Pacheco created an image for Willie that was one of a bad boy, gangsterish, thug. The image caught on and was embraced by the public. In 1967 Hector and Willie recorded their first album for Fania, El Malo. Willie's band was young; mostly teenagers. They had a new sound and Hector in addition to being a great talent, was very charismatic. Audiences loved him. Hector was comical in his repartee with the audience and within his improvisations.
Colon gave Hector the option of keeping the musicians together. With a commitment from Jose Mangual Jr., a percussionist with the band, to keep the orchestra in tact, Hector launched his solo career. Willie Colon who dearly loved Hector despite his shortcomings would produce Hector's first album as a solo artist and many others. Their friendship and love never wavered.
Hector was introduced to drugs at a party. According to his own account there was a bowl of drugs on the table and he indulged along with others at the party. He became enamoured with the drugs (heroine) and was soon addicted. His drug abuse began seeping into his professional career. Hector began demonstrating irresponsible behavior. He would arrive to performances late. His adoring fans were happy so long as he arrived. They adored him and forgave him always. At his worst, he might not show at all. At other times, he might insult his band members or the audience.
Che Che Cole
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Al estilo Africano
Si no lo sabes bailar
Yo te enseñaré mi hermano
A ti te gusta la bomba
Y te gusta el baquiné
Para que goces ahora
Che che colé, (que bueno e')
Che che cofriza (muerto e' la risa)
Coqui saranga (ay viene la malanga)
Caca chilanga (viene de catanga)
Ayeiye, (a ver e' tu lo ve)
Che che colé, (que bueno e')
Che che cofriza, (muerto e' la risa)
Coqui saranga, (coqui saranga)
Caca chilanga, (caca chilanga)
Ayeiye, (a ver e' tu lo ve)
Oye tú sentado allá
Pareces venezolano
Ven aquí vamo' a bailar
Que todos somos hermanos
Lo bailan en Venezuela
Lo bailan en Panamá
Este ritmo es africano
Y donde quiera va' acabar
Che che colé
Che che cofriza
Coqui saranga
Caca chilanga
Ayeiye,
Che che colé
Che che cofriza
Coqui saranga
Caca chilanga
Ya yo sé que te gustó
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
Báilalo en la punta del pie
Y veras que bueno es
Ya yo sé que te gustó
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
Pues ponte bien los zapatos
Que los tienes al revés
Che che colé (que bueno e')
Che che cofriza (muerto e' la risa)
Coqui saranga (ay viene la malanga)
Caca chilanga (viene de catanga)
Ayeiye, (a ver e' tu lo ve)
Che che colé, (que bueno e')
Che che cofriza (muerto e' la risa)
Coqui saranga (ay viene la malanga)
Caca chilanga (viene de catanga)
Ayeiye, (a ver e' tu lo ve)
The lyrics of Willie Colón's Che Che Cole invites everyone to dance in the African style, with the singer offering to teach anyone who doesn't know how to dance. The song highlights the African influence on Latin American music, with references to the bomba and baquiné, which are Puerto Rican and Panamanian dance styles, respectively, but have African roots. The song encourages people from different countries and backgrounds to come together and dance as one, emphasizing the similarities between people from different places.
The repeated phrases "che che colé" and "che che cofriza" don't have any specific meaning, but they serve as a call-and-response between the singer and the audience, creating a chant-like quality to the song. The use of words like "coqui saranga" and "caca chilanga" adds to the rhythmic and playful nature of the song. Overall, Che Che Cole is a celebration of African roots in Latin American music and the joy of dancing together.
Line by Line Meaning
Vamos todos a bailar
Let's all go out and dance
Al estilo Africano
In the African style
Si no lo sabes bailar
If you don't know how to dance it
Yo te enseñaré mi hermano
I'll teach you, my brother
A ti te gusta la bomba
You like the bomba
Y te gusta el baquiné
And you like the baquine
Para que goces ahora
So you can enjoy it now
Africano es el bembé
The bembé is African
Che che colé, (que bueno e')
Che Che Colé, (how good it is)
Che che cofriza (muerto e' la risa)
Che Che Cofriza (death to laughter)
Coqui saranga (ay viene la malanga)
Coqui Saranga (here comes the malanga)
Caca chilanga (viene de catanga)
Caca Chilanga (comes from Catanga)
Ayeiye, (a ver e' tu lo ve)
Ayeiye, (let's see you do it)
Oye tú sentado allá
Hey you, sitting over there
Pareces venezolano
You look Venezuelan
Ven aquí vamo' a bailar
Come here, let's dance
Que todos somos hermanos
Because we are all brothers
Lo bailan en Venezuela
They dance it in Venezuela
Lo bailan en Panamá
They dance it in Panama
Este ritmo es africano
This rhythm is African
Y donde quiera va' acabar
And it will end up everywhere
Ya yo sé que te gustó
I already know you liked it
Quieres bailarlo otra vez
You want to dance it again
Báilalo en la punta del pie
Dance it on the tips of your toes
Y veras que bueno es
And you'll see how good it is
Pues ponte bien los zapatos
So put on your shoes properly
Que los tienes al revés
Because you have them on backwards
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Willie Colon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@isaacfrimpongopuni7754
Kye kye kule in the chorus is a song sung by Ghanaian 🇬🇭children when they're playing, possibly where Hector borrows his inspiration for this song. Respect to Hector, love his songs and melodies.
@lahurak
beautiful mix of cultures!
@oscararciniega3840
Haciéndole un homenaje a mi viejo que ya no está conmigo, él me contó que le tocó ir a ver a Héctor Lavoe, esto en Villa del mar en Veracruz México. Que afortunado fue, porque ahí conoció a mi mamá.
@ninoskatorres4707
afortunado de conocer a tu mama y al gran hector lavoe.
@angelicagamboa1524
Esto si es música para gozar!!!! Colombia 🇨🇴 y Latinoamerica lo mejor!!!
@danteneira4253
Héctor Lavoe no morirá jamás... junto a otro inmortal como Willie Colón nos dieron maravillosas canciones. Agradezco a Dios, haber cursado la secundaria en los 70'. Es difícel decir, qué canción es la mejor... para mí es Ah, Ah, No. Gracias por estos videos
@ioio8687
Mucha gente no aprecia ni conoce nuestro legado Afro Antillano. Gran homenaje a nuestras raices.
@sion294
"Oye tú sentado allá
pareces venezolano.
Ven aquí vamo' a bailar
que todos somos hermanos"
Un mensaje que por estos tiempos urge comprender por todos...
@yorgesarias.4926
"Lo bailan en Venezuela... "
@massiel_ss4
"Lo bailan en Panamá 🇵🇦 ..."