Cugat was born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo in Girona, Spain. His family immigrated to Cuba when he was five. He trained as a classical violinist and played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional in Havana.
Sometime between 1915 and 1918, Cugat moved to New York, where he played with a band called "The Gigolos" during the tango craze. Later, he went to work for the Los Angeles Times as a cartoonist (Cugat's caricatures were later nationally syndicated).
In the late 1920s, when sound began to be used in films, Cugat put together a tango band that had some success in early short musical films. By the early 1930s, he began appearing with his group in feature films. Cugat took his band to New York to open the new Waldorf Astoria Hotel and it became the hotel's resident group.
He shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for most of the next thirty years, alternating hotel and radio dates with movie appearances.
In 1940, he recorded the song Perfidia with singer Miguelito Valdés which became a big hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when each were in fashion.
His first marriage in 1952 was to singer, Abbe Lane, they performed together until they divorced in 1964. He married salsa dancer Charo on August 7, 1966; the two were the first couple to marry in the newly opened Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Cugat did not lose sleep over artistic compromises: "I would rather play
Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve."
Cugat died of heart failure at age 90 in Barcelona, in his native province of Catalonia, Spain.
My Shawl
Xavier Cugat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By my shawl, spun in magic, wishes come true.
It's glory, with the story of love dreams, old but new.
My shawl brings a romance, maybe for you.
My shawl, pretty lady, try it on you,
By my shawl, spun in magic, wishes come true.
It's glory, with the story of love dreams, old but new.
Try it on you, try it on you, my shawl
Xavier Cugat's song "My Shawl" has an exotic and romantic feel to it, with lyrics that are aimed at a woman who is being encouraged to try on the shawl. The shawl is described as having magical properties which can make dreams of love come true. It's a metaphor for the connections and romantic visions that come with meeting someone who could be the love of your life.
The song is filled with suggestions of romance and courtship, with the shawl being used as a tangible representation of these emotions. The lyrics convey the idea that the shawl can bring a romance that is old yet new, one that has the power to transform the wearer's life. Xavier Cugat's rich and lush orchestration adds to the romantic atmosphere of the song, creating an ambiance that is both timeless and romantic.
Line by Line Meaning
My shawl, pretty lady, try it on you,
I am offering you my shawl, so please try it on, my dear lady.
By my shawl, spun in magic, wishes come true.
The shawl I offer is not just any shawl, it has been spun with magic and has the power to make wishes come true.
It's glory, with the story of love dreams, old but new.
The shawl is glorious and has a rich history of fulfilling romantic dreams, both old and new.
My shawl brings a romance, maybe for you.
By trying on the shawl, it may bring romance to your life, dear lady.
Try it on you, try it on you, my shawl
I implore you again to try on my shawl, dear lady. It may bring you the love you seek.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STANLEY ADAMS, XAVIER CUGAT, PEDRO BERRIOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chuckberger3196
A really big moment for me was meeting "Cugie" at the old Tropicana in Vegas. He was performing there with his wife Charo. A really nice gentleman. Very personable.
@khussein6409
AWESOME!!!
@karajokoo
¡Sencillamente sabroso!
@willhengst4799
👍👍👍😏
@davadavo
0:33 GUNS FEVER ! Baba Brooks
@paulparks5572
Xox+ b be vbv v cc. B bccd