He was the younger brother of Charlie Palmieri. When he was only 5 years old, he used to musically accompany Charlie and together they would enter and participate in many talent contests. Eddie performed at Carnegie Hall when he was 11 years old and formed his own band in 1950, when he was just 14. During the 1950s, Palmieri played in various bands, including Tito Rodriguez's.
In 1962, Palmieri formed the band La Perfecta, which included trombone player Barry Rogers and singer Ismael Quintana. The music to the Charanga required an orchestra with a flute and violins, but Eddie also added a mixture of trumpets and trombones. He also experimented by including a touch of jazz in his recordings. He recorded, among others, Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso (What I Bring is Juicy) and Mozambique, before the group disbanded in 1968.
Palmieri's "La Perfecta" departed from the traditional Caribbean sources of salsa instrumentation by introducing a new stylistic device into the New York Latin sound. Their signature sound relied heavily on two trombones and a flute instead of trumpets. The combination helped to give La Perfecta a rich and bold sound which contributed to Palmieri's success with his new band.
In 1971, Palmieri recorded Vamonos Pa'l Monte (Going to the Mountain) with his brother Charlie at the organ. That same year he also recorded Eddie Palmieri & Friends in Concert, At the University of Puerto Rico. In 1974, Eddie won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Latin Recording with The Sun of Latin Music, which is historic, as it was the first time Latin Music was recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
In the 1990s, Palmieri had participated in various concerts and recordings with the Fania All-Stars and the Tico All-Stars; he also introduced La India with the production of Llego La India via Eddie Palmieri (La India has arrived via Eddie Palmieri), released in 1992.
Eddie actively tours the United States, Europe, South America as well as many other countries, and made his first appearance in China in 2008. He has been honored with numerous prestigious awards, one being an honorary doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music, as well as inducted into both the Bronx Walk of Fame and the Chicago Walk of Fame.
Eddie has a career spanning over 50 years as well as a discography of 36 titles. He is one of the most influential and legendary Latin musicians.
1983
Eddie Palmieri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He Llegado a Puerto Rico
1983
Me he enamorado en Puerto Rico
1983
Con tu todo
Que siempre quede confirmado
Que los Palmeari se encontraron
A Puerto Rico llegue
Con orgullo me quede
1983
The lyrics to Eddie Palmieri's song "1983" are a celebration of Puerto Rico and the love that the singer has found there. The repeated refrain of "He Llegado a Puerto Rico" ("I have arrived in Puerto Rico") speaks to the singer's joy at having discovered the island, and the line "Me he enamorado en Puerto Rico" ("I have fallen in love in Puerto Rico") suggests that the singer has found not just a new home, but a new way of being.
The lyrics also highlight the importance of family and community to the singer's experience. The line "Que los Palmeari se encontraron" ("The Palmearis have found each other") suggests that the singer feels a deep sense of connection to his family and their heritage, and the reference to "la isla del decanzo" ("the island of rest") implies that Puerto Rico is a place of refuge and renewal for the singer and his family.
Overall, "1983" is a heartfelt tribute to Puerto Rico and the rich culture and traditions that have flourished there for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
1983
The year in which the events of the song take place.
He Llegado a Puerto Rico
I have arrived in Puerto Rico.
Me he enamorado en Puerto Rico
I have fallen in love in Puerto Rico.
Con tu todo
With everything you have.
Que siempre quede confirmado
Let it always be confirmed.
Que los Palmeari se encontraron
That the Palmeari family came together.
En la isla del decanzo
On the island of rest and relaxation.
A Puerto Rico llegue
I arrived in Puerto Rico.
Con orgullo me quede
I stayed with pride.
1983
Reiterated to remind the listener of the year and importance of the events being described.
Writer(s): Eddie Palmieri
Contributed by Jasmine E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fernando Quiñones
on Mi Palo Pa' Rumba
Que Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti,
Asi, Pa' Que Respete Aqui
Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti,
Asi, Pa' Que Respete Aqui
La Amistad cuando se da No Se Devuelve
Mejorando Entendimiento Te Aconsejo
Yo No Me Explico Porque Tu Piensas
Asi de Mi, Si Jamas Pienso Mal Yo de Ti
Que Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti
Que Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti,
Asi, Pa' Que Respete Aqui
Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti,
Asi, Pa' Que Respete Aqui
La Amistad cuando se da No Se Devuelve
Mejorando Entendimiento Te Aconsejo
Yo No Me Explico Porque Tu Piensas
Asi de Mi, Si Jamas Pienso Mal Yo de Ti
Que Palo pa" Rumba te Cambio a Ti
Coro: Si Somos Guerreros Pues Palo Pa' Rumba