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.
Sometimes
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
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You want to step inside for, for just a peek
You say you've paid your price
Well I've paid mine
And it's not pretty here, once you've stepped inside
Sometimes, Sometimes
Inside, Inside
I heard Spyboy crying from across the trees
He said don't give 'em much
When you're stretched out across the breeze
It's like a circus here step up and take your shot
But there's no winners here
When you're stretched across the breeze
It's been a scary ride and I need some sleep
You want to peek inside, well just take a peek
I wish you were here, sleep by my side
But there's no winners here
When you're stretched across the trees
The lyrics to Alejandro Escovedo's song "Sometimes" describe a situation in which the singer is exhausted both physically and emotionally, and feels like he's been through a difficult and unpleasant experience. The lines "It's been a wild ride and I can't sleep / You want to step inside for, for just a peek" suggest that the singer may be talking to someone else, perhaps a friend or a lover, who wants to understand what he's been through. The lyrics indicate that the singer has been struggling for a long time, but that he's not the only one who's suffered. Lines like "You say you've paid your price / Well I've paid mine" show that the singer recognizes that others have also gone through difficult times.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of tension and unease, as the singer describes the "circus" of life and the way that people are forced to compete with each other for survival. The lines "I heard Spyboy crying from across the trees / He said don't give 'em much / When you're stretched out across the breeze" suggest that even those who are successful are still vulnerable in some way, and that the world can be a cruel and unforgiving place. Ultimately, the song is a reminder that life can be difficult and challenging, but that we shouldn't lose hope or give up.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a wild ride and I can't sleep
I have been on a tumultuous journey and I am unable to rest.
You want to step inside for, for just a peek
You desire to enter my world, if only briefly for a look.
You say you've paid your price
You claim to have suffered for your past actions.
Well I've paid mine
I too have faced consequences for my choices.
And it's not pretty here, once you’ve stepped inside
However, the reality of my world is not pleasing or attractive.
Sometimes, Sometimes
Occasionally, there are moments of hardship.
Inside, Inside
Internally, emotionally.
Sometimes it hurts, sometimes inside
Sometimes the pain is internal and not always visible.
I heard Spyboy crying from across the trees
I overheard a man lamenting his situation from a distance.
He said don't give 'em much when you're stretched out across the breeze
His advice was to not give too much of yourself when vulnerable.
It's like a circus here step up and take your shot
Being in this environment feels like a chaotic and dangerous circus.
But there's no winners here when you're stretched across the breeze
Ultimately, no one triumphs in this state of vulnerability.
It's been a scary ride and I need some sleep
This has been a frightening journey and I require rest.
You want to peek inside, well just take a peek
If you are curious, feel free to take a brief glimpse into my world.
I wish you were here, sleep by my side
I long for your presence as I rest.
But there's no winners here when you're stretched across the trees
Unfortunately, even in moments of companionship there is no true victory when vulnerable.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind