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.
El Pito
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Así se goza)
Así es que la rumba es sabrosa
(Así se goza)
Baílalo, baíla, baílalo Rosa
(Así se goza)
Mira si es que te pica la mano
Anda!
(Así se goza)
(Así se goza)
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
El compay Tomás, échale, échale!
Échale, échale
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
Juega Tommy, juega
Ay Dios!, pero esto sigue pa'lante,
pa'lante y pa'lante.
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
Que no voy más,
que no voy más.
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never go back
Ay Dios mio
Qué nota!
Ese pito!
Ese pito!
The lyrics to Cheo Feliciano's song "El Pito" primarily focus on the enjoyment of a rumba and the rhythm of a particular instrument, the "pito." The song title "El Pito" translates to "the whistle," which refers to an instrument used to produce a piercing sound used to maintain the rhythm of the band. Cheo asks "ese pito?" which translates to "that whistle?" indicating that the whistle is present and about to be used.
The lyrics then continue with a call and response format, encouraging people to dance and enjoy the rumba. Cheo calls out "baílalo, baíla, baílalo Rosa" which translates to "dance it, dance it, dance it Rosa." He then continues to speak about the joy of dancing, saying "Así es que la rumba es sabrosa" which translates to "that's how delicious the rumba is." The lyrics are meant to encourage people to let go of their inhibitions and let themselves feel the rhythm of the music.
The lyrics take an unexpected turn when Cheo says "I'll never go back to Georgia." The meaning behind this lyric is unclear, as the song is a Puerto Rican salsa song and there is no obvious connection to the southern state of Georgia. One hypothesis says that Cheo may be referring to a woman named Georgia, but this is unconfirmed. Regardless of the meaning, this phrase serves as a break from the call and response format and adds an element of surprise to the song.
Overall, "El Pito" is a catchy tune that encourages people to let loose and enjoy the rhythm of the music. It's a classic example of Puerto Rican salsa and continues to be a popular party song to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Oye!, y ese pito?
Hey! What's that whistle sound?
(Así se goza) Así es que la rumba es sabrosa
This is how you enjoy it, this is how the party is delicious!
(Así se goza) Baílalo, baíla, baílalo Rosa
Enjoy it, dance, dance, dance Rosa!
(Así se goza) Mira si es que te pica la mano
Look if your hand is itching
(Así se goza) Anda!
Come on!
(Así se goza)
This is how you enjoy it
I'll never go back to Georgia
I'll never return to Georgia
El compay Tomás, échale, échale!
Compadre Tomás, give it, give it!
Échale, échale
Give it, give it!
Juega Tommy, juega
Play Tommy, play
Ay Dios!, pero esto sigue pa'lante, pa'lante y pa'lante.
Oh God! But this keeps going on, on and on.
(Que no voy más,) que no voy más.
(I'm not going anymore,) I'm not going anymore.
Ay Dios mio
Oh my God
Qué nota!
What a note!
Ese pito!
That whistle sound!
Writer(s): Jimmy Sabater, Joe Cuba
Contributed by Oliver E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.