Escovedo's family tree includes former Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo and Pete's daughter, Sheila E (also Prince's former drummer and later a pop star). He began his music career with the Nuns, a mid-'70s punk band based in San Francisco. He co-founded the pioneering cowpunk band Rank and File in 1979, which moved to Austin, Texas, in 1981 after a stint in New York City. The band released Sundown on Slash Records in 1982, but shortly after, Escovedo left to form the True Believers with brother Javier. The band recorded two albums for EMI and toured the country, often as an opening act for Los Lobos. However, EMI opted not to release the second album, which eventually led to the group's break-up. (It eventually surfaced as a bonus item when Rykodisc reissued the first set on CD in 1994.)
Escovedo released a solo album in 1992 on Watermelon Records, Gravity, uniting his wide variety of styles; the album was produced by Stephen Bruton of Bonnie Raitt's band. Escovedo also began gigging periodically with the band Buick MacKane, who fused old-school punk with 70's glam rock; after Rykodisc released Escovedo's With These Hands in 1996, they followed it up with Buick MacKane's long-awaited album. After Escovedo parted ways with Rykodisc, he signed with the Chicago-based alt-country label Bloodshot in 1998, who released the live album More Miles Than Money: Live 1994-1996 and the acclaimed studio set A Man Under The Influence.
In April of 2003, Escovedo collapsed following a show in Phoenix, AZ, and he was subsequently diagnosed with Hepatitis C. An outpouring of support from musicians led to a series of successful benefit concerts to help pay Escovedo's medical expenses and keep his music before the public, followed by a tribute album, Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo, which was released in 2004.
In June 2010, Escovedo released Street Songs of Love.
Arizona
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been empty since Arizona
I turned my back on me
And I faced the face of who I thought I was
One kiss just led to another
One kiss just fades into lover
I've been straight so straight since Arizona
You say I've lost my way
But it's all a dream
Since Arizona
One kiss just led into another
One kiss just fades into lover
Arizona
Have another drink on me
I've been empty since Arizona
I turned my back on me
And I faced the face of who I thought I was
One kiss just led to another
One kiss just fades into lovers
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona
The lyrics of Alejandro Escovedo's song "Arizona" describe a longing for escape and a search for identity after a significant change in life. "Have another drink on me" suggests a desire to numb the pain of feeling "empty" since leaving Arizona, which is perhaps where the singer experienced a transformative event or relationship. The line "I turned my back on me" suggests that the singer may have abandoned their sense of self in pursuit of something or someone in Arizona. However, upon leaving, they were faced with the reality of who they truly are, which may have been a difficult realization.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of fleeting love and the bittersweet feeling of being caught up in a passionate moment that ultimately leads to heartbreak. "One kiss just led to another / One kiss just fades into lover" implies that the singer found themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance during their time in Arizona, but now that they're gone, that love has faded away. The repetition of "Arizona" throughout the song emphasizes the significance of this place in the singer's life and the longing they feel to return to that time or version of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Have another drink on me
Let's share a drink together
I've been empty since Arizona
I haven't felt whole since I left Arizona
I turned my back on me
I abandoned myself
And I faced the face of who I thought I was
I confronted the false identity I had created for myself
One kiss just led to another
One indiscretion led to another
One kiss just fades into lover
One kiss can easily develop into a serious relationship
Blow another smoke ring for me
Please smoke a cigarette and blow a smoke ring as a sign of companionship
I've been straight so straight since Arizona
I've been sober and serious since leaving Arizona
You say I've lost my way
You believe that I've lost sight of my true path
But it's all a dream
But my current situation is temporary and illusory
Since Arizona
Since I left that place
Arizona
The state which symbolizes change and loss in the artist's life
Arizona
The state which symbolizes change and loss in the artist's life
Arizona
The state which symbolizes change and loss in the artist's life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angelo M. De Ieso II
First saw Escovedo at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco in 1999 with the Old 97s. Before saw him do a paired down set at a record shop in SF on Divisadero Street. Killer songs and killer backing musicians.
Toddz Rodz
I heard it first at the community radio station in Silver City, NM. KOOT 88.1 FM Escovedo, as always, breaking fresh sod.
Walt Fechter
I was driving North from Phoenix when I heard this for the first time. An Arizonan sunset.
Brendan Michael Burchill
Reminds me of John Cale! Very cool!
Senshi Bat
back to back to Cold Roses Let it Ride.. meant for driving in sunshine.
ForARide
Produced by John Cale