Throwback Thursday 7/15 – Celia Cruz and a Free Cuba

In honor of the Cuban people and their fight against their island’s communist dictatorship, this week’s Throwback Thursday is all about Celia Cruz. Cruz’s story is central to salsa, Cuban musical history, and the story of Cubans in America. Given the turmoil we’re witnessing, Cruz’s story is even more important to understand today.

The History of Celia Cruz

Born Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso in Havana, Cuba around 1925, Cruz would begin her musical career in 1950. She became the lead singer for a Cuban big band named La Sonora Matancera. After Castro’s Revolution, La Sonora Matancera took advantage of a routine trip to Mexico to defect from the country. The moments before departing on that trip would be the last Cruz spent in Cuba.

Cruz would set out on her own in the 60s and 70s. After starring in a Latin opera named “Hommy”, Cruz would become integrated with the Salsa superstars of the day. As a part of the Fania All-Stars, Cruz would continue to grow her legend and become one of the leading voices in Salsa.

Cruz would often shout her catchphrase “azucar!” during performances and in her songs. Azucar was the punchline to a joke that Celia had long stopped telling. It referred to a waiter who would always ask her if she wanted sugar in coffee, which is the traditional way for Cubans to drink their coffee.

Despite her legendary career, Cruz was never discussed in her homeland. The communist government of Cuba never allowed her to return and refused to acknowledge her in any form. Books written in Cuba about Cuban musical history never mentioned her. Castro did all that he could to erase her and her story. Cruz would continue to be an opponent of Castro until her death in 2003.

Life is a Carnival

Celia’s career spanned roughly 55 years. Over those decades she has produced a number of hits. She arguably didn’t produce her biggest hit until 1998 when “La Vida Es Un Carnaval” was released. The title of the song is easily translated – Life is a Carnival. The song has become iconic for it’s upbeat rhythm and it’s positive message. The lyrics are an attack against those who make life so bad and those who believe life is so bad. It’s an affirming anthem.

Even though Cruz was in her 70s when recording the track, the casual listener wouldn’t be able to tell. Despite decades of singing and strain, her voice never wavered. She was able to produce songs with the same level of clarity and levity deep into her 70s. While she evolved with the times, she never forgot her Cuban roots which always plays a role in her music.

The song appeared in the 2000 film Amores Perros. It also appears nearly every week at your local Salsa Saturdays. Easily one of the greatest salsa songs of all time, this song also deserves consideration as one of the greatest Latin songs of all time.

From 1998, “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”.