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.
Oh Que Sera
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No se puede negar la existencia de algo palpado por mas etereo que
Sea no hace falta exhibir una prueba de decencia de aquello que es tan verdadero
El único gesto es creer o no
Algunas veces hasta creer llorando
Se trata de un tema incompleto porque le falta respuesta
Respuesta que alguno de ustedes, quizás, le pueda dar
Para todos nosotros, amén
Oh, qué sera, qué sera
Que anda suspirando por las alcobas
Que se oye susurrando en versos de trova
Que anda combinandonos preguntas locas
Que anda en las cabezas, anda en las bocas
Que anda ascendiendo por hartos huecos
Que están hablando alto en la bodega
Y grita en el mercado, qué cosa es esa?
Es la naturaleza, sera, que sera
Que no tiene certeza y nunca te da
Que no tiene concepto, y nunca tendra
Que no tiene tamaño
Oh, qué sera, qué sera
Que vive en las ideas de esos amantes
Que cantan los poetas mas delirantes
Que juran los profetas emborrachados
Esta en la romería de los mutilados
Esta en la fantasia de los infelices
Esta en el día a día de las meretrices
En todos los bandidos y desvalidos
En todos sus sentidos, sera qué sera
Que no tiene decencia y nunca tendra
Que no tiene censura y nunca tendra
Y le falta sentido
Oh, qué sera, qué sera
Que ningún aviso podrá evitar
Que tampoco los presos puedan desafiar
Que todos los caminos tendrán que cruzar
Donde todos los signos van a consagrar
Y todos los niñitos a investigar
Y todos los destinos van a encontrar
Y el mismo padre eterno que nunca fue alla
Al hombre nuevamente lo bendeciran
Apagando al infierno su llama final
Porque no tiene caso volver a rodar
Por la falta de juicio
Oh, qué sera
Oh, qué sera
Oh, qué sera
Que jura el profeta, canta el poeta
Y están gritando en la maqueta
Oh, qué sera
Que me despierta por la noche
Y me hace temblar, me hace llorar
(Oh, qué sera)
Son fantasmas, somos fantasmas
Siento la puerta tocar tres veces
Oh, qué sera
Van suspirando por las alcobas
Y susurrando versos de trova
Ponte a escuchar!
(Oh, qué sera)
No tiene tamaño, y es naturaleza
Anda en las bocas y en las cabezas
(Oh, qué sera)
Todos los niñitos lo investigaran
Y ningún aviso lo podrá evitar
(Oh, qué sera)
En toda campana repicara
Y el que esta dormido despertara
(Oh, qué sera)
Son fantasmas, somos fantasmas
Siento la puerta tocar tres veces
Oh qué sera!
The song "Oh Que Sera" by Willie Colón is a contemplation on the elusive and intangible nature of love, and the quest to understand it. The song begins by acknowledging that there are many things in life that we believe in without having seen, and that love is one of those things. The lyrics suggest that love is something that cannot be proven, but rather must be believed in or not, and that sometimes even believing in it can bring tears.
The chorus of the song, "Oh Que Sera," poses the question of what love really is, and suggests that it is something that is constantly on people's minds, whispered in lovers' verses, and asked in strange questions. The following verses describe love as something that exists in the ideas of poets and prophets, in the fantasies of the unhappy, in the daily lives of prostitutes and bandits, and that it is something that all children will investigate and all destinies will ultimately find. The song ends on a note of uncertainty, with the repetition of the line "oh, qué será" suggesting that the question of what love is will remain unanswered.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo creo en muchas cosas que no he visto, y ustedes también, lo sé
There are many things that we believe in, even if we haven't experienced them firsthand. It's something that we know to be true.
No se puede negar la existencia de algo palpado por mas etereo que sea no hace falta exhibir una prueba de decencia de aquello que es tan verdadero
Something doesn't need to have physical proof in order to exist. It's true even without evidence to prove it.
El único gesto es creer o no
The only thing that matters is whether or not you believe in something. Your belief is what gives something meaning.
Algunas veces hasta creer llorando
Sometimes we believe in something so strongly that it moves us to tears. Our emotions are tied to our beliefs.
Se trata de un tema incompleto porque le falta respuesta
This song deals with an incomplete topic because it's asking a question that doesn't have a clear answer.
Respuesta que alguno de ustedes, quizás, le pueda dar
The answer to this question may be something that someone listening can provide. Everyone has their own interpretation of what this might be.
Es un tema en technicolor para hacer algo util del amor
This song is meant to explore the many facets of love and give it a deeper meaning.
Para todos nosotros, amén
This is a song meant for everyone, and has a deeper spiritual significance.
Oh, qué sera, qué sera
What is the elusive thing that we all long for?
Que anda suspirando por las alcobas
It's something that can be felt in intimate spaces, where people yearn for it.
