Education
After studying philosophy and literature for a year at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Guerra switched to the Conservatorio Nacional de Música. Guerra was a great admirer, at this time, of the Beatles music.
After finishing his studies at the Santo Domingo conservatory, Guerra went to the Berklee College of Music in Boston to study composition and arranging in 1979.
Career
After his return to the Dominican Republic, he released his first album, Soplando (1984) with a group of local musicians which subsequently became known as Juan Luis Guerra y 440. Note that the band's name in Spanish is officially publicized as Cuatro Cuarenta (Four Forty), a shortening of the normally strict reading of number four hundred and forty. The 440 part of the band's name refers to the standard tuning "A=440." Reportedly the name for the band came from a practice session where Juan Luis's brother suggested the name, because the name would reflect how "in-tune and precise they were."
Two albums followed, Mudanza y Acarreo and Mientras más lo pienso ... tú. The band garnered some fame in their country.
Their next album, in 1989, brought them international fame. Ojalá que Llueva Cafe (If only it would rain coffee), a slow melodic number with superfast background tracks, became a number one hit in many Latin American countries, with the hit song of the same name. Subsequently, a video of the hit song was filmed and Juan Luis Guerra and his 440 band began touring. (The song's fame was revived in 1996 with a cover by Café Tacuba). In 1990, they released their next album, Bachata Rosa, which also became a major hit and earned him his first Grammy award. The album, having sold more than 5 million copies at that time, allowed Guerra to keep touring Latin America, USA and Europe. This album contains memorable love songs such as "Burbujas de amor" (Bubbles of Love), the self-hit "Bachaata Rosa", "Rosalia", "Como Abeja al Panal" ("Like a Bee to the Beehive"), "A Pedir Su Mano" ("To Ask For Your Hand"), "Carta De Amor", and "Estrellitas y Duendes" ("Little stars and elves").
Guerra became a controversial figure in the Dominican Republic after he released his next album, Areito. "Areito" (1992), featured the hit single "El costo de la vida," ("The Cost of Living/Cost of Life") but the video version was banned in several countries.
He protested against the poor conditions in many Latin American countries, the celebration of the discovery of the Americas "(1492)", and the double standard policies of first world nations. ('Areito' is a Taino word for song and dance).
That situation might have had something to do with his next album, Fogaraté (1995), where he stayed away from recording any protest songs.
One of his most recent albums, Ni es lo Mismo ni es Igual (It's not the Same nor is it Equal) (1998), garnered much critical acclaim. It won three Latin Grammys in 2000. It's hits include "Mi PC" (My PC), "Quisiera" (I Would Like To), and "El Niagara En Bicicleta".
In 2004, Guerra released his first new album in six years. Entitled "Para Ti" (For you), the album's songs are mostly religious in nature, reflecting Guerra's conversion to Evangelical Christianity. With this album the singer won two awards at the 2005 Billboards in the categories of Gospel-Pop and Tropical-Merengue, for the hit single Las Avispas, being this the first time ever that the same song wins these two categories at the same time. Other hits included "Para Ti" and "Soldado" (Soldier). In the same time, Guerra was honored with the Latino Special Award for the Music Academy of Spain for his contributions to the music of his country and the Caribbean in the last 20 years.
Guerra is the uncle-in-law of Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega. In January 2006, Juan Luis performed at Berklee's 60th anniversary along with other artist such as Paul Simon, Herbie Hancock, Michel Camilo and Chiara Chivello.
In 2006, he recorded with famous artists Diego Torres in "Abriendo Caminos" and with Maná in "Bendita luz". He has also opened the concert of The Rolling Stones in Puerto Rico and was invited by Sting to sing with him in a concert at Altos de Chavón, La Romana in Domincan Republic. At the Premio Lo Nuestro awards in 2007, he was given the honorary lifetime achievement award. He also performed the lead single of his new album, "La Llave De Mi Corazon." 2007.
La llave de mi corazón has been #1 song In Billboard charts for four consecutive weeks, #1 selling album in Colombia and it keeps climbing the charts in other countries.
He has recorded in English, the song "July 14th" in Fogaraté(1995), and more recently "Medicine for my soul" and" Something good" with Italian singer Chiara Chivello. Some of his songs are both in English and Spanish such as "Woman Del Callao" and "Guavaberry".
