Tito Puente (1923-2000) was a bandleader, percussionist, composer, and arra… Read Full Bio ↴Tito Puente (1923-2000) was a bandleader, percussionist, composer, and arranger from New York City.

Born Ernesto Antonio Puente, Jr., on April 20, 1923, in el barrio Spanish harlem, New York, Puente was a musical pioneer for mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and for his experiments in fusing Latin music with jazz. The son of Puerto Rican immigrants, Puente grew up in New York City's Spanish Harlem and took piano lessons as a child and then studied percussion. He became a professional musician at age 13. Tito Puente later learned to play a number of instruments, including the piano, saxophone, vibraphone, and timbales (paired high-pitched drums). After an apprenticeship in the historic Machito Orchestra, he was drafted and served in the navy during World War II.

Once he returned to New York in 1945, Puente used money from the G.I. Bill to study at the famed Juilliard School of Music. He formed a band that would later be known as the Tito Puente Orchestra in 1948. By the 1950s, crowds came to see his band play and Puente became a Latin music sensation. In 1958, his best-selling album, Dance Mania, was released. More hit records followed as the world enjoyed the way Puente put a big band spin on traditional Latin dances.

He added other Latin and Afro-Cuban rhythms to his repertoire, including cha cha, merengue, bossa nova, and salsa, and among his notable songs are Babarabatiri, Ran Kan Kan, and Oye Como Va. Puente also performed with leading jazz performers, including George Shearing and Woody Herman, as well as with many stars of Latin music and, in later years, with symphony orchestras.

During a career that spanned more than five decades, Puente became a musical legend in Latin music and jazz circles. He made more than 100 albums and created more than 200 compositions. Puente received numerous awards for his work, including five Grammy Awards. Sometimes called the "King of Latin Jazz" or simply "El Rey" - The King - he made an indelible mark on the popular culture. The writer Oscar Hijuelos made him a character in his 1989 novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, and Puente appeared as himself in the 1992 film adaptation. He also guest starred on numerous television shows, such as The Simpsons.

Tito Puente died on May 31, 2000, while in the hospital for heart surgery in New York, New York. Adored by his fans, many people waited in line for days to say good-bye to the popular bandleader.

Coco Seco
Tito Puente Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco seco
Coco seco

Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco
Coco
Coco seco
Coco

Coco
Coco seco

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tito Puente's iconic song "Coco Seco" are incredibly simple, yet they capture the essence of the song perfectly. The phrase "Coco seco" is repeated over and over again, forming the backbone of the song. "Coco" refers to a coconut, which is a fruit commonly found in tropical regions. A "coco seco" is a dried coconut, which has lost the water inside of it.

The song is a celebration of life and joy, and the repeated phrase "Coco seco" is a joyful affirmation of the simple pleasures of life. The rhythm of the song is infectious, and the repetition of the phrase creates a hypnotic effect that draws the listener in. The music itself is a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms, with elements of jazz and big band music. The brass section is particularly prominent, adding a bright, celebratory quality to the music that perfectly complements the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Coco
The coconut fruit

Coco
Coconut again

Coco seco
A dried up coconut

Coco
Coconut

Coco seco
Dried up coconut

Coco seco
Coconut that has lost its moisture

Coco seco
Dehydrated coconut

Coco seco
A coconut devoid of its liquid

Coco
Coconut

Coco
Coconut again

Coco seco
A dried up coconut