She started her career by working in radio in the 1940s but began to work with smaller groups in the 1950s. In 1952, pianist and arranger Aida Diestro organized the vocal quartet called Cuarteto D'Aida. The original members were Elena Burke, Moraima Secada, Omara Portuondo and Haydée Portuondo. After she got some attention, she went solo.
By the time of the Cuban revolution she was a top solo artist performing in elegant cabarets in Havana. Her voice seemed to become stronger with age, as her subtle yet sophisticated technique graced every song she sang with an emotional weight. Over the years she has performed with top Cuban dance bands such as Orquesta Aragon and with highly acclaimed singer-songwriters, including Pablo Milanes. She certainly could "take a sad song and make it better," piercing the emotional veil of her audience with an almost palpable sincerity. Though she mostly interpreted classic Cuban boleros and Son, her versions were distinct, supported by top-notch musicians and arrangements. In 2002, she died of AIDS.
She was the mother of Malena Burke and grandmother of Lena, also well known Cuban singers.
Ausência
Elena Burke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cuando se dice adiós para olvidar
Dice la ausencia te llebo conmigo
Para que olvides para que no sufras más
Y lejos però muy lejos
Vuela el pensamiento
Y triste como un lamento
Son los latidos del corazón
Alivio a mi pena
Ausencia te has engañado
Y lo mucho que he llorado
No lo puedo olvidar
Y lejos pero muy lejos
Fuera el pensamiento
Y triste como un lamento
Son los latidos del corazón
Ausencia tu que pensabas poner
Alivio a mi penal
Ausencia te has engañado
Y lo mucho que he llorado
No lo puedo olvidar
The song "Ausencia" by Elena Burke is a heartbreaking ode to the pain of separation and the elusive relief of absence. The lyrics speak of two hearts that have grown apart and said their goodbyes, but the pain and memories of the lost love still linger. The absence promised to bring relief and help forget the pain, but it has only made it worse. The song describes the torment of a love that is gone but not forgotten, and the struggle to let go and move on.
The first verse describes the moment when two hearts break apart, and one decides that it's time to move on. This decision is usually made with the hope that the absence will bring relief and the chance to start anew. The chorus reflects on the bitterness of absence, which only serves to intensify the pain of the lost love. The second verse conveys how the pain of the absence is not something that can be easily forgotten or erased, no matter how much one might try. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the theme of how absence can be a cruel and deceptive friend.
Overall, "Ausencia" is a stirring portrayal of the pain of separation and the difficulty of moving on. It is a reminder that grief and heartache are not easily forgotten, even when we try to forget through absence.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando se apartan los corazones
When hearts are separated
Cuando se dice adiós para olvidar
When goodbye is said to forget
Dice la ausencia te llebo conmigo
Absence says I take you with me
Para que olvides para que no sufras más
So you can forget, so you don't suffer anymore
Y lejos però muy lejos
And far away, but very far
Vuela el pensamiento
Thought flies
Y triste como un lamento
And sad like a lament
Son los latidos del corazón
Are the heartbeats
Ausencia tu que pensabas poner
Absence, you thought you could put
Alivio a mi pena
Relief to my pain
Ausencia te has engañado
Absence, you have deceived yourself
Y lo mucho que he llorado
And how much I have cried
No lo puedo olvidar
I can't forget it
Y lejos pero muy lejos
And far away, but very far
Fuera el pensamiento
Thought gone
Y triste como un lamento
And sad like a lament
Son los latidos del corazón
Are the heartbeats
Ausencia tu que pensabas poner
Absence, you thought you could put
Alivio a mi penal
Relief to my pain
Ausencia te has engañado
Absence, you have deceived yourself
Y lo mucho que he llorado
And how much I have cried
No lo puedo olvidar
I can't forget it
Contributed by Jasmine I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@juanantoniorojas4790
Esta voz tan unica y absoluta solo le pertenece a ella, a Elena, a la "Senora Sentimiento", una de las voces mas extraordinarias que ha dado Cuba. Nunca existira otra como ella; y esta es una de sus mas exquisitas interptretaciones. Elena, los cubanos te amamos y te recordamos donde quiera que estemos; y nos hace bien escuchar de esta ausencia tuya. Gracias por haber existido.
@juanantonio6515
I love you my Elena. No hay cubano que no te ame, fuiste lo máximo, esa,voz de angel que daba palpitos inusitados de emoción. Te amaré por siempre como cubano.
@amaurypruna74
No puedo dejar de caer las lagrimas, esta Señora me emociona y me da tristeza a la ves, Dios esta feliz tenerla en su Reino. Te sigo Amando Mi Elena.
@zaidaperez1107
Elena, mi amiga, inolvidable, magnífica, voz imprescindible del cancionero cubano. sin dudas una de las mejores cantantes cubanas e internacionales.
@amaurypruna74
Querida Elena, Dios te tenga en un lugar donde le puedas cantar tus canciones con esa voz única. Bendiciones Princesa
@2030MIRANDA
Gracias Radio Iztlán por este osequioso y muy apreciado regalo para quienes sabemos catalogar lo excelso ... sin modestia alguna, ... Elena Burke, voz, feelling y presencia como muy pocas.
Reposo eterno y bendiciones perpetuas para su alma
@SuperSanmarino
Grande de Cuba, en paz descanse , jamás se olvidara, vive y vivirá en el corazón de todo cubano y cubana que ama nuestra música. Gracias Doña Elena Burke, Señora Sentimiento
@santiagomanzano5740
Nadie como ella//. Insuperable
@venice589
QUE MAGNIFICA!!!!!!!!!! Elena,UNICA
@jesusjanjaque5510
Este bolero del portuoriqueno Rafael Hernandez en la voz de su majestad era algo para recordarlo siempre