Early years
Valentín, born Roberto Valentín in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, was taught by his father to play the guitar at a young age. When his mother died in 1947,he went to live with his older sister and was raised in the town of Coamo; there he received his primary education and studied music. When he 11 years old, he participated in a local talent contest with a trio which he had formed. He played the guitar and sang for the trio and they won the first place prize. One of his teachers suggested that he attend the Jose I. Quinton Academy of Music, which he did - here he learned to play the trumpet. [1]
In 1956, Valentín 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, Valentín 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
While in Puerto Rico, in 1969, his bass player did not show up. Valentín found someone to play the trumpet and he played the bass. Since then, he has played the bass for his band. He has also played the bass on occasion, for the bands of Willie Rosario, Raphy Leavitt and Vicentico Valdés (he produced one of Valdés' albums, even writing its string arrangements as a personal goal). Valentín was also the musical arranger for the Fania All Stars, and is featured in a live recording of the conglomerate's song "Descarga Fania" (which he also wrote) playing a bass guitar solo.[1]
In 1975, Valentín left Fania and founded his own record label "Bronco Records" and released the recordings of "Va a la Carcel" Vol 1 and Vol 2, recorded "live" at "El Oso Blanco", Puerto Rico's oldest state penitentiary. At the time, Marvin Santiago was the singer on Valentín's band; his biggest hit with Valentín was "Soy Boricua", an ode to Puerto Rican nationality that has since become a patriotic song for the island nation. In 1978, salsa singer Cano Estremera made his singing debut with Valentín's orchestra and recorded various major hits for the band, particularly the Roberto Angleró song "La boda de ella" and "Manuel García".[3]
During the years Valentín has also helped others such as:
· Larry Harlow,
· Ismael Miranda,
· Roberto Roena,
· Cheo Feliciano and
· Celia Cruz.
He also provided backdrop for the Billyván Santiago (Marvin's youngest brother) song "Mata la cucaracha", a sleeper hit in Puerto Rico during the 2002 Christmas season.
[edit] Currently
Bobby Valentin continues to record and play with his band, his latest release being "La Gran Reunion" (The Grand Reunion). In 2004, Bobby Valentin's "En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes" was released in DVD form. In 2006 Bobby Valentin's "El Caiman" can be heard (or played) the video game Scarface. His last disc called "Evolución" was launched in 2008.
[edit] See also
Puerto Rico portal
· List of famous Puerto Ricans
[edit] References
1. ^ a b Musica de Puerto Rico
2. ^ a b Q&A with Booby Valentin
3. ^ Fania
[edit] External links
· Biography, Discography, Photos, Lyrics (SalsaClasica.com)
· Musica de Puerto Rico
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Valent%C3%ADn"
Categories: 1941 births | Living people | Puerto Rican musicians | Salsa musicians | People from Orocovis, Puerto Rico | Fania Records artists
Piensalo Bien
Bobby Valentin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
que yo tengo en la vida
es estar junto a ti,
pero el mundo es adverso
y encuentro que tú no te fijas en mi.
Y es que misino
será quererte siempre
tu esclavo yo seré.
No habrán quien diga
que no soy de ti,
te mimaré
con toditito mi amor.
Pero piénsalo bien
si me vas a querer
sólo mía serás.
Y es que misino
será quererte siempre
y si llegas amarme
tu esclavo yo seré.
No habrán quien diga
que no soy de ti,
te mimaré
con toditito mi amor.
Pero piénsalo bien
si me vas a querer
sólo mía serás, sólo mía serás,
sólo mía serás, sólo mía será.
The lyrics of Bobby Valentin's song "Piensalo Bien" speak about the singer's desire to be with a certain person, but the world seems to be against them as the other person doesn't seem to notice him. The singer expresses his utmost ambition of being with the person he loves. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to do anything for the person he loves, even being their loyal servant if they return his love.
The lyrics also convey the singer's commitment to the other person. He promises to love, cherish and take care of that person with all his love. The lines "te mimaré con toditito mi amor" (I will cherish you with all of my love) suggest that the singer is willing to put in all his effort to keep the person he loves happy. However, despite his commitment and relentless love, the singer also urges the other person to think about it before deciding to love him as he wants them to be "solo mía" (only mine).
Overall, the song is a romantic and passionate plea about the singer's love for someone and his willingness to do anything to be with them. It is a classic ballad that resonates with anyone who has ever been in love.
Line by Line Meaning
la mayor ambicion
My greatest ambition
que yo tengo en la vida
that I have in life
es estar junto a ti,
is to be with you,
pero el mundo es adverso
but the world is adverse
y encuentro que tú no te fijas en mi.
and I find that you don't notice me.
Y es que misino
And it's true that
será quererte siempre
I'll always love you
y si llegas amarme
and if you come to love me
tu esclavo yo seré.
I'll be your slave.
No habrán quien diga
No one will say
que no soy de ti,
that I'm not yours,
te mimaré
I'll spoil you
con toditito mi amor.
with all my love.
Pero piénsalo bien
But think about it carefully
si me vas a querer
if you're going to love me,
sólo mía serás.
you'll only be mine.
sólo mía serás,
you'll only be mine,
sólo mía serás, sólo mía será.
you'll only be mine, only mine.
Writer(s): Raul Diaz Bou
Contributed by Evan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gina
on Hay Craneo
Me gusta la melodía Hay craneo quiero la letra