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.
Sun Sun Babae
Tito Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Ba Ba ee
Pajaro lindo de la madruga′
Que pajaro lindo de la madruga'
Parajo Lindo Sun Sun
Pajaro de la mañana
Te llevo de la membrana
Como tarzan lleva a juana
Pajaro lindo Sun Sun
Vuela por la madrugada
Pajaro lindo Sun Sun
Que siga la rumba buena hasta mañana
Pajaro lindo Sun Sun
Que bueno cocina doña juana
Pajaro lindo Sun Sun
Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun
Te llama
Contigo contigo me quedo hasta mañana
Pajaro lindo tu no me engañas
Vuela por la madrugada
Pajaro pajaro pajaro
The lyrics of Tito Rodríguez's song Sun Sun Babae are joyful and playful, paying tribute to a beautiful bird that sings in the morning. The repeated phrase "Sun Sun Babae" seems to imitate the bird's chirping, creating a lively and catchy melody. The song celebrates the beauty of nature and the happiness that can be found in simple things like a bird's song.
In the first verse, the singer describes the bird as "lindo," or beautiful, and marvels at its early morning singing. The second verse compares the bird's flight to Tarzan's swinging, demonstrating the bird's grace and lightness. The chorus urges the bird to continue its joyful singing and dance, while the third and fourth verses describe the good cooking of "Doña Juana" and the singer's desire to stay with the bird until the morning.
Overall, the song's message is one of happiness and appreciation for life's small pleasures. The bird represents freedom, beauty, and the power of music to lift the spirit. The lyrics are simple but effective, capturing the essence of a joyful morning through the lens of a beautiful bird's song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Ba Ba ee
Repetitive call to the beloved bird at dawn.
Que Sun Sun Sun Sun Sun Ba Ba ee
Addressing the bird and calling for its attention.
Pajaro lindo de la madruga′
Beautiful bird of the early morning.
Que pajaro lindo de la madruga'
Reinforcing the beauty of the bird.
Parajo Lindo Sun Sun
Beautiful bird that brings joy and warmth to the heart.
Pajaro de la mañana
Bird of the morning, a symbol of new beginnings and opportunities.
Te llevo de la membrana
Carrying the bird in the heart, a feeling of affection and admiration.
Como tarzan lleva a juana
Comparing the joy of carrying the bird to the love and passion of Tarzan for Jane.
Vuela por la madrugada
The bird takes flight during the early hours of the day, exploring the world and experiencing life.
Que siga la rumba buena hasta mañana
The celebration of life continues all night long, until the break of dawn.
Que bueno cocina doña juana
Making reference to the delicious food that Doña Juana cooks, in anticipation of the joyous occasion.
Pajaro lindo Sun Sun
Repeating the beauty of the bird's name.
Te llama
Calling out to the bird, acknowledging its presence and importance.
Contigo contigo me quedo hasta mañana
Staying with the bird all night long, cherishing its presence and enjoying its company.
Pajaro lindo tu no me engañas
Affirming the faith and trust in the bird, and its pure intentions.
Vuela por la madrugada
Repeating the bird's activity of flying during dawn, and enjoying life's adventures.
Pajaro pajaro pajaro
Repeated call to the bird, expressing joy and happiness in its presence.
Writer(s): Rogelio Martinez
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lopz33
Un día como hoy, 13 de mayo de 2001, falleció en Nueva York, EEUU, el guitarrista, cantautor y director musical cubano Rogelio Martínez Díaz, el Gallego. Maestro, lo seguimos extrañando. 🎵🎸🎤✍️😢😢😢😢😢
@pixiescure66
Tremenda Version y a gozar que se formo el rumbon S A L S E R O
@chapinrey
Rumbon! salsa de 24 kilates... que viva la salsa! 💪💪🤗🤗
@ignaciobenavides4729
La mejor version
@CantaMiGallo
Dale! Dale Duro Boricua!!
@rafaelrodriguez1027
Muy bueno este trabajo de Tito Rodríguez quien además de músico participa como cantante junto a Sammy González Jr. El Canario no canta aquí. Gracias por ese tema Sebastián.
@jorgeluissantolalla2109
Buena version !!! con dos gotitas de Bogaloo !!! a gozar !!!!!!!!!!
@omaralfer
eres chingon para la music.
@JoseGomez-ys3zs
Superb cover!
@ElPoetaDelBarrioHaroldAguirre
AHHHH ESTO SI TIENE SABOR!