Trombone player, composer, and bandleader, William Anthony Colón Román (bor… Read Full Bio ↴Trombone player, composer, and bandleader, William Anthony Colón Román (born Apr 28, 1950 in Bronx, NY, USA) was one of the pioneers of Latin American music. Despite initial criticism, Colón's album El Malo has become known as one of the first albums to feature the "New York Sound" that sparked a renewed interest in Latin music during the 1970s. Colón has been instrumental in the careers of such Latin musicians as Rubén Blades, who first sang with Colón's band in 1975, and Celia Cruz, for whom Colón has produced such albums as Only They Could Have Done This Album in 1977 and the highly successful duet album Celia & Willie in 1981. Colón has also produced albums for Ismael Miranda, Sophy, Soledad Bravo, and the late Hector Lavoe, who sang with his band in the early '70s. Inspired by the music of various cultures, Colón has recorded with such musicians as Puerto Rican cuatro player Yomo Toro and David Byrne. Colón's composition "Che Che Coli," adapted from a Ghanaian children's song, was used by Ntozake Shange in the musical play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. In addition to 11 Grammy nominations and one Grammy award, Colón has received a CHUBB fellowship from Yale University, the most prestigious award given by the Ivy League school. Colón ran for the United States Congress, representing New York's 17th Congressional District, in 1992.

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.

Caer En Gracia
Willie Colón Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Más vale caer en gracia que tratar se ser gracioso.
Pero si tienes dinero el ridículo importa poco.
Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
Que importa poco las imprudencias de don billete, cuando borracho sólo se expresa con palabrotas.
Según carlota por que es la moda de los burgueses.
Si yo lo hiciera me guindarían por las pelotas.
Mas vale caer en gracia que tratar de ser gracioso, pero si tienes dinero el ridículo importa poco.

Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
Que importa poco las aventuras de Lady luisa .
Cuando se acuesta con medio mundo paseando en en Suiza .
Según carlota son muchachachadas de juventud .
Si es mary luz me la guindarían de una cruz.
Mas vale caer en gracia que tratar de ser gracioso, pero si tienes dinero el ridículo importa poco.
Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
Que importa poco los ademanes de constantino.
Son muchos gestos que lo delatan en su interior .
Según carlota son los modales de un chico fino.
Si fuese yo ya me tratarían de mariposon.

Mas vale caer en gracia que tratar de ser gracioso
En un mundo de cemento la hipocresía nos vuelve locos.
Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciados.
Pa que no seas un bacalao salao salao salao
Más vale caer en gracia que tratar de ser gracioso.
En la hora del bochorno una moneda lo tapa todo.
Más vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
Pa que no seas un bacalao salao don bacalao tres bacalao cuatro bacalao salao

Ponte en un billete y tu verás el jala jala pa quí
Ponte en un billete y tu verás el jala jala pa allá .
Ponte en un billete y tu verás que todo sale a tus pasos.
Ponte en un billete y tu verás
Ponte duro y veras
Ponte en un billete y tu verás que no serás prisionero.
Ponte en un billete y tu verás

Todos te quieren saludar.
Ponte en un billete y tu verás jala jala jala ... (bis)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Willie Colón's song "Caer En Gracia" explore the concept of societal acceptance and the influence of wealth. The first verse states, "It's better to be well-liked than to try to be funny. But if you have money, the ridicule doesn't matter." This suggests that being in favor with others and gaining their approval is more valuable than attempting to be humorous. However, having financial resources gives someone a certain level of power and influence, making them less vulnerable to criticism.

The second verse continues this theme, emphasizing the importance of being in favor with others to avoid unhappiness. It states, "It's better to be in grace to not be unfortunate. But if you have money, the world is on your side." This implies that being well-liked and accepted by society can protect one from misery, but wealth can also shield individuals from negative consequences and grant them advantages.

