From various sources and as one can see from video, Puente was an electric performer who always stood up on the timbales. He was an accomplished dancer as well.
Tito Puente is probably the most beloved figure of the music that is now mostly called Latin jazz. When asked if he played salsa, he replied, " I don't play sauce.(the Spanish meaning of the word) I play jazz." Today's most popular artist in Latin jazz, Poncho Sanchez, named his son Tito after Tito Puente.
Many of his records are great, such as "In Session". The quality on record is not as consistent as he apparently was in concert, though. Some recordings are mediocre in quality. The list of people who played with him would fill a who's who of both Jazz and Latin music. His last release was a duo with Eddie Palmieri, the appropriately named " Obra Maestra". If anyone is to name the King of the mambo or the King of Latin Jazz, the most popular answer will be Tito Puente.
Hong Kong Mambo
Tito Puente & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who got arrested down in old Hong Kong
He got twenty years privilege taken away from him
When he kicked old Buddha's gong
And now he's poppin' the piano just to raise the price
Of a ticket to the land of the free
Well, he says his home's in Frisco where they send the rice
That's why he said, "I need someone to love me
I need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco
And bury my body there
I need someone to lend me a fifty dollar bill and then
I'll leave Hong Kong behind me for happiness once again"
Won't somebody believe
I've a yen to see that Bay again
Every time I try to leave
Sweet opium won't let me fly away
I need someone to love me
I need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco
And bury my body there
That's the story of a very unfortunate colored man
Who got arrested down in old Hong Kong
He got twenty years privilege taken away from him
When he kicked old Buddha's gong
The lyrics of Tito Puente and His Orchestra's song "Hong Kong Mambo" tells the story of an unfortunate colored man who got arrested in Hong Kong for kicking Buddha's gong. As a result, he got stripped of his 20 years of privileges. The man, now living in Hong Kong, is trying to gather funds to leave and go back to his hometown in San Francisco, where his heart is. However, he is struggling to gather enough funds and is looking for someone to lend him a 50 dollar bill, after which he would leave Hong Kong behind and search for happiness once again. The man is also dealing with opium addiction, which is hindering him from leaving Hong Kong despite his desire to go back home.
The song's lyrics reflect the experiences of many individuals who migrate from their hometown to other places in search of better opportunities. The colored man's struggles to gather enough funds and his desire to leave Hong Kong reflect the struggles of migrants who often face financial difficulties and must leave everything behind. The mention of opium addiction also reflects the struggles of migrants who often lose themselves in the process of trying to make a better life. This song serves as a reminder of the hardships migrants face and the importance of creating opportunities and support systems for them.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the story of a very unfortunate colored man
This song tells the tale of a man of color who had an unfortunate experience.
Who got arrested down in old Hong Kong
This man was arrested in the city of Hong Kong.
He got twenty years privilege taken away from him
The man had his privileges taken away as a result of his arrest and he was sentenced to a long prison term.
When he kicked old Buddha's gong
The man's troubles began when he kicked an important Buddhist artifact.
And now he's poppin' the piano just to raise the price
Now the man is doing whatever it takes to raise money, even playing the piano.
Of a ticket to the land of the free
He needs money for a ticket to a place where he can be free.
Well, he says his home's in Frisco where they send the rice
He claims his home is in San Francisco where they produce rice.
But it's really in Tennessee
In reality, his home is in a different state, Tennessee.
That's why he said, "I need someone to love me
He is so desperate that he is asking for love and support.
I need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco
He needs someone to take him back to his supposed home in San Francisco.
And bury my body there
He wants to be buried in San Francisco as well.
I need someone to lend me a fifty dollar bill and then
He needs someone to loan him fifty dollars so he can start over.
I'll leave Hong Kong behind me for happiness once again"
With that money, he wants to leave Hong Kong and find happiness again.
Won't somebody believe
He is asking for someone to believe his story.
I've a yen to see that Bay again
He longs to see the Bay in San Francisco once more.
Every time I try to leave
Despite his desire to leave, he can never seem to escape.
Sweet opium won't let me fly away
His addiction to opium is keeping him bound to Hong Kong.
I need someone to love me
Once again, he expresses his need for love and support.
I need somebody to carry me home to San Francisco
He still wants someone to help him return to San Francisco.
And bury my body there
He remains fixated on being buried in San Francisco.
That's the story of a very unfortunate colored man
The song concludes by restating the man's unfortunate story.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cobeany
Still trying to wrap my mind around 1958! THIS IS SUCH A CLASSIC! I LOVE this MUSIC!
@henrydurieux2395
This is my favorite. For all time. Now and forever,
@josedanielcamerovelasquez680
Alguien que no le gusta esta mermelada no se quiere ni quiere q nadie🎉🎉🎉❤
@c.d.robinson3090
love it!
@AngeloG07
If you love it Liisten to Graeme Revell he plays it for the movie " out of time". You be the judge
@sir.fuentes7642
This is another level my friends.
@marialuisamontes9163
He descubierto esta música d Tito puente y estoy maravillada!
Todo es tan excelente!!
@juanmanuelpinaguido487
PARA MI GRAN AMIGA DE SIEMPRE SOFI.SALUDOS.
@stephenjablonsky1941
I loved it then and I love it now. The sixty year difference has made it sound like an old classic. As a young trumpet player myself I was impressed with the bravura of the Latin brass men until I read the liner notes and found out the lead trumpet on this recording was Bernie Glow, somebody you probably never heard about. Bernie was the man on so many recordings back in those days. He was one of the outstanding Jewish trumpet players who studied with Max Schlossberg. He made hundreds of recordings with all the best musicians at the time. Check him out.
@efraincardona8529
Mi difunto padre vivio esa epoca en New York en la decada del 1950.Bailo con los Titos y Machito
y me conto su alegria mientras se me salian las babas.