By Mike Sain't Louis ·
Licenciada en derecho: heels and zero patience with stares
Heels on the tarmac, a handbag full of law books and a whole city turning as she passes. That's how the protagonist of this song presents herself, a woman who walks with confidence and has a very specific request for whoever is looking at her: raise your eyes.
The chorus is one of those phrases that stay forever: «No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho» ("Don't look at my chest, I've got a law degree"). In Spanish it has the perfect rhyme of a proverb and the spite of a ready-made comeback. It really makes me laugh because it brings together two things old-fashioned sexism insists on separating, the body and the university degree, and puts them in the same line. She has both and won't give up either.
Spanglish in heels
The lyrics jump from English to Spanish completely naturally, as many young people do on both sides of the Atlantic. From Madrid to Miami, says one of the lines, and that route sums up the spirit well: a cosmopolitan woman who catches planes, not feelings, who is always dressed up and knows exactly what she's after. Brains and beauty together, as she says herself, without apologising for either.
There's a lot of pop icon in this character, the glamorous movie lawyer who walks into court in heels and leaves everyone open-mouthed. But the message goes beyond aesthetics. What she demands is to be taken seriously, not to be underestimated, for people to remember her face because she's here to stay.
For all the women who have ever been spoken to by someone staring at their cleavage. For those who have had to prove twice as much to get half the recognition. And also for anyone fed up with being reduced to their looks, because that doesn't only happen to women.
It works wonderfully for getting ready before a job interview or an important date. Put it on while you do your lipstick and step out into the street with a different attitude.
And next time someone looks where they shouldn't, you've got the line.
The full lyrics are further down. Listen on Spotify
Lyrics · Licenciada En Derecho
Walking through the city, feeling kinda witty,High heels on the pavement, mi estilo es pretty.They look and they whisper, trying to figure me out,But I'm all about my business, sin ninguna doubt.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
From Madrid to Miami, style's never sloppy,Law books in my bag, yeah, I keep it classy.Catching flights, not feelings, that's the way I roll,Educada y chic, reaching every goal.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
Lights, camera, acción, watch me while I slay,This ain't just about fashion, I own every day.Brains and beauty, together as one,Soy poderosa, watch me run.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
Así que ya sabes, no me subestimes,I'm a boss lady, living my dreams.Remember my face, 'cause I'm here to stay,Licenciada en derecho, and I play no games
Walking through the city, feeling kinda witty,High heels on the pavement, mi estilo es pretty.They look and they whisper, trying to figure me out,But I'm all about my business, sin ninguna doubt.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
From Madrid to Miami, style's never sloppy,Law books in my bag, yeah, I keep it classy.Catching flights, not feelings, that's the way I roll,Educada y chic, reaching every goal.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
Lights, camera, acción, watch me while I slay,This ain't just about fashion, I own every day.Brains and beauty, together as one,Soy poderosa, watch me run.
No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho,No me mires el pecho, que soy licenciada en derecho.
Así que ya sabes, no me subestimes,I'm a boss lady, living my dreams.Remember my face, 'cause I'm here to stay,Licenciada en derecho, and I play no games
Lyrics as published with the official music video, on the MIKE SAIN'T LOUIS label.