Maria Maria
Santana Lyrics


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Ladies and gents
Turn up your sound system
To the Sound of Carlos Santana
And the G&B (it's The Product)
Ghetto Blues from the Refugee Gang

Oh Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria (ayo, Maria)
She fell in love in East L.A.
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana

Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Pick pocking on the corner (ah, yeah)
See as the rich is getting richer
The poorer is getting poorer (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
Signed by the judge, said, "See you later"

Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula

Maria, Maria (West Coast)
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana

I said a la favela los colores
The streets are getting hotter (ah, yeah)
There is no water to put out the fire
Ni gota de esperanza (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
Then I looked up in the sky
Hoping of days of paradise

Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (worldwide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (open up your eyes)

Maria, you know you're my lover
When the wind blows, I can feel you
Through the weather
And even when we are apart
Still feels like we're together
Maria, yeah

She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
Oh, she fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana

Put 'em up, y'all
Carlos Santana with the Refugee Gang
Wyclef
Jerry Wonda
Mr. Santana




G&B
Yo, Carlos, man, you makin' that guitar cry

Overall Meaning

The popular song "Maria Maria" by Santana tells the story of a woman named Maria who lives in Spanish Harlem and East L.A. The song is an ode to Maria's beauty as well as a commentary on the struggles of the poor within American society. Carlos Santana's guitar sound is the backdrop to the song, which features lyrics about those with less privilege struggling to get by as the wealthy become richer. The song is a call to action to stop the violence, looting, and shooting in the streets, which is causing the poor to become even poorer.


As the song progresses, listeners are exposed to Maria's daily struggles as she wanders the streets trying to find a way to survive. She is constantly thinking of ways to change her life and make things better, as evidenced by the lyrics "Se mira Maria on the corner, thinking of ways to make it better." Finally, Santana's lyrics turn to his love for Maria, stating that even when they are apart, he can feel her presence through the wind, and despite their difference in backgrounds, their love is real.


"Maria Maria" was an immediate hit upon its release in 1999, and its popularity has endured through the years. Now, more than 20 years later, the song still resonates with many as an ode to the struggles of the common people as well as a tribute to the beauty of the Latinx community.


Line by Line Meaning

Ladies and gents
Attention everyone


Turn up your sound system
Increase the volume on your speakers


To the Sound of Carlos Santana
Listen to the music being played by Carlos Santana


And the G&B (it's The Product)
Performed by the G&B, also known as The Product


Ghetto Blues from the Refugee Gang
Playing music that reflects the hardships and struggles of the Refugee Gang's members


Oh Maria, Maria
The singer addresses a woman named Maria


She reminds me of a West Side Story
Maria resembles a character from "West Side Story"


Growing up in Spanish Harlem
Maria grew up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in New York City


She living the life just like a movie star
Maria's lifestyle is similar to that of a celebrity


She fell in love in East L.A.
Maria found love in East Los Angeles


To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
The guitar played a significant role in Maria falling in love


Played by Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana was the guitarist Maria heard and fell in love with


Stop the looting, stop the shooting
The singer calls for an end to violence, theft, and vandalism


Pick pocking on the corner (ah, yeah)
Pickpocketing is happening on the streets


See as the rich is getting richer
The wealthy individuals are accumulating more wealth


The poorer is getting poorer (ah, yeah)
The lower class is struggling to make ends meet


Se mira Maria on the corner
Maria is spotted on the corner


Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
Maria is contemplating ways of improving the situation


In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
The singer receives a notice that he must vacate his place of residence


Signed by the judge, said, "See you later"
The judge has signed the eviction notice


Now I come, mama chula, mama chula
The singer addresses a woman named "mama chula"


Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
The singer is coming back to the East Coast


Maria, Maria (West Coast)
Maria is now on the West Coast


I said a la favela los colores
The colors of the favela


The streets are getting hotter (ah, yeah)
The streets are becoming more dangerous and violent


There is no water to put out the fire
There is no solution to the issues at hand


Ni gota de esperanza (ah, yeah)
There is no hope left


Then I looked up in the sky
The singer looks towards the sky for guidance or hope


Hoping for days of paradise
The singer wishes for a better tomorrow


Put 'em up, y'all
Raise your hands


Carlos Santana with the Refugee Gang
The Refugee Gang performing with Carlos Santana


Wyclef
A shoutout to Wyclef Jean


Jerry Wonda
A shoutout to Jerry Wonda


Mr. Santana
Another reference to Carlos Santana


G&B
A reference to The Product or the Ghetto Blues band


Yo, Carlos, man, you makin' that guitar cry
The singer compliments Carlos Santana's guitar playing with an emotional statement




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Wyclef Jean, David Mc Rae, Marvin Hough, Jerry Duplessis, Carlos Santana, Paul Rekow, Karl Perazzo

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@ana-lisahill2960

0% drugs
0% violence
0% nudity
0% DJ Khaled
100% talent

If you're here in 2024 then YOU ARE A LEGEND my friend!

@aslanjudah33

0 % autotunes

@anoopbaranwal7668

AL Q Carlos Santana is itself toxin. You never get bored out of it. Just check his fingers creating magical musical note 🎼🎼🎼

@ionution6270

Thanks

@chantalcampbell7545

0% DJ Khaled 🤣

@_ajsxo6772

AL Q 0% Dj Khaled lmao

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@EthanCrB

It's so good to not hear "DJ KHALED" being screamed at the back.

@velvetrose7729

It's so good that I don't know who you're talking about!

@SABalla4life

🤭

@Fellasluvme2

Velvet Rose ... Ignore that last notification. I misread what you wrote 🥴

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