In 1976 he started with a group of amateurs in Puerto Rico, and his first recording was with the Mario Ortiz Orchestra. He then moved on to Orquesta La Grande, and during the two years Gilberto was with them, he met Mr. Elias Lopés who later helped mold and polish the promising young singer, releasing three recordings.
In 1980, he got an important opportunity recording "Homenaje a Eddie Palmieri" with the Puerto Rico All Stars. He then went on to record with Tommy Olivencia. From 1981 through 1986 he was with the Willie Rosario Orchestra where he recorded six albums.
Santa Rosa then signed with Ralph Cartagena's Combo Records. In 1986, he debuted on Good Vibrations fronting his own salsa orquesta. After releasing three more albums on Combo, including "De Amor y Salsa", he switched to CBS Records and issued the chart-topping salsa romantica set Punto De Vista in 1990, which went platinum and spawned the smash hits "Vivir Sin Ella" and "Perdoname". Santa Rosa's 1991 CBS/Sony follow-up, Perspectiva, was another monster hit.
Since the mid-80s, the mainstream salsa recording industry in Puerto Rico and the USA has been largely preoccupied with developing and marketing the images of "good looking" young male vocalists, rather than producing solid, stimulating music performed by swinging soneros (improvising salsa singers). Santa Rosa, however, who was one of the first of this new crop of solo singers, is regarded as being amongst the small number who deserve to be called a sonero.
In 1990, Santa Rosa was in the illustrious company of Andy Montañez and Pedro Brull (from Mulenze ), as one of the contemporary soneros assembled by bandleader Don Perignon for his all-star La Puertorriqueña project. In 1990, he won the Billboard Lo Nuestro award for Best Male Singer. He has also performed at New York's prestigious annual salsa festival. But 1990 was an important year in other respects. Santa Rosa made acting debut in the play "La pareja dispareja", where he was joined by Rafo Muñiz and Luis Vigoreaux.
He visited Japan in 1995 as Puerto Rico's musical ambassador and sang one of his songs, "De cara al viento" in Japanese in his effort to bridge the cultural barriers. Since then Santa Rosa's fame reached across borders and continents; commanding recognition as salsa artist in most demand. In 1996 he released yet another smash album Esencia which included hit songs such as No Quiero Nada Regala'o.
Santa Rosa's recent work has not been limited to soloist recordings. He joined other artists in the First President's Festival in the Dominican Republic; Andy Montañez in New York's Lincoln Center, in 1997; and Olga Tañon in the Universal Studios Amphitheater in Holloywood, in 1997.
In 1999, he released Expresión, which reinforced his international fame. The album included the hit song "Que alguien me diga", written by Omar Alfanno, which was at the top of Billboard‘s latin chart for various weeks. The album also included the song Fulana, unlike his well known salsa, demonstrating his wide range of interests and ability. The album was selected as one of the 20 best recordings of the year by the National Foundation Popular Culture of Puerto Rico.
Mama Güela
Gilberto Santa Rosa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ea como mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
Güela güela güela güela que güela
Mama güela mama güela
Como he aprendido ese güela que traigo este mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
Estando muy encendido pues yo me la gozo entera
Mama güela mama güela
Sal a la pista no te lo pierdas que el ritmo es pura candela
Mama güela mama güela
Baila baila que si no bailas te quedas
Mama güela mama güela
Mama güela mama güela mama güela pa’ la escuela
Mama güela mama güela
Güela güela güela guelona
Mama güela mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
Ven pa’ acá que ahora la pista está llena
Mama güela mama güela
Como bailan como gozan y vacilan dando vueltas
Mama güela mama güela
No te vayas todavía quédate un ratito mas
Mama güela mama güela
Y ven a bailar al compás al son de mi mama güela
Mama güela mama güela
The song "Mama Guela" by Gilberto Santa Rosa is a joyful tribute to the Afro-Caribbean dance and music culture. The term "mama guela" itself is a rhythmic onomatopoeia used in the music to signify the sound of the drums. In the song, Santa Rosa encourages everyone to join the dance floor and let the rhythm take over. The lyrics have a repetitive structure and the chorus acts as a unifying element, inviting the audience to participate in the collective celebration.
The song encapsulates the atmosphere of a lively dance party, where the beat is contagious and people come together to enjoy the moment. It highlights the feeling of unity and joy that comes with dancing, and the importance of letting go of inhibition to fully embrace the music. Santa Rosa's energy is infectious, and the song carries a message about embracing one's cultural heritage and identity.
Overall, "Mama Guela" is a celebratory and uplifting song that captures the essence of salsa music and calls for everyone to let go of their worries and join in the dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama güela mama güela
Repeating the affectionate nickname for a beloved grandmother or older woman.
Ea como mama güela
Expressing enthusiasm for the vintage dance rhythm associated with the nickname.
Güela güela güela güela que güela
Repeating the playful and catchy scat singing that accompanies the dance rhythm and evokes a sense of joy and excitement.
Como he aprendido ese güela que traigo este mama güela
Acknowledging the personal connection and familiarity with the dance rhythm through years of practice and experience, represented by the song being performed.
Estando muy encendido pues yo me la gozo entera
Describing the intense physical and emotional reaction the performer feels when dancing to the song, fully enjoying its energy and spirit.
Sal a la pista no te lo pierdas que el ritmo es pura candela
Encouraging the listener to join in on the dance floor and not miss out on the hot and lively rhythm of the song.
Baila baila que si no bailas te quedas
Emphasizing the importance of participating in the dance to fully appreciate and enjoy the music, as those who don't dance will miss out.
Mama güela mama güela mama güela pa’ la escuela
Repeating the affectionate nickname and suggesting its value and usefulness as a source of inspiration and enjoyment in everyday life.
Güela güela güela guelona
Adding a playful and affectionate suffix to the nickname of the dance rhythm, further emphasizing its endearing nature.
Ven pa’ acá que ahora la pista está llena
Inviting the listener to join in on the dance floor, indicating that there is room for more people and that the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
Como bailan como gozan y vacilan dando vueltas
Appreciating the way that other people dance and enjoy themselves to the music, especially as they spin around and move with a sense of freedom and playful spirit.
No te vayas todavía quédate un ratito mas
Encouraging the listener to stay a little longer and continue enjoying the music and the company of others who are dancing and having a good time.
Y ven a bailar al compás al son de mi mama güela
Inviting the listener to dance with the performer and enjoy the music together, as they move to the beat of the affectionate nickname that represents the spirit of the dance rhythm.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ivalat7439
Arturo Sandoval sólo de trompeta. Monstruo
@AndresColumbus
Arturo killed that SH&T!
@mfrancisco645
esto si es masacote, salsa de la buena tremenda orquestacion y volcalisada magistralmente por unos de los mas grandes nuestro gran gilberto santa rosa.....que viva la salsa
@luisrangel2060
Tres bien!!!
@marias.rivers4704
Gilbertito Santa Rosa 🌹 Orgullo de 🇵🇷 Como duele!!!!
@orangelurbina7353
Definitivamente eres el mejor pana Gilberto, al igual que el Maestro Tito Rodriguez, demuestras con en este álbum lo versátil que eres como músico. Bendiciones y como tu mismo dices. CAMINALO!!
@walterplaceres1707
A lo Tito Rodriguez Mama Guela con su grandes Orquestas exelentee azucarrrrrrr
@jon-lukeport4673
Ritmo sabroso
@pallaviacharya8717
Yess
@hectorfigueroa2769
Gilbertos / Rules 📏