Tondero is a dance and guitar rhythm from the Peruvian north coast (Piura–Lambayeque).
The Tondero is a Peruvian dance and rhythm born in the north coast adjacent to the eastern valleys of the Sierra or "yungas" of Piura, Sechura and Lambayeque. The oldest version is from the Morropón Province, approximately the center of Piura's region, below the highlands and inland from the coast.
The classical version consists of a principal singer, a small chorus, two Criollo style guitar players (one picking up the tundete or tondero bass line); the "Peruvian cajon" (now used in Latin American commercial rhythms), modern flamenco and evolutionary jazz, and/or Peruvian spoon players. It may be accompanied by palms or an Afro-Peruvian instrument made of dried and flattened pumpkins called checo.
It is also played by trumpet and drum bands.
It is composed of three parts: 1) glosa 2) dulce and 3) fuga.
[Verse 1:]
It'd taken me forever to call, I needed a little while
You know that being emotional usually ain't my style
But since it's just me talking to you, there's a side that I wanna show
Cause if I can't come to you, where else can I go?
Ever since we been apart boy life ain't fair
Remember when you left, remember what I said
I said that I didn't care
Yes I said a lot of things, but half of them I didn't mean
And right now I couldn't be more sinceer, listen to me
[Chorus:]
The first time I ever had my heart broken it was by you boy, you boy
And the first time I ever had a real kiss, it was you boy (you taught me)
You taught me how to treat somebody sweet, (ooh, ooh, ooh)
I remember when you told me that you love me (ooh ooh ooh)
And if I knew everything that I know right now back then,
You would probably still be with me boy
[Verse 2:]
The fussin and fightings on you,
Yes there were things I did wrong, but still you had your faults
And at times you couldn't take truth
I swore that I was in control, just knew I was invincible
But two or three months alone and I just wanted you back home
[Chorus:]
The first time I ever had my heart broken it was by you boy, you boy
And the first time I ever had a real kiss, it was you boy (ooh boy you taught me)
You taught me how to treat somebody sweet, (yes you did, yes you did)
I remember when you told me that you love me (oh boy)
And if I knew everything that I know right now back then,
You would probably still be with me boy (me-e ooh)
[Bridge:]
... baby I miss you... and when I see you with her
All I do is... and put the blame all on myself (yea, heh)
[Chorus:]
The first time I ever had my heart broken it was by you boy, you boy(it was the moment you walked away baby, baby)
And the first time I ever had a real kiss, it was you boy (I remember you taught me)
You taught me how to treat somebody sweet, (you taught me how to treat somebody sweet)
I remember when you told me that you love me (I remember, do you remember)
And if I knew everything that I know right now back then,
You would probably still be with me boy
(Me boy, me boy, me boy, ohhh me boy, me boy, me boy
And I would probably still be with you boy, you boy, you boy
Said if I knew everything that I know right now back then