Guillot and her family moved to Ciudad Havana when she was a small child. As a teenager, she and her sister, Ana Luisa, performed as a duo, named the "Duo Hermanitas Guillot".
It wasn't until 1945 that her talent as a bolero singer would be discovered, when Facundo Rivero, an influential man in the Cuban music industry of the era, heard her sing for the first time, and helped her make her professional singing debut, at a famous Havana night club. Soon after, Guillot met Miguelito Valdes, who took her to New York city, where Guillot was able to record her first album, with the Decca label.
Guillot traveled to Mexico in 1948. There, she established herself as an international singer and actress, participating in various films and making her second album. In Mexico, Guillot began to enjoy much popularity for the first time in her career.
In 1954, she recorded her song "Mienteme" ("Lie to Me"), which became a hit across Latin America, and earned her three consecutive awards back home in Cuba as Cuba's best female singer.
1958 proved to be an important year for Guillot, as she toured Europe for the first time, including stops in Italy, France, Spain and Germany. She sang alongside the equally legendary Édith Piaf during a concert held in Cannes.
Olga Guillot kept a house in Cuba as she traveled around the world with her music, apart from her house in Mexico. But Guillot opposed Fidel Castro's Government, and, in 1961, she decided to leave Cuba for good and establish herself in Venezuela. Not long after that, she left Venezuela, making Mexico her only permanent residence country.
Meanwhile, she kept touring around the world, singing in places such as Israel, Japan, Hong Kong and many others. In 1963, Guillot was given the Golden Palm award as "best bolero singer of Latin America". She received the award in Hollywood, California. Guillot sang in 1964 at New York's famed Carnegie Hall.
Guillot continued on touring for the next forty years, releasing over fifty albums and winning numerous awards for her activity in the music world. She was very good friends with Celia Cruz, to whom she often referred to as "(her) sister". When Cruz died from cancer, Guillot was one of the most affected persons in the show business world.
Her albums and music are prohibited in Cuba. Guillot remained a quiet, but strong critic of Castro and his policies towards Cuban residents.
Guillot lived mainly in Mexico and had another home on Miami Beach, Florida.
On July 12, 2010, she died of an infarction at the age of 87 in the city of Miami Beach. She is survived by one daughter, Olga Maria Touzet-Guillot, born from her relationship with pianist and composer, René Touzet.
Delirio
Olga Guillot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
como es de inmenso,
en el fondo de mi corazón,
mi amor por tí.
Este amor delirante
que abraza mi alma,
es pasión que atormenta
Siempre tú estás conmigo,
en mis tristezas,
estás en mi alegría
y en mi sufrir.
Porque en tí se encierra
toda mi dicha,
si no estás conmigo, mi bien,
no sé que hacer
Es mi amor delirio
de estar contigo
y yo soy dichoso, mi bien,
porque me quieres también.
The lyrics to "Delirio" are a passionate expression of the singer's deep and intense love for someone else. The first verse opens with a statement that the singer wishes they could express just how immense their love is for the beloved. The second verse describes the love as delirious, a passion that both embraces and torments the singer's heart. The chorus returns to the theme of the beloved being present in both good and bad times, and the final verse affirms that the singer's happiness is tied entirely to the beloved's affection.
One of the striking aspects of these lyrics is the way they express the intensity of emotion with some metaphorical descriptions. The love is "inmenso," or immense, and the singer describes it as both embracing and tormenting their heart. The chorus's repetition of the beloved's presence in all parts of the singer's life reinforces the idea of the all-consuming nature of the love. The final verse also touches on the idea that the singer's identity is wrapped up in the beloved's acceptance of them.
One interpretation of "Delirio" is that it's a declaration of love from the perspective of someone who has found their soulmate. The language is passionate and intense. The singer is willing to endure whatever hardships come along with the love because they believe that this person is the one that brings them true happiness. Ultimately, the song speaks to a universal human experience -- the search for someone who understands us completely and brings us joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Si pudiera expresarte como es de inmenso
If I could express to you how immense my love for you truly is
En el fondo de mi corazón, mi amor por ti.
In the depths of my heart, I feel a love for you
Este amor delirante que abraza mi alma
This delirious love that consumes my soul
Es pasión que atormenta mi corazón.
It's a passion that torments my heart
Siempre tú estás conmigo, en mis tristezas
You are always with me, even in my sorrow
Estás en mi alegría y en mi sufrir.
You are present in my joy and in my pain
Porque en ti se encierra toda mi dicha
All my happiness is contained within you
Si no estás conmigo, mi bien, no sé que hacer
Without you by my side, my love, I don't know what to do
Es mi amor delirio de estar contigo
It's my delirious love of being with you
Y yo soy dichoso, mi bien, porque me quieres también.
I am fortunate, my love, because you also love me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Narciso Cesar Portillo De La Luz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elmer Gonzalez
Una intérprete única! Olga fue una de esas personalidades artísticas que marcaron la música popular cubana para siempre!
Ruben Pages
Unica. En todo. Como cantante. Como persona era graciosa, jocosa, "jodedora", bella. Humana sobre todo. Nunca se me quita.
Vicente Ramos
Le ponía Sentido y romantismo a su Interpretaciones,eso es nacido en Algunas Personas del Caribe, desde joven la Escuché y me Gustó su estilo
greypearl51
¡Mi bolero favorito de todos los tiempos! Netamente Olga Guillot y apasionada.
Maria Cabral
HERMOSAS MELODIAS ,NO COMO LAS DE HOY EN DIA
Gloria Ofelia Cristo
Oirla en cualquier momento es grato. Siempre te recordaremos.
Pastor Gonzalez
Grande Olga, una gloria de Cuba, QEPD
Diego GUTIÉRREZ URIBE
Hermosa canción de César Portillo de la Luz, interpretada por la mejor bolerista de todos los tiempos. Bravo! Diego Gutiérrez Uribe
juuza de las nuves
mejor es omara portuando
Rafael Navarro
Gracias Josè Gonzalez, por compartir estos recuerdos con los que vivimos con el recuerdo y los grandes del ayer, hoy Olga Guillot.