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.
Juguete
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
la mar de aventuras
sé que has mentido mil veces
jurandome mi amor.
Te has convertido en juguete
de tus travesuras
a otros que a tí te quisierón
Puedes que juegues conmigo
y a mi que me importa
si me convierto en juguete
de todo tu amor.
No me interesa tu historia
ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
yo quisiera un juguete
si es de tu querer.
~
Te has convertido en juguete
de tus travesuras
a otros que a tí te quisierón
asi como yo.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
y a mi que me importa
si me convierto en juguete
de todo tu amor.
No y no, no, que no me interesa tu historia
ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
yo quiero ser un juguete
y es de tu querer.
Mamacita linda juguete de tu querer
juguete de tí na', juguete, juguete
tu juguete mamita.
In Cheo Feliciano's song Juguete, the lyrics convey a sense of resignation and acceptance. The singer knows that the person they are addressing has had many adventures in their life, and has lied to them repeatedly despite swearing their love. The person has become a toy of their own mischievousness, and has played with the affections of others who loved them just as the singer did. Despite this, the singer is willing to continue to be played with, to be a toy of the other person's love.
The lyrics repeat the idea of becoming a toy, emphasizing the idea of surrendering oneself completely to the other person's will. The singer does not care about the other person's past or the uncertainty of the future, as long as they can be a toy of the other person's desire. The repetition of the phrase "juguete de tu querer" reinforces the image of being a toy of the other person's love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sé que has tenido en tu vida
la mar de aventuras
I know you've had plenty of adventures in your life
sé que has mentido mil veces
jurandome mi amor.
I know you have lied a thousand times despite swearing your love to me.
Te has convertido en juguete
de tus travesuras
You have become a plaything of your own misdeeds
a otros que a tí te quisierón
así como yo.
For others that loved you, just like me.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
y a mi que me importa
You may play with me, but I do not care.
si me convierto en juguete
de todo tu amor.
If I become a plaything for all of your love.
No me interesa tu historia
ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
I don't care about your past or uncertain future if I'm with you.
yo quisiera un juguete
si es de tu querer.
I'd like to be a toy if it's what you desire.
Mamacita linda juguete de tu querer
juguete de tí na', juguete, juguete
tu juguete mamita.
Lovely lady, a toy of your love.
Your toy, oh yes, your toy, your toy
I'm your toy, mama.
Writer(s): Bobby Capo Copyright: Edward B Marks Music Company
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LuisMa
Sé que has tenido en tu vida
La mar de aventuras
Sé que has mentido mil veces
Jurandome mi amor.
Te has convertido en juguete
De tus travesuras
A otros que a tí te quisierón
Así como yo.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
Y a mi que me importa
Si me convierto en juguete
De todo tu amor.
No me interesa tu historia
Ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
Yo quisiera un juguete
Si es de tu querer.
Te has convertido en juguete
De tus travesuras
A otros que a tí te quisierón
Asi como yo.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
Y a mi que me importa
Si me convierto en juguete
De todo tu amor.
No y no, no, que no me interesa tu historia
Ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
Yo quiero ser un juguete
Y es de tu querer.
Mamacita linda juguete de tu querer
Juguete de tí na', juguete, juguete
Tu juguete mamita
Yolanda Nuñez
Cuánto feeling tenía Cheo Feliciano, una gloria de la canción latinoamericana, sobre todo de la salsa y el bolero. Paz a su alma.
Michael B. Joyner
hola mi bella dama🌹
LuisMa
Sé que has tenido en tu vida
La mar de aventuras
Sé que has mentido mil veces
Jurandome mi amor.
Te has convertido en juguete
De tus travesuras
A otros que a tí te quisierón
Así como yo.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
Y a mi que me importa
Si me convierto en juguete
De todo tu amor.
No me interesa tu historia
Ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
Yo quisiera un juguete
Si es de tu querer.
Te has convertido en juguete
De tus travesuras
A otros que a tí te quisierón
Asi como yo.
Puedes que juegues conmigo
Y a mi que me importa
Si me convierto en juguete
De todo tu amor.
No y no, no, que no me interesa tu historia
Ni el futuro incierto si contigo es
Yo quiero ser un juguete
Y es de tu querer.
Mamacita linda juguete de tu querer
Juguete de tí na', juguete, juguete
Tu juguete mamita
Eduardo Espinosa
SOY CUBANO, Y ESTE DISCO ME RECUERDA A PACHO ALONSO, PERO USTED CHEO, NO ES SEGUNDO DE NADIE, FUISTES UNO DE MIS FAVORITOS, CUANDO LLEGUE A NEW YORK EN LOS 1979, Y TE SEGUI, HASTA EL FINAL, COMO SI FUERAS DE MI PAIS, DIOS TE TENGA EN LA GLORIA
Ramon Rios
E.E. , eres un hermano de nosotros lis Boricuas. Cheo es uno de los gigantes de nuestra musica. Que en paz, descanse. Cuba y Puerto Rico libre !
Sobeida Rosa
Música voz y letras en esta hermosa canción
Perla M
Eduardo Espinosa of
Arturo De La Hoz
Fue uno de los Boleristas mas Famosos y su Música le llegó al Alma De Mucha Gente!
luis alberto torres ramirez
Cheo feliciano tu voz, sentimiento, pasion al interpretar un bolero son unicos,gracias por ser latinoamericano como yo,desde Venezuela siempre te recordaremos, jamas te olvidaremos.
qbanmanny3
Cheo... Gracias por tu musica y tantos bellos recuerdos...Que descanses en paz y sin duda dejastes un legado muy dificil de llenar...Siempre te recordaremos !!!