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.
Sigue Feliz
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Envuelta en bondad de alegría
Nunca imaginé la hipocresía
Que traías con tu cariño.
Te quise con alma de niño
Y me pagastes con traición.
El niño se compra con un dulce
Tu siempre a mí me decías
Que era amor lo que sentías
Hoy yo vivo convencido
Que era ilusión lo que ofrecías,
No creas que estoy llorando
Por lo que hicistes conmigo, mamá
Amor, sigue tu camino
Vive feliz que es tu destino.
Ayer lloAyer lloré y hoy me río...
Ae Ae mamita buena
Llorar será tu castigo
Ayer lloAyer lloré y hoy me río...
Ae Ae Ae Ea que risa me da mama
Ayer lloAyer lloré y hoy me río...
Arrancate si puedes este amor mío
Olvidame te desafío
Ayer lloAyer lloré y hoy me río...
Es que tu sabes que mio mio
Nunca nunca tuve nada mio.
Ecole pa′ lla
The song "Sigue Feliz" by Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe speaks of a love that came into the singer's life, seemingly full of joy and kindness, but ended up being hypocritical and deceitful. Despite loving this person with the innocence of a child, they were repaid with betrayal. The singer reflects on how they were always told it was love that was being felt, but now realizes it was just an illusion. Despite the pain and heartbreak, the singer tells the person to continue on their path and live happily.
The lyrics showcase the struggle of being hurt by someone you loved and trusted, but ultimately choosing to move on and find happiness. The use of the phrase "Ayer lloré y hoy me río" (Yesterday I cried and today I laugh) emphasizes that the pain is in the past and the singer is ready to move forward. The use of the phrase "mamá" (mom) adds a personal touch to the song, as if the person being addressed was once as close as family.
Line by Line Meaning
Llegó tu amor a mi vida
Your love came into my life
Envuelta en bondad de alegría
Wrapped in goodness of joy
Nunca imaginé la hipocresía
I never imagined the hypocrisy
Que traías con tu cariño.
That you brought with your affection.
Te quise con alma de niño
I loved you with the soul of a child
Y me pagastes con traición.
And you paid me with betrayal.
El niño se compra con un dulce
A child can be bought with a candy
Que con mentiras me robastes el corazón.
That with lies you stole my heart.
Tu siempre a mí me decías
You always told me
Que era amor lo que sentías
That it was love what you felt
Hoy yo vivo convencido
Today I am convinced
Que era ilusión lo que ofrecías,
That it was illusion what you offered
No creas que estoy llorando
Don't think that I'm crying
Por lo que hicistes conmigo, mamá
For what you did to me, mamá
Amor, sigue tu camino
Love, continue your path
Vive feliz que es tu destino.
Live happily, it's your destiny.
Ayer lloré y hoy me río...
Yesterday I cried and today I laugh...
Ae Ae mamita buena
Ae Ae good mommy
Llorar será tu castigo
Crying will be your punishment
Ae Ae Ae Ea que risa me da mama
Ae Ae Ae Ea, how funny it seems to me mommy
Arrancate si puedes este amor mío
Rip off, if you can, this love of mine
Olvidame te desafío
I dare you to forget me
Es que tu sabes que mio mio
It's because you know that mine mine
Nunca nunca tuve nada mio.
I never had anything of my own.
Ecole pa' lla
Go away from here
Writer(s): Carlos Jose Roman
Contributed by Declan C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@estafanycifuentes2912
Ayer llore y hoy me río 😢😅
@elcabratxus5539
Salsa de la buena
@cristianesteban5599
la musica de Hector y Willie es de lo mejor q me ha pasado en mi vida qla compañero quiero llorar
@heribertodelgado2892
Tremenda salsa como suenan esos instrumentos ya no hacen esta música así
@mrburgos8216
Lo mejor d la fania al juntar estos niños pero adultos en lo musical saludos desde Panamá
@JoseSanchez-ce6cp
Eluno excelente tema con sentimiento latino pa´l bailador salsero, salsa dura con clase y estilo que tiempos aquellos, pero la salsa se mantiene eso es lo bueno salsa vieja lo mejor de los grandes soneros.
@gustavojimenezhernandez7901
Hectito Lavoe, sin duda el mejor cantante de los cantantes de la vidaaa. Dios regresanos al unico hombre que respiraba debajo del agua !!!
@jorgenazario611
A talented Neyorican from the Bronx. Puerto. 🇵🇷
@maribellemontero6119
Puertorriqueño al fin. Digamos.
@dannymunoz1297
Fania era the greatest era in Latin music nothing comes close