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.
Little Bottles
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a tight little row
Then try to sip some courage
Through a rusted straw
You're convinced she wants you,
And you will have your way,
Then why did you ignore her?
While the Diva sat upon your knee
You're not a man, you're just a fool
The odds are good
You ain't got what it takes
You're wrapped in so much pain
And we should pity that
Why don't you write her a poem,
Or better yet a song or two
I'm sure she'll be quite taken
Paint a monument upon her back
That you can see as she walks away
An impression that you can't forget
An unexpected visit means more to you than her
The years have played some cruel tricks it seems
She's not reacting like you thought she would
Oh wasted, wasted, wasted
You're acting like a fool
The floor belongs to you, it's yours
That's an image that she can't forget
The lyrics to Alejandro Escovedo's song "Little Bottles" tells the story of a man trying to muster up courage to approach a woman he believes is interested in him. He lines up little bottles, perhaps containing alcohol, in a row and tries to drink his way to courage through a rusted straw. He's convinced that she wants him and that he'll be able to have his way with her, but he made the mistake of ignoring her while a diva sat on his knee. The song suggests that he's not a man, but just a fool, because he lacks the qualities necessary to win her over. The odds are stacked against him, and he's wrapped up in so much pain that he's unable to recognize how to be successful in his pursuit.
The lyrics go on to suggest that he try a different approach to win her over. Instead of drinking and getting drunk, the singer suggests that he write her a poem or a song to show her how much he cares for her. He paints a picture of a monument on her back that he can see as she walks away, an impression that he can't forget. He's so hopeful that he would be able to win her over, but an unexpected visit doesn't go as planned, and he's left feeling wasted and foolish. The floor belongs to him, but he's acting like a fool.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about trying too hard to impress someone and making a fool of oneself in the process. It's a reminder that sometimes the best way to win someone over is to show them how much you care through artistic expression and a genuine connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Line up your little bottles
Arrange your alcohol bottles in a neat row
In a tight little row
Place them close to each other in a straight line
Then try to sip some courage
Attempt to gain confidence by drinking alcohol
Through a rusted straw
Using an old, worn-out straw, perhaps metaphorical for your own state of decay
You're convinced she wants you,
You are certain that she is interested in you
And you will have your way,
You think you can get what you want from her
Then why did you ignore her?
Why did you neglect her when you had the chance?
While the Diva sat upon your knee
She was right there with you, waiting for your attention
You're not a man, you're just a fool
You are not behaving as a mature adult should
The odds are good
The chances of success are in your favor
You ain't got what it takes
You lack the necessary qualities to succeed in this situation
You're wrapped in so much pain
You are consumed by emotional distress
And we should pity that
People should feel sorry for you
Why don't you write her a poem,
You should try expressing your emotions creatively
Or better yet a song or two
Why not write a musical tribute to her?
I'm sure she'll be quite taken
She will likely be impressed by your talent
Paint a monument upon her back
Give her a lasting reminder of your love and admiration
That you can see as she walks away
So you can remember her by the monument after she leaves
An impression that you can't forget
Something that will stay with you forever
An unexpected visit means more to you than her
Your priorities are not in the right place
The years have played some cruel tricks it seems
Time has passed and changed things in unexpected ways
She's not reacting like you thought she would
Her behavior is not what you predicted or anticipated
Oh wasted, wasted, wasted
You have lost your opportunity and squandered your chances
You're acting like a fool
You are behaving in a foolish manner
The floor belongs to you, it's yours
You have the chance to make an impact
That's an image that she can't forget
Your behavior will stay with her, even after you leave
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind