Maria Maria
Carlos Santana Lyrics

Ladies and gents
Addressing the audience, inviting them to listen and enjoy the music.

Turn up this sound system
Asking the sound technician to increase the volume of the singers.

To the sound of Carlos Santana
Introducing the musician whose music is being played.

And the GMB
Referring to Ghetto blues from the refugee camp, the band playing with Carlos Santana.

Ghetto blues from the refugee camp
The band and their music, rooted in the urban ghettos and with the experience of refugees.

Oh Maria, Maria
Addressing Maria, who is the subject of the song.

She remind me of a westside story
Maria reminds the singer of the movie West Side Story, an iconic love story set in a New York City ghetto.

Growing up in Spanish Harlem
Explaining that Maria grew up in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Manhattan called Spanish Harlem.

She livin' her life just like a movie star
Maria lives her life like a celebrity or someone in the movies.

([Incomprehensible], Maria)
Unclear lyrics that don't affect the meaning of the song and may just add to the rhythm and tone.

She fell in love in East LA
Maria fell in love in East Los Angeles, also predominantly Latino.

To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Carlos Santana's guitar playing was likely involved in the love story.

Played by Carlos Santana
Confirming that the guitar playing mentioned earlier was done by Carlos Santana.

Stop the looting, stop the shooting
A plea to end acts of violence and theft.

Pick pocking on the corner
Theft or robbery occurring on the street.

See as the rich is getting richer
Observing that the rich are getting richer.

The poor is getting poorer
Commenting that the poor are becoming poorer in the process.

Se mira Maria on the corner
Maria is seen on the corner of a street or block.

Thinkin' of ways to make it better
Maria is considering methods or plans to improve her life and surroundings.

In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
The singer has received a letter stating he is being evicted from his home.

Somebody just said see you later
Someone has told the singer goodbye, possibly indicating a significant loss in his life.

Ahora vengo mama chola, mama chola
Unclear lyrics that don't affect the meaning of the song and may just add to the rhythm and tone.

(East coast)
Referring to the East Coast region of the United States where the singer might be from.

(West coast)
Referring to the West Coast region of the United States where the singer might be from.

(North side)
Referring to the northern part of the area being sung about.

(South side)
Referring to the southern part of the area being sung about.

(World wide)
A call out to listeners worldwide to listen and open their eyes to the issues mentioned in the song.

(Open up your eyes)
A plea to the listener to pay attention.

I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Reaffirming that Maria fell in love with the sounds of Carlos Santana's guitar.

Put 'em up y'all
A rallying or celebratory cry, possibly telling the audience to raise their hands.

Carlos Santana with the refugee camp
Acknowledging the band and putting a spotlight on Carlos Santana's music.

Wyclef, Jerry Wonder, Mr. Santana, GMB
A shoutout to the members of the band.

Yo, Carlos, man you makin' that guitar cry
A statement of appreciation to Carlos Santana for his emotional guitar playing.