Darío Javier, an Ecuadorian singer born in Guayaquil, began his artistic career at the age of 11. His journey into music started unexpectedly during an event organized by his mother. She, a teacher by profession, had arranged a ceremony in the Huancavilca neighborhood, south of Guayaquil, to celebrate the delivery of homes to educators.

During the event, an unforeseen situation arose: the tenor Ángel Oyola did not arrive on time, leaving a gap in the program. In response, Darío’s mother suggested that her son, who had already shown a strong interest in music, perform. Accompanied by his teacher, Maestro Argudo, the young Darío sang the song “Granada”. Among the audience was Enrique Machado, composer of the well-known groups Los Errantes and Los Ranas, key figures in the romantic music scene of the 1970s.

This moment proved to be decisive for his artistic future. Machado, the son of a teacher and a friend of Darío’s mother, was impressed by the boy’s talent and visited his home a few days later to propose an audition at the Ifesa record label. After being accepted, Darío took his first firm steps into the professional music world.

With two albums already released, Darío Javier began gaining recognition and embarked on promotional tours through various media outlets. His voice, combined with a remarkable stage presence, set him apart from other performers of his generation. However, his ambition went beyond national recognition: he dreamed of taking his music beyond Ecuador’s borders.

That opportunity began to materialize in 1977, while he was promoting his second album, “El Botellerito”. During that time, the Peruvian program “Tío Johnny Musical”, hosted by Juan Andrés Salim Facuse, arrived in Ecuador. Darío saw this as a perfect chance to expand his career and soon became the show’s main star. For more than two years, he performed every Friday, achieving immense popularity and receiving countless letters from fans.

The major turning point in his career came at age 14, when producer Luis “Chinche” Varas recognized that Darío’s voice had matured enough to interpret romantic ballads. Thus, in 1977, “Si Entendieras”, a Peruvian ballad that reached Ecuador through musical exchange, was born. No one could have predicted the overwhelming success it would achieve.

The song quickly became a symbol of romanticism, captivating audiences in Ecuador and gaining international recognition. Today, more than four decades later, “Si Entendieras” remains a fundamental piece of the national music repertoire.

Despite his success, Darío Javier chose to retire from music at the age of 30 to pursue a career in advertising. He founded his own agency and embarked on a new professional path. Nevertheless, his artistic legacy remained intact. “Si Entendieras” continued to live on in collective memory and has been covered by new generations of artists.

One example is the band Cacería de Lagartos, which in 2005 included its own version of the song on the album “No Cover”, reaffirming the enduring relevance of this ballad in Ecuadorian music.

Today, “Si Entendieras” transcends its status as a song to become a true emblem of Ecuadorian romantic music, capable of evoking emotions and transporting listeners to an unforgettable era.