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 ↴
que despierta las piedras
ver aquel que no se sienta
alrededor
Ay amor
que nos abres las puertas
no hay amor tan necesario
Cuando llamas estoy
a la hora que tu digas voy
cuantas veces nos quitas la vena
por lo tanto es amargo su sabor
Ay amor
de jardin yerbabuena
como espina
puede ser el desamor
Cuando llamas
estoy
a la hora que tu digas
voy
Ay amor
que despierta las piedras
ay amor
que derriba fronteras
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
Ese 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 tu digas voy
ay amor como polvo de estrellas
ay amor que derriba fronteras
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
The song Ay Amor by Cuco Valoy is a passionate ode to the power and complexity of love. The lyrics speak of love as a force that has the ability to awaken even the most dormant emotions, as indicated in the opening line, "Ay amor que despierta las piedras" ("Oh love that wakes up the stones"). The song goes on to describe how love opens doors and crosses borders, but also how it can be painful – "como espina puede ser el desamor" ("like a thorn, love can cause heartache").
Valoy also describes the all-consuming nature of love, as demonstrated by the repeated lines "Si fuera posible amarrar, tenerte siempre cerca, poderte controlar" ("If it were possible to tie you up, always have you near, control you"). The lyrics acknowledge that such an attempt would be futile, as love is a vast and unpredictable emotion that cannot be contained or controlled.
The song is a celebration of the depth and magnitude of love, but it also recognizes its complexities and potential pitfalls. Ultimately, Ay Amor is a testament to the enduring power of this emotion, which can both uplift and devastate us in equal measure.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay amor que despierta las piedras
Oh love that wakes up the stones
ver aquel que no se sienta
to see the one who does not feel
alrededor
around
Ay amor que nos abres las puertas
Oh love that opens doors for us
no hay amor tan necesario como el sol
there's no love as necessary as the sun
Cuando llamas estoy
When you call, I am
a la hora que tu digas voy
I'll go whenever you say
cuantas veces nos quitas la vena
how many times you take away our vein
por lo tanto es amargo su sabor
therefore, its taste is bitter
Ay amor de jardin yerbabuena
Oh love of garden mint
como espina puede ser el desamor
like a thorn, lovelessness can be
Ay amor que despierta las piedras
Oh love that wakes up the stones
ay amor que derriba fronteras
oh love that breaks down borders
Si fuera posible amarrar
If it were possible to tie
tenerte siempre cerca
to always have you near
poderte controlar
to be able to control you
saber cada paso que das
knowing every step you take
Si sales o si entras
If you go out or come in
si vienes o si vas
if you come or go
las narices a enseñar
showing off
ay amor como inmenso es el mar
oh love, how immense is the sea
Ese amor quien altera las venas
That love that alters the veins
como inventa las mareas sol a sol
like how it creates the tides from sunrise to sunset
ay amor que nos tienes en vela
oh love that keeps us awake
a quien duerme se le para hasta el reloj
even the clock stops for those who sleep
Ay amor que derriba fronteras
Oh love that breaks down borders
ay amor como polvo de estrellas
oh love, like stardust
Si fuera posible amarrar
If it were possible to tie
tenerte siempre cerca
to always have you near
poderte controlar
to be able to control you
saber cada paso que das
knowing every step you take
Si sales o si entras
If you go out or come in
si vienes o si vas
if you come or go
las narices a enseñar
showing off
ay amor como inmenso es el mar
Oh love, how immense is the sea
Contributed by Kaelyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.