In 1956, Valentin moved with his family to New York City where he attended George Washington High School and continued to take music lessons. In 1958, he went to play for Joe Quijano but, shortly after he joined Willie Rosario, who also came from his same neighborhood and played in his band.[2]
[edit] Musical career
In 1963, Valentin joined Tito Rodriguez (after not being hired by Tito in a recording session because of his age, he was given a chance and was added to his regular band) and traveled twice with Tito's orchestra to Venezuela. He also made musical arrangements for Tito and at times for Charlie Palmieri, Joe Quijano, Willie Rosario, and Ray Barretto. In 1965, he formed his own band and was signed by the Fania Record Label. He recorded "El Mensajero" (The Mensenger) and "Young Man With a Horn". He held his first concert in Puerto Rico during that period of time.[2]
[edit] Recordings
External audio
You may listen to Bobby Valentín's "El Caiman" here.
While
Canta Mi Gallo
Bobby Valentín Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La jicotea no tiene cintura la cucaracha no puede caminar
Si te pica un mosquito brinca un poquito
Y cuidao con el perro que esta majadero
Canta mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí
Dice mi gallo Kikirikiki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí. 2x
Dice mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí.
Cantando en la charca que cosa más rara, mi gallo se siente feliz
Si tu matas la gallina guárdame una alita a mi
Pero no cojas el producto guárdaselo a Valentín.
Aída se quedó en nada el pollo que te ofrecí.
Dice mi gallo Kikiriki
Mi gallo es marueco pero tiene swing
Coquí, coquí, coquí, coquí, no tiene fin.
Déjalo bailar déjalo cantar que el lo goza así.
Búscame un gallito de los que vende Tinín
El gallo canta tan feo como a Orvill le suena el cornetín.
La culpa de todo la culpa de todo.
La culpa de todo, la culpa de todo,
como no encuentra un mono me la echan a mi.
Como decía Shakespear to be or not to be.
Cutucupla toca conga es un gallo carabalí
Ya mami esta en la cocina aquí ha llegado tu fin.
The lyrics of Bobby Valentin's song "Canta Mi Gallo" are a mix of humorous and witty expressions that depict the characteristics and limitations of various animals. The first stanza refers to common phrases used to describe animals and warns one to be cautious about a problematic dog. The second stanza is a repeat of the chorus, which emphasizes the importance of singing and enjoying life, even if it means being a bit unconventional or different. The third stanza talks about the desire for a chicken wing and asks for it to be saved for Valentín while jokingly belittling the worth of the chicken that was offered earlier. The fourth stanza further talks about the uniqueness of the gallo, its "swing," and the incessant sound of the coquí. The lyrics also briefly mention the popularity of the conga and the end of a mother's reign in the kitchen.
Line by Line Meaning
Al caballo le dicen soso si es quiere traquear un poco
Some say horse is dull and can't prance properly
La jicotea no tiene cintura la cucaracha no puede caminar
The turtle has no waist and the cockroach can't walk
Si te pica un mosquito brinca un poquito
If a mosquito bites you, just jump around
Y cuidao con el perro que esta majadero
Be careful of the dog that's acting tough
Canta mi gallo Kikiriki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí
My rooster sings Kikiriki, blames everything on the coqui frog
Dice mi gallo Kikirikiki la culpa de todo la tiene el coquí. 2x
My rooster says Kikiki; everything is the coqui frog's fault
Cantando en la charca que cosa más rara, mi gallo se siente feliz
Singing in the pond, my rooster feels happy in a strange way
Si tu matas la gallina guárdame una alita a mi
If you kill the hen, please save a little wing for me
Pero no cojas el producto guárdaselo a Valentín.
But don't take the product, save it for Valentín
Aída se quedó en nada el pollo que te ofrecí.
Aída had nothing from the chicken I offered you
Mi gallo es marueco pero tiene swing
My rooster's from North Africa, but it's got rhythm
Coquí, coquí, coquí, coquí, no tiene fin.
Coqui, coqui, coqui, coqui; it never ends
Déjalo bailar déjalo cantar que el lo goza así.
Let it dance, let it sing; it enjoys it that way
Búscame un gallito de los que vende Tinín
Find me a rooster sold by Tinín
El gallo canta tan feo como a Orvill le suena el cornetín.
The rooster's song sounds as bad as Orville's trumpet
La culpa de todo la culpa de todo.
It's all its fault, it's all its fault
como no encuentra un mono me la echan a mi.
Since they can't find a monkey, they blame me
Como decía Shakespear to be or not to be.
As Shakespeare said, to be or not to be
Cutucupla toca conga es un gallo carabalí
Cutucupla plays conga, it's a Carabali rooster
Ya mami esta en la cocina aquí ha llegado tu fin.
Mama's in the kitchen; time to say goodbye
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra