He was gifted with an innate musicality and fluid tenor voice which he colored and phrased with great expressivity. Moré was a master of all the genres of Cuban music, including son montuno, mambo, guaracha, guajira, cha cha cha, afro, canción, guaguancó, and bolero.
The eldest of eighteen children, Moré was born in Santa Isabel de las Lajas in the former province of Las Villas, in central Cuba. In 1936, at age seventeen, he left Las Lajas for Havana. His first breakthrough was winning a radio competition. He then joined Trío Matamoros (later known as Conjunto Matamoros), with which he remained several years, making a number of recordings.
In 1945 Moré went with Conjunto Matamoros to Mexico, where he performed in two of the most famous cabarets of the age, the Montparnasse and the Río Rosa. He made several recordings. Conjunto Matamoros returned to Havana, while Moré remained in Mexico, where he made several recordings for RCA Victor, together with the orchestra of Mariano Mercerón: "Me voy pal pueblo" y "Desdichado". He also recorded with Pérez Prado: "Bonito y sabroso", "Mucho corazón", "Pachito el ché", and "Ensalada de mambo". He also recorded "Dolor carabalí", which Moré considered his best composition recorded with Pérez Prado, and one he never wanted to re-record.
At the end of 1950, Moré returned to Cuba. He was a star in Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Brazil and Puerto Rico, but virtually unknown on the island. His first Cuban recording was "Bonito y Sabroso". Moré eventually decided to start his own orchestra, which he called Banda Gigante. In the years 1954 and 1955, Moré's group became immensely popular. In 1956 and 1957, it toured Venezuela, Jamaica, Haiti, Colombia, Panama, Mexico and the United States, where the group played at the Oscar ceremonies.
He died in 1963 at age 43 of cirrhosis. An estimated 100,000 fans attended his funeral.
Pongan Atención
Beny Moré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hoy le vamos a cantar de nuevo mi guaguancó
Pongan atención, señor, todo lo van a querer
Y estarán desengañado′ que el guaguancó
A cualquier alma redime de todo mal pensamiento
Ay, mira negra cómo viene el guaguancó
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Ay, negra, cómo me gusta la cosa
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Qué rico, qué ritmo, qué bueno el guoncó
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Combinao′, como me gusta el guaguancó
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Cosita buena, ¿qué tú no me dices ahora?
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Que yo no fui, negra, guana-guacó-ah
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
¡Ah!
¡Abusa'!
¡Ajá!
¡Abusa'!
¡Abusa′!
¡Ajá!
These lyrics are from the song "Pongan Atención" by Beny Moré. The song celebrates the joy and power of the guaguancó, a traditional Afro-Cuban dance and musical style. The lyrics invite the listeners to pay attention and immerse themselves in the experience of the guaguancó.
The repetition of "Hoy les vamos a cantar de nuevo mi guaguancó" emphasizes the enthusiasm and eagerness to share this music. The guaguancó is portrayed as a force that captivates everyone and offers redemption from negative thoughts and emotions. It is suggested that the guaguancó can uplift and heal the soul.
The line "Ay, mira negra cómo viene el guaguancó" acknowledges the presence and impact of the guaguancó. The use of "negra" here is a term of endearment often used in Afro-Cuban culture. It expresses appreciation for the musical genre and suggests that the guaguancó is a beloved and powerful force.
The repetition of "Guaguancó, guaguancó" adds to the rhythmic and dynamic nature of the song. It reflects the joy and energy inherent in the guaguancó. The lyrics express a genuine enjoyment of the rhythm and highlight its combination of different elements.
The exclamation "¡Abusa'!" repeated throughout the lyrics adds a sense of excitement and encouragement. It signifies a call to fully embrace and enjoy the guaguancó experience. It is an invitation to let loose and indulge in the pleasure of this vibrant musical genre.
Overall, these lyrics celebrate the guaguancó as a transformative and captivating music style. They invite listeners to actively engage with the rhythm, embrace its power, and enjoy the uplifting experience it brings. The repetition and energetic language amplify the song's celebratory tone and showcase the enthusiasm and passion of the performers.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoy les vamos a cantar de nuevo mi guaguancó
Today we are going to sing again my guaguancó to all of you
Pongan atención, señor, todo lo van a querer
Pay attention, sir, you will want everything
Y estarán desengañado′ que el guaguancó
And you will be disillusioned that the guaguancó
A cualquier alma redime de todo mal pensamiento
Redeems any soul from all evil thoughts
Ay, mira negra cómo viene el guaguancó
Oh, look, my dear, how the guaguancó comes
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
(Guaguancó, guaguancó)
Guaguancó, guaguancó pa' gozar
Guaguancó, guaguancó to enjoy
Ay, negra, cómo me gusta la cosa
Oh, my dear, how I like the thing
Qué rico, qué ritmo, qué bueno el guoncó
How rich, how rhythmic, how good the guoncó is
Combinao′, como me gusta el guaguancó
Combined, how I like the guaguancó
Guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó
Guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó, guaguancó
Cosita buena, ¿qué tú no me dices ahora?
Good little thing, why don't you tell me now?
Que yo no fui, negra, guana-guacó-ah
That I wasn't, my dear, guana-guacó-ah
¡Ah!
Ah!
¡Abusa'!
Abuse!
¡Ajá!
Aha!
¡Abusa'!
Abuse!
¡Abusa′!
Abuse!
¡Ajá!
Aha!
Writer(s): Horacio De La Lastra
Contributed by Hunter Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.