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.
Ghana'e
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata.
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata.
Tangui sarangui oromi,
Tangui sarangui oromi!
Tangui sarangui oromi!
Ghana′e ae,
Sansabarabaran
Matari ti gha'i
Sansabarabaran
Ghana′e ae
Sansabarabaran
Matari ti gha'i
Eh... LP
Eh... eh!
Ghana, e ae, Oh mamá
Matari ti gha'i y epa!
Sarababanda!
Ghana′e ae.
Oye que rico y es para ti mami, mami!
A ver que bueno en la punta′el pie tu vé.
Que Ghana'e que Ghana′e que Ghana'e ahi!
No me aguantes, no me aguantes, mujer, mujer.
"Sueltala que tengo ganas de boxear."
Oye que lindo, que lindo es para ti
Ae, ae, ae, ae, ae.
Ghana′e ae
The song "Ghana′e" by Willie Colón is a salsa song that incorporates African rhythms. The chorus "Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata" is a call-and-response chant that is commonly heard in African music. The song also features some Spanish lyrics, such as "Eh... LP" and "Sarababanda!".
The verses of the song tell a story about a man who is trying to impress a woman with his dance moves. He emphasizes the African influences in his dance style, singing "Tangui sarangui oromi" in the chorus. The line "Sueltala que tengo ganas de boxear" means "Let her go, I feel like boxing." This may suggest that the man is trying to steal the woman away from another man by showing off his dance skills.
Overall, "Ghana′e" is a lively and upbeat song that celebrates African music and dance. It also speaks to the universal experience of trying to impress someone we are interested in.
Line by Line Meaning
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata
Let's go! Let's go!
Tangui sarangui oromi,
The sound of the drums awakens me,
Ghana′e ae,
Let's have fun,
Sansabarabaran
And dance wildly
Matari ti gha'i
Until the morning sun rises
Eh... LP
LP represents the orchestra Los Perfectos
Ghana, e ae, Oh mamá
Let's have fun, oh mama
Sarababanda!
Let's go crazy!
Oye que rico y es para ti mami, mami!
Listen, it's all for you, baby!
A ver que bueno en la punta′el pie tu vé.
Show me your moves with your toes.
Que Ghana'e que Ghana′e que Ghana'e ahi!
Let's have some fun!
No me aguantes, no me aguantes, mujer, mujer.
Don't hold back, lady.
"Sueltala que tengo ganas de boxear."
"Let her go, I feel like boxing."
Oye que lindo, que lindo es para ti
Listen, how lovely is this for you.
Ghana′e ae
Let's have fun
Writer(s): Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe Perez
Contributed by Liliana F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robelkisespino7630
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata
iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata.
Iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata
iata a yo yooooooo! iata, iata.
Tangui sarangui oromi, tangui sarangui oromi!
tangui sarangui oromi, tangui sarangui oromi!
Ghana'e ae,
sansabarabaran
Matari ti gha'i
sansabarabaran
Ghana'e ae
sansabarabaran
Matari ti gha'i
Eh... LP
eh... eh!
Ghana,e ae, Oh mamá
Matari ti gha'i y epa!
~
Sarababanda!
Coro:
Ghana'e ae.
Oye que rico y es para ti mami, mami!
A ver que bueno en la punta'el pie tu vé.
Que Ghana'e que Ghana'e que Ghana'e ahi!
No me aguantes,no me aguantes, mujer, mujer.
"Sueltala que tengo ganas de boxear."
~
Oye que lindo, que lindo es para ti
Ae, ae, ae, ae, ae.
@M_fabian727-vv9vf
Yo fui para Nigeria un pais en África y le toque esta canción a estos africanos y bailaron y le puse más música afro boricua y también fui a las ciudades pobres de Nigeria y les toque esta canción.🇳🇬
@MrYosoy45
Mi infancia yo bailaba esa musica...nada de música infantil ni rondas...
@julioencarnacion6839
My mother played this album at home in Spanish Harlem, everyone loved it
@eduardopollerajara5136
Son tonos netamente Africanos... excelente para la edad que tenian Hector y Willie, no pasaban de los 20 años... grandes!!!
@carlosenriqueg.9756
Para 1971, Willie Colón ya contaba con 21 años y Héctor Pérez 25 años aproximadamente.
@marcialquinones5683
tienes razon son africanos esta es la segunda parte d che che cole
@gloriachinea5069
Y Que
@jamesgutierrez5114
Che che cole es un juego africano para niños.
@neftaliomarnunez5328
Tiene influencia africana, pero el ritmo es una bomba sicá de Puerto Rico.
@heribertodelgado2892
Tremenda música lo mejor de la salsa oye ese trombom de William colon