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.
Te Conozco
Willie Colón Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
no vengas con pugilatos,
que tu vienes cada rato
pidiendome una peseta,
te conozco bacalo
conmigo tú no te metas.
Yo te conozco bacalao
siempre que te veo me dices:
compadre estoy arrancao.
Conmigo tú no te metas
te conozco estás salao.
Tengo que cerrar las puertas
y ventanas de mi casa;
cuando te veo caminar
y pegadito la pasas.
Que muchacho tan incordio,
que tipo más agarrao.
Me tiene ya ta'cansao
te conozco bacalao.
Coro:
Te conozco bacalao
aunque vengas disfrazao.
The lyrics to Willie Colón's song Te Conozco, loosely translated to "I Know You," is an anthem about being able to see through a facade. The first line, "Yo te conozco bacalao," which means "I know you, codfish," is a colloquial phrase used to denote that someone knows the real you behind the mask you put on. The song continues with the singer telling the subject of the song not to bother trying to manipulate them because they know their tactics. The subject frequently asks for money and pretends to be down on their luck with phrases like "compadre estoy arrancao," which means "Friend, I'm down on my luck." Despite this, the singer does not fall for their tricks and warns them not to mess with them because they know who they really are.
The song is a commentary on the often cruel and manipulative nature of people, particularly those who try to deceive others. The hard-hitting lyrics and driving salsa beat make it an energetic and memorable song. Additionally, the use of "bacalao" as a metaphor adds a playful element to the song, as it is a common ingredient in many Latin American dishes.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo te conozco bacalao
I know you very well, you're a freeloader.
no vengas con pugilatos,
Don't come to me with your complaints.
que tu vienes cada rato
You come to me all the time.
pidiendome una peseta,
Asking me for money.
conmigo tú no te metas.
Don't mess with me, I won't tolerate it.
no trates de persuadirme,
Don't try to convince me.
siempre que te veo me dices:
Every time you see me, you tell me:
compadre estoy arrancao.
Friend, I'm broke.
te conozco estás salao.
I know you're unlucky.
Tengo que cerrar las puertas
I have to close my doors
y ventanas de mi casa;
And windows of my house
cuando te veo caminar
When I see you walking by
y pegadito la pasas.
And you're always sticking around me.
Que muchacho tan incordio,
What an annoying guy,
que tipo más agarrao.
What a tightwad.
Me tiene ya ta'cansao
You've exhausted my patience.
Te conozco bacalao.
I know you well, you're a freeloader.
Coro: Te conozco bacalao
Chorus: I know you well, you're a freeloader,
aunque vengas disfrazao.
Even if you come disguised.
Writer(s): Hector Perez
Contributed by Maya M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.