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
El muñeco de la ciudad
Bobby Valentín Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La gente dice que soy el muñeco de la ciudad
Porque soy blanco blanquito con la cara colorá
Porque soy blanco blanquito con la cara colorá.
Coro:
Negro que baila sabroso, negro que toca el tambó
Negro que suena al timbal con ritmo en el corazón.
Si albino nací, nací porque así lo quiso Dios
Si albino nací, nací porque así lo quiso Dios
Te invito para que bailes también como bailo yo
Te invito para que bailes también como bailo yo.
Todos me viene a ver por la gracia que yo tengo
Todos me viene a ver por la gracia que yo tengo
Si tu quieres bailar ven acá que te entretengo
Y si tu quieres bailar ven acá yo te entretengo.
Coro:
Negro que baila sabroso.
Negro que toca el tambó.
Si tu lo pones yo te lo toco.
Traime, traime mama una Conga O traime un Bongó
Blanquitoooo, blanquiiiiito.
De sol faltó mama un poquito
Cuando me estaban haciendo
Cometieron un error
Se tardaron mucho tiempo
Y la pintura se acabó
Negrito, negrito, negrito
Negrito, negrito, negrito
La esclavitud, se acabaron los gritos
Porque Don Lincoln los liberó
Con mucha salsa en el corazón
Cambié la ganga por un tambor
~
Y a bailar la rumba el negrito contento se dirigió
A tocar al salsa y en su mano no hay dolor
Y cuando la salsa se enciende en su cuerpo corre el sudor
Se ve el rumbero, se ve el rumbero Con dos tenis zurdas un viejo mahon.
Bailando la salsa baila mama uno merengó
Agarra la timba Y vámonos.
Bobby Valentin's song El Muñeco de la Ciudad speaks about the singer's identity as an albino man in a society that doesn't necessarily embrace differences. Valentin refers to himself as the "muñeco", the doll or puppet, of the city because of his striking appearance that makes him stand out from the rest of the people. He invites others to dance with him and enjoy the rhythm of the song, highlighting his skills as a timbales player.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of being a good dancer and musician, regardless of one's skin color or other physical attributes. Valentin celebrates the Black culture and the passion that comes with dancing and playing music. He combines different instruments and styles, from the timbales to the Conga and the Bongó, creating a dynamic and upbeat track.
The song also touches upon themes of slavery and liberation, suggesting that with the power of music and dance, people can overcome their struggles and triumph over oppression. The lyrics express a sense of pride and joy in one's identity, urging listeners to embrace their uniqueness and celebrate diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
La gente dice que soy el muñeco de la ciudad
The people say that I am the doll of the city
Porque soy blanco blanquito con la cara colorá
Because I am a little white with a reddish face
Negro que baila sabroso, negro que toca el tambó
Black man who dances tasty, black man who plays tambó
Negro que suena al timbal con ritmo en el corazón.
Black man who sounds the timbale with rhythm in the heart.
Si albino nací, nací porque así lo quiso Dios
If I was born albino, I was born because God wanted it that way.
Te invito para que bailes también como bailo yo
I invite you to dance like I dance.
Todos me viene a ver por la gracia que yo tengo
Everyone comes to see me because of the grace I have.
Si tu quieres bailar ven acá que te entretengo
If you want to dance, come here, and I will entertain you.
Negro que baila sabroso.
Black man who dances tasty.
Negro que toca el tambó.
Black man who plays tambó.
Si tu lo pones yo te lo toco.
If you ask me, I'll play it.
Traime, traime mama una Conga O traime un Bongó
Bring me, bring me mom a Conga or bring a Bongó.
Blanquitoooo, blanquiiiiito.
Whiiiiiite, wiiiiite.
De sol faltó mama un poquito
Mama lacked a little sun.
Cuando me estaban haciendo
When they were making me.
Cometieron un error
They made a mistake.
Se tardaron mucho tiempo
It took them a long time.
Y la pintura se acabó
And the paint ran out.
Negrito, negrito, negrito
Little black, little black, little black.
La esclavitud, se acabaron los gritos
Slavery, the screams are over.
Porque Don Lincoln los liberó
Because Don Lincoln freed them.
Con mucha salsa en el corazón
With a lot of salsa in the heart.
Cambié la ganga por un tambor
I traded my jeans for a drum.
Y a bailar la rumba el negrito contento se dirigió
And the happy little black man went to dance Rumba.
A tocar al salsa y en su mano no hay dolor
To play the salsa and in his hand, there is no pain.
Y cuando la salsa se enciende en su cuerpo corre el sudor
And when the salsa heats up, sweat runs through his body.
Se ve el rumbero, se ve el rumbero Con dos tenis zurdas un viejo mahon.
We see the Rumbero, we see the Rumbero with two left sneakers and an old mahony.
Bailando la salsa baila mama uno merengó
Dancing salsa is like dancing Merengue mom.
Agarra la timba Y vámonos.
Grab the timba and let's go.
Contributed by London V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra