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.
Todo Tiene Su Final
Cheo Feliciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tenemos que recordar que no existe eternidad,
Como el lindo clavel solo quiso florecer,
Enseñarnos su belleza y marchito perecer,
Todo tiene su final nada dura para siempret
Tenemos que recordar que no existe eternidad.
Como el campeon mundial dio su vida por llegar
Y perder lo mas querido en nada mas otro mas,
E alalelelelele todo tiene su final ,(todo tiene su final es el coro), coro,
Si no me quieres dimelo ahora,coro,
A mi velorio no venga a llorar no no,coro,
Hay mamita rica,coro,
Yo sabia que un dia tenia que acabar,coro,
Punto final todo se acabo,coro,echa pa lante mama.
Yo perdi lo mas querido cuando perdi a mi mama,
Coro, pero segui pa lante y pa lante,coro,
Has como yo nunca eche pa tras,coro,
Ni pa coger impulso que va,coro,
Cuidao que de espalda te pueden atacar,coro,
Oigo una vos que me dice,coro,
Cuidao tierra va a temblar, tierra va a temblar.
In the song "Todo Tiene Su Final," Cheo Feliciano reminds us that everything has an end, that nothing lasts forever, and that we must remember there is no eternity. He compares life to a beautiful flower that blooms to show us its beauty and then withers away. He also mentions the story of a world champion who gave his life to achieve victory but lost the most cherished thing in his life just like any other ordinary person. The chorus and verses of the song allow us to see that life is full of unpredictable endings, but we must move forward and never look back.
The chorus of this song, "Todo tiene su final," is a memorable phrase that has been used by many to reflect on the idea that everything comes to an end. The song also touches on the idea that we must appreciate life and the moments that we have, as everything is temporary. The lyrics serve as a reminder to enjoy every moment and not take anything for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Todo tiene su final, nada dura para siempre
Everything has an ending, nothing lasts forever
Tenemos que recordar que no existe eternidad
We have to remember that there is no eternity
Como el lindo clavel solo quiso florecer, enseñarnos su belleza y marchito perecer
Like the beautiful carnation, it only wanted to bloom, teach us its beauty, and fade away
Todo tiene su final nada dura para siempre, tenemos que recordar que no existe eternidad
Everything has an ending, nothing lasts forever, we have to remember that there is no eternity
Como el campeon mundial dio su vida por llegar y perder lo mas querido en nada mas otro mas
Like the world champion who gave his life to achieve and lost the most loved one in just another one
E alalelelelele todo tiene su final, (todo tiene su final es el coro), coro
And alalelelelele everything has an ending (everything has an ending is the chorus), chorus
Si no me quieres dimelo ahora,coro
If you don't love me, tell me now, chorus
A mi velorio no venga a llorar no no,coro
Don't come to cry at my wake, no no, chorus
Hay mamita rica,coro
Oh, sweetie, chorus
Yo sabia que un dia tenia que acabar,coro
I knew that one day it had to end, chorus
Punto final todo se acabo,coro,echa pa lante mama
End of the line, it's all over, chorus, go ahead, mama
Yo perdi lo mas querido cuando perdi a mi mama, coro, pero segui pa lante y pa lante, coro
I lost the most loved one when I lost my mom, chorus, but I kept going and going, chorus
Has como yo nunca eche pa tras, coro
Do like me, never look back, chorus
Ni pa coger impulso que va, coro
Not even to gain momentum, let's go, chorus
Cuidao que de espalda te pueden atacar, coro
Be careful, they can attack you from behind, chorus
Oigo una vos que me dice, coro, cuidao tierra va a temblar, tierra va a temblar
I hear a voice telling me, chorus, be careful the ground will shake, the ground will shake
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WILLIE COLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joel Ortega
Esquisita interpretación del Gran checo Feliciano. En Paz descanse. Saludos.
Leonardo Alfonzo
EL INMENSO CHEO FELICIANO,EXTRAORDINARIO COMO SIEMPRE, MERECIDO HOMENAJE A OTRO DURO DE LA SALSA ,AL GRAN HECTOR LAVOE.
Luciana Mbande mandje
Un maestro reviviendo a otro.... sin palabras... aquí una que adora la maravilla de la salsa puertorriqueña gracias dios por este ser tan bello!🤗 , pura terapia, Hay bendito 😍.
SBA LAVOE
De un GIGANTE CHEO FELICIANO a otro GIGANTE HÉCTOR LAVOE SONEROS DE VERDAD
Marco Degado
Te quedo magistral este tema Cheito.todos los caballos y tu cristalina voz.excelente dedicatoria a Hector.
Jorge Iglesias
Lindo homenaje a Héctor
Christian Peña
I LOVE IT!
Le Mont Ze
Puta madre de ponceño a ponceño sentimiento puro y nada regalado!! Que Dios los tenga en su gloria a estás 2 leyendas de la música en general . mis héroes desde niño Cheo Feliciano y Héctor Lavoe que descansen en paz ....
Elizabeth Feliciano
🌹GRAN VERDAD 🌹
Victor Chavez
Cheo y hector estaban al mismo nivel a mi me gusta un chingo los dos saludos