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.
Five Hearts Breaking
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today he thinks that he'd be better off dead
He hears the pain roaring in his head
He'll close his eyes and the world turns red
Her name was hope her hair was blacker than the sky
She had a smile that made the devil cry
She held is hands, looked him in the eye
Everything will be all right
Today's the day, you can bet on that
I heard her close the door, she ain't looking back
A twist of fate or a stroke of luck
Well, the answer's over there beyond the wishing well
Everything will be all right
Take the fire in your hands
And place it at her feet
Walk upon the mountain
Then you'll sail across the sea
Her eyes are taken from the stars above,
Her voice is five hearts breaking
Her voice is five hearts breaking
Her voice is five hearts breaking
The skies are fire and he's waiting to die
And his heart's as empty as a dead man's eyes
She held his hands, looked him in the eye
She said "believe, believe and everything will be fine."
Everything will be all right
Everything will be all right
Everything will be all right
The song "Five Hearts Breaking" by Alejandro Escovedo is a powerful and emotional track that touches on themes of hope, desperation, and perseverance. The opening lyrics set the scene with Billy feeling terrible and contemplating suicide. He hears the pain roaring in his head and is ready to give up. However, his hope arrives in the form of a woman named Hope, who has a smile that can make the devil cry. She reassures him that if he believes, everything will be fine.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Hope is more than just a love interest or a friend. She represents an idea, a way of abstract hope that can guide someone out of the darkness. When she leaves ("Today's the day, you can bet on that, I heard her close the door, she ain't looking back"), Billy is faced with a choice: to give up or to keep going. The final lines of the song are a kind of mantra, representing the power of hope and optimism, even in the darkest moments. With each repetition of "everything will be all right," the song builds to a climax that's both cathartic and inspiring.
Overall, "Five Hearts Breaking" is a powerful example of the power of music to convey emotions and connect with listeners. The lyrics are straightforward but impactful, and the melody is haunting and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
The sky is black, billy feels bad
Billy is experiencing a feeling of hopelessness and darkness.
Today he thinks that he'd be better off dead
Billy is having suicidal thoughts.
He hears the pain roaring in his head
Billy is experiencing intense emotional pain.
He'll close his eyes and the world turns red
Billy's emotions are overwhelming and he feels consumed by them.
Her name was hope her hair was blacker than the sky
Hope is a symbol of light and positivity that can be found even in the darkest times.
She had a smile that made the devil cry
Hope's presence is so powerful and inspiring that it can even change the most hardened and cynical of hearts.
She held his hands, looked him in the eye
Hope provides comfort and support to those who are struggling.
She said "believe, believe and everything will be fine."
Hope encourages people to have faith in a better future, and to persevere through difficult times.
Today's the day, you can bet on that
Hope is a constant presence, even in the face of uncertainty.
I heard her close the door, she ain't looking back
Hope is a force that moves forward and does not dwell on the past or negative experiences.
A twist of fate or a stroke of luck
Hope recognizes that positive change can happen through chance or unexpected events.
Well, the answer's over there beyond the wishing well
Hope knows that the future holds possibilities beyond what can be currently seen or imagined.
Take the fire in your hands
Hope empowers people to take control of their lives and to be proactive about their future.
And place it at her feet
By placing their hopes and dreams before them, people can bring them into reality.
Walk upon the mountain
Hope encourages people to persevere through difficult challenges and to climb higher to reach their goals.
Then you'll sail across the sea
With hope guiding them, people can embark on new and exciting journeys in life.
Her eyes are taken from the stars above,
Hope draws inspiration from the beauty and vastness of the universe.
Her voice is five hearts breaking
Hope's words and actions have a profound emotional impact on those around them.
Her voice is five hearts breaking
Hope's presence can be felt even when they are not physically present.
Her voice is five hearts breaking
Hope brings people together and creates a sense of shared emotion and experience.
The skies are fire and he's waiting to die
Billy's overwhelming sense of despair has not dissipated despite encountering hope.
And his heart's as empty as a dead man's eyes
Billy is numb and feels as though he has no soul or purpose in life.
She held his hands, looked him in the eye
Hope remains a steadfast presence in the face of even the most difficult struggles.
She said "believe, believe and everything will be fine."
Hope continues to offer reassurance and encouragement, even in moments of deep despair.
Everything will be all right
Hope believes that a better future is possible and is willing to work towards it.
Everything will be all right
Hope is a force that persists through even the darkest moments, and believes in a more positive future.
Everything will be all right
Hope offers a sense of comfort and support, even when things seem impossible or out of reach.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind