Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Riv… Read Full Bio ↴Cuba-born and New York-based saxophonist and clarinet player, Paquito D'Rivera has balanced a career in Latin jazz with commissions as a classical composer and appearances with symphony orchestras. Classical New Jersey wrote, "whether playing Bach or post-bop, D'Rivera's mastery of the instruments and their expressive capabilities is unquestionable". D'Rivera inherited his understanding of music from his father, Tito, a classical saxophonist and conductor. At the age of five, D'Rivera began being tutored in musical theory by his father. Within a year, he was playing well enough to be paid as a musician. By the age of seven, he became the youngest musician to endorse a musical instrument (Selmer saxophones). Three years later, he performed with the National Theater Orchestra of Havana. Although he initially played soprano saxophone, D'Rivera switched to the alto after teaching himself to play via the book, Jimmy Dorsey Saxophone Method: A School of Rhythmic Saxophone Playing. Strengthening his knowledge of music and playing techniques, D'Rivera began studying at the Havana Conservatory of Music in 1960. In 1965, D'Rivera became a featured soloist with the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra.

El Dia Que Me Quieras
Paquito D'Rivera Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Acaricia mi sueño
El suave murmullo de tu suspirar
Como ríe la vida
Si tus ojos negros me quieren mirar
Y si es mío el amparo
De tu risa leve
Que es como un cantar
Ella quieta mi herida

Todo, todo se olvida

El día que me quieras
La rosa que engalana
Se vestirá de fiesta
Con su mejor color
Y al viento las campanas
Dirán que ya eres mía
Y locas las fontanas
Se contaran su amor

La noche que me quieras
Desde el azul del cielo
Las estrellas celosas
Nos miraran pasar
Y un rayo misterioso
Hará nido en tu pelo
Luciérnaga curiosa
Que vera que eres mi consuelo

El día que me quieras
No habrá mas que armonía
Será clara la aurora
Y alegre el manantial
Traerá quieta la brisa
Rumor de melodías
Y nos darán las fuentes
Su canto de cristal

El día que me quieras
Endulzara sus cuerdas
El pájaro cantor
Florecerá la vida
No existirá el dolor

La noche que me quieras

Overall Meaning

is a song that expresses the overwhelming feeling of being loved by someone. The lyrics set a romantic mood for the audience, suggesting the possibility of happiness and joy. The first stanza highlights the impact of the beloved person's breath and touch on the singer's dreams. The second and third stanzas vividly describe the day and night the beloved person reciprocates the singer's feelings. The singer uses metaphors and imagery to depict how every aspect of nature seems to celebrate their love, and the power it has to heal.

The title "El Día Que Me Quieras" in English means "The Day You Love Me." The song was composed by Carlos Gardel, with lyrics by Alfredo Le Pera. The songwriters were both born in Argentina in the early 20th century, and the song was first recorded by Gardel in 1935. The song became an instant hit and is one of the most famous tango songs of all time. Paquito D'Rivera, the Cuban-born jazz saxophonist and clarinetist, recorded an instrumental version of the song for his 2004 album, "The Jazz Chamber Trio."

Line by Line Meaning

Acaricia mi sueño
Your gentle breath strokes my dream

El suave murmullo de tu suspirar
The soft murmur of your sighs

Como ríe la vida
How life laughs

Si tus ojos negros me quieren mirar
If your dark eyes want to look at me

Y si es mío el amparo
And if I have the protection

De tu risa leve
Of your light laughter

Que es como un cantar
Which is like a song

Ella quieta mi herida
It calms my wounds

Todo, todo se olvida
Everything, everything is forgotten

La rosa que engalana
The rose that adorns

Se vestirá de fiesta
Will dress up for the party