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.
wave
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
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Everybody waves goodbye
Climb aboard the train
Turn and wave goodbye again
Some go north, some go south
Maybe east, some left out
Some are rich, some are poor
Wave goodbye
We're headed for the other side
The sun shines brighter there
And everyone's got golden hair.
They went north, they went south
Maybe east, some left out
Some are rich, some are poor
Someone blessed somewhat more
Because I'm sick
We're gonna find the ones that left
A boy climbs aboard the train
Never to wave bye again
They went north, they went south
Maybe east, some left out
Some are rich, some are poor
But everybody's got to wave
Don't you cry
We made it to the other side
The sun's not brighter here
It only shines on golden hair
I went north, I went south
Maybe east, some left out
Some are rich, some are poor
But everybody's got to wave
The lyrics to Alejandro Escovedo's song "Wave" primarily deal with saying goodbye to people as they move on to different parts of their lives. The song begins with the repetition of waving goodbye as individuals climb aboard a train, which takes them in different directions. The lyrics describe some people leaving for better opportunities, while others are left behind. The chorus repeats the idea of waving goodbye and heading towards the "other side" where the sun shines brighter and everyone has golden hair. However, the last section of the song takes a darker turn when the singer reveals they are sick and must look for those who have left, implying a sense of regret for lost time and missed opportunities.
The song's emotional impact comes from the rawness of the lyrics and Escovedo's soulful voice. By describing different characters who leave and are left behind, the song taps into universal themes of separation, hope, and loss. It's a poignant reminder that life is full of goodbyes, and change is often out of our control. The song's narrative structure is also noteworthy, moving from a hopeful beginning to a more sobering realization at the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Wave goodbye
Acknowledgement of departure
Everybody waves goodbye
Everyone must acknowledge farewell
Climb aboard the train
Boarding a vehicle to travel
Turn and wave goodbye again
Once more, acknowledge farewell before departing
Some go north, some go south
People travel in different directions
Maybe east, some left out
Some people cannot travel in a specific direction
Some are rich, some are poor
People come from different backgrounds
But everybody's got to wave
Everyone must acknowledge farewell
Wave goodbye
Acknowledgement of departure
We're headed for the other side
Going to another location
The sun shines brighter there
The new location is perceived as better
And everyone's got golden hair.
Everyone is content and happy
They went north, they went south
Others have already left to different directions
Maybe east, some left out
Some cannot travel to a particular direction
Some are rich, some are poor
People come from different backgrounds
Someone blessed somewhat more
Some people are more fortunate than others
Because I'm sick
The artist is unwell
We're gonna find the ones that left
The singer's journey to find others who left before them
A boy climbs aboard the train
A child boards the train
Never to wave bye again
The child did not acknowledge farewell
They went north, they went south
Others have already left to different directions
Don't you cry
A reassurance to not be upset
We made it to the other side
The singer arrived at their destination
The sun's not brighter here
The new location is not necessarily better
It only shines on golden hair
Only some people are content and happy in the new location
I went north, I went south
The singer has travelled in different directions
Maybe east, some left out
Some cannot travel to a particular direction
Some are rich, some are poor
People come from different backgrounds
But everybody's got to wave
Everyone must acknowledge farewell
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind