Tito Rodríguez a.k.a. "El Inolvidable" (The Unforgettable) (January 4, 1923… Read Full Bio ↴Tito Rodríguez a.k.a. "El Inolvidable" (The Unforgettable) (January 4, 1923-February 28, 1973) born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was a popular 1950's singer and bandleader.

Tito (born: Pablo Rodríguez Lozada) became interested in music as a child. He was always surrounded by musical toys, such as guitars, pianos and trumpets. His older brother, Johnny Rodríguez, was a song composer and bandleader, who inspired Tito to become a musician.

In 1936, 13 year old Tito joined the group of Ladislao (El Maestro Ladí) Martínez, "Industrias Nativas" as a singer and when he was 16 years old, he participated in a recording with the Mayari Cuartet. In 1940, Tito immigrated to New York City shortly after his parents, Jose and Severina died. He went to live with his brother Johnny, who had been living there since 1935.

In New York, Tito found a job as a singer and bongo player for the orchestra of Eric Madriguera. In 1941, he recorded "Amor Guajiro", "Acercate Mas" (Get Closer) and "Se Fue la Comparsa". In 1942, Tito joined the band of Xavier Cugat, and recorded "Bin, Bam, Bum" and "Ensalada de Congas" (Conga Salad).

Tito joined and served in the U.S. Army for one year. After he was discharged, he returned to New York where he joined the orchestra of Jose Carbelo. On one occasion, the band performed at the China Doll Cabaret. There he met a young Japanese chorus girl by the name of Tobi Kei (b. Takeku Kunimatsu, 23 January 1925, Bellingham, Washington, USA), who was to become his wife.

In 1947, Tito made his "solo" debut and finally organized his own band, which he named "Los Diablos del Mambo". In 1950, he enrolled in The Juilliard School of the Performing Arts, where he studied the vibrophone, xylophone and percussion.

He renamed his band "Los Lobos del Mambo" and later he dropped the name altogether. That's when he decided to go with the name "The Tito Rodriguez Orchestra". The first song that he recorded under the bands new name which became a "hit" was "Besame La Bemba" (Kiss My Big Lips). In 1952, he was honored for having developed his own unique singing style by the "Century Conservatory of Music of New York". His orchestra won the "Gran Trofeo Award" for two consecutive years.

In 1953, Tito heard a percussionist, by the name of Cheo Feliciano. So impressed was Tito that he offered Cheo a job in his band and hired him. Tito discovered that Cheo also knew how to sing and gave him an opportunity to sing at the Palladium Ballroom.

Eventually, Cheo went to work for another band but, the friendship between them lasted for the rest of their lives. Among the other orchestras that played at the Palladium, where the Charlie Palmieri and Tito Puente orchestras.

A rivalry which was to last for years, quickly developed between the two Tito's. The popular latin music craze at the time was the cha-cha and the merengue. With the beginning of the 1960s, all that was going to change with the popularity gained by rock music. Latino bands began to switch their styles and started playing more salsa and boogaloo, which was more attractive to the latin youth.

Tito decided to try his luck with boleros and recorded an album titled "Inolvidable" (Unforgettable), which is considered by many to be his greatest "hit". It sold over a million and a half copies world wide. He also produced records for other groups, such as Los Hispanos and Los Montemar.

The feud between the two Tito's was reflected on some of Rodriguez's recordings. "Avisale a Mi Contrario Que Aqui Estoy Yo" (Tell My Counterpart That I Am Here) and "Que Pena Me Da" (I Pity You), are just two examples of the bad feelings between both of them.

Tito returned to Puerto Rico in 1970 and built a Japanese style house in Santurce, where he lived with his family. Tito produced his own television show called "El Show de Tito Rodriguez" which was transmitted through channel 7. Among the special guest stars which appeared in his show were, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett and Shirley Basey. Tito also founded his own recording studio called TR Records.

Tito's last public appearance was with Machito and his Band on February 2, 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Tito Rodríguez died of leukemia on February 28, 1973, in his Coral Gables, Florida home where he had recently moved with wife.

La Mentira
Tito Rodriguez Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Não sinto falta do seu beijo e do seu corpo
E nem do seu olhar.
Fico me olhando pelo espelho, perguntando:
Será que um dia vou me perdoar.

Estou bem mas ainda está doendo.
Não sei por quanto tempo vou ficar sofrendo
Mas vou levando a vida numa boa.

Tá tudo certo um dia encontro outra pessoa.

Eu sei que sabe o quanto minto mal
E sabe que essa mentira é tão banal.
Tá bom agora só me resta confessar,
Eu sinto falta assim de tudo isso é natural.

Não consigo entender, não aceito te perder,
Vou tentando superar mas é difícil esconder.

Não vou pedir pra voltar só porque amo você,
Se já não quer me amar, o que é que eu posso fazer?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tito Rodríguez's song La Mentira speak to the pain and difficulty of moving on from a failed relationship. The singer admits that while they don't miss their former partner's kisses, body, or gaze, they still look at themselves in the mirror and wonder if they'll ever forgive themselves for whatever led to the breakup. Although they're doing okay, they acknowledge that the hurt of the separation still lingers and they don't know how long it will last. Despite this, the singer tries to stay positive and take life as it comes, with the hope that they'll find love again someday.

The lyrics also reveal the singer's feelings of guilt and self-doubt. They confess that they're not a good liar and that the lies they've told in the past, perhaps to themselves or their partner, are trivial. Even as they acknowledge that it's natural to miss someone they loved, they struggle to move on and come to terms with the loss. The singer grapples with the conflicting emotions of wanting to understand why the relationship ended, but also not being able to accept it. They refuse to beg for their former partner to come back, knowing that they can't force them to love them again.

Overall, the lyrics of La Mentira capture a moment of vulnerability and introspection in the aftermath of a breakup. They explore the complex mix of emotions that come with trying to let go of someone you still love, while also acknowledging the difficulties of moving forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Não sinto falta do seu beijo e do seu corpo
I don't miss your kiss or your body

E nem do seu olhar.
Nor do I miss your gaze

Fico me olhando pelo espelho, perguntando:
I find myself looking in the mirror, wondering:

Será que um dia vou me perdoar.
Will I ever forgive myself?

Estou bem mas ainda está doendo.
I'm okay but it still hurts.

Não sei por quanto tempo vou ficar sofrendo
I don't know how long I'll keep suffering

Mas vou levando a vida numa boa.
But I'll keep going with life as usual.

Tá tudo certo um dia encontro outra pessoa.
It's all good, one day I'll find someone new.

Eu sei que sabe o quanto minto mal
I know you know how bad of a liar I am

E sabe que essa mentira é tão banal.
And you know that this lie is so cliche.

Tá bom agora só me resta confessar,
Okay, now all that's left is for me to confess,