In the 70s he formed a dance band, variously known as Los Virtuosos and El Tribu, which included his son Ramón Orlando Valoy (who would become well-known in the 80s as bandleader Ramón Orlando) on piano. Valoy's music at this point was big-band son, what was now being called salsa. His hits in this genre include "Juliana" and "Nació Varón." He increasingly included into his repertoire merengue, the Dominican national music that was becoming internationally successful.
In 1997 producer Sergio George recorded a version of Valoy's "Juliana" with DLG, featuring a guest spot for Valoy's distinctive voice. The song was a major Latin hit and paved the way for a mini-renaissance of Valoy's music with a new generation. Now in his 70s, he appears frequently in the New York area, his charm and talent intact
http://www.afropop.org/explore/artist_info/ID/322/Cuco%20Valoy/
¡Ay Amor!
Cuco Valoy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ver aquel que no se sienta alrededor
¡Ay, amor!, que nos abres las puertas
No hay amor tan necesario como el sol
Cuando llamas estoy
A la hora que tú digas voy
Tantas veces nos quitas la pena
¡Ay, amor!, de jardín yerbabuena
Como espina puede ser el desamor
Cuando llamas estoy
A la hora que tú digas voy
¡Ay, amor!, que despierta las piedras
¡Ay, amor!, que derriba fronteras, ¡Oh!
Si fuera posible amarrar
Tenerte siempre cerca
Poderte controlar
Saber cada paso que das
Si sales o si entras
Si vienes o si vas
Las narices a enseñar
¡Ay, amor!, como inmenso es el mar
(...)
Es amor quien altera las venas
Como inventa las mareas sol a sol
¡Ay, amor!, que nos tienes en vela
A quien duerme se le para hasta el reloj
Cuando llamas estoy
A la hora que tú digas voy
¡Ay, amor!, como polvo de estrellas
¡Ay, amor!, que derriba fronteras, ¡Oh!
Si fuera posible amarrar
Tenerte siempre cerca
Poderte controlar
Saber cada paso que das
Si sales o si entras
Si vienes o si vas
Las narices a enseñar
¡Ay, amor!, como inmenso es el mar
(...)
Si fuera posible amarrar
Tenerte siempre cerca
Poderte controlar
Saber cada paso que das
Si sales o si entras
Si vienes o si vas
Las narices a enseñar
¡Ay, amor!, como inmenso es el mar...
Cuco Valoy's song ¡Ay Amor! is a love song that expresses the power of love and its ability to bring people together. The opening line, "¡Ay, amor!, que despierta las piedras" translates to "Oh love, that wakes up the stones", implying that love has the power to awaken even the most dormant and hardened emotions. The following line, "Ver aquel que no se sienta alrededor" translates to "to see those who do not sit around", suggesting that love can even reach those who may have previously been disconnected or uninterested in it.
The chorus repeats the phrase "¡Ay, amor!" multiple times, emphasizing the idea of the all-encompassing power of love. The lyrics also allude to the painful aspect of love, stating that "Tantas veces nos quitas la pena / Por lo tanto es amargo su sabor" which means "So many times you take away the pain / That's why its taste is bitter". This reinforces the idea that love can hurt, but is ultimately worth it for the moments of joy it brings.
The song also touches on the idea of wanting to control and possess a loved one, which is evident in lines such as "Si fuera posible amarrar / Tenerte siempre cerca / Poderte controlar" which mean "If it were possible to tie you up / To have you always close / To be able to control you". However, the chorus ultimately reminds us that love should be liberating and free, as it "derriba fronteras" or "breaks down barriers".
Overall, ¡Ay Amor! is a powerful tribute to the force of love, both in its joys and its hardships.
Line by Line Meaning
¡Ay, amor!, que despierta las piedras
Love is so powerful that it can even awaken stones and make them feel.
Ver aquel que no se sienta alrededor
Love can make us notice someone who is not even present in our surroundings.
¡Ay, amor!, que nos abres las puertas
Love can open doors for us and give us new opportunities.
No hay amor tan necesario como el sol
Love is as necessary for humans as the sun is for the earth.
Cuando llamas estoy
When you call, I am there for you.
A la hora que tú digas voy
I am ready to be there for you whenever you need me.
Tantas veces nos quitas la pena
Love can take away our sorrows and make us feel happy.
Por lo tanto es amargo su sabor
But sometimes, love can also be bitter and painful.
¡Ay, amor!, de jardín yerbabuena
Love can be refreshing and soothing, like a mint garden.
Como espina puede ser el desamor
But when love turns into disappointment, it can hurt as much as a thorn.
¡Ay, amor!, que derriba fronteras, ¡Oh!
Love knows no boundaries and can overcome any obstacle.
Si fuera posible amarrar
If it were possible to tie you down,
Tenerte siempre cerca
To always have you close by,
Poderte controlar
To be able to control you,
Saber cada paso que das
To know every step you take,
Si sales o si entras
Whether you go out or come in,
Si vienes o si vas
Whether you come or go,
Las narices a enseñar
To show my nose
Es amor quien altera las venas
It is love that makes our veins pulsate.
Como inventa las mareas sol a sol
Love can create tides, just like the movement of the sun.
¡Ay, amor!, que nos tienes en vela
Love can keep us awake and make us restless.
A quien duerme se le para hasta el reloj
It can even make our clock stop, interrupting our sleep.
¡Ay, amor!, como polvo de estrellas
Love can be as magical and ephemeral as stardust.
¡Ay, amor!, como inmenso es el mar
Love is as vast and profound as the sea.
Contributed by James A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.