Popularly known as "El Brujo"--the sorcerer--the Dominican salsero and mere… Read Full Bio ↴Popularly known as "El Brujo"--the sorcerer--the Dominican salsero and merenguero Valoy first attracted attention in the 50s in the duo Los Ahijados, with his brother Martín. Los Ahijados played son, the Cuban form that has always had, and still has, a substantial following in the Dominican Republic.

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/

Caballo Viejo
Cuco Valoy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera
Uno no se da ni cuenta
El cauca reverdece y el guamachito florece
Y la soga se revienta

Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera
Uno no se da ni cuenta
El cauca reverdece y el guamachito florece

Y la soga se revienta

Caballo le dan sabana porque está viejo y cansao'
Pero no se dan de cuenta que un corazón amarrao'
Cuando le sueltan la rienda
Es caballo desbocao'

Y si una potra alazana caballo viejo se encuentra
El pecho se le desgrana y no le hace caso a faceta
Y no lo obedece a freno ni lo para un pasarienda

Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera
Uno no tiene la culpa
Quererse no tiene horarios
Ni fecha en el calendario
Cuando las ganas se juntan

Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera
Uno no tiene la culpa
Quererse no tiene horarios
Ni fecha en el calendario
Cuando las ganas se juntan

Caballo le dan sabana
Y tiene el tiempo contao'
Y se va por la mañana con su pasito apurao'
A verse con su potranca
Que lo tiene embarrascao

El potro da tiempo al tiempo
Porque le sobra la edad
Caballo viejo no puede
Perder la flor que le dan

Porque después de esta vida
No hay otra oportunidad

Overall Meaning

The song "Caballo Viejo" by Cuco Valoy is a classic example of a genre of music known as salsa. The song's lyrics speak of the power and unpredictability of love, portraying it as an irresistible force that can take over even the most unsuspecting person. The opening lines "Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera, uno no se da ni cuenta" (When love comes this way, you don't even notice), perfectly capture this idea. Love is powerful and can change everything around you, as exemplified by the lyric "El cauca reverdece y el guamachito florece" (The Caucagua River turns green and the guamachito blooms).

However, the song isn't just about love; it's also about aging and the value of timeless love. The titular phrase "Caballo Viejo" (Old Horse) is a metaphor for an older person who, despite their age, still has feelings of passion and desire. The song suggests that even though a person grows older, they should never give up on love or the chance to experience true happiness.

The lyrics continue to use equestrian metaphors, comparing love to the taming of wild horses. The lines "Cuando le sueltan la rienda, es caballo desbocao'" (When they let go of the reins, the horse is wild), reflect the idea that love must be managed and nurtured or else it can become uncontrollable. The song concludes with the idea that love should never be taken for granted, as "después de esta vida, no hay otra oportunidad" (After this life, there's no other chance).

Overall, "Caballo Viejo" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of salsa music and the power of love. Its memorable lyrics and melody have made it a beloved song across Latin America and beyond.

Line by Line Meaning

Cuando el amor llega así de esta manera
Love comes when you least expect it

Uno no se da ni cuenta
You don't even realize it's happening

El cauca reverdece y el guamachito florece
Nature flourishes when love is in the air

Y la soga se revienta
Love can break the strongest bonds

Caballo le dan sabana porque está viejo y cansao'
The old horse gets to rest in the pasture

Pero no se dan de cuenta que un corazón amarrao'
But they don't realize the horse's heart is still tied

Cuando le sueltan la rienda
When the reins are finally let go

Es caballo desbocao'
The horse takes off uncontrollably

Y si una potra alazana caballo viejo se encuentra
If an old horse meets a young mare

El pecho se le desgrana y no le hace caso a faceta
His heart races and he can't resist her charms

Y no lo obedece a freno ni lo para un pasarienda
He can't be tamed, nothing can stop his love