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.
Piensa En Mi
Tito Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Si tienes ganas de llorar, piensa en mi
Ya ves que venero, tu imagen divina
Tu párvula boca que siendo tan niña me enseño a pecar
Piensa en mi, cuando beses
Cuando llores, también piensa en mi
Cuando quieras quitame la vida
Para nada me sirve sin ti
Piensa en mi, cuando beses
Cuando llores, también piensa en mi
Cuando quieras quitame la vida
No la quiero para nada
Para nada me sirve sin ti
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
The lyrics to Tito Rodriguez's song "Piensa En Mi" are a heartfelt plea to a loved one to remember the singer when they are sad or feeling alone. The first two lines set the tone, as the singer tells their loved one that if they are feeling deep sadness or the urge to cry, they should think of them. The following lines reveal just how much the singer admires and adores this person, praising their divine image and reminiscing about a childhood memory of being taught to sin by the "tender mouth" of their lover.
As the chorus chimes in, the song takes on a more melancholy tone. The singer implores their lover to think of them not only when they are sad but also when they are happy and when they are contemplating ending their own life. The reason for this is clear - the singer cannot live without their lover, and life would be meaningless without them. The final refrain drills this point home, emphasizing three times in a row that the singer cannot live without their love.
Overall, "Piensa En Mi" is a deeply emotional song that captures the feeling of being utterly dependent on another human being for one's own happiness and well-being. While it presents this idea through a mix of religious and romantic imagery, the theme is one that speaks to anyone who has loved and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Si tienes un hondo pesar, piensa en mi
If you have a deep sadness, think of me
Si tienes ganas de llorar, piensa en mi
If you feel like crying, think of me
Ya ves que venero, tu imagen divina
You see that I worship your divine image
Tu párvula boca que siendo tan niña me enseño a pecar
Your innocent mouth, even as a child, taught me to sin
Cuando quieras quitame la vida, no la quiero para nada, para nada me sirve sin ti
If you want to take my life, I don't want it without you, it serves me for nothing without you
Piensa en mi, cuando beses
Think of me when you kiss
Cuando llores, también piensa en mi
When you cry, also think of me
No puedo vivir si me faltas tu
I can't live without you
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Javier Ramos
on No Lo Recuerdas
this songs name is Hipotesis track # 5 on this album