Pagan was a gifted vocalist. His light, floating tenor was as serenading as Smokey Robinson's, but more ardent when he came down from the clouds. His melodious crooning got some chart action on a remake of Bread's "Make It With You" (1971) for Wand Records (Fania contracted with Wand during this period). Two years later, he scored a minor charter with "Soul Je T'aime" with Sylvia Robinson (now there's a duet made in heaven) on Robinson's Vibration label; but its success was modest at number 39 R&B and 99 pop on Billboard. Other singles include "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," "Just for a Little While," and "Come Back Baby."
In addition to the four Fania albums, he had an obvious hand in Ralfi Pagan Presents Johnny Nelson, which is quite an item among collectors; Low Profile Records also reissued his second Fania album, Ralfi Pagan With Love. Examples of Pagan's haunting vocals can be found on ITP Records' East Side Classics series.
Pelao
Ralfi Pagan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sin chavo, te dicen
Échate pa' un lao, pelao
(Pelao) No se puede gozar
(Pelao) Las jebas te pasan por el lao
(Pelao) No se puede vestir
(Pelao) No se puede vivir
He′s broke
Can't be trusted
Síguele
Para tí baby, este es el ritmo de Ralfi Pagán
Gózenlo
Sin chavo, tu no estás en na′
Sin chavo, te dicen
Échate pa′ un lao, pelao
(Pelao) no se puede gozar
(Pelao) las jebas te pasan por el lao
(Pelao) no se puede vestir
(Pelao) no se puede vivir
He's broke
He′s busted
Can't be trusted
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
He′s broke
He's busted
Can′t be trusted
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
He's broke
He's busted
Can′t be trusted
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
Está picando de vicio
Siempre picando, que pelao
The lyrics to Ralfi Pagán's song "Pelao" highlight the struggles and frustrations of being broke or lacking financial means. The phrase "sin chavo" is a colloquial term in Spanish that means "without money" or "broke." The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the dire circumstances the singer finds themselves in. When someone is "pelao," it means they are stripped of resources and unable to enjoy life's pleasures.
The lyrics also touch on the social impact of being broke. The line "las jebas te pasan por el lao" suggests that being broke causes others to overlook or disregard you. Financial insecurity prevents the singer from fully participating in the enjoyment of life, from dressing well to living comfortably. The repeated phrases "He's broke, he's busted, can't be trusted" further emphasize the negative perception and mistrust associated with a lack of financial stability.
Overall, "Pelao" is a commentary on the hardships and limitations that arise from being financially disadvantaged. It sheds light on the social consequences of poverty and the frustration that comes with not being able to live a fulfilling life due to economic constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Sin chavo, tu no estás en na′
Without money, you are nothing
Sin chavo, te dicen
Without money, they dismiss you
Échate pa' un lao, pelao
Stay aside, broke guy
(Pelao) No se puede gozar
(Broke) Can't have fun
(Pelao) Las jebas te pasan por el lao
(Broke) The girls ignore you
(Pelao) No se puede vestir
(Broke) Can't dress well
(Pelao) No se puede vivir
(Broke) Can't live well
He′s broke
He has no money
He's busted
He's in a bad financial situation
Can't be trusted
He cannot be relied upon
Síguele
Keep going
Para tí baby, este es el ritmo de Ralfi Pagán
For you baby, this is Ralfi Pagán's rhythm
Gózenlo
Enjoy it
Está picando de vicio
He's stuck in a bad habit
Siempre picando, que pelao
Always indulging, what a broke guy
Writer(s): Johnny Pacheco, Raphael Pagan
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chris Feria
Tengo 28 años y la gozo como si fuese de mi epoca... grande Ralfi!
Juan Pablo Moreno
tengo 22 y digo lo mismo, èstos temas van para la historia!
DIEGO ORTEGA
En cali en las rumbas de pelaos hasta de 17
Orlando Torres
Yo era un niño
Orlando Torres
Acabo en NY
Laura G
en Cali estos temas perduran por siempre !!
Leiber Yaca
Salsa brava 100% 🎶🎶🎶🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴donde la gozamos y la bailamos
Hector andres Silva gomez
este tema me trae recuerdos gratos de una vida en Jamundí y Cali. excelente tema quien lo escucha en el 2022??
Mike Sosa
Brings back so many memories. I think we wore out this LP. Ralfi Pagan and Joe Bataan were two token Fania Latin Soul artists. Fania was not big on Latin Soul. Thank you for posting this song. I loved Ralfi Pagan music. Still do.
Christian Peña
Las raíces de la salsa, sin comienzos del ritmo y de la industria como estos nada de lo que muchos conocemos y amamos hubiera sido posible. TEMAZO!!