Jose Luis Feliciano Vega, better known as Cheo Feliciano (born July 3, 1935… Read Full Bio ↴Jose Luis Feliciano Vega, better known as Cheo Feliciano (born July 3, 1935 in Ponce, Puerto Rico), is a composer and singer of salsa and bolero music.

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.

Desconfianza
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ahora que dices, te pregunto
¿No es esto amor?
Di la verdad
Acaso crees pueda mentirte
Si a cada instante te quiero más

¿Y no ves lo que estoy sufriendo?
Por quererte tener en mi

Por querer que nada ni nadie
Hoy pueda robarme la felicidad

Desconfianza tengo de ti
Tu la tienes de mi también
Pero sé que en dos que se quieren
La duda es algo que dice amor
Y ahora yo, qué pensar de ti
Que me quieres o no sé que
Hay momentos que dices sí
Pero hay otros que dices no

Desconfianza tengo de ti
Tu la tienes de mi también
Pero yo sé que en dos que se quieren
La duda es algo que dice amor

Y ahora yo qué pensar de ti
Que me quieres o no sé que
Hay momentos que dices sí
Pero hay otros que dices no

Desconfianza tengo de ti
Mamita, y tu la tienes de mi también

Pero sé que en dos que se quieren
La duda es algo que dice amor

Overall Meaning

The song "Desconfianza" by Cheo Feliciano speaks of the doubts and uncertainties that can arise in a relationship. The singer questions the sincerity of their partner's love, asking if their feelings are true or if they are simply pretending. Despite these doubts, the singer declares their own love and desire to hold onto happiness despite the potential for heartbreak.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the mutual distrust between the two lovers: "Desconfianza tengo de ti / Tu la tienes de mi también" (I have distrust in you / You have it in me too). However, the singer acknowledges that doubt is a natural part of any relationship, and that it can even be a sign of love: "Pero sé que en dos que se quieren / La duda es algo que dice amor" (But I know that in two who love each other / Doubt is something that says love).

Throughout the song, Cheo Feliciano's smooth vocals are complemented by a traditional Latin music arrangement featuring horns, percussion, and strings. The result is a classic salsa sound that perfectly captures the emotions of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Ahora que dices, te pregunto
Now that you speak, I ask you

¿No es esto amor?
Is this not love?

Di la verdad
Say the truth

Acaso crees pueda mentirte
Do you believe I could lie to you?

Si a cada instante te quiero más
If I love you more with each passing moment

¿Y no ves lo que estoy sufriendo?
And don't you see what I'm suffering?

Por quererte tener en mi
For wanting to have you with me

Por querer que nada ni nadie
For wanting nothing and no one

Hoy pueda robarme la felicidad
To rob me of happiness today

Desconfianza tengo de ti
I have distrust of you

Tu la tienes de mi también
You have it of me too