Discography
* Soplando — 1983
* Mudanza y Acarreo — 1984–1985
* Mientras más lo pienso tú — 1986
* Ojalá que llueva Café — 1988
* Bachata Rosa — 1990
* Areíto — 1992
* Fogarate — 1994
* Grandes Exitos Juan Luis Guerra y 440
* No Es Lo Mismo Ni Es Igual — 1998
* Para Ti — 2004
* La Llave de mi Corazón — March 19, 2007
Source: Wikipedia®
Medicine For My Soul
Juan Luis Guerra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was listening to a radio station last night
A shrink, dr. Luis, was giving counsel on the line
I dialed three o'five, five ninety-four, eleven eighty-five
Hey doc, I'm calling about a latin girl I met on a web site
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Woru-re, wuro-roro, ou-wo
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I'm from Louisiana, she's from San Pedro de Macorís
You know the land of baseball players
Where Sammy Sosa lives
She likes to drink papaya juice and paint caribbean trees
Oh, we don't have too much in common
But love is blind as you can see
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Sweet to my heart, medicine for my soul
Girl I want to feel your heart
And hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
I said mambo
Love me, yeah
Love me, yeah
Establish your emotions
Make a point, you're on the air
Should I go and visit her
Should I learn spanish words
Should I cry, should I face
Some political concerns
Should I join a social club
Should I peel a coconut
Movin' in, movin' on
Merengue bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Dance!
Dance!
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Dance!
Should I get down on my knees
Should I dance a latin beat
Should I laugh should I get
A romantic membership
Should I play my conga drums
Should I sing 'La Vie En Rose'
Moving in, moving on
Merengue, bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Girl I want to feel your heart
And hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
You're so sweet, to me, babe
You're so sweet
You're so sweet, to me, baby
You're so sweet, to me, babe
You're so sweet
Yeah yeah yeah
And tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Sweet to my heart
Eh, baby, now
Sweet to my heart
Sweet to my heart
Sweet to my heart
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Sweet to my heart
Yeah, baby
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Tú tienes la llave de mi corazón
Juan Luis Guerra's song "Medicine For My Soul" tells the story of a man named Louisiana who falls in love with a Latin girl he met on a web site. The man calls a radio station seeking advice from a psychotherapist, Dr. Luis, about his dilemma. The song combines elements of traditional Latin music with a modern pop sound, and features several musical breaks where the upbeat tempo leads to an instrumental solo.
Throughout the song, Louisiana expresses his deep love for the Latin girl, who he describes as "sweet to his heart, medicine for his soul." Despite the language and cultural differences between them, his emotions prevail, and he is willing to learn Spanish, play conga drums, and dance to merengue, bachata, and son to win her over. The song ends with Louisiana confessing his love to the girl and telling her that she has the key to his heart.
The song's lyrics are a testament to the power of love and how it can overcome any obstacle, including language barriers and cultural differences. The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo reflect the joy that comes with falling in love, while the use of traditional Latin instruments gives the song a unique and authentic sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
I was listening to a radio station last night
Recalling a past event of listening to a radio station
A shrink, dr. Luis, was giving counsel on the line
Doctor Luis, a therapist, was giving advice on the radio
I dialed three o'five, five ninety-four, eleven eighty-five
Gave the phone number to the radio station to call and seek advice
Hey doc, I'm calling about a latin girl I met on a web site
Asking for advice about a girl met online
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
She has a sweet and appealing personality
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
She holds the key to my heart.
I'm from Louisiana, she's from San Pedro de Macorís
The artist is from Louisiana and the girl is from San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic
She likes to drink papaya juice and paint caribbean trees
Describing the girl's interests and hobbies
Oh, we don't have too much in common
They do not have many things in common
But love is blind as you can see
Love is not restricted by differences in culture or interests
Sweet to my heart, medicine for my soul
She is special to the artist and brings him happiness and peace
Girl I want to feel your heart
The singer wants to connect with her emotionally
And hope you love me too
The singer returns her feelings of love and hopes she reciprocates
Should I go and visit her
Asking for advice on whether to visit her
Should I learn spanish words
Asking for advice on whether to learn Spanish
Should I cry, should I face
Asking for advice on how to handle potential problems or difficulties
Some political concerns
Referring to political issues related to the Dominican Republic
Should I join a social club
Asking for advice on whether to join a social club
Should I peel a coconut
Asking for advice on experiencing local traditions and foods
Merengue bachata y son, now
Naming types of music popular in the Dominican Republic
Should I get down on my knees
Asking for advice on how to show affection or romance
Should I dance a latin beat
Asking for advice on whether to dance Latin music
Should I play my conga drums
Asking for advice on whether to play music instruments
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Repeating that she is sweet and charming to the singer
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Repeating that she is important to the singer's heart
You're so sweet, to me, babe
Repeating that the girl is sweet and attractive to the singer
Sweet to my heart
Repeating that the girl brings happiness to the artist's heart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Juan Luis Guerra
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eduardodemian3566
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I was listening to a radiostation last night
A shrink, Dr. Luis, was giving counsel on the line
I dialed 305 594 1185
(three o' five, five ninety-four eleven eighty-five)
Hey doc, I'm calling about a latin girl I met on a web site
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
I'm from Louisiana, she's from San Pedro de Macoris,
you know the land of baseball players,
where Sammy Sosa lives
She likes to drink papaya juice and paint caribbean trees
Oh, we don't have too much in common
but love is blind as you can see
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
sweet to my heart, medicine for my soul
Girl I want to feel your heart
and hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
I said mambo
Love me, yeah
Love me, yeah
Establish your emotions
make a point, you're on the air
Should I go and visit her
should I learn spanish words
should I cry, should I face
some political concerns
Should I join a social club
Should I peel a coconut
movin' in, movin' on,
merengue bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Dance !
Dance !
yeah yeah yeah yeah
Dance !
Should I get down on my knees
should I dance a latin beat
Should I laugh should I get
a romantic membership
Should I play my conga drums
should I sing 'La Vie en Rose'
Moving in, moving on
merengue, bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Girl I want to feel your heart
and hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
y tiene la llave de mi corazón
You're so sweet, to me, yeah
You're so sweet
You're so sweet, to me, baby
You're so sweet, to me, baby
You're so sweet
yeah yeah yeah
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Sweet to my heart
ehh baby now
Sweet to my heart
Sweet to my heart
Sweet to my heart
yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Sweet to my heart
yeah baby
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
tu tienes la llave de mi corazón
@andresrzavalal
Juan Luis Guerra - Medicine For My Soul
Letras
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I was listening to a radio station last night
A shrink, Doctor Luis, was giving counsel on the line
Hey doc, I'm calling about a latin girl I met in the web site
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm from Louisiana, she's from San Pedro de Macoris
You know the land of baseball players
Where Sammy Sosa lives
She likes to drink papaya juice and paint caribbean trees
Oh, we don't have too much in common
But love is blind as you can see
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Sweet to my heart, medicine for my soul
Girl I want to feel your heart
And hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
I said mambo
Love me, yeah
Love me, yeah
Establish your emotions
Make a point, you're on the air
Should I go and visit (her)
Should I learn spanish (words)
Should I cry, should I face
Some political concerns
Should I join a social (club)
Should I peel a (coconut)
Movin' in, movin' on
Merengue bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Dance!
Dance!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Dance!
Should I get down on my (knees)
Should I dance a latin (beat)
Should I laugh should I get
A romantic membership
Should I play my conga (drums)
Should I sing La Vie en (Rose)
Moving in, moving on
Merengue, bachata y son, now
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Girl I want to feel your heart
And hope you love me too
You know I can't stop loving you, babe
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Y tiene la llave de mi corazón
Ehh baby now
(Sweet to my heart)
(Sweet to my heart)
(Sweet to my heart)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Sweet to my heart)
Yeah, baby
She tastes to me like a honeycomb
Tu tienes la llave de mi corazón.
Fuente: Musixmatch
Compositores: Juan Luis Guerra
Letra de Medicine For My Soul © Universal Musica Unica Publishing
@otravista2946
Un minuto de silencio por quienes no conocen esta joya al igual que otras como Lacrimosa, Caribbean Blues, Something Good, Testimonio, etc.
@Sylardf
Both english and spanish versions are great!
@troyanowoh
Este hombre es demasiado duro 🙏🏽🔥🔥
@gadget00
Underrated classic; awesome tune
@rhodafriedman4660
Fantastic my favorite music is Latin
@ispeakmucho
Soy american pero completamente de acuerdo contigo. Diache el sabe cantar! Doy gracias a dios que lo entiendo
@HerSunHisMoon91
My Cuban boss introduced me to this song, I daydream of me and my husband dancing to this song.
@fabriziomartinvillanuevare3413
This version is amazing
@revolution606
I type medicine for my soul and I'm rewarded with this sweet
@lavidaesbella2504
EXCELENT JUAN LUIS GOD BLESS YOU ADELANTE CON DIOS PORQUE SIN EL NADA SOMOS Y NADA PODEMOS HACER SI SOMOS ALGO ES POR SU MISERICORDIA Y EL GRAN AMOR CONQUE NOS AMO, GLORIA A DIOS POR SU GRAN TALENTO 💯🎶🎵💯🎶🎵 DAN GANAS DE BAILAR PARA MI JESUS