María Elena Lyrics in English Joan Soriano

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song María Elena by Joan Soriano from Spanish to English.

These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!

You know

You’re the one who knows

I'm looking for Maria Elena

I'm looking, mom, for Maria Elena

Because that dark girl really is something good

They say all women are good

But none like my Elena

With my dark babe I'm gonna sweep

Oh, in Puerto Rico I'm gonna dance

With my dark babe I'm gonna enjoy myself

With my dark babe I'm gonna sweep

Oh, in New York I'm gonna have fun

I'm leaving with her over there to the bushes

In my Quisqueya I'm gonna sweep

I'm looking, mom, for Maria Elena

I'm looking for Maria Elena

Because that dark girl really is something good

They say all women are good

But none like my Elena

With my dark babe I'm gonna dance

In Puerto Rico I'm gonna enjoy myself

I'm leaving with her over there to the bushes

Over there in La Luisa I'm gonna have fun

And in Spain I'm gonna dance

Over there in France I'm gonna sweep

And in the East I'm gonna dance

With my dark babe I want to have fun

With my dark babe I'm gonna dance

I want to drink, I want to party

With my dark babe I'm gonna sweep

Dark-skinned Elena gets drunk

So she doesn't recognize any of her kids

They say all women are good

But none like my Elena

With my dark babe I'm gonna dance

With my dark babe I want to have fun

In Puerto Rico and in Panama

And with my Elena I'm gonna sweep

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SONG MEANING

“María Elena” is a joyful musical pursuit. Joan Soriano sings as a wandering romantic who travels from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, New York, Spain, France and beyond, all while calling out for one special woman: la prieta María Elena. He insists that many women are “good,” yet none compare to his beloved morena. The repetitive chorus and place-hopping shout-outs paint a lively picture of a man ready to dance, party and celebrate life—but only if María Elena is by his side.

Behind the playful lyrics lies a simple message: genuine love stands out amid countless temptations. Soriano mixes humor (joking that María Elena sometimes gets so tipsy she forgets her own kids) with admiration, creating a flirty anthem to perseverance in love. Wherever he goes, his mission stays the same—find María Elena, hit the dance floor, and enjoy every beat together.

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Joan Soriano María Elena Lyrics