Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most… Read Full Bio ↴Universally known as the King of the Mambo, Pérez Prado was the single most important musician involved in the hugely popular Latin dance craze. Whether he actually created the rhythm is somewhat disputed, but it's abundantly clear that Prado developed it into a bright, swinging style with massive appeal for dancers of all backgrounds and classes. Prado's mambo was filled with piercing high-register trumpets, undulating saxophone counterpoint, atmospheric organ (later on), and harmonic ideas borrowed from jazz. While his tight percussion arrangements allowed for little improvisation, they were dense and sharply focused, keeping the underlying syncopations easy for dancers to follow. Prado played the piano, but was often more in his element as the focal point of the audience's excitement; he leaped, kicked, danced, shouted, grunted, and exhorted his musicians with a dynamic stage presence that put many more sedate conductors and bandleaders to shame. With this blueprint, Prado brought mambo all the way into the pop mainstream, inspiring countless imitators and scoring two number one singles on the pop charts (albeit in a smoother vein than the fare that first made his name) as the fad snowballed. He was a star throughout most of the Western Hemisphere during the '50s, and even after his popularity waned in the United States, he remained a widely respected figure in many Latin countries, especially his adopted home of Mexico. Prado is often best remembered for his softer, more commercial work, which has an undeniable kitschiness that plays well with modern-day lounge-revival hipsters. Unfortunately, that has served to obscure his very real credentials in the realm of authentic, unadulterated Latin dance music, and to this day he remains somewhat underappreciated.

Que Es Amor?
Perez Prado and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tu, yo,
la luna, el sol.
Ella, él,
la rosa, el clavel
.
Primavera, la espera.
Verano, la mano.
Otoño, un retoño.

Invierno, un infierno.
Eso es el amor.
Sí señor.

Dame un beso,
ay dame un beso.
Dame un beso,
sí, sí, sí, sí, sí, sí....

Dámelo por favor,
sí señor.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Perez Prado and His Orchestra's song "Que Es Amor?" convey the different elements and seasons that represent love. The song starts by mentioning "tu, yo" (you, me) and "la luna, el sol" (the moon, the sun), indicating two people coming together. It continues with "ella, él" (she, he) and "la rosa, el clavel" (the rose, the carnation), symbolizing romance and passion. The lyrics then delve into the seasons, connecting each one with a different aspect of love. "Primavera, la espera" (Spring, the waiting) highlights the anticipation and new beginnings of love. "Verano, la mano" (Summer, the hand) implies closeness and intimacy. "Otoño, un retoño" (Autumn, a sprout) signifies growth and renewal. Finally, "Invierno, un infierno" (Winter, a hell) expresses the difficulties and challenges that love can sometimes bring. The lyrics conclude by affirming that all these elements together form what love truly is.

Line by Line Meaning

Tu, yo,
You and me,

la luna, el sol.
the moon, the sun.

Ella, él,
She, he,

la rosa, el clavel.
the rose, the carnation.

Primavera, la espera.
Spring, the anticipation.

Verano, la mano.
Summer, the hand.

Otoño, un retoño.
Autumn, a sprout.

Invierno, un infierno.
Winter, a hell.

Eso es el amor.
That is love.

Sí señor.
Yes, sir.

Dame un beso,
Give me a kiss,