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.
Rhapsody
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well i don't really care.
There's plenty of faces along the way
Who'd be glad to place me there
Was it your fault? Or just my fault
Well it don't matter anymore.
You carve our names on window panes
and leave them scattered on the floor.-----
So if the melody escapes me
i will stumble upon it soon
if it's not a rhapsody
Well it'll just;
have to do -----
So if the melody escapes me
i will stumble upon it soon
if it's not a rhapsody -----
the memory will have to do
Well look who's crying now
i can't forget your name -----.
there's plenty of strangers along the way
who'd be glad to pass the blame -----
If it's my fault, i'll pay the cost
you be the one to keep the score -----
You carved our name on window frames
and let them scatter by the door -----.
First you said you loved me
then you changed your mind
i wish i could hear it
one more time
If it's my fault
i'll pay the cost
You be the one to keep the score
We carved on names on window frames,
the letters scatter out the door
The song "Rhapsody" by Alejandro Escovedo is a melancholic ballad that explores the themes of lost love, memories, and regrets. The opening lines of the song express a sense of detachment and indifference - the singer doesn't care about where it all began. He goes on to contemplate the reasons behind the failed relationship and acknowledges the role played by both parties in its demise. Despite the pain of parting and the guilt that lingers, the two lovers have shared intimate moments, symbolized by the carved names on window panes that lie scattered on the floor.
The singer then reflects on the melody of the love song that he had shared with his lover. Although he cannot recall it for the moment, he believes the tune will soon resurface. Whether or not the melody turns out to be a rhapsody doesn't matter; memories are all that is left of the love they shared. The second verse picks up the narrative from where it left off, with the singer focusing on his ex-lover's response to their relationship's end. While he is still struggling with his feelings, she seems to have moved on, leaving him in pain. There are plenty of strangers out there who are willing to take the blame, but the bitter reality is that the love they shared is lost.
In conclusion, "Rhapsody" is a poignant song that captures the essence of lost love and the aftermath of a failed relationship. Despite the pain and heartbreak, the song encourages us to hold on to the memories and hope that the melody will soon resurface. It is a tribute to the power of music to heal the soul and help us move on from our pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Where'd it all begin?
The origin of our problem is irrelevant.
Well i don't really care.
I am indifferent to the beginning of our problem.
There's plenty of faces along the way
Who'd be glad to place me there
There are many people who would be quick to blame me for our problem.
Was it your fault? Or just my fault
Well it don't matter anymore.
Assigning blame is unnecessary as the issue is now in the past.
You carve our names on window panes
and leave them scattered on the floor.
You leave reminders of our past relationship around the house.
So if the melody escapes me
i will stumble upon it soon
if it's not a rhapsody
Well it'll just;
have to do
If I cannot remember our relationship fondly, any memory will suffice.
So if the melody escapes me
i will stumble upon it soon
if it's not a rhapsody
the memory will have to do
If I can't remember our relationship as a beautiful symphony, any memory will suffice.
Well look who's crying now
i can't forget your name .
It is ironic that you are the one who is upset now, given that you are unforgettable to me.
there's plenty of strangers along the way
who'd be glad to pass the blame
There are many people who would be willing to blame me for our problems.
If it's my fault, i'll pay the cost
you be the one to keep the score
I am willing to take responsibility for our issues, but you keep track of it.
We carved on names on window frames,
the letters scatter out the door
We used to leave reminders of our love, but now they are scattered and forgotten.
First you said you loved me
then you changed your mind
i wish i could hear it
one more time
You once loved me, but now you don't. I wish you would tell me why.
Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.