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.
Siboney
Olga Guillot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yo te quiero
yo me muero
por tu amor
siboney
en tu boca
la miel puso su dulzor
ven aqui que te quiero
eres tu para mi
siboney
al arruyo de tu palma
pienso en ti
siboney
de mi sueño
si no oyes la queja de mi voz
siboney
si no vienes me morire de amor
siboney
de mis sueños te espero con ansias en mi carey
por que tu eres el dueño de mi amor siboney
oye el eco de mi canto de cristal
no se pierda por entre eltre el rumbo
moriguaaaaay
The lyrics to Olga Guillot's song "Siboney" are a passionate declaration of love for the person addressed as Siboney. The singer expresses her deep affection, declaring that she loves Siboney so much that she would die for their love. The sweetness of Siboney's words and kisses are compared to honey, implying an intense connection between the two. The singer appeals to Siboney to come to her, stating that they are her treasure, and she wants to be close to them. The song's chorus repeats the name "Siboney" over and over again, emphasizing the person's importance to the singer.
The song's lyrics are a classic example of bolero music, which originated in Cuba but quickly spread throughout the Latin American world. Bolero is characterized by its romantic, sentimental nature, often featuring lush, orchestral arrangements and expressive vocals. "Siboney" is one of the most well-known bolero songs of all time, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song's popularity has endured for decades, and it remains a favorite among fans of Latin American music.
Line by Line Meaning
siboney
The name of the person being addressed in the song.
yo te quiero
I love you deeply and passionately.
yo me muero
My love for you is so strong that it is killing me inside.
por tu amor
I am willing to die for your love.
en tu boca
Your mouth is the source of sweetness that I crave.
la miel puso su dulzor
Your lips are as sweet as honey and bring joy and happiness to my life.
ven aqui que te quiero
Come to me, my love, I want to be with you.
y que todo tesoro
You are the most valuable treasure in my life.
eres tu para mi
You are everything to me.
al arruyo de tu palma
Under the sway of your hand, I can only think of you and nothing else.
pienso en ti
I can't help but think of you all the time.
de mi sueño
In my dream, I am always with you.
si no oyes la queja de mi voz
If you can't hear the pain and sorrow in my voice, then how will you know how much I love you?
si no vienes me morire de amor
If you don't come to me, I will die of love for you.
de mis sueños te espero con ansias en mi carey
In my dreams, I long for you to come to me and hold me in your arms.
por que tu eres el dueño de mi amor siboney
Because you are the owner of my heart, Siboney.
oye el eco de mi canto de cristal
Listen to the echoes of my clear voice, expressing my feelings for you.
no se pierda por entre eltre el rumbo
Don't let my love for you get lost or go astray.
moriguaaaaay
This is likely the singer's signature ad-lib or vocal flourish and doesn't contribute any further meaning to the lyrics.
Writer(s): Ernesto Lecuona, Theodore Morse
Contributed by Jonathan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luis Quintero
Es magia lo más grande que a parido Cuba no joda