Bebo Valdés (born Dionisio Ramón Emilio Valdés Amaro, in Quivicán, Cuba, on… Read Full Bio ↴Bebo Valdés (born Dionisio Ramón Emilio Valdés Amaro, in Quivicán, Cuba, on October 9, 1918 - died 22 March 2013, Sweden ), pianist, composer, arranger and director, is considered to be one of the main figures of the golden age of the Cuban music. During the 40’s he played with several orchestras in La Habana, and he already recorded albums of afrocuban jazz in those years. After successive successes with his orchestra Sabor, he finished moving to Stockholm, Sweden, in 1963, where he stayed more of 30 years in the anonymity, and where he worked as pianist in a hotel of the capital.

In 1994, Paquito d’Rivera invited him to collaborate on his new disc, restarting his career at the age of 76. In the last years he has obtained several prizes with his last albums, "El Arte del Sabor" and "Lagrimas Negras", this last recorded together with the cantaor (singer) flamenco Diego el Cigala.
He is the father of Chucho Valdés.

Yesterdays
Bebo Valdés Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love

Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life

Forsooth, was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I'm dreaming of yesterdays

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love

Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life
Forsooth, was mine
Sad am I, glad am I
For today I'm dreaming of yesterdays

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Days I knew as happy
Sweet sequester days
Olden days, golden days
Days of mad romance and love

Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
Joyous free and flaming life
Forsooth, was mine
Sad am I, glad am I

For today I'm dreaming of yesterdays
Yesterdays

Overall Meaning

In Bebo Valdés's song "Yesterdays," the lyrics capture a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The repetition of the word "yesterday" reflects the theme of reminiscing about happier times. The mention of "days of mad romance and love" and "joyous free and flaming life" suggests that the singer is reflecting on a time of youthful passion and excitement.

The lyrics also convey a sense of melancholy in contrast to the joyous memories. The lines "Sad am I, glad am I" indicate conflicting emotions, as the singer is both saddened by the present and yet grateful for the memories of the past. The wordplay in the verse "Forsooth, was mine" adds a poetic touch, further emphasizing the wistful tone of the song.

Overall, "Yesterdays" speaks to the universal experience of reminiscing about the past and longing for the happiness and freedom that once existed. It captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, as the memories of yesteryears evoke both joy and sadness.

Line by Line Meaning

Yesterdays, yesterdays
Memories of the past, memories of the past

Days I knew as happy
Days when I experienced happiness

Sweet sequester days
Pleasant secluded days

Olden days, golden days
Times gone by, beautiful times

Days of mad romance and love
Days filled with intense passion and love

Then gay youth was mine, truth was mine
In those days, I had a carefree and honest youth

Joyous free and flaming life
A joyful, liberating, and passionate existence

Forsooth, was mine
Truly, it belonged to me

Sad am I, glad am I
I feel a mix of sadness and happiness

For today I'm dreaming of yesterdays
Because today, I find myself longing for the past

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JEROME KERN, OTTO HARBACH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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