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.
As I Fall
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all that's about you
And as i lean into this fall
I'll always surround you -----
As I fall, all around you
Voices call, but what: can I do?
is someone without you
who placed a ring upon your hand
to try and disguise you -----
As I fall, all around you
Voices call, but what: can I do?
The things i meant to say
All seem to slip away -----
The forward motion of this fall
is only because you -----
Smile as you slip yourself on me
the danger becomes you -----
As I fall, all around you
Voices call, but what: can I do?
The first stanza of Alejandro Escovedo's song, "As I Fall," portrays a sense of longing and sadness as he watches someone he cares about walk away. The phrase "It's all that's about you" suggests that this person is the focus of his thoughts and emotions, and the line "I'll always surround you" hints at a desire to be near them even though they have left. The second stanza creates imagery of a burnt circle in the sand, which could symbolize the aftermath of a difficult situation or relationship. The line "to try and disguise you" suggests that someone may have attempted to hide this person's true self, which could be a source of frustration or heartache for the singer.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "As I fall, all around you" and "Voices call, but what can I do?" This repetition creates a sense of helplessness and despair, as the singer seems to be unable to change his situation or express his true feelings. The final stanza references a loss of words, as the things the singer meant to say slip away from him. The phrase "the danger becomes you" is particularly striking, as it suggests that this person is somehow dangerous but also alluring or captivating. This tension between danger and attraction could represent the complexity of the relationship or situation the singer finds himself in.
Overall, "As I Fall" is a powerful song about longing, loss, and the human desire for connection. The repeated chorus and vivid imagery create a sense of emotional intensity, while the underlying sense of helplessness and uncertainty adds depth and complexity to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I watch you walk away from me
I am saddened as you leave me behind
It's all that's about you
Your actions are focused solely on yourself
And as i lean into this fall
I am willingly falling down, giving into my emotions
I'll always surround you
My feelings for you will never fade
A circle burnt into the sand
A symbol of unending love
is someone without you
My love cannot exist without you
who placed a ring upon your hand
An attempt to show my commitment to you
to try and disguise you
To hide your flaws or insecurities
The things i meant to say
My thoughts remain unsaid
All seem to slip away
I cannot express my true feelings
The forward motion of this fall
I am falling deeper for you
is only because you
My emotions are driven by you
Smile as you slip yourself on me
You bring me joy as you become closer to me
the danger becomes you
Your presence is thrilling and exhilarating
As I fall, all around you
My emotions revolve around you
Voices call, but what: can I do?
I am helpless against my feelings for you
Contributed by Joshua F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.