Starting to play the trumpet at the age of 12, Colón switched to the trombone two years later. Making his recording debut in 1967, for Al Santiago's Futura label, Colón became a victim of misfortune when the label folded. Colón was much more successful when he signed with Johnny Pacheco's Fania label. When his vocalist failed to make Colón's first session for the label, Pacheco suggested Hector Lavoe as a replacement. The collaboration proved fruitful when two singles from Colón's first two albums (El Malo, Guisando) — "Jazzy" and "I Wish I Had a Watermelon" — became hits. Lavoe remained a vital member of Colón's band until the mid-'70s when an increased drug addiction caused him to miss or show up late for several gigs. Although their partnership formally ended in 1975, Colón and Lavoe continued to work together. Lavoe's last album, Strikes Back, released in 1987, was produced by Colón.
In 1975, Colón balanced his schedule as director of the Latin Jazz All Stars with studies in music theory, composition, and orchestration. His increased knowledge paid off quickly. In 1978, Colón was named Musician, Producer, and Trombone Player of the Year in a readers poll conducted by Latin New York. Three years later, he received an award as Musician of the Year and his album Fantasmas was named Album of the Year. Colón continued to garner acclaim when his album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos received a Grammy award in 1982.
Although they met backstage before a concert in Panama in 1969, Colón and Blades didn't begin collaborating until five years later. While working on the album The Good-The Bad-The Ugly, Colón asked Blades to sing on the Blades-penned tune "El Cazanguero," which reflected on Blades' experiences as a law student working in a Panamanian prison. The session was so satisfying that Blades became a full-time member of Colón's band following the departure of Lavoe. Their 1978 album Siembra became the top-selling album in Fania's catalog. Despite their success, Blades severely quarreled with label president Jerry Mascucci over money. Although Colón recorded two solo albums — El Baquine de Angelitos Negros in 1977 and Solo in 1979 — and Blades recorded a solo album, Maestra Vida, in 1980, their solo work failed to match the commercial success of their joint efforts.
In 1981, the two musicians resumed their partnership with Blades playing coro on Colón's solo album Fantasmas. The following year, they collaborated on the Grammy-winning album Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos, which yielded the hits singles "Tiburon," "Ligia Elena," and "Te Estan Buscando." Their partnership again proved short-lived as Colón and Blades split up after working on the film The Last Fight. The split was far from amiable and the two musicians continued to feud until reuniting for a concert at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan in March 1992. Despite collaborating on the album Tras la Tormenta in 1995, Colón and Blades recorded their parts separately. Following a reunion concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1997, Colón and Blades performed a series of concerts together.
In the late '80s, Colón formed a new band, Legal Aliens, with younger musicians. Signing with Sony, Colón and the band recorded Color Americano in 1990 and Honra y Cultura in 1991. Two years later, Colón recorded Hecho en Puerto Rico with an all-star band featuring ex-members of the Fania All-Stars, Papo Lucca and Bobby Valentin. Since leaving Sony over a lack of promotional support, Colón continued to remain active.
Asi es la vida
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asi es la vida
Coro:
Que va,
que va,
no cambiara
Que va,
eso no se quita
La mujer de Bienvenido
usa trajes con angulos,
cada vez que ella pasa
todos le admiran el cuerpo
problemas tras fujilato
y ayer todo quedo resuelto
a las cuatro de la maa±ana
al pobre lo encontraron muerto
Coro:
Que va,
que va,
no cambiara
Que va,
que va,
eso no se quita (2 veces)
el hijo del bodeguero
esta raro, flaco, demasiado
dicen lo que esta de moda
que el nia±o esta traqueteando
oiga Don Luis cuida a su hijo
que el vicio se lo esta volando
y ahorita los camarones a su hijo lo andan buscando
Coro:
Que va,
que va,
no cambiara
Que va,
que va,
eso no se quita
Que va,
que va,
no cambiara
Que va,
que va,
eso no se quita
Asi es la vida,
Asi es la vida
por mas que trates
nunca se quita
Asi es la vida,
Asi es la vida
por mas que trates
nunca
[Hierro!]
Coro:
Hay que llorar y reir, la vida es asi--
Para uno la vida es amargura y para el otro canela y anis.
La vida es una tombola tombola tom tom tombola
La vida es una tombola tom tom tombola
No me debes na', no te debo na'
dejamos la cosa asi
Paciencia que el camino es largo,
eso yo lo comprendi
coro:
asi es la vida
asi es la vida...
.....
Azucar..
Defiende lo tuyo primero,
cuidate del compaa±ero
No me debes na', no te debo na'
dejamos la cosa asi
Problemas y fujilatos,
siempre los resuelvo a tiempo
Por eso vivo la vida,
alegre, feliz, contento..
el que quiere, la vida lo lleva...
y el que no... Lo arrastra
The lyrics of Willie Colón's "Asi Es La Vida" present a commentary on the cyclical nature of life's struggles and challenges. The opening line of the song, "Ni hablar compay, asi es la vida" ("Don't even talk about it, that's how life is") sets the stage for an honest depiction of the ups and downs of daily existence. The song features two stories of individuals facing difficult circumstances, including the woman of Bienvenido who is admired for her appearance and the son of the bodeguero who is struggling with addiction. The chorus repeats the idea that "that's how it is" and "it won't change," highlighting the inevitability of life's challenges.
The song also contains a message of resilience and acceptance. The lyrics acknowledge that life can be both bitter and sweet, with some experiencing "cinnamon and anise" while others are stuck in hardship. However, the song encourages listeners to defend what is theirs and look out for themselves, while also having patience and enjoying life's joys when they come. Ultimately, "Asi Es La Vida" provides a poignant commentary on the universality of human struggle and the importance of perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Ni hablar compay, Asi es la vida
Sometimes there's nothing to say, life is just the way it is
Que va, que va, no cambiara
No matter what, things will always stay the same
Que va, que va, eso no se quita
No matter what, that won't go away
La mujer de Bienvenido usa trajes con angulos, cada vez que ella pasa todos le admiran el cuerpo problemas tras fujilato y ayer todo quedo resuelto a las cuatro de la maa±ana al pobre lo encontraron muerto
Bienvenido's wife wears form-fitting clothes that display her body, but she was the cause of Fujilato's problems which were resolved when he was found dead at four in the morning
el hijo del bodeguero esta raro, flaco, demasiado dicen lo que esta de moda que el nia±o esta traqueteando oiga Don Luis cuida a su hijo que el vicio se lo esta volando y ahorita los camarones a su hijo lo andan buscando
The son of the grocer is acting strangely and has lost weight, there are rumors that he's involved in drugs so Don Luis is warned to watch him before he gets caught up in it
Asi es la vida, Asi es la vida por mas que trates nunca se quita
That's life, no matter how hard you try, some things never change
Hay que llorar y reir, la vida es asi--Para uno la vida es amargura y para el otro canela y anis. La vida es una tombola tombola tom tom tombola La vida es una tombola tom tom tombola
In life there are ups and downs, what may be bitter to one person could be sweet to another, life is a game of chance
No me debes na', no te debo na' dejamos la cosa asi Paciencia que el camino es largo, eso yo lo comprendi
We don't owe each other anything, let's leave it that way, I know that patience is key on this long road
Defiende lo tuyo primero, cuidate del compaa±ero
Protect what is yours first, be mindful of those around you
Problemas y fujilatos, siempre los resuelvo a tiempo Por eso vivo la vida, alegre, feliz, contento.. el que quiere, la vida lo lleva... y el que no... Lo arrastra
I always solve my problems on time, and that's why I enjoy life, happy and content. Those who want to succeed do so, but those who don't, they're dragged along by life
Contributed by Dominic O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
José Luis Hernández C.
Este álbum me lo regaló un gran amigo en el año 1.990 y quien iba a pensar que ese gran regalo fuera la última vez que lo veía en vida, porque luego empezó a complicarse y le detectaron cáncer de pulmón y murió en enero de 1.991. Gracias Alexis Escalona, donde quiera que esté, mantengo este álbum como si fuera la primera vez.
Marcos Cobeña Gamarra
Esto si se llama música lo demás es cuento pulgar arriba y seguir disfrutando por los siglos de los siglos
Richard Malqui Rios
Tremendo tema del maestro Willie Colón un gran mensaje para uno la vida es amargura para otros que les vaya bien, Defiende lo tuyo Primero cuídate del Compañero, La vida es una tómbola para unos con suerte y para otros ni hablar Azúcar Saludos desde Laredo tierra azucarera de grandes trabajadores ahiiii felicitaciones
Karen Villa Villa
querido willy todos tus éxitos son hermosos tu voz inigualable única esa no vuelve más
Miguel Bajonero
Willie Colón, quién compusiera la salsa más hermosa de todo los tiempos, "CHINA CUBANA". Maestro!!!
Jorge Succart musical
Willie,la música para hecha con las manos prodigiosas y bendecidos con talento,es un regalo de Dios con el fin de armonizar entre músicos y el sabor del pueblo en sus melodías... gracias Willie estás en primer lugar para mí, en salsa.
Elian Barcia
Grande Willie, desde Guayaquil - Ecuador♡
Mati Kush
Toda mi infancia escuchando estos temas
Alexis Maldonado
Gracias por todo willy colon 🙌
Israel Bañuelos flores
Son canciones de adeveras con sentido del maestro wuilie colon que nunca pasaran parese que son deñ momento no como los generos echisos y tan faltosos de esta epoca