Maria Maria
Eagle-Eye Cherry; Santana Lyrics
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Turn up your sound system
To the Sound of Carlos Santana
And the GMB (Surprada)
Ghetto people, from the Refugee Gang
Oh Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
She living the life just like a movie star
Oh Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Pick pocking on the corner
See as the rich is getting richer
The poorer is getting poorer
See me and Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better
In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
Somebody just said see you later
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula
Maria Maria (West coast)
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh Maria Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
I said a la fella los colores
The streets are getting hotter
There is no water to put out the fire
Mi cosa la esperanza
See me and Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better
Then I looked up in the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (World wide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (Open up your eyes)
Maria you know you're my lover
When the wind blows I can feel you
Through the weather
And even when we are apart
Still feels like we're together
Maria, yeah
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana
Puttin them up yo
Carlos Santana with the refugee gang
Wyclef
Jerry my dawg
Mr Santana
GMB
Yo Carlos, man you makin' that guitar cry
The song "Maria Maria" by Carlos Santana is an ode to a woman named Maria who reminds him of a West Side Story, growing up in Spanish Harlem and living the life of a movie star. The song describes the two protagonists, Carlos and Maria, meeting each other on the corner and discussing ways to make their lives better, while also touching on themes of poverty, inequality, and hope. Throughout the song, Santana urges his listeners to turn up their sound system and listen closely to the sounds of his guitar, which plays a prominent role in the melody of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gents
Addressing the audience
Turn up your sound system
Increase volume
To the Sound of Carlos Santana
To the music played by Carlos Santana
And the GMB (Surprada)
And the Gangsta Music Band (Surprada)
Ghetto people, from the Refugee Gang
People living in poor areas, associated with the Refugee Gang
Oh Maria, Maria
Addressing a woman named Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Maria reminds me of a famous musical drama
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
Maria's childhood happened in a neighborhood in NYC called Spanish Harlem
She living the life just like a movie star
Maria is living a glamorous life
She fell in love in East L.A.
Maria fell in love in East Los Angeles
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah
The sound of the guitar played a role in Maria's love story
Played by Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana was the one playing the guitar that made Maria fall in love
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
End crimes such as theft and gun violence
Pick pocking on the corner
Stealing from people on the streets
See as the rich is getting richer
The wealthy people are becoming wealthier
The poorer is getting poorer
The poor people are becoming even poorer
See me and Maria on the corner
Maria and I are on the street corner
Thinking of ways to make it better
Trying to come up with ideas to improve our situation
In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
I received a letter that says I have to leave my house/apartment
Somebody just said see you later
Someone just said goodbye
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
I'm coming, beautiful mama (East coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Ahora vengo mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Maria Maria (West coast)
Maria Maria (West coast)
She fell in love in East L.A.
Maria fell in love in East Los Angeles
I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah
I said, to the sound of the guitar, yes
Played by Carlos Santana
That was being played by Carlos Santana
I said a la fella los colores
I sing, to celebrate the many colors of life
The streets are getting hotter
The streets are becoming more dangerous
There is no water to put out the fire
There is nothing to stop the negative situation from getting worse
Mi cosa la esperanza
My thing/hope
Then I looked up in the sky
I looked up at the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Wishing for better days
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
I'm coming, beautiful mama (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
I'm coming, beautiful mama (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Ahora vengo mama chula (World wide)
I'm coming, beautiful mama (World wide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
I'm coming, beautiful mama
Ahora vengo mama chula (Open up your eyes)
I'm coming, beautiful mama (Open up your eyes)
Maria you know you're my lover
Maria, you know you're my partner in love
When the wind blows I can feel you
When the wind blows, I feel your presence
Through the weather And even when we are apart
Despite any circumstances that prevent us from being together
Still feels like we're together
I still feel close to you
Puttin them up yo
Raising our hands up
Carlos Santana with the refugee gang Wyclef Jerry my dawg Mr Santana GMB
Acknowledging the performers involved in the song
Yo Carlos, man you makin' that guitar cry
Hey Carlos, you're playing the guitar with such emotion that it's making me emotional too
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WYCLEF JEAN, DAVID MC RAE, MARVIN HOUGH, JERRY DUPLESSIS, CARLOS SANTANA, PAUL REKOW, KARL PERAZZO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind