Quintana was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. His family moved to The Bronx sector of New York when he was only two weeks old; there he went to school and while he was still in high school he formed a band with his neighborhood friends.
In 1961, bandleader Eddie Palmieri heard Quintana sing for an audition and invited him to join his newly organized conjunto (small band) "La Perfecta". Quintana accepted and became the lead singer of the band between 1961 and 1971. During this time he co-wrote some of Palmieri's major hit songs. With Palmieri, Quintana was awarded the 1966 Trophy for the "Most Popular Latin Singer of the Year", awarded at the famed Palladium Ballroom in New York.
Quintana left Palmieri for a solo career and signed with Vaya Records (subsidiary of Fania Records) . Between 1974 and 1983, he recorded five albums as a solo artist, scoring his first major hit with "Mi Debilidad" (My Weakness).
Among Quintana's recordings are the following:
Solo
"Punto y Aparte" (1971);
"Dos Imágenes" (1972);
"Ismael Quintana" (1974);
"Lo Que Estoy Viviendo" ("What I'm Living Through") (1976);
"Amor, Vida y Sentimiento" ("Love, Life and Feelings") (1977);
"Jessica" (1979) (with Ricardo Marrero and The Group);
"Mucho Talento" (1980) (with Papo Lucca).
With Eddie Palmieri
"Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta" (1961);
"El Molestoso" (1962);
"Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso" (1963);
"Echando Pa’ Lante" ("Straight Ahead") (1964);
"Azúcar Pa' Ti" ("Sugar for You") 1965);
"Mozambique" (1966);
"Molasses" (1967);
"Champagne" (1968);
"Justicia" (1969);
"Superimposition" (1970);
"Vamonos Pa'l Monte" (1971);
"Recorded Live at Sing Sing, Vol. 1" (1972);
"Recorded Live at Sing Sing, Vol. 2" (1974);
"Sentido" (1973);
"Timeless". Live recording;
"Eddie Palmieri Live At The University of Puerto Rico" 1974).
With Cal Tjader and Eddie Palmieri[edit]
"El Sonido Nuevo" ("The New Soul Sound"): Cal Tjader & Eddie Palmieri;
"Bamboléate": Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader".
With The Fania All-Stars
"Live at Yankee Stadium, Vol. 2";
"Fania All Stars in Japan";
"Live in Africa";
"Salsa: Original Motion Picture Sound Track Recording";
"Tribute To Tito Rodríguez";
"Habana Jam";
"Commitment";
"Lo Que Pide La Gente";
"Live In Puerto Rico 1994";
"Bravo 97";
"Viva Colombia".
With Tito Puente
"Homenaje a Beny Moré", Vol. 1;
"Homenaje a Beny Moré", Vol. 2.
With Vladimir Vassilief
"Vladimir and His Orchestra: New Sound in Latin Jazz".
With Jimmy Delgado[edit]
"Salsa con Dulzura".
With Joe Cuba Sextet
"Songs Mama Never Taught Me".
Quintana also participated with the Fania All-Stars and went on tour with them to Africa, Japan, France, Central and South America and the United States. In 1976, he made an appearance in the movie "Salsa", with Celia Cruz and the Fania All-Stars. During the 1980s he recorded "Vamos, Háblame Ahora" (Come on, Talk to Me Now) with Papo Lucca.
Quintana semi-retired from the world of music because of health matters and lived with his family in New York. He moved with his family to Colorado where, on April 16, 2016, he died of heart failure. Quintana will be buried in Ponce, the city where he was born. He is survived by his wife Yolanda and three offspring: Ismael, David and Jessica Quintana.
