Lara's first musical composition was "Marucha," written in honour of one of his first loves. In 1927 he already was working in cabarets. He subsequently moved to Puebla, but returned to the capital in 1929. That same year he started working for the tenor Juan Arvizu as composer and accompanist. In September 1930, he began a successful radio career. At the same time he acted and composed songs for such films as Santa (1931).
In 1933 Lara's first tour in Cuba was a failure because of political turmoil on the island. Later, more successful tours in South America, as well as such new compositions as "Solamente Una Vez" (composed in Buenos Aires and dedicated to José Mujica), "Veracruz", "Tropicana", and "Pecadora" increased his fame. Lara was also known for his love affairs with various women, among them María Félix, who became one of his many wives, and to whom he dedicated his most famous compositions, such as "María Bonita", "Aquel Amor" and "Noche de Ronda." He wrote more than 700 songs.
By the beginning of the 1940s, Lara was well-known in Spain. In 1965, the Spanish Caudillo Francisco Franco gave him a beautiful house in Granada in appreciation of his songs with Spanish themes, such as "Toledo", "Granada", "Seville", and "Madrid". He received additional honors and decorations from around the world.
It is said that Lara never learned musical notation.
In 1968 Lara's health began to decline rapidly; an accident that fractured his pelvis further aggravated his condition. On November 6, 1970, the musician-poet died. He was buried in the Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres of the Panteón de Dolores in Mexico City.
Nowadays, in the port of Veracruz, there is a nostalgic place for El Flaco de Oro’s followers: La Casita Blanca ("The Little White House"). From this museum and bohemian corner, the ocean waves can be heard, and the romantic sense of the Veracruzans is evident. Younger and older generations express their emotion while singing "Piensa en mí" ("Think about me") in homage to one who always loved his country.
Agustín Lara sang for his cousin Edward Lara's wedding to Graciela Chabolla Garcia (who then became Graciela Chabolla de Lara) in Mexico City in 1964.
He is survived and celebrated by his extensive family. The Lara family and its musical roots now extend from southern and central Mexico to California. (His cousin Francisco Lara (+), Trinidad Lara (+) nephew Armando Lara Sr,(Coroba Veracruz) (+) niece Arminda Paula Lara DeHoyos (Laredo TX), Adolfo Lara (+), Gelacio Lara (+), Roberto Lara, Herminia Lara, Zenon Lara, Socorro Lara, Antonio Lara, Lesvia Lara, Victor Lara( (NL MEX) Manuel Lara, Edward Lara, Rocio Lara, Eduardo Alejandro Lara, Gerardo Lara) and Wisconsin (Edward Manuel Lara and his wife Mary Lou Lara) in the U.S.
Piénsalo Bien
Agustín Lara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Piénsalo bien
Mira que mi alma se atormenta sin tu amor
Mira que sufro
Mira cómo lloro
Mira que solamente Dios
Sabe lo que pasó yo
Di que tus rosales florecieron para mí
Dame la sonrisa que dibuja la esperanza
Dime que no te perdí
Dame el sosiego del alma
Ven que mi cabaña con la luna pintaré
Contando las horas de la noche esperaré
Piensa mujer que te quiero de veras
Piénsalo
Piénsalo bien
Ven que mi cabaña con la luna pintaré
Contando las horas de la noche esperaré
Piensa mujer que te quiero de veras
Mira, piénsalo
Piénsalo bien
The lyrics to Agustín Lara's song "Piénsalo bien" convey a heartfelt plea from the singer to a mulata, urging her to think carefully about their relationship. The opening lines, "Piénsalo bien mulata, piénsalo bien" ("Think it over, mulata, think it over"), immediately set the tone of contemplation and introspection. The singer expresses the torment their soul endures in the absence of the mulata's love, emphasizing their suffering and tears.
The second verse continues with the plea, asking the mulata to confirm that her roses bloomed for the singer and to give them the smile that brings hope. The singer longs to hear that they haven't lost the mulata, seeking solace and tranquility for their troubled soul. The following lines convey a sense of longing and anticipation, as the singer promises to paint their cabin with the moonlight while counting the hours of the night, all in the hopes of the mulata realizing the depth of their love.
Overall, "Piénsalo bien" speaks to the overwhelming emotional turmoil experienced by the singer, as they desperately implore the mulata to consider the weight and significance of their relationship. It explores themes of passion, longing, and the consequences of potentially losing a cherished love.
Line by Line Meaning
Piénsalo bien mulata
Take the time to think it over, my dear
Piénsalo bien
Consider it carefully
Mira que mi alma se atormenta sin tu amor
See how my soul torments without your love
Mira que sufro
Look at how I suffer
Mira cómo lloro
See how I cry
Mira que solamente Dios Sabe lo que pasó yo
See, only God knows what I've been through
Di que tus rosales florecieron para mí
Tell me that your roses bloomed for me
Dame la sonrisa que dibuja la esperanza
Give me the smile that draws hope
Dime que no te perdí
Tell me that I haven't lost you
Dame el sosiego del alma
Give me the peace of soul
Ven que mi cabaña con la luna pintaré
Come, I will paint my cabin with the moon
Contando las horas de la noche esperaré
Counting the hours of the night, I will wait
Piensa mujer que te quiero de veras
Think, woman, that I truly love you
Piénsalo
Think about it
Piénsalo bien
Think about it carefully
Writer(s): Agustin Lara
Contributed by Bella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.