Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
Uno Dos Tres
Ken Boothe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (epa)
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos
Epa
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh (Un, dos, tres)
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh (Un, dos, tres)
Oh eh oh (epa)
Ella me tiene loco
Ella me tiene loco
She's the one that always turns me on
Sexy angel fallen from heaven
She's the one that always drives me wild
In her arms she's driving forever
Así es María
Blanca como el día
Pero es veneno si te quieres enamorar
Así es María
Tan caliente y fría
Que si te la bebes de seguro te va a matar
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (Aunque me muera, ahora, María)
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres (María, I want to make you mine)
Un pasito pa' atrás
Ella me tiene loco
María is an angel in disguise
Feeds my love with her devotion
Searching for a special place to hide
As she conquers all my emotion
Así es María
Blanca como el día
Pero es veneno si te quieres enamorar
Así es María
Tan caliente y fría
Que si te la bebes de seguro te va a matar
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (Aunque me muera, ahora, María)
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres (María, I want to make you mine)
Un pasito pa' atrás
Un pasito pa'lante
Un pasito pa' atrás
Un pasito pa'lante
Un pasito pa' atrás (María, María)
Un pasito pa'lante
Un pasito pa' atrás (María)
Un pasito pa'lante
Un pasito pa' atrás (epa)
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh
Oh eh oh (epa)
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres (epa)
Un, dos
Un, dos, tres
Así es María
Blanca como el día
Pero es veneno si te quieres enamorar
Así es María
Tan caliente y fría
Que si te la bebes de seguro te va a matar
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (Aunque me muera, ahora, María)
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres (María, I want to make you mine)
Un pasito pa' atrás
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (Aunque me muera, ahora, María)
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres (María, I want to make you mine)
Un pasito pa' atrás
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Un, dos, tres
Un pasito pa' atrás (epa)
The song starts with the singer, Ken Boothe, counting in Spanish - "Un, dos, tres" - and encouraging Maria to take one step forward, and then one step back. This is followed by a chorus that repeats these words along with the interjection "epa". The repetition of these words creates an infectious rhythm that is hard to resist.
The verses of the song describe Maria as an angel who has fallen from heaven, driving the singer wild with passion. However, the lyrics also caution the listener that Maria is both "hot and cold" and "venomous" if you try to fall in love with her. This dual nature of Maria is likened to her portrayal as "white as day" but with a hidden underbelly that can lead to heartbreak.
The song continues with the repetition of the chorus, and the singer expressing his infatuation with Maria. The music has a reggae beat, and the use of Spanish words, including the counts and interjection, adds to the exotic flavor of the song. Overall, the song is a tribute to the allure of passion, but at the same time, a warning against its perils.
Line by Line Meaning
Epa
Expression of excitement or encouragement
Un, dos, tres
One, two, three
Un pasito pa'lante, María
Take a step forward, Maria
Un pasito pa' atrás (epa)
Take a step back (expression of excitement or encouragement)
Un, dos
One, two
Oh eh oh
Vocalization of excitement or happiness
Oh eh oh (Un, dos, tres)
Vocalization of excitement or happiness (one, two, three)
Oh eh oh (epa)
Vocalization of excitement or happiness (expression of excitement or encouragement)
Ella me tiene loco
She drives me crazy
She's the one that always turns me on
She is the one who always excites me
Sexy angel fallen from heaven
She is an attractive and desirable woman who seems divine
She's the one that always drives me wild
She is the one who always makes me feel wild and passionate
In her arms she's driving forever
When I am with her, I feel like I am flying or driving endlessly
Así es María
That's how Maria is
Blanca como el día
She is as pure as daylight
Pero es veneno si te quieres enamorar
But if you fall in love with her, she can be poison
Tan caliente y fría
She is both hot and cold
Que si te la bebes de seguro te va a matar
If you get too close to her, she will hurt you
Un pasito pa' atrás (Aunque me muera, ahora, María)
Take a step back (Even if it kills me, now, Maria)
María, I want to make you mine
Maria, I want to be with you and make you my own
María is an angel in disguise
Maria seems to be a heavenly being but hides her true nature
Feeds my love with her devotion
She nourishes my love with her commitment and dedication
Searching for a special place to hide
Looking for a private or secret place to be alone with Maria
As she conquers all my emotion
She has power over my feelings and emotions
Un pasito pa'lante
Take a step forward
Un pasito pa' atrás (María, María)
Take a step back (Maria, Maria)
Un pasito pa' atrás (María)
Take a step back (Maria)
Un dos tres (epa)
One, two, three (expression of excitement or encouragement)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Moilenes68@gmail.com
on Without Love
Ken Boothe....one of the greatest voice from Jamaica that ever walk this Earth