The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Ladies and gents
Turn up your sound system
To the Sound of Carlos Santana
And the G&B (it's The Product)
Ghetto Blues from the Refugee Gang
Oh Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria (ayo, Maria)
She fell in love in East L.A.
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Pick pocking on the corner (ah, yeah)
See as the rich is getting richer
The poorer is getting poorer (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
Signed by the judge, said, "See you later"
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula
Maria, Maria (West Coast)
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
I said a la favela los colores
The streets are getting hotter (ah, yeah)
There is no water to put out the fire
Ni gota de esperanza (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
Then I looked up in the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (worldwide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (open up your eyes)
Maria, you know you're my lover
When the wind blows, I can feel you
Through the weather
And even when we are apart
Still feels like we're together
Maria, yeah
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
Oh, she fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana
Put 'em up, y'all
Carlos Santana with the Refugee Gang
Wyclef
Jerry Wonda
Mr. Santana
G&B
Yo, Carlos, man, you makin' that guitar cry
Turn up your sound system
To the Sound of Carlos Santana
And the G&B (it's The Product)
Ghetto Blues from the Refugee Gang
Oh Maria, Maria
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria (ayo, Maria)
She fell in love in East L.A.
To the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
Stop the looting, stop the shooting
Pick pocking on the corner (ah, yeah)
See as the rich is getting richer
The poorer is getting poorer (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
In my mailbox there's an eviction letter
Signed by the judge, said, "See you later"
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (East coast)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula
Maria, Maria (West Coast)
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
She fell in love in East L.A.
I said to the sounds of the guitar, yeah, yeah
Played by Carlos Santana
I said a la favela los colores
The streets are getting hotter (ah, yeah)
There is no water to put out the fire
Ni gota de esperanza (ah, yeah)
Se mira Maria on the corner
Thinking of ways to make it better (ah, yeah)
Then I looked up in the sky
Hoping of days of paradise
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (North side)
Ahora vengo mama chula mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (South side)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (worldwide)
Ahora vengo mama chula, mama chula
Ahora vengo mama chula (open up your eyes)
Maria, you know you're my lover
When the wind blows, I can feel you
Through the weather
And even when we are apart
Still feels like we're together
Maria, yeah
She reminds me of a West Side Story
Growing up in Spanish Harlem
She's living the life just like a movie star
Oh, Maria, Maria
Oh, she fell in love in East L.A
To the sounds of the guitar
Played by Carlos Santana
Put 'em up, y'all
Carlos Santana with the Refugee Gang
Wyclef
Jerry Wonda
Mr. Santana
G&B
Yo, Carlos, man, you makin' that guitar cry
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Love love love love love love love song!!! thats all.