Compay Segundo Quotes

Powerful Compay Segundo for Daily Growth

About Compay Segundo

Compay Segundo (real name: Juan del Casas), born on May 16, 1907, in the small town of Santo Cristo de la Habana, Cuba, was a legendary musician, singer, composer, and writer, best known for his contributions to the genre of Cuban music called trova. Known primarily as Compay Segundo, he is celebrated for his unique style of playing the Cuban Tres guitar and his distinctive singing voice. His musical journey began at an early age, when he was gifted a three-stringed guitar by his father. He spent his youth immersed in the vibrant music scene of urban Havana, learning from masters such as Miguel Matamoros and Carlos Puebla. In 1937, Compay Segundo co-founded Los Compadres de la Sonora Matancera, one of Cuba's most influential orchestras in the Golden Age of Salsa. In 1952, after the Cuban Revolution, he left Cuba for Puerto Rico and later Mexico City. Despite the challenges of exile, Compay Segundo continued to create music, collaborating with artists like Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder, and Buena Vista Social Club. His major works include "Chan Chan" (1958), a timeless classic that became an anthem for Cuba, as well as numerous other compositions showcasing his profound understanding of traditional Cuban music and its evolution into modern forms. Compay Segundo's music transcends borders and generations, reflecting the richness and complexity of Cuban culture. His legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide, ensuring that the soulful rhythms and captivating melodies of his homeland live on. Compay Segundo passed away in 2003 at the age of 95, leaving behind an indelible mark on the global music scene.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"La música es como el agua para el alma." (Music is like water for the soul.)

This quote by Cuban musician Compay Segundo suggests that music, much like water, serves as a vital nourishment for the human spirit or soul. Just as water quenches thirst and sustains life, music can soothe, inspire, and revitalize our emotional well-being. This analogy highlights the profound impact that music has on people, emphasizing its power to heal, uplift, and bring joy.

"Es más fácil matar a un hombre que hacer una canción decente." (It's easier to kill a man than to write a decent song.)

This quote suggests that creating a good, meaningful, or impactful song is more challenging than taking a human life. It implies that the art of songwriting requires great skill, creativity, and emotional depth – making it a complex task that not everyone can master. In contrast, killing another person might seem easier due to its directness and lack of subtlety, but it carries immense moral and ethical consequences. The quote underscores the value we should place on nurturing the arts over violence.

"El tiempo es como la rumba, no se puede parar ni avanzar de golpe." (Time is like the rumba, you can't stop it or move forward suddenly.)

This quote suggests that time, like the rhythmic dance of Rumba, flows consistently and cannot be halted or rushed. Just as a dancer must follow the beat, we must accept and adapt to the steady progression of time, understanding that sudden changes are unlikely to occur. It's an acknowledgement that life's pace is persistent and unpredictable, urging us to move gracefully with its rhythm instead of trying to control or manipulate it.

"Sabía que la mierda era fuerte, pero no sabía cuánto fuerte." (I knew shit was strong, but I didn't know how strong.)

This quote suggests a profound realization or acceptance of the potency or impact of a difficult situation or challenge. The speaker acknowledges that the issue is significant or powerful, yet they were previously unaware of its true magnitude or strength. It implies a transition from ignorance to awareness, underscoring the importance of facing adversities head-on.

"Es como el agua en la roca: mientras más presión, más salida." (It's like water in a rock: the more pressure, the more it comes out.)

This quote suggests that under increased pressure or adversity, an individual will respond or emerge stronger and more resilient, much like water eroding a rock over time. The implication is that hardship can lead to growth, development, and ultimately, success.

Every time I talk about this, I say: when the singer is singing, he must be respected, you must be able to hear what he's saying. You can't put a trombone and a drum up there, and a microphone on the drum, microphones on everybody. You can't hear what he's saying.

- Compay Segundo

Singer, Everybody, About, Trombone

I am a scholar of life. Every night before I go to sleep, I analyze every detail of what I did that day. I evaluate things and people, which helps me avoid mistakes.

- Compay Segundo

Night, Before, Which, Analyze

I play music the way it was played in yesteryear.

- Compay Segundo

Music, Play, Played, Play Music

When it comes to musicians, I'm like the daddy of musicians here in Cuba.

- Compay Segundo

Here, Like, Daddy, Cuba

Can you imagine that Cuba and Europe's youth, who had forgotten about traditional music, who only thought of rock music, are now looking back towards their grandparents? That is a phenomenon.

- Compay Segundo

Looking Back, Thought, About, Cuba

As far as pleasures, you've got to have limits. You shouldn't have too much of good things, so you'll always have a desire for more and you won't get bored.

- Compay Segundo

Desire, More, Always, Bored

Cubans are frantic when it comes to appreciating music.

- Compay Segundo

Music, Appreciating, Frantic

Ry Cooder for me is a master, a great master that has a wonderful feel for Cuban music. He's also paid tribute my talent a bit, even though I don't know half of what he knows.

- Compay Segundo

Feel, Half, Though, Cuban

The roots of Cuban music are in my head.

- Compay Segundo

Music, Roots, Head, Cuban

Everyone should have a philosophy for living better.

- Compay Segundo

Living, Better, Everyone, Philosophy

In order to grow old, you have to experience everything, but in moderation.

- Compay Segundo

Experience, Grow, Old, Moderation

Towns are suffering from all these things, we should unite until we are all satisfied, man cannot be killing each other as if we were animals, as if we had no culture; that is a lack of culture.

- Compay Segundo

Suffering, Other, Unite, Towns

When you here a conjunto and you hear another conjunto, you think it's like a continuation of the first. It's all the same, same, same. There's no variety, just the same music.

- Compay Segundo

Think, Here, Like, Variety

As long as your heart beats, one is never too old.

- Compay Segundo

Never, Old, Too, Beats

I've done a lot of things away from my homeland.

- Compay Segundo

Away, Things, Lot, Homeland

I don't sit in the corner waiting for death: death has to pursue me. I'm going strong. I hope to reach 100 and ask for an extension, just like my grandmother did.

- Compay Segundo

Strong, Waiting, Extension, Grandmother

Young people don't want to be second to anyone. Everyone wants to be an overnight star. Look how many years I had to wait, how many roads I had to travel, how many songs I had to sing. And now I'm just beginning, never ending.

- Compay Segundo

Beginning, Wait, Young, Ending

My secret? A desire to work, years of dedication and loving what you do; I can't live without music.

- Compay Segundo

Work, Dedication, Desire, Secret

I'll only stop singing when I'm in my grave.

- Compay Segundo

Singing, Stop, Only, Grave

The music that I play and that I like is traditional music, maybe it's because of my age.

- Compay Segundo

Music, Play, Traditional, Traditional Music

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