over two decades he has sessioned as a coro (chorus) singer on countless New York recordings. His early influences included the great Cuban vocalists Beny Moré and Miguelito Cuní (b. 8 May 1920, Pinar del Río, Cuba, d. 5 March 1984, Havana, Cuba). Santiago started his professional career singing with trios and playing bass and
guitar. After stints with the bands of Chuíto Vélez, Willie Rodríguez and Willie Rosario, his career really took off when he joined Ray Barretto's band. Between 1966-72, Adalberto made seven albums (excluding compilations) with Ray Barretto. In late 1972, Adalberto and four other members of Barretto's band departed to found Tipica 73. He appeared on three of their albums before disagreement over musical direction
led him, and three other band members, to split during the mid-70s to form Los Kimbos. Meanwhile, Santiago sang lead vocals on two critically acclaimed charanga albums, "Fantasia Africana/African Fantasy" and "Our Heritage - Nuestra Herencia", by flautist, composer and producer Lou Pérez. Los Kimbos were reputed to be a tough working band and had a sound reminiscent of both the pre-split Ray Barretto band and Tipica 73. With them, Adalberto recorded 1976's "Los Kimbos" and "The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago" in1977. That year he made his solo debut on "Adalberto", which was produced by Ray Barretto and contained two of his own compositions. Los Kimbos continued under the leadership of timbales player Orestes Vilató and released two further albums- "Hoy y Mañana" (1978) and "Aquacero Ne Me Moja" (1979). Santiago sang lead on one track on "Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos" by Louie Ramírez. In 1979, Adalberto and Ramírez co-produced his solo follow-up, "Adalberto Featuring Popeye El Marino". The same year, he reunited with Ray Barretto on "Rican/Struction". Ray produced Adalberto's next solo album, "Feliz Me Siento", the following year. Sonora Matancera member, Javier Vázquez, produced, arranged, directed and played piano on the rootsy Adalberto Santiago,
which was Adalberto's contribution to the early 80s tipico (typical) salsa revival. In 1982, he teamed up with bandleader/bongo player Roberto Roena for "Super Apollo" 47:50. Santiago co-produced "Calidad" with Papo Lucca, who also played piano, arranged one track and oversaw musical direction. His "Cosas
Del Alma" was an album of lush boleros which included his third recorded version
of the classic 'Alma Con Alma' (previously contained on Barretto's "The Message" and "Gracias"). He returned to harder-edged urban salsa in 1985 on "Mas Sabroso". Adalberto did his own mature version of salsa romántica on the classy Sex Symbol, with production, arrangements, musical direction and piano by the ubiquitous Isidro Infante. In 1990, he again performed 'Alma Con Alma', this time arranged by Infante in a salsa romántica style for Louie Ramírez's second album entitled "Louie Ramírez y sus Amigos". Santiago has written songs for a number of the albums on which he has appeared,
both as bandleader and solo artist, and provided compositions for other artists to
record, such as Joe Cuba. Adalberto has remained true to his Latin roots and a statement he made in 1977 is still relevant in the 90s: 'I want to bring a truly Latin message to the people; this is what I do best and the structure of Latin music is best suited to my singing style'.
Llevame
Adalberto Santiago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Igual que en un viaje en tu vacilón
Súbeme, junto al cielo subes
Ponme en el paisaje sin preocupación
Sintiendo que me embriaga tu cariño
Yo quiero irme contigo desde aquí
No importa la distancia ni el camino
Llévame, llévame a las nubes
Igual que en un viaje
A gozar de tu rico vacilón
A gozar de tu rico vacilón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
A gozar de tu rico vacilón
Con dulzura y sabor, bien sabrosón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Voy volando, volando, volando
Contigo, mami, en tu vacilón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Llévame a las nubes, llévame a las nubes
Y formaremos tremendo rumbón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Súbeme pal cielo, sí pal cielo sube
Ponme en el paisaje sin preocupación
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Yo quiero irme contigo desde aquí
No importa la distancia o que digan que yo me perdí
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Sintiendo que me embriaga tu cariño
Yo quiero irme contigo y ser feliz
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Aunque el cielo esté encáncara nublado
Yo quiero irme contigo, mami, y estar a tu lado
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
A gozar tu rico vacilón
A vivir tu rico vacilón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Espérame en las nubes, corazón
Si es que tú te vas primero en tu vacilón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Llévame, llévame contigo
Que yo quiero montarme en un avión
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Estás conmigo a mi lado, corazón
Porque tú me entregaste ese corazón
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
¡Óyeme!
Vamos que quiero gozar
En un avión, mami, contigo namá′
Vamos que quiero gozar
Espérame en las nubes, que vamo' a guarachar
Vamos que quiero gozar
Vamos, vamos, vamos y vamos pa allá
Vamos que quiero gozar
Pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, leleley
Vamos que quiero gozar
Sintiendo que me embriaga tu cariño, voy a gozar
Vamos que quiero gozar
Besitos pa ti, mami, ahí namá′
The song "Llevame" by Adalberto Santiago speaks about the desire to escape from everyday life and be taken on a journey filled with joy and excitement. The lyrics convey a longing to be lifted up to the heavens, to be taken to the clouds where worries and concerns are left behind. It is a plea to be included in the carefree adventure, to be placed in a beautiful landscape where there are no worries.
The artist expresses the intoxicating effect of love and affection, stating that they want to go with their loved one, regardless of the distance or the opinions of others. This demonstrates a willingness to take risks and defy societal expectations in order to be with the person who makes them feel cherished and happy.
The repetitive chorus reinforces the desire to enjoy a rich and flavorful experience, highlighted by the mention of sweetness and taste. It suggests a passionate desire to indulge in the pleasures of life and fully experience the richness and joy that the loved one brings.
In later verses, the lyrics convey a sense of determination to be by the side of the loved one, even if circumstances are not favorable. Whether the sky is cloudy or not, the singer wants to be with their partner, emphasizing their commitment and dedication to the relationship.
The song ends with a call to action, encouraging the listener to join in the celebration and have a great time. The repetition of phrases like "vamos que quiero gozar" (let's go, I want to enjoy) and "pelele" create a lively and energetic atmosphere, inviting everyone to dance and have fun together.
Overall, "Llevame" is a song that expresses the desire for a carefree adventure, a journey with a loved one that transcends distance and societal expectations. It speaks to the intoxicating power of love and the joy that can be found in embracing life's pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Llévame, llévame a las nubes
Take me, take me to the clouds
Igual que en un viaje en tu vacilón
Just like in a trip on your fun
Súbeme, junto al cielo subes
Lift me up, you rise alongside the sky
Ponme en el paisaje sin preocupación
Put me in the landscape without worry
Sintiendo que me embriaga tu cariño
Feeling intoxicated by your love
Yo quiero irme contigo desde aquí
I want to go with you from here
No importa la distancia ni el camino
The distance or the path doesn't matter
O si van a decir que me perdí
Or if they will say that I got lost
Llévame a gozar de tu rico vacilón
Take me to enjoy your joyful party
Con dulzura y sabor, bien sabrosón
With sweetness and flavor, really tasty
Voy volando, volando, volando
I'm flying, flying, flying
Contigo, mami, en tu vacilón
With you, darling, in your fun
Y formaremos tremendo rumbón
And we will create a great celebration
Súbeme pal cielo, sí pal cielo sube
Lift me up to the sky, yes, rise to the sky
Yo quiero irme contigo y ser feliz
I want to go with you and be happy
Aunque el cielo esté encáncara nublado
Even if the sky is heavily cloudy
Yo quiero irme contigo, mami, y estar a tu lado
I want to go with you, darling, and be by your side
A gozar tu rico vacilón
To enjoy your joyful party
Estás conmigo a mi lado, corazón
You are with me by my side, my love
Porque tú me entregaste ese corazón
Because you gave me that heart
¡Óyeme!
Listen to me!
Vamos que quiero gozar
Come on, I want to enjoy
En un avión, mami, contigo namá′
In an airplane, darling, just with you
Espérame en las nubes, que vamo' a guarachar
Wait for me in the clouds, let's party
Vamos, vamos, vamos y vamos pa allá
Let's go, let's go, let's go and go there
Pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, pelelé, leleley
Jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, hey!
Besitos pa ti, mami, ahí namá′
Kisses for you, darling, right there
Writer(s): Catalino Curet Alonso
Contributed by Jordyn L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.