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.

If I Had A Hammer
Tito Puente Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I had The opportunity
If I had The opportunity
If I had The opportunity
If I had The opportunity

I'm so into you, girl you're blowin my mind with everything you do
And if I had the chance, I would give you good love and a true romance
'Cause ever since that day you came my way

I knew I had to have you don't run away
Please say you'll want to stay
There's no need for you to doubt my love
I'll always stand beside you to give you lovin' that's so true
If I had The opportunity
I would love you forever (you gotta believe in what I'm saying)
If I had The opportunity
We would always be together (so deep in love this time I'm staying)
Girl you stole my heart, I was so hooked on you right from the start (right from
the start)

There's no need to pretend
'Cause what I feel for you is real it will never end
'Cause ever since that day you came my way, I knew I had to have you don't run
away

Please say you'll want to stay there's no need for you to doubt my love
I'll always stand beside you to give you loving that's so true
If I had The opportunity
I would love you forever (you gotta believe in what I'm saying)
If I had The opportunity
We would always be together (so deep in love this time I'm staying)

If I had The opportunity
If I had The opportunity
If I had The opportunity

If I had The opportunity I'd be with you
If I had The opportunity

Overall Meaning

In Tito Puente's song "If I Had a Hammer," the repeated chorus reflects the deep longing and yearning of the singer for an opportunity, a chance to express his love and devotion to someone special. The use of repetition emphasizes the importance and intensity of the desire for this opportunity, underscoring the urgency and sincerity of the emotions being conveyed. The repetition of "If I had The opportunity" creates a sense of longing and wistfulness, as the singer envisions a future where his love can be fully realized and reciprocated.

The lyrics also portray the singer's feelings of being completely enamored with the object of his affection, expressing how she has completely captivated his heart and mind. The lines "I'm so into you, girl you're blowin my mind with everything you do" convey a sense of infatuation and admiration, highlighting the depth of his feelings. The singer envisions a future filled with love and romantic gestures, pledging to provide the other person with genuine affection and a loyal partnership.

The themes of commitment and reassurance run throughout the song, as the singer promises unwavering support and love to the person he cares for. He expresses a deep desire for a genuine and lasting relationship, making it clear that he is willing to stand by their side through thick and thin. The lyrics convey a sense of emotional vulnerability and authenticity, as the singer lays bare his feelings and intentions, seeking to create a strong and enduring bond.

Overall, "If I Had a Hammer" by Tito Puente is a heartfelt declaration of love and devotion, with the singer expressing a deep yearning for a chance to fully realize his feelings for someone special. The repetition of the chorus underscores the intensity of these emotions, while the verses convey a sense of infatuation, commitment, and a desire for a lasting connection. The song captures the universal longing for love and companionship, resonating with listeners through its poignant and sincere portrayal of romantic yearning.

Line by Line Meaning

If I had The opportunity
Expressing the desire for a chance or possibility

If I had The opportunity
Emphasizing the longing for an opportunity

If I had The opportunity
Highlighting the importance of having a chance

If I had The opportunity
Reiterating the wish for an opportunity

I'm so into you, girl you're blowin my mind with everything you do
Admiring and infatuated with the girl's actions and presence

And if I had the chance, I would give you good love and a true romance
Desiring to provide love and a genuine romantic relationship if given the opportunity

'Cause ever since that day you came my way, I knew I had to have you don't run away
Recalling the moment the girl entered his life, emphasizing the desire for a relationship

Please say you'll want to stay
Requesting the girl to express her willingness to remain in the relationship

There's no need for you to doubt my love, I'll always stand beside you to give you lovin' that's so true
Assuring the sincerity and steadfastness of his love and commitment

I would love you forever (you gotta believe in what I'm saying)
Promise of eternal love accompanied by a plea to trust in his words

We would always be together (so deep in love this time I'm staying)
Envisioning a future of lasting togetherness and deep love

Girl you stole my heart, I was so hooked on you right from the start (right from the start)
Acknowledging the girl's impact on his emotions since the beginning

There's no need to pretend
Encouraging honesty and authenticity in the relationship

'Cause what I feel for you is real it will never end
Asserting the genuine and enduring nature of his feelings

If I had The opportunity I'd be with you
Expressing the clear intention of being with the girl if given the chance

Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: LUIS FERDINAND VEGA, LINDA CABALLERO, DEREK WHITAKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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