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.
San Antonio Rain
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Might be a half-pound of cocaine, quarter pound of mexican weed
But the last thing I need is something that'll dull my pain,
I've walked from here to San Antonio just to taste the cool tongue of the rain
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
The rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
I ask the bartender for doubles, the bartender his eyes shouldn't wait
Once I could find a friendly face on every corner of this town,
When you don't recognize a single soul what's the use in hanging around?
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
No, the rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
No, the rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
No
I put my fingertip pulls you whispered something pretty in my ear,
I just laid down to rest my eyes when I woke up there was nobody there
I hear ocean calling, calling like a long lost friend
Think I'll go back to California but I don't think they'd let me in
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
No, the rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
No, the rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
No, no, no, no
Think I'll go back to California but I'm not sure they'd let me in
In the opening verse of Alejandro Escovedo's song San Antonio Rain, the singer is feeling the pressure of people trying to sell him drugs. He rejects their offers, saying that the last thing he needs is something to dull his pain. He has experienced some degree of hardship, as evidenced by the fact that he has walked from his current location to San Antonio, presumably to find some solace in the rain. However, despite his efforts, the rain isn't coming. The repetitive chorus, "the rain ain't gonna come," emphasizes the futility of his quest for relief. The second verse sees him drinking at a bar, hoping for some kind of escape. He laments the fact that he no longer recognizes anyone in the town. The third verse introduces a new element to the song, with the singer remembering a flirtatious interaction he had with someone. His dreams are interrupted, however, and he reflects on the fact that he's feeling isolated and disconnected. He considers a return to California, but even that option seems uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Seems like everybody's trying to sell me something I don't need,
It seems as if every person he comes across is trying to get him to buy something that he really doesn't want.
Might be a half-pound of cocaine, quarter pound of mexican weed
People he comes across are trying to sell him drugs like cocaine and weed.
But the last thing I need is something that'll dull my pain,
He is in emotional pain and wants something that will help, not something that will numb the pain.
I've walked from here to San Antonio just to taste the cool tongue of the rain
He is yearning for relief from his troubles and has traveled a great distance to find solace in the calming effect of rain.
Gimme something strong I think I've felt enough of this
He is looking for something that is powerful enough to make him feel better after dealing with so many struggles.
I ask the bartender for doubles, the bartender his eyes shouldn't wait
He orders another drink from the bartender who appears to be judging him for drinking so much.
Once I could find a friendly face on every corner of this town,
At one point he was familiar with everyone in the town and there were people he could go to for comfort.
When you don't recognize a single soul what's the use in hanging around?
If he doesn't know anyone in the town anymore, what is the point of staying there?
I put my fingertip pulls you whispered something pretty in my ear,
He remembers being intimate with someone who whispered sweet things to him.
I just laid down to rest my eyes when I woke up there was nobody there
He remembers waking up to find that the person who whispered to him has gone and he is now alone.
I hear ocean calling, calling like a long lost friend
He longs for the sound of the ocean, it's calling to him and is something he misses like an old friend.
Think I'll go back to California but I don't think they'd let me in
He wants to go back to California, but he doesn't think that he will be allowed there.
The rain ain't gonna come (oh the rain ain't gonna come)
He realizes that he may not get the relief he's been seeking from the rain.
No, the rain the don't wanna come (oh-oh)
He repeats that the rain is not coming, emphasizing that he feels he may never be able to find the solace he craves.
No
He ends the song with a feeling of defeat and finality, with no hope for relief in sight.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, CHUCK PROPHET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Brickley
One of those truly original artists whose popularity extends to fellow artists and aficionados of unique and one of a kind talents. This man has performed cowpunk, strings and hard rock. He is a flavor all his own. Love this mans music.
Greg
I just found out about this dude and relized just what great music iv'e been missing (WOW).
Rose Nygren
Sweet............................. :-)