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.
Oxford
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can roll me once, roll me twice
And I'm still lost in your eyes
Trading songs with Chesley
Till the sun comes up
Batton down the hatches
Secure the latches
The eyes of Texas are upon me
Delta mud upon my clothes
And it's dark at the crossroads
Robert Johnson knows
CHORUS:
Come on and hold me tight
I feel at home tonight
Come on and hold me tight
And never say goodnight
We'll drive on into town
And circle round the square
Seventy miles to Memphis
But you won't find me there
Fourteen hours what a ride
It was do or die
Southern hospitality
And I'm the King tonight
CHORUS
In Alejandro Escovedo’s song “Oxford,” he describes the feeling of being lost in someone’s eyes and compares it to paradise. The imagery of being “rolled” along with the repeated chorus of “hold me tight” reinforces the theme of being consumed by the pull of a particular person. However, the verses also provide glimpses into the backdrop of this love story. He mentions trading songs with Chesley until dawn and of the Delta mud upon his clothes. Additionally, there’s mention of the famous Robert Johnson, who himself made a deal with the devil at the crossroads.
The song is filled with lovelorn storytelling, conveying a sense of longing and urgency. Alejandro sings about how he has to “secure the latches” and “start all over again” with his significant other as if to suggest that their relationship is always on the edge. The line about driving “fourteen hours” and Southern hospitality creates a picture of a long-distance relationship that requires some effort, but despite the challenges, there’s still a feeling of excitement and invincibility. The song's chorus serves as the anchor, emphasizing the connection between two people, which seems strong enough to hold them together through everything including their physical separation.
Line by Line Meaning
It felt like paradise
The experience was so perfect that it felt like an ideal place or state, like paradise.
You can roll me once, roll me twice
The subject can take risks or chances and still be okay or okay with it, much like rolling a dice.
And I'm still lost in your eyes
There is a strong, deep connection with someone that causes the subject to feel like they're lost in their gaze or being.
Trading songs with Chesley
Sharing and exchanging music with someone named Chesley.
Till the sun comes up
Spending all night playing music together until the morning comes.
Batton down the hatches
Preparing for something difficult or challenging that requires a lot of effort and resilience.
Secure the latches
Making sure that everything is tightly and securely in place before moving forward.
And start all over again
Begin anew, with the same energy and focus as before.
The eyes of Texas are upon me
Feeling like everything the subject does is being watched or scrutinized, as though by the whole state of Texas.
Delta mud upon my clothes
Having the evidence of a journey or experience on one's clothes, in this case, mud from the Delta region.
And it's dark at the crossroads
Feeling uncertain and a bit lost, like being at a crossroads in life, and not having a clear sense of which path to take.
Robert Johnson knows
Referring to Robert Johnson, a musician who was said to have made a deal with the devil at a crossroads in exchange for his incredible musical talent. The phrase suggests that even Johnson himself would understand the subject's feeling of uncertainty and unrest.
Come on and hold me tight
Inviting someone to give the subject an embrace, which would make them feel safe and secure.
I feel at home tonight
Being in a place or situation where the subject feels comfortable, relaxed, and at ease.
And never say goodnight
Not wanting the night to end, and wishing to keep the feeling of home and security for as long as possible.
We'll drive on into town
Continuing the journey, and approaching a more populated area.
And circle round the square
Driving around a town square, which is a typical feature of many small American towns.
Seventy miles to Memphis
Referring to the city of Memphis, which is seventy miles away from the current location.
But you won't find me there
The singer won't be in Memphis, because they're on a different journey, or because it's a metaphor for not fitting into common expectations.
Fourteen hours what a ride
Having completed a long and possibly difficult journey of fourteen hours, which the subject found to be thrilling or exciting in some way.
It was do or die
Feeling like the journey or the experience was a matter of life and death, requiring full commitment and effort to succeed or survive.
Southern hospitality
The cultural practice of being warm, welcoming, and generous to guests, which the subject experienced during their journey.
And I'm the King tonight
Feeling powerful, important, and respected, possibly due to the hospitality that was shown to the subject.
Contributed by Elliot H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.