The following verses highlight the reckless behavior of those who have money and the acceptance they receive despite their actions. The lyrics mention the imprudences of "don billete" (Mr. Money) when he is drunk, expressing himself with vulgar language. This behavior is justified by Carlota as it supposedly follows the trends of the bourgeoisie. However, the lyrics suggest that if the singer were to behave in the same way, they would face severe consequences.

Similarly, the lyrics mention the adventures of Lady Luisa, who engages with many partners and travels to Switzerland. These actions are dismissed by Carlota as youthful foolishness, but if it were the singer, they would be harshly judged. The lyrics depict a double standard where those with money are often excused and accepted despite their indiscretions.

The final verses emphasize the impact of money on social acceptance and freedom. It states, "It's better to be in grace than to try to be funny. In a world of cement, hypocrisy makes us crazy." The lyrics suggest that societal norms and hypocrisy can drive people to prioritize gaining acceptance rather than expressing their true selves. However, having money can provide a shield against judgment and allow one to avoid being labeled as unfortunate or salty codfish (bacalao salao).

The repetitive chorus encourages the listener to place themselves in a bill (money) to experience the benefits it brings. It implies that by being in a position of financial power, individuals can attract attention, receive respect, and avoid becoming trapped. The phrase "jala jala" suggests a sense of pulling or attracting positive outcomes and experiences.

Overall, the lyrics of "Caer En Gracia" shed light on the dynamics of acceptance, wealth, and societal judgment. It portrays a world where being in grace with others and having money provide advantages, protect from consequences, and dictate social standing.

Line by Line Meaning

Más vale caer en gracia que tratar se ser gracioso.
It is better to be well-liked than to try to be funny.

Pero si tienes dinero el ridículo importa poco.
But if you have money, you don't care about looking ridiculous.

Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
It is better to be well-liked to avoid being miserable.

Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
But if you have money, the world is on your side.

Que importa poco las imprudencias de don billete, cuando borracho sólo se expresa con palabrotas.
It doesn't matter much the recklessness of Mr. Money, when he only speaks with profanity when drunk.

Según carlota por que es la moda de los burgueses.
According to Carlota, it's because it's the fashion of the bourgeois.

Si yo lo hiciera me guindarían por las pelotas.
If I did it, they would hang me by my balls.

Que importa poco las aventuras de Lady luisa.
It doesn't matter much the adventures of Lady Luisa.

Cuando se acuesta con medio mundo paseando en Suiza.
When she sleeps with half the world while strolling in Switzerland.

Según carlota son muchachachadas de juventud.
According to Carlota, they're youthful nonsense.

Si es mary luz me la guindarían de una cruz.
If it's Mary Luz, they would hang her on a cross.

Que importa poco los ademanes de constantino.
It doesn't matter much the gestures of Constantino.

Son muchos gestos que lo delatan en su interior.
They are many gestures that give him away inside.

Según carlota son los modales de un chico fino.
According to Carlota, they are the manners of a sophisticated boy.

Si fuese yo ya me tratarían de mariposon.
If it were me, they would already call me a playboy.

Mas vale caer en gracia que tratar de ser gracioso, pero si tienes dinero el ridículo importa poco.
It is better to be well-liked than to try to be funny, but if you have money, you don't care about looking ridiculous.

Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
It is better to be well-liked to avoid being miserable.

Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
But if you have money, the world is on your side.

Que importa poco las imprudencias de don billete, cuando borracho sólo se expresa con palabrotas.
It doesn't matter much the recklessness of Mr. Money, when he only speaks with profanity when drunk.

Mas vale caer en gracia para no ser desgraciado.
It is better to be well-liked to avoid being miserable.

Pero si tienes dinero el mundo está de tu lado.
But if you have money, the world is on your side.

Que importa poco las aventuras de Lady luisa.
It doesn't matter much the adventures of Lady Luisa.

Cuando se acuesta con medio mundo paseando en en Suiza.
When she sleeps with half the world while strolling in Switzerland.