Despite his personal struggles, he rose up during the 70's, the heyday of Salsa. He performed in sold out nightclubs, stadiums, and in some of the most prestigious concert halls. His recordings garnered him many awards and gold albums. His musical success is attributed to his extraordinary lyrical improvisations. His unique salsa flavor has remained without rival. Sadly, due to his losing battle with addiction to heroin, it played havoc with his career. There was a suicide attempt and ultimately he died from AIDS.
"El Cantante" (The Singer), a biopic based on Hector Lavoe's life, was releaded in 2006. Jennifer Lopez, who produced the film, also plays the role of one of his wives Puchi, while Marc Anthony portrays the ill-fated lead role.
Panameña
Hector Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Panameña Panameña
que buena está...
Panameña Panameña
que linda vá...
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a bailar...
Ah eh. . eh ah...
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a bailar
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a gozar
oye mira Panameña
que linda vá.
Ah eh... eh ah...
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a gozar
en la pLaza 5 de Mayo
vamo'a bailar
y en el Parque de Santa Ana
vamo'a gozar.
Ah eh... eh ah...
=o=o=o=
Coro:
Oiga usted Dominicana
que buena está...
Oiga usted Dominicana
que linda vá.
Oiga usted Dominicana
vamo'a bailar...
Ah eh. . eh ah...
Oiga usted Dominicana
que buenae está
Oiga usted Dominicana
vamo'a bailar
Oiga usted Dominicana
un merengue bien sabroso
para gozar.
Ah eh. . eh ah...
Oiga usted Dominicana
venga pa'acá
Oiga usted Dominicana
vamo'a bailar
Oiga usted Dominicana
un merengue apanbinchao
para cumbanchar
Ah eh. . eh ah...
=o=o=o=
Coro:
Oye Borinqueña como yo te quiero
oye Borinqueña sin tí yo me muero.
Eh... oye Borinqueña
como yo te quiero
oye Borinqueña
como yo te quiero
por mi madre juro
que sin tí me muero
por mi madre juro
que sin tí me muero.
Ay... yo canto guajira
yo canto un danzón
te canto un bolero
canto un guaguancó
pero no me olvido
del aguinaldo
pero nunca olvido
el aguinaldo.
Lo le lo lai.
The song "Panameña" by Héctor Lavoe celebrates the beauty and charm of women from Panama. The song begins with a catchy chorus that repeats the phrase "Panameña, Panameña" and describes how beautiful and charming the women from Panama are. Then, the song continues to talk about how they should all dance and enjoy themselves, mentioning specific locations in Panama where they should go to have fun. The chorus repeats, expressing how good it is to be in the company of these beautiful women from Panama.
The song continues with another verse, changing the location to the Dominican Republic and expressing admiration for the women there. The lyrics invite them to dance to a merengue and enjoy themselves together. The chorus repeats again, celebrating the beauty of women from both Panama and the Dominican Republic. The final verse is a tribute to Puerto Rican women, where the singer's love for them is expressed. The song concludes with the phrase "lo le lo lai," a common refrain in Puerto Rican music.
Overall, "Panameña" is a fun and uplifting song that celebrates the beauty and joy of Latin American women and encourages everyone to dance and have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Panameña Panameña
que buena está...
The singer acknowledges the beauty and the goodness of the Panamanian woman.
Panameña Panameña
que linda vá...
The singer highlights the attractiveness of the Panamanian woman.
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a bailar...
The singer invites the Panamanian woman to dance.
Panameña Panameña
vamo'a gozar...
The singer invites the Panamanian woman to have fun.
oye mira Panameña
que linda vá.
The singer admires the beauty of the Panamanian woman.
en la pLaza 5 de Mayo
vamo'a bailar
y en el Parque de Santa Ana
vamo'a gozar.
The singer suggests going to two specific places to dance and have fun.
Oiga usted Dominicana
que buena está...
The singer acknowledges the beauty and the goodness of the Dominican woman.
Oiga usted Dominicana
que linda vá.
The singer highlights the attractiveness of the Dominican woman.
Oiga usted Dominicana
vamo'a bailar...
The singer invites the Dominican woman to dance.
un merengue bien sabroso
para gozar.
The singer suggests dancing to a particular Caribbean music genre called 'merengue' to have fun.
Oiga usted Dominicana
venga pa'acá
Oiga usted Dominicana
vamo'a bailar
un merengue apanbinchao
para cumbanchar
The singer urges the Dominican woman to come over and suggests dancing to a merengue with a particular rhythm called 'apanbinchao' to enjoy the party.
Oye Borinqueña como yo te quiero
oye Borinqueña sin tí yo me muero.
The singer confesses his love for the Puerto Rican woman and says that he cannot live without her.
por mi madre juro
que sin tí me muero
The singer swears on his mother's name that he needs the Puerto Rican woman for his existence.
yo canto guajira
yo canto un danzón
te canto un bolero
canto un guaguancó
pero no me olvido
del aguinaldo
pero nunca olvido
el aguinaldo.
The singer says he can sing different Cuban music genres but never forgets his native Christmas music 'aguinaldo'.
Lo le lo lai.
This is a catchy onomatopoeic phrase used in Latin music as a vocal improvisation or a rhythm pattern. Here, it serves a similar purpose to keep the party mood alive.
Writer(s): Hector Lavoe Perez, Willie Colon Copyright: Fania Music
Contributed by Lincoln D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carmenvidal4802
Hermosa canción de Héctor Lavoe y de Willie Colón todo un himno para Panamá qué frescura de voces y la orquesta grandes todos 💯💯👏👏 gracias por compartir 💯💯👏
@marthalucia5058
SOY COLOMBIANA, DE MEDELLIN Y AQUI LA SALSA MANDA LA PARADA, SOMOS SALSEROS A MORIR
@marceloanglet1302
Acá en Uruguay es un himno de la música tropical, q grandes Héctor y Willie!
@anyeloandrestangarifemarin3137
Exacto un himno en Colombia suena mucho en cali y en navidad este tema
@geovannycamacho1835
No sabía que en Uruguay escuchaban salsa. Que bien saludos de Cali Colombia
@ElJibaritoDePonce
En Uruguay escuchan Salsa???? 🤔
@marceloanglet1302
@@ElJibaritoDePonce si tal cuál, ak de niño eschamos mucho la plena d puerto rico, la salsa es algo que en nuestra música tropical hemos disfrutado mucho,los grupos,el cubano d américa,sonora Borinquen, conjunto casino d Uruguay,combo Camagüey, por citar algunos nombres...disfrutamos mucho la música latina,salsa d Colombia, Venezuela y demás, abrazos desde Uruguay
@ElJibaritoDePonce
@@marceloanglet1302 Así debe de ser mi hermanoo! Abrazo desde Medellín Colombia 🇨🇴
@cesarricsegalarza7346
Soy peruano y soy roquero , pero amo esta canción . Grande Hector Lavoe
@onellyespinal4173
Que hermoso tema primera vez que la oigo y menciona a las mujeres hermosas de mi país las Dominicanas.