Héctor Lavoe, one of salsa’s most iconic voices and a central figure of Fania Records, gave the world “Periódico de Ayer” in 1976. The song is featured on his legendary album De Ti Depende and remains a timeless anthem in salsa’s Golden Era. Written by Catalino “Tite” Curet Alonso, one of Latin music’s most influential composers, the track captures the perfect blend of Lavoe’s emotive delivery and salsa dura’s explosive energy.
With its unforgettable metaphor comparing a faded love to “yesterday’s newspaper,” the song became a fan favorite, solidifying Lavoe’s reputation as El Cantante de los Cantantes.
Original Lyrics (Spanish – Key Verses)
Tu amor es un periódico de ayer
Que nadie más procura ya leer
Sensacional cuando salió en la madrugada
Y a mediodía ya noticia confirmada.
English Translation
Your love is yesterday’s newspaper
That no one else cares to read anymore
Sensational when it first came out in the morning
But by noon it was already old news.
Breakdown & Meaning
At its heart, “Periódico de Ayer” is a poetic way of saying that a once-passionate love has lost all its value and relevance. Using the metaphor of a newspaper, exciting and sought-after when fresh, disposable once read, Lavoe (through Curet Alonso’s writing) paints a picture of heartbreak mixed with liberation.
The lyrics reflected the 1970s urban Latino experience in New York, where newspapers were part of daily life, and salsa music itself was a “diary of the streets.” By calling love yesterday’s paper, the song speaks to moving on, rejecting old wounds, and recognizing when something no longer serves you.
Musically, the track combines the hard-hitting brass of Willie Colón’s orchestra (Lavoe’s longtime collaborator) with Lavoe’s masterful phrasing, making every line hit with raw emotion.
Fans embrace “Periódico de Ayer” not just as a breakup anthem, but as a reminder of resilience. Lavoe’s voice carries both pain and strength, making the song universal to anyone who has loved and lost. For salsa lovers worldwide, it stands as one of the genre’s most brilliant examples of how music, metaphor, and cultural identity intertwine.
Even today, DJs drop this classic in salsa clubs, and the crowd sings every word, proof that Héctor Lavoe’s artistry remains timeless.