Luis Mariano was born in 1914 in Irun, Spain. His family ran away from the … Read Full Bio ↴Luis Mariano was born in 1914 in Irun, Spain. His family ran away from the Spanish civil war and settled in Bordeaux, France for a while. He started there the school of the Beaux-Art, showing some talent with drawing. Besides, he successfully passed the entrance examinations to the Municipal Conservatory of Bordeaux (regional school of arts) where he showed talent for singing.
Luis Mariano became famous in France in the 50s with the light opera "La Belle de Cadix". His fame grew even more with "Le chanteur de Mexico" and "Violettes Imperiales", light operas on stage which became films. He enjoyed then a huge popularity and fans went even totally crazy about him.
He sang with Bourvil and Annie Cordy.
Luis Mariano had a unique voice and a unique style.
Luis Mariano died in 1970, totally used up after numbers of roadshows and tours, in the most dreadful financial situation, forgotten by all.
He was known to be an extremely cheerful person, enjoying life to the full, over generous with his friends and loving.

Ole torero
Luis Mariano Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ainsi que les fiers toreros
Domínguez, Romero
Dont la vaillance
Sans défaillance
Fut mon drapeau
(Fut mon drapeau)

Amis, dans la plazza tantôt

Je veux, moi, Juanito
Par ma victoire
Gagner la gloire
De vos bravos
(De vos bravos)

Et si Dieu veut bien être avec moi
Je ferai mieux que ceux d'autrefois

Olé torero
C'est l'honneur des gens de cœur et de courage
Olé torero
De tenter de récolter tous les suffrages
Comme le soleil éclaire
De ses feux joyeux le monde entier,
En costume de lumière,
Toi seul, matador doit briller
Olé torero
Que c'est beau
Quand le taureau furieux s'élance
D'entendre après un silence
Un peuple entier crier:
"Olé torero"

Et quand pour le suprême effort
Le dernier corps à corps
Soudain se lève
Les notes brèves
Sonnant la mort
(Sonnant la mort)

Jetant au loin sa montera
Le matador s'en va l'âme virile
D'un pas tranquille
Seul au combat
(Seul au combat)

Et pour mieux souligner ses exploits,
Tout le cirque entonne à pleine voix:

Olé torero
C'est l'honneur des gens de cœur et de courage
Olé torero
De tenter de récolter tous les suffrages
Comme le soleil éclaire
De ses feux joyeux le monde entier,
En costume de lumière,
Toi seul, matador doit briller
Olé torero
Que c'est beau
Quand le taureau furieux s'élance
D'entendre après un silence

Un peuple entier crier:
Olé, olé

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Luis Mariano's song Olé Torero celebrate the bravery and courage of bullfighters. The singer mentions famous toreros such as Domínguez and Romero, whose unwavering courage was like a banner for him. He declares that in the Plazza, he wants to win the applause and glory of the people with his victory. He believes that with God's help, he can do better than those who came before him. The chorus repeats the phrase Olé torero, praising the bullfighter and encouraging him to shine brightly in his costume of light. The song talks about the excitement and beauty of the bullfight, as the furious bull charges, and the people cry out "Olé torero!" The last verse describes the final moment of the fight, as the matador throws his hat and walks away with a steady, manly step.

Line by Line Meaning

Ainsi que les fiers toreros Domínguez, Romero
Just like the proud toreros Domínguez and Romero

Dont la vaillance Sans défaillance
Whose bravery was unfaltering

Fut mon drapeau (Fut mon drapeau)
Became my emblem

Amis, dans la plazza tantôt Je veux, moi, Juanito Par ma victoire Gagner la gloire De vos bravos (De vos bravos)
Friends, in the plaza later, I, Juanito, want to win the glory of your applause with my victory

Et si Dieu veut bien être avec moi Je ferai mieux que ceux d'autrefois
And if God is with me, I will do better than those who came before me

Olé torero C'est l'honneur des gens de cœur et de courage
Olé torero, it's the honor of people with heart and courage

Olé torero De tenter de récolter tous les suffrages
Olé torero, to try to win all the votes

Comme le soleil éclaire De ses feux joyeux le monde entier, En costume de lumière, Toi seul, matador doit briller
Like the sun illuminates the whole world with its joyful rays, in a suit of light, only you, matador, must shine

Olé torero Que c'est beau Quand le taureau furieux s'élance D'entendre après un silence Un peuple entier crier: "Olé torero"
Olé torero, how beautiful it is when the furious bull charges and after a moment of silence, the whole crowd shouts: "Olé torero"

Et quand pour le suprême effort Le dernier corps à corps Soudain se lève Les notes brèves Sonnant la mort (Sonnant la mort)
And when, for the final effort, the last body to body encounter suddenly arises, the brief notes sound the death (sound the death)

Jetant au loin sa montera Le matador s'en va l'âme virile D'un pas tranquille Seul au combat (Seul au combat)
Throwing his montera away, the matador leaves with a strong soul, walking calmly alone into the battle

Et pour mieux souligner ses exploits, Tout le cirque entonne à pleine voix:
And to better emphasize his exploits, the whole circus sings at the top of their lungs:

Olé torero C'est l'honneur des gens de cœur et de courage
Olé torero, it's the honor of people with heart and courage

Olé torero De tenter de récolter tous les suffrages
Olé torero, to try to win all the votes

Olé torero Que c'est beau Quand le taureau furieux s'élance D'entendre après un silence Un peuple entier crier: Olé, olé
Olé torero, how beautiful it is when the furious bull charges and after a moment of silence, the whole crowd shouts: Olé, olé

Writer(s): Albert Willemetz

Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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