Before he had a big successful music career Jose Manuel Figueroa (Joan Sebastian's legal name) passed most of his childhood from place to place. At age eight he was sent away by his parents to Guanajuato for school. When he was eleven he return to Juliantla, his native town, this return inspired him to begin formally composing. But he was sent off again to a monastery in Morelos where he was under the care of father David Salgado. Due to the influence Father Salgado had on Sebastian he took the decision of becoming a priest. So at age 14 he enrolled in the Seminario Conciliar de San Jose(located in Cuernavaca, Morelos). But he soon realized that music was his true calling so when he was 17 years old he abandoned the seminary to dedicate himself completely to the music business.
Meanwhile he made a living as an administrative assistant in a vacationing resort in Oaxtepec, Morelos, where he would sing through the intercom. It was in that resort that Sebastian found the incentive he needed to pursue his singing dream more aggressively. The year was 1968 when Joan Sebastian encountered Angélica María (a famous Mexican actress) who was looking for a place to stay. While she waited she asked him if he sang and the following day he sang for her six songs. Angélica María suggested to Sebastian that he record the songs and gave him the telephone number of Eduardo Magallanes, a music producer. Without hesitating Sebastian moved to Mexico City and began knocking on doors until Chucho Rincon from Discos Capitals agreed to listen to him and thus began Sebastian's artistic career. He recorded his first disc and the positive results came fast when in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, the song "Descartada" sold 12 thousand copies. previous. His most recent production up to date is "Secreto de Amor" which was released in 2000 and sold over 1 million copies.
In February 2001 Joan received the prestigious award "Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina" as recognition of his career, during 2003 Sebastian received the Songwriter of the universe Award for the second time at the 11th Annual El Premio ASCAP. He was awarded "The Silver Pen Award" in 2000, and was named el jefe
Soy Como Quiero Ser
Joan Sebastian Lyrics
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Alumno soy de la vida, la vida que enseña tanto.
Un gavilán de la sierra me enseño a gozar volando,
Lo mismo por las alturas que abajo suelos rozando.
Soy como quiero ser, ser amigo de todo ranchero
Hasta los codos sincero ha mas no poder.
Soy como quiero ser.
Un gallo pidió permiso de pisar a una pollita,
Cuando se lo concedieron ya hasta ponía la maldita.
Un perico que era mudo me enseño
Con su silencio a echarle a la lengua nudo
Antes de hablar a lo menso.
Soy como quiero ser
Soy como el potro amañado que cuando mira potranca
No quiere rienda ni encierro por alta que este la tranca.
De tierras sorianas vengo, de allá les traje mi canto,
Respeto hasta al mas humilde,
pero no temo a ningún tanto.
The song "Soy Como Quiero Ser" by Joan Sebastian celebrates individuality and personal freedom. The lyrics express pride in being oneself and not conforming to societal expectations. The singer, who hails from the province of Soria, Spain, proclaims that he is a student of life and has learned much from the people and the animals around him. He shares how a hawk taught him to enjoy flying high up in the sky, and to skim above the earth below. He also expresses his love for his fellow ranchers and his sincerity towards them. He is proud of the way he lives his life and exclaims he is "como quiero ser" or who he wants to be.
The verse about the rooster who asks permission to court a hen shows how even the animal kingdom has a sense of respect and protocol that they follow. The parrot who taught the singer to be silent before speaking, shows the value of listening before talking, and not saying something foolish in haste. The singer finds inspiration from the animal kingdom and their instinctual ways.
The song reflects the values of rural life, and celebrates traits such as authenticity, sincerity, and respect. Joan Sebastian encourages his listeners to be proud of who they are and where they come from, even if they live in humble circumstances. The song's simple lyrics and catchy melody have made it a beloved classic in the world of Latin music.
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