Feliciano was raised and educated in the city of Ponce, which is located in the southern part of Puerto Rico. As a child, he was nicknamed "Cheo" by his family - a name which means Jose and is a term normally only used by close friends and family. However, the name stuck and became part of his everyday name (using the nickname avoids confusion with Jose Feliciano, another major Puerto Rican singer to whom he is not related). At a young age he was influenced by the bolero music of the "Trio Los Panchos". When he was only eight years old he formed his first group with his friends and named it "El Combo Las Latas". They were so poor that their musical instruments were made out of cans. Cheo attended the Free School of Music in Ponce after finishing his primary education where he studied and became a percussionist.
In 1952, Feliciano moved with his family to New York City and settled down in Spanish Harlem. Here he auditioned as a percussionist in the "Ciro Rimac's Review" band - giving him his first professional musical job. Bandleader Tito Rodriguez, heard Feliciano play and offered him a job in his orchestra; this he accepted but after playing for some time with Tito, he left the band to play the conga for Luis Cruz. Despite leaving he always remained on friendly terms with Tito. Feliciano also played perussionist for "Kako y su Trabuco" orchestra. He was also a roadie for Mon Rivera.
In 1955, Tito Rodriguez found out that Joe Cuba was in need of a singer for his sextet. Aware that Feliciano was also a talented singer, Tito recommended that he try out for the position. Feliciano auditioned and became a vocalist for the Joe Cuba Sextet. He was the rare baritone among salsa singers, and his deep voice and quick wit as an improviser made him a favorite among the Latino public.
On October 5, 1957, Feliciano made his professional singing debut with the song "Perfidia" (he was also married on that same day). He sang for the sextet for a total of 10 years. During those years, he enjoyed successes with the following "hits",:
* "A la Seis" (At Six),
* "Como RĂen" (How They Laughed),
* "El Pito (I'll Never Go Back To Georgia)" and
* "El RatĂłn" (The Rat), which he composed.
Feliciano was also an anti-war activist during the Viet Nam War era.
In 1967, Cheo joined the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra and sang for them for 2 years. However, an increasing addiction to heroin threatened his life and career. He decided to cure himself "cold turkey" and eventually join Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA. He credits Tite Curet Alonso, the author of most of his hits and his best friend, with pushing him through his rehabilitation. As a result, Feliciano is a candid (and vehement) anti-drug spokesperson, who has volunteered to assist in the rehabilitation of fellow salsa artists who fall prey to drug addiction.
In 1972, Feliciano came back to music and made album "Cheo", his first solo recording, which broke all sales records in the Latino music market. The album included:
* "Anacaona" and
* "Mi Triste Problema" (My Sad Problem).
During the 1970s, Feliciano recorded for the "Fania Record Co." and had "Hits" with "Amada Mia" (My Love) and "Juan Albañil". He also participated in the first salsa opera "Hommy".
In 1982, Feliciano formed his own recording company called "Coche Records" and in 1985 he became the first singer of tropical themes to perform at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, Feliciano landed the role of Roberto Clementes father in the musical "Clemente".
In 1990, he recorded his first album of boleros title "Los "Feelings" de Cheo". Feliciano traveled and performed in many Latin American countries including Cuba and Venezuela. In Venezuela, he had a reencounter and performed with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Feliciano won a Platinum Record Award for "La CombinaciĂłn Perfecta" (The Perfect Combination).
In 2000, Feliciano recorded "Mil Voces, Mil Recuerdos" (A Thousand Voices, A Thousand Memories) as a tribute to various Puerto Rican singers. The album was named among the 20 outstanding recordings of the year by the National Fundation of the Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. In 2002, Feliciano recorded "Cheo en la Intimidad".
During the years, Cheo Feliciano has received the following recognitions:
* 1975-The Golded Cup-Venezuela,
* 1976-"Most Popular Artist" by Latin New York magazine,
* 1977-Daily News Front Page Award "Best Latin Vocalist",
* 1985-Owl of Gols-Panama, The Silver Chin Award-Miami, A Golden Agueybana Award-Puerto Rico,
* 1983-Honorable Son of Ponce and 1984,
* 1999-A Tribute in his honor from the Puerto Rican Senate.
Cheo Feliciano currently resides in Puerto Rico and continues to record boleros. He is also the anti-drugs spokesperson for the Government of Puerto Rico.
Cachondea
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
como efecto de los golpes camina cachondeado.
antes roncaba de guapo pero ahora mismo esta
recojiendo galletasos por todita la cuidad y camina de lao.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
lao tu estas flojo pana mio, cuidado que tu eres un bacalao, salao.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
ehh, vagabundo.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
la rumba buena te llama y no la puede gozar,
la bebida te ha gastado la rodilla de bailar y camina de lao.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
al bailar la rumba buena, bailaba toda la gente
yo se lo dije a vicente que la rumba suena y camina de lao
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
ajaaaa!!
euasaha...
y diceeee.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
ehhh, vagabundo.
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachondea.
y al son de la rumba mamĂĄ, vagabundo la rumba buena.
vagabundo la rumba buena te esta llamando.
eeee la rumba buena te llama y tu camina de lado, camina
mi vagabundo.
vagabundo, vagabundo la rumba suena y tu tienes tu morena, oye veras...
The lyrics to Cheo Feliciano's song "Cachondea" tell the story of a man who was once a tough guy, but has now become a vagabond who walks with a limp due to the beatings he suffered. He used to brag about his bravery, but now he walks around the city picking up scraps and being mocked. The chorus repeats the phrase, "como que te cachondea vagabundo," which loosely translates to "why are you being mocked, vagabond?" The song also touches on the man's love of music, particularly the rumba, that he is now unable to fully enjoy due to his injuries and financial hardships.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ego and bravado. The man in the song may have once thought of himself as invincible, but in reality, his actions and behavior have led to his downfall. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the idea that sometimes life has a way of knocking us down a few pegs and we should be careful not to become too arrogant.
Line by Line Meaning
A cuco el bravo me dicen lo dejaron tirao,
They call me A Cuco el Bravo, they left me thrown down,
como efecto de los golpes camina cachondeado.
As a result of the blows, I walk with a limp.
antes roncaba de guapo pero ahora mismo esta
I used to boast about being tough, but right now I am
recojiendo galletasos por todita la cuidad y camina de lao.
picking up punches all over the city and walking sideways
como que te cachondea vagabundo, como que te cachonde,
Why are you laughing at me, vagabond? Why are you teasing me?
como que te cachondea men, como que te va de
Why are you teasing me, pal? Why are you walking sideways?
lao tu estas flojo pana mio, cuidado que tu eres un bacalao, salao.
You're weak, my friend, beware because you're a dried cod, salty.
la rumba buena te llama y no la puede gozar,
The good party is calling you, but you cannot enjoy it
la bebida te ha gastado la rodilla de bailar y camina de lao.
Drinking has worn out your knees from dancing, so you walk sideways.
al bailar la rumba buena, bailaba toda la gente
Everybody used to dance when the good party played
yo se lo dije a vicente que la rumba suena y camina de lao
I told Vicente that the good party sounds and causes you to walk sideways
eeee la rumba buena te llama y tu camina de lado, camina
The good party is calling you and you're walking sideways, walking
vagabundo la rumba buena te esta llamando.
Vagabond, the good party is calling you.
vagabundo la rumba suena y tu tienes tu morena, oye veras...
Vagabond, the party is playing, and you have your lady, trust me...
Contributed by Violet B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.