Paquita la del Barrio turns heartbreak into a fiery verbal smack-down in “Rata de Dos Patas.” A rata is a rat, and this “two-legged rat” is her ex-lover, whom she bombards with every poisonous animal insult she can muster — from “maldita cucaracha” (damned cockroach) to “hiena del infierno” (hyena from hell). The lyrics are over-the-top, almost theatrical, yet that exaggeration is what makes the song so cathartic and fun. Behind the colorful insults lies a powerful message: this is a woman who refuses to stay silent, reclaiming her dignity by naming and shaming the person who wronged her.
In Mexico’s ranchera tradition, Paquita is famous for giving voice to scorned women, and “Rata de Dos Patas” has become an anthem of empowerment and dark humor. Whether you laugh at the creative name-calling or feel the sting of her anger, the song reminds listeners that music can be a perfect outlet for pain — and that sometimes the best way to heal is to sing your heartbreak at full volume.
Paquita la del Barrio (real name Francisca Viveros Barradas) was a Mexican singer born on April 2, 1947 in Alto Lucero, Veracruz.
She began singing in Mexico City in the 1970s performing in small venues and later adopted the stage name Paquita la del Barrio. Paquita’s music was deeply rooted in rancheras, boleros and other traditional Mexican genres. Her songs often voiced strong critiques of machismo and sexism and became anthems for women.
Some of her most famous tracks include "Rata de dos patas", "Tres veces te engañé", and "Me saludas a la tuya". In 2021 she was honored with the Billboard Latin Music Lifetime Achievement Award.
She passed away on February 17, 2025 at age 77 in Xalapa, Veracruz leaving a legacy as one of Mexico’s most outspoken and beloved voices.