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
La Boda de Ella
Bobby Valentín Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que se calle la boca.
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
Va a estar llena de cariño y también de mucho amor
La boda de ella siempre va ser comentada
Pues va a ver mucho champán y también piña colada.
Porque ella fue mí querer y me lo tiene prohibido.
La boda de ella yo me la voy a perder
Y pude haber sido yo quien se casara con ella.
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
Necesitaras una madrina también un padrino
Y un alcahuete que te cargue los anillos
Si tú me acostumbraste
A tener que agacharme en el balcón
Pasarán más de mil años muchos más
Y a tu carácter nunca se acostumbrará
Paso por la calle y me tira una mirada bien mala
Que le pasa a ese señor
Se va a repetir la vieja historia
De la novia que esconde su pecado
Hasta después de la ceremonia
Y después de tres años de matrimonio
El podrá comprobar que tú eres solo un demonio
Tu mamá estará llorando
Y tu papá estará gozando porque de ti ya se libró
Si el cura sabe lo que tú y yo fuimos
No bendecirá esa unión
El regalo que te tengo será sonoro
Dos pasajes para España
Y una entrada para la corrida de toros
Ya se casó, vamos al mambo y olvídalo
Y acompáñalo a gozar
Que yo me quedaré bebiendo para olvidar
De flores te mandaré un ramillete
Y a Bobby Valentín para que toque de cachete
Y cuando me toque a mí casarme tú sentirás
Como yo este gran dolor
Comerán, beberán y se emborracharán
Y luego la boda te criticarán
Adiós felicidad casi no te conocí
Y ese otro se la llevó
De colores la vida está llena
No es posible nada sin color
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
El traje blanco no te queda bonito
Mama píntalo un poquito
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
Ding dong, ding dong son las cosas del amor
La boda de ella yo me la voy a perder
Y pude haber sido yo quien se casara con ella.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for what is to follow. The singer announces that there is a wedding taking place, and anyone who has something negative to say about it should keep their opinions to themselves. The tone of the verse is a call for unity and positivity, which is going to be required to ensure the wedding is the best it can be. The chorus reaffirms that the wedding is going to be the best; it will be filled with love, affection, champagne, and piña coladas. However, the second verse changes the tone of the song; the singer announces that he cannot attend the wedding of the woman he once loved because he has been forbidden by her. He also admits that he could have been the groom if she had not rejected him. In the following verses, the singer describes how the woman will deceive her husband about her past, and how he will eventually see her true nature. He also imagines what it will feel like when it’s his turn to marry someone else, and how his former love will feel exactly the same.
The song's overall message is of lost love and missed opportunities, with the singer regretting not being the one getting married. The upbeat music and the positive lyrics of the chorus contrast with the more somber verses, emphasizing how difficult it can be to move on from a past love. Ultimately, the song speaks to the complex nature of relationships and the human capacity to love and forgive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hay boda, el que tenga algo que decir,
Que se calle la boca.
There's a wedding, if you have anything to say, just keep it to yourself.
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
Va a estar llena de cariño y también de mucho amor
La boda de ella siempre va ser comentada
Pues va a ver mucho champán y también piña colada.
Her wedding has to be the best with lots of affection, love, and champagne; people will talk about it and drink piña coladas.
A la boda de ella yo no voy a poder ir
Porque ella fue mí querer y me lo tiene prohibido.
I can't go to her wedding because she was mine before, and she forbids me.
Necesitaras una madrina también un padrino
Y un alcahuete que te cargue los anillos
You'll need a godmother and a godfather, also someone to carry the rings.
Si tú me acostumbraste
A tener que agacharme en el balcón
Pasarán más de mil años muchos más
Y a tu carácter nunca se acostumbrará
If you made me kneel on the balcony, it will take more than a thousand years for me to get used to your character.
Paso por la calle y me tira una mirada bien mala
Que le pasa a ese señor
I walked down the street and he gave me a bad look; what's wrong with that guy?
Se va a repetir la vieja historia
De la novia que esconde su pecado
Hasta después de la ceremonia
The old story will repeat itself of the bride hiding her sin until after the ceremony.
Y después de tres años de matrimonio
El podrá comprobar que tú eres solo un demonio
After three years of marriage, he'll realize that you're just a demon.
Tu mamá estará llorando
Y tu papá estará gozando porque de ti ya se libró
Your mom will be crying, and your dad will be happy that he got rid of you.
Si el cura sabe lo que tú y yo fuimos
No bendecirá esa unión
If the priest knows what we were, he won't bless the union.
El regalo que te tengo será sonoro
Dos pasajes para España
Y una entrada para la corrida de toros
The gift I have for you is a loud one, two tickets to Spain, and an entry to the bullfight.
Ya se casó, vamos al mambo y olvídalo
Y acompáñalo a gozar
Que yo me quedaré bebiendo para olvidar
She's already married, let's dance the mambo and forget about it, go have fun with her, and I'll be drinking to forget.
De flores te mandaré un ramillete
Y a Bobby Valentín para que toque de cachete
I'll send you a bunch of flowers and Bobby Valentin to play.
Y cuando me toque a mí casarme tú sentirás
Como yo este gran dolor
When it's my turn to get married, you'll feel the same great pain I feel now.
Comerán, beberán y se emborracharán
Y luego la boda te criticarán
They'll eat, drink, and get drunk, and then criticize your wedding.
Adiós felicidad casi no te conocí
Y ese otro se la llevó
Goodbye happiness, I almost didn't know you, and someone else took it away.
De colores la vida está llena
No es posible nada sin color
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
Life is full of colors; nothing is possible without it. Her wedding has to be the best.
El traje blanco no te queda bonito
Mama píntalo un poquito
La boda de ella tiene que ser la mejor
The white dress doesn't look good on you; Mama, paint it a little. Her wedding has to be the best.
Ding dong, ding dong son las cosas del amor
Ding dong, ding dong it's the things of love.
La boda de ella yo me la voy a perder
Y pude haber sido yo quien se casara con ella.
I'm going to miss her wedding, and I could have been the one marrying her.
Writer(s): Anglero Roberto
Contributed by Jason G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra