She started her career as an actress, working in the theatre and in some of the most famous Spanish movies from the 1940 decade.
During the 1950s, she started singing professionaly, eventually abandoning her career as an actress in the 1960s. Since then, she has recorded more than 35 albums.
As a singer, she is specialized in traditional Spanish and Latin American music: bolero, copla, ballad, ronda, vals, and folk music (Peruvian, Argentinian, Mexican, and Venezuelan). Her voice tone is clear and slightly low, and she has an extremely proper Spanish pronunciation. She typically sings with the only company of guitars, requintos, and drums.
She singed for close to 30 years with the same group, Los Gemelos, formed by two twin brothers, Santiago López Hernández and Julián López Hernández, until the death of Santiago in the early 1990s.
Cuando Ya no Me Quieras
Maria Dolores Pradera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No me tengas piedad, compasión, ni temor
Si me dices te olvido, no te culpo ni riño,
Ni te doy el disgusto, de mirar mi dolor
Partiré canturreando, mi poema, mas triste
Contare a todo el mundo, que tú, me quisiste
Cuando nadie escuche, mis canciones viejas
Detendré mi camino, en un pueblo lejano, ahí moriré
Se que no me quieres, me lo dicen tus ojos
Partiré por las rutas, que no tienen final
Vagare siempre, siempre, partiré sin enojo
Mis labios sin besos, cantaran un madrigal
Partiré canturreando, mi poema, mas triste
Contare a todo el mundo, que tú me quisiste
Cuando nadie escuche, mis canciones viejas
Detendré mi camino, en un pueblo lejano, ahí moriré, ahí moriré
The song "Cuando Ya no Me Quieras" by Maria Dolores Pradera is a somber reflection on lost love. In the first verse, the singer implores her former lover to not pretend affection or feel any pity, compassion or fear towards her when they no longer love her. She accepts that when this time comes, she will leave singing her saddest poem, and will tell everyone that her lover once loved her. She will find solitude in a far-off village, where she will die.
The second verse reveals that the singer is aware that her lover no longer loves her, and she plans to wander aimlessly on roads that lead nowhere, with no hard feelings or anger, just the memories of the love that once was. She will leave with her lips singing a madrigal but devoid of any kisses. She will again declare that when nobody else listens to her old songs, she will find her final resting place in a distant village, where she will breathe her last.
The lyrics of this song are an expression of heartbreak and facing the end of a love affair bravely. It suggests that even when love is lost, one should not pretend but accept the harsh reality of it. The somber tone of the song is underscored by the wistful and mournful melody that seeks to capture the singer's sense of loss and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando ya no me quieras, no me finjas cariño,
When you no longer love me, don't pretend to care,
No me tengas piedad, compasión, ni temor
Don't pity or have compassion or fear for me
Si me dices te olvido, no te culpo ni riño,
If you tell me you forget me, I won't blame or scold you,
Ni te doy el disgusto, de mirar mi dolor
I won't burden you with the sight of my pain
Partiré canturreando, mi poema, mas triste
I'll leave singing my saddest song,
Contare a todo el mundo, que tú, me quisiste
I'll tell everyone that you loved me
Cuando nadie escuche, mis canciones viejas
When no one listens to my old songs,
Detendré mi camino, en un pueblo lejano, ahí moriré
I'll stop my journey in a distant town and die there
Se que no me quieres, me lo dicen tus ojos
I know you don't love me, your eyes tell me so
Partiré por las rutas, que no tienen final
I'll leave on endless roads
Vagare siempre, siempre, partiré sin enojo
I'll wander forever, leave without anger,
Mis labios sin besos, cantaran un madrigal
My lips without kisses will sing a ballad,
Detendré mi camino, en un pueblo lejano, ahí moriré, ahí moriré
I'll stop my journey in a distant town and die there, die there.
Writer(s): Cuates Castilla
Contributed by Evelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Claudio S.S
Cuanta belleza encierra su voz y su dulce mirar. De mi Madre heredé el gusto por esta hermosa música y la disfruto al punto de enamorarme en cada melodía. Que ganas de haber nacido años antes y de declarar un amor platónico e incondicional. Gracias por compartir su música.
Rossiel Raffo
QUERIDO CLAUDIO. ES UN PLACER !
Soledad Valencia
Claudio S.S El corazon no envejece y nunca es tardes para demostrar amor.
Martha Gonzalez
Es verdad cuanta dulzura, hermosa voz
Augusto Luna
Extraordinaria toda su honra musical una sola vez la escuché en un programa televisado y su garbo todavía está en mi mente
Mike Mike
Ya no quedan cantantes como Maria Dolores Pradera....que clase, que estilo. que voz e interpretacion!!!
Yolanda Mendez
Qué hermosa señora, sus canciones y su voz es lo más ,la descubriel año pasado escuchando música y desde ese momento la sigo escuchando
Segundo Velandia
Una hermosa mujer con una voz celestial !!
Francisco Martínez aledo
Se necesita grandes compositores y letristas para crear hermosas canciones. Pero de poco serviría si no hubiera quien pudiera cantarlas con el sentimiento con las que se crearon. Esta madrileña con su sentimiento y sensibilidad ha sabido interpretar el sentir de los autores. Maravillosa canción e interpretación 👍
Vera Aline Bach
Cuanta elegancia, que forma tan bonita de cantar, seas joven o m3enos joven, si tienes sensibilidad, María Dolores Pradera por siempre vivirá. gracias a todos.