You're Gonna Hear From Me
Ismael Quintana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got me some wings I'm eager to try
I may be unknown but wait till I've flown
You're gonna hear from me
Make me some room, you people up there
On top of the world, I'll meet you, I swear
I'm stakin' my claim, so remember my name
Fortune, smile on the road before me
I am fortune's child
Listen, world, you can't ignore me
I've got a song that longs to be played
Raise up my flag, begin my parade
Then watch the world over start comin' up Clover
That's how it's gonna be
I've got a song that longs to be played
Raise up my flag, begin my parade
Then watch the world over start comin' up Clover
That's how it's gonna be, watch me
You're gonna hear, you're gonna hear from me
In Ismael Quintana's song "You're Gonna Hear From Me," the lyrics convey a message of determination and ambition. The singer is urging the sun to move over and give them some sky because they have "got some wings [they're] eager to try." The use of the metaphor of wings emphasizes the singer's desire to reach new heights and soar to success. Despite being unknown, the singer is confident that people will hear from them once they have flown. This shows the singer's optimism and belief in their own abilities.
The second verse also showcases the singer's determination, as they demand that the people on top of the world make room for them. The singer stakes their claim and tells people to remember their name because they "are gonna hear from [them]." The use of the metaphor of staking a claim emphasizes the singer's determination to succeed and not be ignored. The third verse references "fortune" and how the singer is "fortune's child." This suggests a sense of inevitability and destiny, as if the singer is meant to achieve greatness. The singer also confidently declares that the world cannot ignore them.
In the chorus, the singer repeats that they have a song that "longs to be played." This further emphasizes their desire for success in the music industry. The singer raises their flag and begins their parade, showing that they are ready to showcase their talents. They are confident that once the world sees them, everyone will start coming up 'clover,' which is a way of saying that everything will work out perfectly. The closing line, "watch me, you're gonna hear, you're gonna hear from me," reinforces the singer's confidence and conviction that they will be successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Move over, sun, and give me some sky
I'm ready to soar high and achieve my dreams, so step aside and let me have my chance.
I got me some wings I'm eager to try
I have the skills and abilities to reach new heights, and I can't wait to put them to the test.
I may be unknown but wait till I've flown
Though I may not be well-known yet, my accomplishments will speak for themselves once I've had a chance to shine.
You're gonna hear from me
I'm determined to make my mark on the world, and my voice will be heard.
Make me some room, you people up there
I'm ready to join the ranks of the successful, so move over and make space for me among the elite.
On top of the world, I'll meet you, I swear
I'm confident that I will achieve great things and reach the top, and when I do, I'll prove everyone who doubted me wrong.
I'm stakin' my claim, so remember my name
I'm putting myself out there and making my presence known, so when I achieve my goals, everyone will know who I am.
Fortune, smile on the road before me
I'm asking for good luck and blessings as I embark on my journey to success.
I am fortune's child
I believe luck is on my side, and I have an innate ability to achieve greatness.
Listen, world, you can't ignore me
I'm determined to make myself visible and impossible to ignore, and I won't stop until I'm recognized for my accomplishments.
I've got a song that longs to be played
I have a message or talent that I am eager to showcase and share with the world.
Raise up my flag, begin my parade
I'm ready to celebrate my successes and make my presence known, and I won't stop until everyone recognizes me for my achievements.
Then watch the world over start comin' up Clover
When I succeed, my accomplishments will inspire others to reach for the stars and strive for their own success.
That's how it's gonna be
I'm confident in my abilities and know that I will achieve all that I set out to do.
Watch me
I'll prove all the naysayers wrong and show the world what I'm truly capable of.
You're gonna hear, you're gonna hear from me
I'll make sure the world knows who I am and what I've accomplished, and I won't stop until my voice is heard.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDRE PREVIN, ANDRE G. PREVIN, DORY PREVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wilmar Raigosa
de los primeros boleros en inglés, este es uno de ellos.
diamondlil54
Hey John - Inside Daisy Clover one of my favorite Natalie Wood films, with a very young and too gorgeous for words Robert Redford, way before his Sundance Kid outing.... luv, luv Quintana's take on this number and as usual you hit it out of the ballpark with your "noirman" treatment, great stuff Orchid
johnnynoirman
Well i guess i'll move on now..jajajajajaja.no more Molasses!.. Ismael Quintana is one of a few soneros that could pull off this kind of crooning in english..thx @screwmaster404...
johnnynoirman
Gracias Boricuajazzz8 ..I completely agree you!
screwmaster404
He could have given Sinatra a run. If no more Molasses, then what?