca y querrá
que se la tires pa traerla en la boca.
Ella piensa que es ligera como una gatita
se me sube a la cama y me aplasta la tripa.
Pepa loves to play and fetch. She believes she is light like a cat and will jump on the bed and accidentally crush María Isabel.
Yo le cuento a mi pepa todo lo pienso
y ella me mira y escucha y guarda el secreto.
Yo no se si ella me entiende pero pone tanto empeño
que no importa lo demás, porque yo la quiero.
María Isabel confides in Pepa and believes she listens and keeps her secrets. Although she is unsure if Pepa understands everything, she still loves her.
Trae la pata, ahora la otra, da una vuelta,
tumbate, panza arriba, hazte la muerta,
el pino puente y siéntate y ella pasa ampliamente
de hacer na porque pa que? Y te mira con ese aire
superior…
Pepa knows a few tricks like giving paw, rolling over, playing dead, and sitting. However, she will often ignore commands and give María Isabel a haughty look.
Y se pira con tu madre a la cocina vaya a ser
que se escurra algo pal suelo y no este ella pa recoger.
Porque a ella no le importa que sea pollo que café
ay que ver este bicho es que ha nació pa come, quillo!
Pepa often goes to the kitchen to wait for food to fall on the floor. She is not picky and will eat anything from chicken to coffee. María Isabel believes Pepa was born to eat.
Y ahora yo de mi pepa no me quiero separar.
Aunque no sea valiente y no sirva para cuidar la casa.
Si oye ruidos extraños se esconde debajo la mesa toa asustá.
Pero se que me quiere y me sigue siempre detrás.
Y lo demás que más me da
Despite all of Pepa's quirks and flaws, María Isabel loves her and never wants to be without her. Pepa may not be the bravest or most useful, but she loves and follows María Isabel wherever she goes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARIA ECHANIZ JIMENEZ, Mateo Kai Echaniz Jimenez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind