The great salsa singer, Willie Colón performed one of his most successful songs composed by his friend Omar Alfano. This is the story of the single.
One of the eternal classics of salsa, ‘The great man’ of Willie Colon, continues to resonate strongly in the hearts of Latin music lovers. This song was released in 1989 and has transcended generations.
Few know the powerful story that inspired the creation of this iconic song, which addresses issues of identity, acceptance and social challenges. Since its release, the single suffered some rejection, but managed to become a success.
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This song was originally composed by Omar Alfannoa close friend of Willi Colon. The musician commented at the time: “It was the summer of 1986. I wrote ‘The Great Man’ while my friend was dying of AIDS, he was the sick person in bed 10 and had no escape.”
The inspiration to create ‘The Great Man’
‘The great man’ whose name is Simón in the history of the topic did exist in real life. Omar Alfanno in an interview with the media AlDía assured that he was inspired by the life of a high school classmate.
“It is based on a true story from a friend who studied high school with me. After a while I found out about his drama. They bullied him a lot and he had not been able to come out of the closet, because, in the 60s and 70s, coming out as gay was something that only a hero did,” said the composer.
(Photo: EFE)
‘The great man’: what is its meaning?
The single ‘El gran varón’ narrates the events of Simón, a man who, while growing up, decided to be a woman. He made this decision after leaving home and traveling abroad to live the way he wanted. Then, upon meeting his father again, he suffered rejection from his mother. She didn’t accept it. Later, Simón met a tragic end when he died from a disease, at that time strange, which is now known as AIDS.
‘The Great Man’ by Willie Colón: lyrics of the song
“In a hospital room
At 9:43 Simon was born.
It’s the summer of ’56
The pride of Don Andrés, for being a man
He was raised like the others
With a heavy hand, with severity, he never gave an opinion
“When you grow up you are going to study
The same thing as your dad, listen carefully
You will have to be
“A great man”
Simón went abroad
Far from home, he forgot that sermon
The way you walk changed
She wore a skirt, lipstick, and a wallet
People say that one day the father
He went to visit him without warning, what a mistake
And a woman spoke to him as he passed
He said, “Hi, how are you dad, how are you doing?”
You don’t know me, I’m Simón
Simon, your son, the great man”
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
He got carried away by what people say
His father never spoke to him, he abandoned him forever
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
Don’t complain Andrés, don’t complain about anything
If lemons fall from the sky, learn how to make lemonade
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
And as the years go by, the old man giving in a little
Simón didn’t even write to him anymore, Andrés was furious
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
Finally there was news of where his son was
Andrés never forgot the day of that sad call
Alelelelele
Alelelele
Alelelelele-eh-eh
Alelelelele
Alelelele
Alelelelele
In a hospital room
Simón died of a strange illness
It’s the summer of ’86
No one cried to the sick person in bed 10
Simon Simon
Simon
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
You have to have compassion, enough of the moral
May he be free from sin, may he cast the first stone
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
He who never forgives has a certain destiny
Of living bitter memories in your own hell
(You can’t correct nature
Stick that is born bent, its trunk never straightens)
Alelelelele
Alelelele
Alelelelele-eh-eh
Alelelelele
“Alelelele”
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