Paulina Rubio For Dummies: 5 Must-Hear Pop Songs From The New ‘X Factor’ Judge

Mike Wass | September 11, 2013 4:26 pm

Paulina Rubio is an era-defining pop legend in much of the Spanish speaking world but she might be an unfamiliar face for some X Factor viewers tonight (September 11). Never fear, we’ve put together some cheat notes to help bring you up to scratch!

The flawless 42-year-old has been in the business since 1982. She sang in popular Mexican children’s group Timbiriche for the best part of a decade — fellow international diva Thalia would later join the band — before leaving to pursue a solo career that would see her become one of the most successful Spanish language pop stars of all time.

It’s impossible to cover all of the X Factor judge’s amazing hits in a single post but we’ve collated five tracks that encapsulate her unique genius. The selection is skewered towards her English output because if you can speak Spanish, chances are you already have the diva on your iPod. Fall in love with Paulina after the jump.

5. “Heat Of The Night” — Brava! (2011)

Produced by RedOne, this sultry dance anthem was originally intended for Jennifer Lopez‘s Love? album but didn’t make the cut. Jenny’s loss was the Mexican diva’s gain. The track was remixed for the US market and became a top 20 Billboard club hit.

4. “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” — Border Girl (2002)

Only queen Paulina could turn this Kiss rock classic into a Hi-NRG dance anthem. It’s weird, wonderful and utterly endearing.

3. “Me Gustas Tanto” — Brava! (2011)

This track was a crazy dance routine away from foreign language hits like PSY‘s “Gangnam Style” at the top of the charts. Another RedOne production, “Me Gustas Tanto” is almost unbearably catchy. Pau co-wrote the lyrics — which I’m sure are very nice indeed — but this jam is all about the Latin rhythms and infectious vocal hooks.

2. “Don’t Say Goodbye” — Border Girl (2002)

Paulina attempted to ride the Latin-pop craze of the early ’00s to US chart glory with English language debut Border Girl. It got off to an extremely promising start with this still enchanting pop song — “Don’t Say Goodbye” reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains the X Factor judge’s biggest hit in America — but failed to connect with brilliantly titled gems “Fire (Sexy Dance)” and “I’ll Be Right Here (Sexual Lover)”.

1. “Boys Will Be Boys” — Brava! Reload (2012)

Easily the best English language track of the prolific diva’s career, “Boys Will Be Boys” should be re-released to capitalize on Ms. Rubio’s raised US profile. RedOne can be hit and miss when he’s not in the studio with Lady Gaga or Jennifer Lopez but this camp gem stands up to anything those ladies have released recently. Oh and Paulina proves she’s still got it in the sexy video.

What’s your favorite Paulina song? Let us know in the comments below.