Santana has was an avenue named after him as well as a statue of a guitar in the city where he was born (born in Autlán de Navarro, Jalisco, México) to honour him. The family moved from there to Tijuana In La Calonia Libertad, the city on Mexico's border with California, and then San Francisco, USA. Carlos stayed in Tijuana but joined his family in San Francisco later and graduated from James Lick Middle School and Mission High School there.
Most of his musical career has been spent with Santana, the band he formed in San Francisco in 1967. His music underwent large changes in 1973 when he was introduced to the spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, by fellow guitarist "Mahavishnu" John McLaughlin. After this he adopted the title "Devadip" which he still uses. In 1998 he formed the Milagro Foundation along with his wife Deborah, which supports disadvantaged children. Later Carlos and Deborah divorced, but the Milagro Foundation is still alive and well.
Other huge influences of Carlos Santana are both Miles Davis (with whom he maintained a big personal connection), and John Coltrane, who unfortunately passed away in 1967.
Life Is A Lady
Carlos Santana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was raised down south in mexico
Nothing ever happened that was new to me
Then one day we saw circus posters on the wall
Suddenly, all my friends and I
We heard a sound
It was loud
Music all around us seemed to make us free
Life is just a passing paradise
Life is just a passing paradise
Everybody started dancing
I never saw so many people having so much fun
Now I'm living in this country
And I have got myself a steady job
I keep seeing people happy everywhere
All I get to do is play my guitar
Come on! everybody get together, have some fun
Come on! everybody get together, have some fun
Life is just a passing paradise
Life is just a passing paradise
Everybody started dancing
I never saw so many people having so much fun
The lyrics of Carlos Santana's Life Is A Lady reflect on the fleeting nature of life, and the joy and freedom that music brings. The song starts off with the artist reminiscing about his childhood in Mexico and how he had a simple life that wasn't eventful. One day, he spotted a circus poster, and suddenly heard loud music that had him and his friends dancing to the beat. The sound seemed to release them from the constraints of their everyday life.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the passing happiness in life, and how one should appreciate it while it lasts. Santana then shifts to his present life in the United States where he now has a stable job. He observes how happy people appear to be, and expresses his own joy by playing his guitar. He urges everyone to come together and have fun, emphasizing the unifying and healing power of music.
Overall, the song highlights the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the fleeting but beautiful moments in life. It also celebrates the cathartic and emotional power of music, which can transcend language, culture, and time.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a little boy
During my childhood
I was raised down south in mexico
I grew up in southern Mexico
Nothing ever happened that was new to me
My life was simple and repetitive
Then one day we saw circus posters on the wall
One day we saw circus advertisement on the wall
Suddenly, all my friends and I
All of us, including myself and my friends
We heard a sound
We heard a new and exciting sound
It was loud
The sound was loud and powerful
Music all around us seemed to make us free
The music made us feel liberated and alive
Life is just a passing paradise
Life is a temporary moment of happiness and joy
Life is just a passing paradise
Life is short and fleeting
Everybody started dancing
Everyone began to dance
I never saw so many people having so much fun
I was amazed to see so many people enjoying themselves
Now I'm living in this country
Currently, I am residing in this country
And I have got myself a steady job
I have secured a stable occupation
I keep seeing people happy everywhere
I notice happiness among people everywhere
All I get to do is play my guitar
My primary focus is playing the guitar
Come on! everybody get together, have some fun
Encouraging everyone to come together and enjoy themselves
Come on! everybody get together, have some fun
Urging everyone to unite and celebrate life
Everybody started dancing
Everyone began to move and groove
I never saw so many people having so much fun
I witnessed an unprecedented level of enjoyment among people
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: CARLOS SANTANA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kyfarmboy1
I have always liked Santana's instrumentals. So melodic. So beautiful...
David Walton
An awesome instrumental composition. Inner Secrets was and still is a great album!
magonemartins
..true
magonemartins
Yes it's thrue
JoJo Norris
Classic
Cara324
So true!!
Kodawolf
Carlos is the only person that can make a guitar sing like that.... Simply Amazing
Just saw him in Sydney Australia, on April 13th was awesome!!
Gustavo Valverde
He's good, but not "the only", there's a lot of amazing guitar players
Alfredo Loeza
Hermosa, bella, magnífica interpretación........ The Master Carlos Santana, bellos recuerdos
Timothy Maynard
One of the greatest rock songs of all time.