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 Ríen" (How They Laughed),
* "El Pito (I'll Never Go Back To Georgia)" and
* "El Ratón" (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 Combinación 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.
Delirio
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
como es de inmenso
en el fondo de mi corazón
mi amor por ti.
Este amor delirante
que abraza mi alma
Es pasión
Siempre, siempre, siempre
tu estás conmigo
en mi tristeza
estas en mi alegría
y en mi sufrir.
Porque en ti
en ti se encierra toda mi dicha
si no estás conmigo
nose vivir .
Es pasión, pasión delirio
de estar contigo
pero, pero, pero soy dichoso
porque me quieres también.
The lyrics of Cheo Feliciano's song "Delirio" express a deep and intense love for someone. The singer wishes they could express how immense their love is for the person in question, and they describe it as a delirious passion that both embraces their soul and torments their heart. The lyrics indicate that this love is all-encompassing, as the person is always present with the singer in their sadness and their joy. The singer suggests that their happiness is completely dependent on the presence of this person, indicating that their relationship is a central aspect of their life.
Throughout the song, the singer emphasizes the intense nature of their love, describing it as an "amor delirante" or "delirious love." It is clear that they greatly desire to be with this person and that their passion for them is all-consuming. Despite the overwhelming nature of their emotions, the singer considers themselves fortunate because the person they love also loves them in return. Overall, the lyrics of "Delirio" are a moving tribute to the power of love and the profound effect it can have on a person's emotions and life.
Line by Line Meaning
Si pudiera expresarte
If I could express to you
como es de inmenso
how immense it is
en el fondo de mi corazón
deep in my heart
mi amor por ti.
my love for you.
Este amor delirante
This delirious love
que abraza mi alma
that embraces my soul
Es pasión
It is passion
que atormenta mi corazón.
that torments my heart.
Siempre, siempre, siempre
Always, always, always
tu estás conmigo
you are with me
en mi tristeza
in my sadness
estas en mi alegría
you are in my happiness
y en mi sufrir.
and in my suffering.
Porque en ti
Because in you
en ti se encierra toda mi dicha
all my joy is wrapped up in you
si no estás conmigo
if you are not with me
nose vivir .
I don't know how to live.
Es pasión, pasión delirio
It is passion, delirious passion
de estar contigo
to be with you
pero, pero, pero soy dichoso
but, but, but I am happy
porque me quieres también.
because you love me too.
Writer(s): Cesar Portillo de la Luz
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@benjamingutierrez7687
Tengo 68 años y soy un fanático de el bolero y juro por Dios que como Beny Moré y Cheo Feliciano no he oído a nadie que les iguale sin desfogar otros tremendos boleristas Dios los debe tener muy cerca para cuando quiera romanciar. Alma y Corazón
@luisalbertotorresramirez2391
UNO DE LOS MAS GRANDES CANTANTES LATINOAMERICANOS DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS,VOZ,PASION Y TODO EL SENTIMIENTO HECHO PERSONA AL INTERPRETAR LO MAS BELLO, UN BOLERO. GRACIAS POR EXISTIR MI QUERIDO CHEO,DIOS TE HAYA RECIBIDO EN SU SENO. DESDE VENEZUELA TE AMAMOS Y JAMAS TE OLVIDAREMOS.
@FER1983BOLEROYSALSA
Bellas palabras para uno de los mejores... CHEO!
@cobra1tovar166
NO AGUANTO LAS LAGRIMAS DE SALEN DE MIS OJOS....VERDAD ES INCREIBLE...SU MUSICA, LETRA......INOLVIDABLE... Y LA SIGO CANTANDO....
@chuyhighman6927
I Love This Song,…The Solos are Great but also I Love His Voice,…KooooL !!
@maritzasanchez2572
que belleza!! Gracias Lucky😘
@MAGRMusic-
Que melodía, que engalana a los ángeles, y la VOZ inconfundible e inigualable del maestro "CHEO" FELICIANO, que Dios te Bendiga y te Glorifique hermano por siempre, QEPD.
@CarmenMColon-jn6cr
“Delirio”Cheo Feliciano, en la voz sensual, única y magistral este cantante de salsa romántica de la Fania All Star. ❣️🌺❤️♥️🌼
@edwardcervetto7055
Las palabras quedan cortas para tremendo temazo,es fabulosa la introducción y ni que hablar de la voz que la interpreta,Dios te tenga en su gloria Cheo Feliciano.
@sobeidarosa252
Cheo que legado tan grande dejaste tan buena interpretación y hermosa melodía para personas que le gusta la buena música. Descanse en Paz . Pero tu música permanece con nosotros