Do You Feel It
Joe Cuba Sextet Lyrics

do u feel it?
Asks if the listener feels the emotions and message being conveyed in the song.

yes i feel it
The listener responds affirmatively to feeling the emotions and message of the song.

i feel my beloved barrio, my ghetto.
The singer says that they feel a strong connection to the neighborhood where they grew up, despite its imperfections.

this is the story of where i was born.
The singer introduces the song as a personal and autobiographical narrative of their life and upbringing.

no man's land it's in the 115th street and the 125th
The singer describes the neighborhood as a place that is often neglected and forgotten by the rest of the city.

everyones . talking about the barrios, about the ghettos, about the hard times they had, we had hard times, we had good times too.
The singer acknowledges that growing up in a poor neighborhood had its challenges, but also had moments of joy and positivity shared by the community.

i can remember the summer, summertime was beautiful, days were long we didnt need any ocean breeze
The singer recalls fond memories of summertime in the neighborhood with its long days and warm weather, and says that there was no need to go to the beach to enjoy the season.

to the left we had hustle land to the right the east river when we wanted to refresh ourselves. who needed the ocean, we had the pub remember the johhny pub
The singer describes some of the landmarks and locations in the neighborhood, including a section known for its shops and businesses ('hustle land') and the nearby river ('east river'). They also recall a local establishment (the 'Johnny Pub') where people could have a drink and cool off on hot days.

all we needed was it a good good screwdriver and a can and we were refreshed. and night the breeze was beautiful.
The singer reminisces about one particular drink (a 'screwdriver') that was popular at the Johnny Pub, and how the simple refreshment provided a way for them to relax and enjoy the lovely evening weather in the neighborhood.

top beach, that was our beauty place and we had, we had fun a lot.
The singer recalls a section of the river known as 'Top Beach', which was a popular area for swimming and socializing with friends and other neighborhood residents.

when i were home my mother was beautiful our food was really together rice and beans, thats also our food with a little cuchifritos in the side and for a little dessert we had mavi, the grooviest taste and trigger want to try everything was beautiful to me margeritto, my beautiful barrio, my ghetto.
The singer wistfully recalls the meals and flavors of their childhood home, especially classic dishes like rice and beans accompanied by tasty side dishes (such as 'cuchifritos'). They describe the happiness and overall beauty they felt when living in the neighborhood.

i feel the pressure that keeps us down.
The singer introduces a more serious note to the song, mentioning that despite the positive aspects of the neighborhood, there were still many pressures and difficulties that weighed heavily on residents.

el barrio is the place thats up town
The singer points out the irony that although the neighborhood is considered impoverished and lower-class, it is actually located at the northernmost point of Manhattan island.

do u feel it? i feel, i feel, i feel and the wait do u feel it?
The line repeats the question from the beginning of the song, but the singer now answers that they 'feel it' in a different, more serious way.

thats were feel and hate is common place
The singer highlights the negative emotions that can exist within the neighborhood due to poverty and difficult living conditions, such as a sense of frustration or bitterness (the 'hate' mentioned in the lyrics).

i said it, tell you about being hungry
The singer mentions one of the most challenging aspects of living in an impoverished area, which is often having to deal with hunger and food scarcity.

up town, thats the place, thats margeritto bounds
The singer returns to discussing the neighborhood's location at the northernmost tip of the island, calling it 'Margeritto bounds'.

but somewhere theres a better place when i finally, i'll be gone, gone, gone, gone.
The singer acknowledges that while they have many fond memories of the neighborhood, they believe that someday they will find a better, more positive place to be.

i feel it i feel it in my bones
The singer reiterates that they are still passionate and deeply connected to the emotions and experiences reflected in the song.

go and search for another, another home.
The singer urges others who may also feel stuck or trapped in impoverished areas to seek out new opportunities and possibilities for growth and change in a different location.

got to get away got to get away got to get away
The singer underscores the importance of taking action and actively pursuing one's goals and aspirations, rather than simply feeling stuck or complacent in a difficult environment.