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.
By Eleven
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For your man, he'll be home soon
And I hope his lies come clean
CHORUS
Leave the light on he'll be home by 11
Just leave the light on he'll be home by 11
He'll bring you pure silk
And some sweet perfume
While the mandolin plays he'll dance you
'Round the room
CHORUS
Will you be there when his ship sets off
For the call of the sea is much too strong
His answer will be a kiss, a wave
And a soft good bye
CHORUS
The song By Eleven by Alejandro Escovedo is a beautiful but melancholy song that focuses on the loneliness and insecurity that comes with love. The song starts with a wish for everything to be perfect for the arrival of a man who has been away. The lyrics "I hope the castle's clean, for your man, he'll be home soon. And I hope his lies come clean" suggest that the woman knows her partner is not trustworthy but still hopes he will change. The term "castle" could be interpreted as a metaphor for her heart, which she hopes is in a good place for her man, but she also hopes he will be truthful about his past misdeeds.
The chorus of "Leave the light on, he'll be home by 11" repeats throughout the song, giving it a somber, repetitive feel that speaks to the longing and waiting of the woman in the song. She is hopeful that by keeping the light on, her partner will come home to her, but it also reveals her fear that he may not return or turn up later than he said he would. The song then goes on to question whether love can withstand the test of time, distance and temptation. The line "Will you be there when his ship sets off, for the call of the sea is much too strong," speaks to the fear of the man leaving again or not staying committed to the woman. The song ends with a soft goodbye, hinting that their love may not be strong enough to last.
Line by Line Meaning
I hope the castle's clean
The singer is hoping that the place where the man's family lives is well-maintained.
For your man, he'll be home soon
The singer is referring to the woman's lover who will be returning home soon.
And I hope his lies come clean
The singer wishes for the man to come clean and be transparent with his partner.
Leave the light on he'll be home by 11
Saying to keep the lights on because the man will arrive shortly before 11.
Just leave the light on he'll be home by 11
Repeating the previous line to emphasize its importance.
Will you be there when his ship comes in
Asking if the woman will be present when the man returns home.
He'll bring you pure silk
Assuming that the man will bring the woman a luxurious gift.
And some sweet perfume
Suggesting that the man will bring the woman an extravagant fragrance.
While the mandolin plays he'll dance you
The artist paints an idyllic picture of the man and woman dancing together to the sound of a mandolin.
'Round the room
They'll dance around the space.
Will you be there when his ship sets off
Asking whether the woman will see off the man when he goes sailing again.
For the call of the sea is much too strong
The artist acknowledges that the pull of the ocean is too strong for the man to ignore.
His answer will be a kiss, a wave
The man's way of saying goodbye would be to give a kiss and wave his hand.
And a soft good bye
The parting will be tender and heartfelt.
Leave the light on he'll be home by 11
Repeating this line again, ending with a positive anticipation of the man's return.
Contributed by Madison S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.