Que se oye susurrando en versos de trova
It's something that can be heard in music and poetry, where the words hint at its existence.
Que anda combinandonos preguntas locas
It's something that inspires us to ask strange questions and explore the unknown.
Que anda en las cabezas, anda en las bocas
It's something that occupies our thoughts and conversations, always on the tip of our tongues.
Que anda ascendiendo por hartos huecos
It's something that can rise up from unexpected places, and fill the gaps in our lives.
Que están hablando alto en la bodega
It's something that can be heard even in the noisiest of places, calling out to us.
Y grita en el mercado, qué cosa es esa?
It's something that demands our attention, and makes us question what it is.
Es la naturaleza, sera, que sera
This elusive thing is part of nature, and its existence can't be questioned or denied.
Que no tiene certeza y nunca te da
It's something that can't be defined or explained, and its existence is never guaranteed.
Que no tiene concepto, y nunca tendra
It can't be put into words or given a clear definition. Its essence will always remain a mystery.
Que no tiene tamaño
This elusive thing can't be measured or quantified.
Que vive en las ideas de esos amantes
It's something that is felt strongly by those who are in love, and inspires them to create and share their ideas.
Que cantan los poetas mas delirantes
It's something that inspires poets to create their most extravagant and imaginative works.
Que juran los profetas emborrachados
It's something that drives even the most unlikely people to proclaim its existence, even if they're not entirely lucid.
Esta en la romería de los mutilados
It's something that can be found even in moments of great tragedy, and helps people to persevere.
Esta en la fantasia de los infelices
It's something that gives hope and inspiration to those who are unhappy or struggling.
Esta en el día a día de las meretrices
It can even be found in the mundane or unremarkable moments of life, and may offer unexpected pleasures.
En todos los bandidos y desvalidos
It's something that unites all people, regardless of their social status or background.
En todos sus sentidos, sera qué sera
It's something that appeals to all of our senses, and is experienced in different ways by different people.
Que no tiene decencia y nunca tendra
It's something that can be both beautiful and ugly, and defies easy categorization.
Que no tiene censura y nunca tendra
It's something that can be both taboo and celebrated, and its expression can never be fully controlled.
Y le falta sentido
Its existence may defy rational explanation, and not everyone will understand or accept it.
Que ningún aviso podrá evitar
Its arrival may be sudden and unexpected, and there's no way to predict when or where it will appear.
Que tampoco los presos puedan desafiar
It's something that can't be contained or controlled, even by those who are imprisoned or oppressed.
Que todos los caminos tendrán que cruzar
At some point, everyone will experience its influence, whether they're ready for it or not.
Donde todos los signos van a consagrar
Its presence validates the many different signs and symbols that have been associated with it throughout history.
Y todos los niñitos a investigar
Even children will sense its presence, and may begin to ask questions and search for answers.
Y todos los destinos van a encontrar
Its impact can be felt in every aspect of life, and will help shape each person's individual destiny.
Y el mismo padre eterno que nunca fue alla
This elusive thing is even beyond the reach of a higher power, and exists independently of human attempts to understand it.
Al hombre nuevamente lo bendeciran
Its impact will ultimately be positive, and will be seen as a blessing to humanity.
Apagando al infierno su llama final
The influence of this elusive thing will even reach into the darkest corners of the world, and help to extinguish the flames of hellish suffering.
Porque no tiene caso volver a rodar
Its presence will bring a sense of stability and grounding to life, and allow people to stop feeling like they're just endlessly spinning.
No tiene tamaño, y es naturaleza
This elusive thing is an intangible part of nature, and exists on a level beyond the physical world.
Anda en las bocas y en las cabezas
Its presence can be felt in the words we speak and the thoughts we hold, even if we can't fully articulate its existence to others.
Todos los niñitos lo investigaran
Even the youngest among us will be drawn to explore this elusive thing and try to understand its meaning.
Y ningún aviso lo podrá evitar
Its arrival can't be predicted or prevented through any means, and it will ultimately make its presence known.
En toda campana repicara
The influence of this elusive thing will extend to all parts of society, and will be heard by everyone.
Y el que esta dormido despertara
Even those who are currently unaware of its presence will be awakened to its influence, and will begin to experience its impact.
Son fantasmas, somos fantasmas
Our understanding of this elusive thing is often elusive and ephemeral, like a ghostly presence that we can't quite grasp.
Siento la puerta tocar tres veces
We may feel its presence through strange and unexplainable occurrences, like the sound of a door opening and closing three times in a row.
Van suspirando por las alcobas
Its presence can be felt in the intimate moments between lovers, where they long for something deeper and more meaningful.
Y susurrando versos de trova
The words of poets and musicians can hint at its presence, giving voice to something that can't be fully explained.
Ponte a escuchar!
Take the time to listen closely and try to understand the deeper meanings of this elusive thing that we all long for.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Francisco de Hollanda Buarque
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind