The family returned to Puerto Rico in 1971, and while seeking a degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, Wilkins decided to pursue a formal singing career, eventually doing it full-time. In 1973, Wilkins made his recording debut with an album titled "Wilkins" (produced by Tito Puente), which was followed in 1974 and in 1975 with the recordings of the albums "Por Tu Rumbo" (By your Path) and a second "Wilkins", respectively. The albums' successes were followed by several successful concerts, both in Puerto Rico and Latin America. Wilkins' music has also been popular in Germany and Japan. Wilkins became the first pop music performer to sing in the Luis A. Ferre Fine Arts Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which was only reserved for classical music performers.
In 1980, Wilkins released "Respiraré" (I will Breathe) which was named best recording of the year by ASCAP. He was twice named by Billboard and ASCAP as the singer and composer of the year. In 1988, Wilkins participated in the film "Salsa", as a homeless person, starring Robby Rosa alongside the likes of Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. In the movie, he sang the song "Margarita", which he composed and which is also included in his "Paraiso Perdido" album. "Margarita" became one his greatest "hits" and he won Gold Record Awards in Puerto Rico, Latin America, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Egypt, South Africa and the Philippines.
In 1989, a dance craze called the "Lambada" (The Forbidden Dance) spread across the world. Wilkins sang the Latin version of the song which became a huge success. In 1990, Wilkins included the "Lambada" in his new album titled "Una Historia Importante" (An Important Story).
In 1991, Wilkins' song "Sopa de Caracol" (Shell Soup), co-produced by Emilio Estefan, reached the German "Hit Parade List" and over 25,000 people attended a concert that he gave in Berlin, after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Wilkins suffered a personal tragedy when his young son died. He stayed away form the music world for three years. In 1995, he recorded "El Amor Es Mas Fuerte" (Love is Stronger) which won a "Tu Musica Award" as best album of the year. He was also awarded the Dominican Republic's Casandra Award that same year. He then made his official comeback with a sold-out concert at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the biggest concert and sports venue in Puerto Rico. That same year also won another Gold Record Award for the recording of "Wilkins-Leyenda", which consists of a set of four CDs with 70 songs. In the 1990s, he released several other successful albums such as "Pole-Pole" and held a concert in El Morro fortress in San Juan. In 2005, Wilkins released his 43rd album, "Tu Fan", recorded in Italy. Wilkins has won over 23 Gold Record and 10 Platinum Record Awards over the years.
In November 2006, Wilkins released a Greatest Hits collection, featuring a DVD with 17 music videos and five new songs, called "Disco de Oro: Cuatro Décadas de Éxitos y Cinco Nuevas Canciones".
Lambada
Wilkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Llorando tambien, hoy amor me vino a suplicar
Llorando estará
Recordando el amor que un dia no supo cuidar
Llorando estará
Recordando el amor que aquel dia no supo cuidar
En su corazon, vivo yo donde quiera que va
Es que en el amor, hay solo una vez y nada mas
El amor que no puede encontrar
Lambando estaré, al pensar que ese amor por un tiempo reinaba en mi ser
En su corazon, vivo yo donde quiera que va
Es que en el amor, hay solo una vez y nada mas
Llorando estará
Recordando el amor que un dia no supo cuidar
Canta ruiseñor
Melodías de amor a un instante que no vuelve mas
Sí!
Suelta la candela!
Wepa!
The song "Lambada" by Wilkins is about a person who is reminded of a past love. The lyrics begin with the singer acknowledging that the person who once made them cry is now crying themselves. The singer then notes that the former lover has come back to them, also crying and expressing regret for not taking better care of the love they once had. The person is shown to still be hurting and crying from the memories and regrets of the past.
The song then transitions to the singer proclaiming that they still live in the heart of their past love no matter where they go. They remind us that love only happens once and then proceed to explain how the person is dancing without a partner because they can't find the love that they lost. The singer then says they too are dancing to remember the love that once reigned in their heart.
The last part of the song has the singer encouraging the "nightingale" to sing melodies of love for the moments that have passed and will never come again. The song ends with the singer shouting "Wepa!" as if celebrating the emotions that are being expressed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Llorando se fue la que un dia me hiciera llorar
The one who made me cry once cried and left.
Llorando tambien, hoy amor me vino a suplicar
Love came to me today, begging while crying.
Llorando estará
She will be crying.
Recordando el amor que un dia no supo cuidar
Remembering the love she didn't know how to take care of.
En su corazon, vivo yo donde quiera que va
I live in her heart no matter where she goes.
Es que en el amor, hay solo una vez y nada mas
In love, there's only one time and nothing more.
Baila sin tener en sus brazos ya
She dances without holding the love she can't find.
El amor que no puede encontrar
The love she can't find.
Lambando estaré, al pensar que ese amor por un tiempo reinaba en mi ser
I'll be dancing lambada while remembering that love once ruled my being.
Canta ruiseñor
Sing, nightingale.
Melodías de amor a un instante que no vuelve mas
Melodies of love to a moment that's gone forever.
Sí!
Yes!
Suelta la candela!
Release the fire!
Wepa!
Yeah!
Writer(s): Gonzalo Hermosa, Chico Oliviera, Ulysses Hermosa
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@migdalialopez8639
Mi Wilkins 1970 fui a un concierto tuyo en el Complejo deportivo Salvador Dijols en Ponce PR,fue espectacular.Jamas olvidé como te entregas a tu público y tú humildad.Dios te bendiga
@manuelechevarria4924
Un caballero que ha luchado, sufrido en la vida pero como buen boricua sigue Palante. Bendiciones siempre. 🇵🇷
@sheylaruiz8457
Viendo y complaciendome con un grande,,,mi Wilkins bello,,dios bendiga tu enorme talento y te guarde por siempre,,,arriba puerto rico ❤️
@josealbertoaguero105
Orgullo para los Cordobeses, tenerlo aqui en nuestra tierra, gran artista...
@nildaportalatin4630
Mi ídolo musical. He sido su fan desde siempre . Lo amo y amo su música. Orgullo boricua . 💕
@albertleon3045
Wilkins orgullo de Puerto Rico Que Dios te bendiga siempre y que viva Puerto Rico
@emmanuelrodrigobueno6533
Pense que era de brasil?
@elvisduluc
En República Dominicana lo queremos mucho también, yo diría orgullo latino.
@carmenflores5646
@@emmanuelrodrigobueno6533 puertorriqueño
@elvisduluc
Yo de República Dominicana, 2022. Aún disfruto está hermosa canción.