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.
Swallows Of San Juan
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roll in the mud and the clay
Like the swallows of San Juan
I'm gonna get back some day
A thousand steps to the water
A thousand steps you must take
There's a thousand worlds on a head of a pin
Next time you see me
I'm going to smile for the camera
Like some wild man from Pompeii
Take my word
Go down to the sea
It's breaking bigger
Than anything any of us have ever seen
I gonna crawl upon the shore
Roll in the mud and the clay
Like the swallows of San Juan
I'm gonna get back some day
Had a blonde tv special
And an English half Stef
I lost some boats in a deal
But some day, some day
I'll get 'em back
Next time you see me
I'm going to smile for the camera
Like some wild man from Pompeii
Take my word
Go down to the sea
It's breaking bigger
Than anything any of us have ever seen
I gonna crawl upon the shore
Roll in the mud and the clay
Like the swallows of San Juan
I'm gonna get back, get back some day
I'm gonna get back some day
Get back some day
Gonna get back some day
Yeah, some day
Gonna get back some day
Get back
Get back some day
The lyrics of Alejandro Escovedo's song "Swallows Of San Juan" evoke a sense of determination and hopefulness in the face of adversity. The first verse suggests a willingness to embrace struggle and hardship, as the singer is willing to "crawl upon the shore" and "roll in the mud and the clay" like the swallows of San Juan. The swallows are known to build their nests out of mud, so comparing oneself to them in this way could be interpreted as a metaphor for being resourceful and resilient. The line "I'm gonna get back some day" further emphasizes a determination to overcome obstacles and return to a place of significance.
In the second verse, the imagery of "a thousand steps to the water" and "a thousand rules to break" reinforces the idea that the journey may be difficult and require strength and perseverance. However, the singer remains steadfast in their resolve to succeed, smiling for the camera like a "wild man from Pompeii". The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the hopeful tone of the song, with the singer expressing confidence that they will one day return to a place of significance.
Overall, "Swallows Of San Juan" is a song about grit and determination in the face of adversity. The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphor to evoke a sense of resilience and hopefulness, emphasizing the idea that with hard work and persistence, one can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I gonna crawl upon the shore
I'm going to come crawling back to my roots and origins, like a person who has experienced difficulty but is now seeking refuge and revival.
Roll in the mud and the clay
I will engage in humbling experiences and not shy away from getting my hands dirty to seek the growth and transformation I need.
Like the swallows of San Juan
Just as the swallows migrate and return to their safe haven, I too will eventually return to my place of comfort and belonging.
I'm gonna get back some day
I will reclaim my lost identity and reunite with my true self when the time is right.
A thousand steps to the water
For every journey, there is a lengthy and challenging pathway one must take before reaching their ultimate destination.
A thousand steps you must take
In order to achieve success or self-discovery, one must take numerous steps towards their goal, no matter how arduous the road may be.
There's a thousand worlds on a head of a pin
Despite being small and seemingly insignificant, each and every choice or decision holds significance and has the potential to affect multiple outcomes.
A thousand rules to break
In order to live a fulfilling life and achieve true liberation, one must challenge societal and cultural norms and break boundaries.
Next time you see me
I'm going to smile for the camera
Like some wild man from Pompeii
In the future, when I am in a better place, I will showcase my joy and happiness to the world, with a wild and carefree demeanor, unaffected by any negative judgment.
Take my word
Go down to the sea
It's breaking bigger
Than anything any of us have ever seen
Believe me when I say that the challenges I faced are greater than anything I have ever experienced or witnessed, as unstoppable and tumultuous as the waves of the sea.
Had a blonde tv special
And an English half Stef
I lost some boats in a deal
But some day, some day
I'll get 'em back
I had achieved great success once, but lost some of my power in failed negotiations. Nonetheless, I have faith that my possessions and influence will be restored to me in time.
I gonna crawl upon the shore
Roll in the mud and the clay
Like the swallows of San Juan
I'm gonna get back, get back some day
I will go through challenging experiences and come out stronger, like the swallows returning to their safe place. And one day, I will come back to my place of comfort and belonging.
I'm gonna get back some day
Get back some day
Gonna get back some day
Yeah, some day
Gonna get back some day
Get back
Get back some day
I have faith that one day, I will regain the identity, power, and influence that I have lost, and be able to return to my true self and place of belonging.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, CHARLES PROPHET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind