In Puerto Rico, Ruiz became a fan of a salsa band called La Solucion, directed by Roberto Rivera and learned all of their songs. He attended every concert and show. On one occasion, Ruiz's mother asked Rivera to give her son an opportunity to sing in the band, but to no avail. However, as fate would have it, in 1977, Ruiz was present at one of their shows where the lead singer did not show up. Rivera felt that he had no other choice but to give Ruiz a try. He was a success and was hired by Rivera. With La Solucion, Ruiz re-recorded a new version of Salsa Buena. He performed with the band for three years.
In 1980, Ruiz joined Tommy Olivencia and his Primerisima Orchestra. His youth and style known as Sensual Salsa helped to bring in a new generation of salsa followers. His first major "hit" was Lo Dudo (I doubt it) which was previously covered by José José. In 1983, Ruiz decided to go "solo" and had hits with No Que No, Mi Libertad (My Liberty) and Desnudate Mujer (Get Undressed Woman). He traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Europe and the United States performing and always used the phrase "Vaya, mi China" (Go, Baby) as his trademark. He was then called "El Papa de la Salsa" (The Father of Salsa).
Ruiz began to use illegal drugs and became an alcoholic. During a flight after one of his concerts he attacked a flight attendant. He was arrested and sentenced to three years at the federal prison in Jacksonville, Texas for the incident. Ruiz's last song was Vuelvo a Nacer (Born Again), where he describes his errors in life by taking the wrong way and that he declares himself born again. His voice was heard raspy compared to his earlier career due to the effects of his drug use. Frankie Ruiz became ill and was hospitalized on July 11, 1998, after performing at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Shortly afterwards, on August 9, 1998, Ruiz died from complications from AIDS. Before his burial, his remains were taken to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, for a memorial service. He was later interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Esta Cobardia
Frankie Ruiz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me guardo un suspiro que mi amor callado
Se enciende con verla que diera la vida para poseerla
No se da ni cuenta que brillan mis ojos
Que tiemblo a su lado y hasta me sonrojo
Que ella es el motivo que a mi amor despierta
Que ella es mi delirio y no se da ni cuenta
Esta cobardía de mi amor por ella hace que
La vea igual que a una estrella tan lejos
Tan lejos en la inmensidad, que no espero nunca
Poderla alcanzar
Esta cobardía de mi amor por ella hace que
La vea igual que a una estrella tan lejos
Tan lejos en la inmensidad, que no espero nunca
Poderla alcanzar
No se da ni cuenta que le he concedido
Los cálidos besos que no me ha pedido
Que en mis noches tristes desiertas de sueño
De loco deseo, me siento su dueño
No se da ni cuenta que ya la he gozado
Porque ha sido mí sin haberla amado
Que es su alma fría la que me atormenta
Que ve que me muero y no se da ni cuenta
Esta cobardía de mi amor por ella hace que
La vea igual que a una estrella tan lejos
Tan lejos en la inmensidad, que no espero nunca
Poderla alcanzar
Esta cobardía de mi amor por ella hace que
La vea igual que a una estrella tan lejos
Tan lejos en la inmensidad, que no espero nunca
Poderla alcanzar
The lyrics of Frankie Ruiz's song "Esta Cobardia" speaks of a love that is both strong and silent. The singer is in love with a woman who is unaware of his feelings towards her. He keeps his love hidden, and when she is near, he tries his best not to give himself away. The singer's heart leaps every time she comes by, and the mere sight of her sets his heart ablaze. He longs for her so much that he is willing to give up his life just to be with her.
The singer expresses his frustration and sadness, knowing that his love for her is nothing but a distant dream. He is too afraid to confess his feelings to her, and so his love remains unrequited. He sees her as a star shining so brightly in the sky, too beautiful and too far away for him to reach. He has given her everything he has, even the kisses she never asked for, and yet she remains oblivious to his love.
Despite his pain, the singer accepts his fate, acknowledging that his fear and cowardice have caused him to lose any chance of winning her heart. The song ends with a melancholic realization that he may never be able to have her, and he will always see her as that beautiful star he can never reach.
Line by Line Meaning
No se da ni cuenta que cuando la miro por no delatarme
Me guardo un suspiro que mi amor callado
Se enciende con verla que diera la vida para poseerla
She doesn't even realize that I have a secret love for her. Every time I try to hide it by looking at her, I hold back a sigh. Just seeing her ignites a fire in me, and I would give my life to possess her.
No se da ni cuenta que brillan mis ojos
Que tiemblo a su lado y hasta me sonrojo
Que ella es el motivo que a mi amor despierta
Que ella es mi delirio y no se da ni cuenta
She doesn't notice that my eyes shine whenever I'm around her. I can't help trembling and blushing. She's the reason my love wakes up. She's my obsession, but she doesn't notice.
Esta cobardía de mi amor por ella hace que
La vea igual que a una estrella tan lejos
Tan lejos en la inmensidad, que no espero nunca
Poderla alcanzar
My fear of expressing my love for her makes me see her as unreachable as a star, so far away that I don't expect to ever be able to reach her.
No se da ni cuenta que le he concedido
Los cálidos besos que no me ha pedido
Que en mis noches tristes desiertas de sueño
De loco deseo, me siento su dueño
She doesn't realize that I've given her warm kisses even though she hasn't asked for them. During my lonely nights, drained of sleep, I feel like I own her out of my insane desire.
No se da ni cuenta que ya la he gozado
Porque ha sido mí sin haberla amado
Que es su alma fría la que me atormenta
Que ve que me muero y no se da ni cuenta
She doesn't know that I've already enjoyed her body without having truly loved her. It's her cold soul that torments me, and she sees that I'm dying inside, but she still doesn't notice.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Francisco Lopez-Cepero Garcia, Francisco Martinez Moncada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind