Certainly one of the most influential composers in Cuba, if not all of Latin America, Cuban-born composer Ernesto Lecuona made an enormous impression on the entire musical world. Born on August 6, 1895, he began his musical studies at an early age, writing his first piano work at 11 and his first song at 18. He wrote 53 theater pieces, 11 film scores for Hollywood and Latin America, over 400 songs, and countless solo, chamber, and orchestral works. His work reflects Spanish, Central American, and African influences, and his extremely accessible literature often exists in countless types of arrangements. Lecuona's influence on North America was tremendous. He was the first to bring a successful Latin orchestra to the United States, all the while achieving success as both a classical and popular composer. "Malagueña" was his first major composition, which he first performed in 1927 at the Roxy Theatre in New York.

Malagueña El amor me lleva hacia tí con impulso arrebatador. Yo prefiero mejor morir que vivir sin tener tu amor. La inconstancia de tu querer la alegría mató en mi ser. Ay, al temor de perder tu amor hoy mi canto solo es dolor. Malagueña de ojos negros, Malagueña de mis sueños, me estoy muriendo de pena por tu querer. Tralaralarala! Ah! Malagueña de ojos negros, Malagueña de mis sueños, si no me quieres me muero. Tralaralarala! Ah!

Malagueña (Girl from Malaga) Love draws me near to you with a passionate thrust. I would rather die than live without your love. Your fickleness of your love kills the happiness in my being. Ah, for fear of losing your love today I sing only of sadness. Malagueña of the dark eyes, Malagueña of my dreams, I am dying of pain for your love. Tralaralarala! Ah! Malagueña of the dark eyes, Malagueña of my dreams, if you do not want me I will die. Tralaralarala! Ah!