Tito Puente was a jazz and latin music percussionist. Back in the day, he … Read Full Bio ↴Tito Puente was a jazz and latin music percussionist. Back in the day, he would have competitions with other bands such as Perez Prado to see who would be named "King of the mambo". Tito always won.

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.

Si Te Contara
Tito Puente & His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Si tú supieras mi sufrimiento.
Si te contara la inmensa amargura que llevo tan dentro,
La triste historia que noche tras noche
De dolor y pena llena mi alma,
Surge a mi memoria como una condena.

Si lo supieras, te importaría.
Si te dijera que en mí ya no queda ni luz ni alegría,

Que tu recuerdo es el daño más fuerte
Que me hago yo mismo,
Por vivir soñando con que tú regreses
Arrepentida.

(Arrepentida)
(Arrepentida)
Oye mira nena linda, mira cómo vuelves hacia mí
(Arrepentida)
Arrepentida
Arrepentida
Arrepentida estás

Que tu recuerdo es el daño más fuerte
Que me hago yo mismo,

Por vivir soñando con que tú regreses
Arrepentida.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Tito Puente and His Orchestra's classic song "Si Te Contara" reveal a deeply personal and emotional lamentation about a love lost. The lyrics convey an overwhelming sense of sadness, pain, and regret that the singer keeps bottled up inside. The second verse drives this point home, saying that if the person knew about his inner turmoil, they would be moved by it. The lyrics speak to the universal human experience of heartbreak and evoke empathy in those who have felt similar pain.

The chorus, with its repeating refrain of "arrepentida" (regretful), emphasizes the singer's desire for their former lover to feel the same pain they do. The repetition of the word "arrepentida" gives the chorus a haunting quality, as if the singer is trying to curse their former love with the same misery they are experiencing.

Overall, "Si Te Contara" is a powerful and poignant song that captures the complicated emotions of heartbreak. Through its evocative lyrics and dynamic music, it conveys a sense of raw and honest emotion that is characteristic of Tito Puente's music.

Line by Line Meaning

Si tú supieras mi sufrimiento.
If you only knew the pain I am going through.

Si te contara la inmensa amargura que llevo tan dentro,
If I told you about the immense bitterness that I carry within me.

La triste historia que noche tras noche
The sad story that every night

De dolor y pena llena mi alma,
Fills my soul with grief and sorrow.

Surge a mi memoria como una condena.
It comes back to me like a sentence.

Si lo supieras, te importaría.
If you knew, would you care?

Si te dijera que en mí ya no queda ni luz ni alegría,
If I told you that there's no light or joy left in me.

Que tu recuerdo es el daño más fuerte
That your memory is the strongest pain

Que me hago yo mismo,
That I inflict on myself.

Por vivir soñando con que tú regreses
For living with the dream of your return.

Arrepentida.
Repentant.