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.
Que Lio
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En el que me encuentro yo
Decía Ramón Puntilla
Cuando a su mama llamó
Tengo un pollo sabrosito
Con el que quiero casarme
Pero acaban de informarme
Porque, es novia de mi amigo
Y eso sí da que pensar
Odio a todos los que aman
Y que felices están
Porque yo, no puedo tener
Un amorcito que me comprenda
Y que me diga papi
Y que me quiera bien (mami)
Dios mío ayúdame, quiero olvidar
Ayúdame, ayúdame
Ayúdame a olvidarla, te lo pido
Ayúdame
Ay, que yo la quiero tanto
Y no, y no la quiero perder
Qué problema con Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
Y yo que me la pasaba gozando
De la noche a la mañana
Qué problema con Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
Ramón Puntilla la quería
Ramón Puntilla gritaba
Qué problema con mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
Ayúdame, ayúdame, ayúdame
Ayúdame a olvidarla
Qué problema con Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
Y se pasaba prendiendo velitas
Toditita la mañana
Qué problema con Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
Fuera willie
Que lió, hee
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chico, chico
Que lió, hee
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chigo, chigo
Que lió, hee
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chico, chico
Que lió, hee
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chico, chico
Qué problema con Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
The song "Que lio" by Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe tells the story of a man who is in love with a woman named Mariana, but his friend is already dating her. The lyrics express the man's frustration and difficulty in finding love and being understood by another person. He is asking for God's help in forgetting about Mariana, but at the same time, he cannot stand seeing others in happy relationships. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Qué lio" (what a mess), emphasizing the complicated situation that the man finds himself in.
The song also references the singer's friend, Ramón Puntilla, who is in love with his own mother. This adds to the overall theme of love and relationships being difficult and complicated. The lyrics are accompanied by upbeat salsa music, giving the song a lively and energetic feel.
Overall, "Que lio" is a story of unrequited love, jealousy, and the struggle to find true connection with another person. The catchy music and passionate vocals of Hector Lavoe make it a beloved classic in Latin American music.
Line by Line Meaning
Qué problema, caballero
What a problem, sir
En el que me encuentro yo
The one I find myself in
Decía Ramón Puntilla
Ramón Puntilla used to say
Cuando a su mama llamó
When he called his mom
Tengo un pollo sabrosito
I have a tasty chick
Con el que quiero casarme
I want to marry her
Pero acaban de informarme
But they just informed me
Que no, que no me puedo casar
That no, I cannot marry her
Porque, es novia de mi amigo
Because she is my friend's girlfriend
Y eso sí da que pensar
And that really makes me think
Odio a todos los que aman
I hate everyone who loves
Y que felices están
And are happy about it
Porque yo, no puedo tener
Because I cannot have
Un amorcito que me comprenda
A little love that understands me
Y que me diga papi
And calls me daddy
Y que me quiera bien (mami)
And loves me so much (mommy)
Dios mío ayúdame, quiero olvidar
My God help me, I want to forget
Ayúdame, ayúdame
Help me, help me
Ayúdame a olvidarla, te lo pido
Help me forget her, I beg you
Ay, que yo la quiero tanto
Oh, I love her so much
Y no, y no la quiero perder
And I don't want to lose her
Qué problema con Mariana
What a problem with Mariana
El que se encontró mi pana
That my buddy found
Y yo que me la pasaba gozando
And I was enjoying myself
De la noche a la mañana
From one day to another
Ramón Puntilla la quería
Ramón Puntilla loved her
Ramón Puntilla gritaba
Ramón Puntilla yelled
Ayúdame, ayúdame, ayúdame
Help me, help me, help me
Y se pasaba prendiendo velitas
He spent his time lighting candles
Toditita la mañana
All morning long
Fuera willie
Get out Willie
Que lió, hee
What a mess, hey
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chico, chico
Boy, boy, boy, boy, boy, boy
Que lió, hee
What a mess, hey
Chico, chico, chico, chico, chico, chico
Boy, boy, boy, boy, boy, boy
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Willie Colon, Joe Cuba, Hector Lavoe Perez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beloved3354
As a black man in America this touches my soul!!
@lightbringer3304
Same here brother... This is the jam here...
@juancordova4549
Nigeria realy
@MrFrostedtips
As a ginger man in Ireland this also touches my soul! One love.
@maximusjimenez490
The song is abt a dude in love with his best friends girl what that gotta do with that no offense😭
@ayaxordre2014
As a gypsy in Spain this touches mine too
@j.cardenas4576
Otra vez estoy aquí, de nuevo con el corazón partío y con una decepción tremenda, gracias a mi padre por enseñarme al Gran Héctor Lavoe, no me veo desahogandome con la música de esta época :(
@juanbarrera2878
Fuerzas bro
@djyucra3482
La vida sigue hermano
@JiBvriToO
Así nos curamos... lo q tenga q pasar, pasará