Honestly, if you told a baseball fan in 2023 that a veteran infielder would save a season with a Latin pop song, they’d probably tell you to lay off the stadium hot dogs. But here we are. Jose Iglesias, known in the music world as Candelita, didn't just give the New York Mets a walk-up track; he gave them a spiritual reboot.
When you look at the omg lyrics candelita english translation, you aren't just reading song verses. You're reading a diary of a guy who almost lost his career and a team that was dead in the water. It’s rare for a song to jump from a clubhouse speaker to the top of the Billboard charts, but "OMG" did exactly that, hitting No. 1 on the Latin Digital Song Sales survey shortly after its release in June 2024.
What the OMG Lyrics Actually Mean
The song is basically a prayer set to a reggaetón beat. Most people hear the catchy chorus and start dancing, but for Iglesias, this was deeply personal. He wrote the lyrics during the 2023 offseason while sitting on his ranch in Florida. At the time, he was out of a job in the big leagues. He was looking at his family and his animals, trying to find a reason to stay positive.
The core of the song is the line: "Oh my God, todo lo malo échalo pa' allá."
In English, that translates to: "Oh my God, throw everything bad away." It’s simple. Maybe even a bit blunt. But in the context of a locker room where everyone is overthinking their batting average, it was like a shot of pure oxygen. He follows that up with a plea for "salud y prosperidad"—health and prosperity.
Breaking Down the Verses
The verses go deeper into the struggle of the "underdog." One specific line that resonates with fans is "No tengo nada pero soy feliz"—I have nothing but I am happy. It speaks to that Cuban "Candelita" spirit: even when you’re down to your last strike, you find the joy.
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He also mentions that "la envidia a mí no me alcance," which means "let envy not reach me." In the high-pressure world of professional sports, where everyone is competing for a spot on the roster, asking for protection from negativity isn't just a lyric; it’s a survival strategy.
The Mets and the Power of a "Vibe"
Music therapy is a real thing, even if MLB players don't call it that. By the time Iglesias got called up from the Triple-A Syracuse Mets in late May 2024, the team was struggling. Morale was low. Then came the "OMG" sign—a literal neon sign held up in the dugout after home runs.
It changed the "mojo."
Iglesias performed the song live at Citi Field after a win against the Houston Astros, and suddenly, it wasn't just a walk-up song. It was an anthem. Fans started searching for the English translation because the energy was infectious. Even if you didn't speak a word of Spanish, you understood the "Oh My God" part. It’s universal.
- Release Date: June 28, 2024
- Billboard Debut: No. 1 on Latin Digital Song Sales
- The Remix: Pitbull (Mr. Worldwide himself) eventually jumped on a remix, proving the song had legs far beyond Queens.
Why "Candelita" Matters
The name "Candelita" means "Firecracker" or "Little Flame." It’s a nickname Iglesias has had since he was eight years old in Cuba. It fits. He plays with a frantic, infectious energy that earned him an All-Star nod back in 2015. But "OMG" showed a different side—a vulnerable, grateful side.
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He talks about his defection from Cuba in 2008. He was a kid, running across borders, praying for a chance. He told the New York Post that the phrase "Oh My God" has been his constant companion through the "bad moments" and the "great moments."
The English Translation (Full Chorus)
If you're trying to sing along at the stadium or just want to know what the hype is about, here is the basic translation of the main hook:
Spanish:
Oh my God, todo lo malo échalo pa' allá
Oh my God, dame salud y prosperidad
Que las malas lenguas no tengan chance
Y que la envidia a mí no me alcanceEnglish:
Oh my God, throw all the bad things away
Oh my God, give me health and prosperity
May the evil tongues have no chance
And may envy never reach me
A Legacy Beyond the Diamond
By 2025, Iglesias had moved on to the San Diego Padres, but the "OMG" era in New York is already legendary. It’s one of those rare moments where pop culture and sports collide in a way that feels authentic rather than corporate.
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The song works because it isn't trying to be a "baseball song." It doesn't mention strikes, balls, or home runs. It mentions life. It mentions the grind. It mentions the fact that one day you're down and the next you're up ("Un día estás abajo y otro pa' arriba").
For anyone looking to capture that "Candelita" energy, the lesson is pretty clear: push the bad stuff away, keep your "wallet off a diet" (another great line from the song), and keep swinging.
If you want to dive deeper into the discography, check out his follow-up tracks like "ROTO" or "Solo Tu." He’s clearly not a one-hit-wonder in the studio, even if "OMG" remains the heavyweight champ of his musical career. Next time you're feeling overwhelmed, just channel your inner Jose Iglesias and tell the universe to throw the bad stuff "pa' allá."
Practical Next Steps:
To fully appreciate the track, listen to the "OMG Remix" featuring Pitbull and Silvestre Dangond. It adds a layer of Colombian Vallenato influence that makes the "prosperity" theme feel even more celebratory. If you're learning Spanish through music, use the chorus as a practice for "imperative" verbs (commands) like échalo (throw it).