Born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez in Los Angeles, California, Montez was brought up in Hawthorne, California. His early musical influences included the latino music played and performed by residents of his neighborhood, as well as Ritchie Valens. After the release of the highly successful "Let's Dance" on Monogram Records, Montez spent several years touring with artists such as Sam Cooke, The Platters, and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, as well as The Beatles, then relatively unknown outside of Liverpool.
Early in 1963, Montez would score another hit with "Some Kinda Fun". Reaching #43 on the charts, the song utilized the same catchy keyboard instrumentation as did "Let's Dance"; fittingly, both were million sellers, and were awarded gold discs. 1963 also saw the release of Montez's only album on Monogram, Let's Dance and Have Some Kinda' Fun!!!. Shortly before Monogram folded, Montez was paired up with Kathy Young, releasing two singles as the duo Chris & Kathy, most notably surf rock classic "Shoot That Curl". While at Monogram, Montez wrote, or co-wrote, several of his own songs, such as "Chiquita Mia", "Let's Do the Limbo" and "No No No".
Two years later, Montez was practically a non-entity in the music business; however, Herb Alpert, co-founder of A&M Records, cordially invited Montez to resume his recording career at A&M. When Montez attempted to replicate his earlier rock 'n' roll success, however, Alpert personally suggested that Montez try a different approach: a middle of the road, soft ballad sound. While not particularly interested in changing his style of music, Montez decided to trust Alpert's instincts.
"Call Me", a cover version of a Petula Clark song, was the first single from his 1966 album, The More I See You / Call Me, earning Montez his biggest hit in years, eventually reaching #22. The song has since become an easy listening standard. The album's title cut, Montez's second single, was a source of confusion for certain radio disc jockeys who were unfamiliar with Montez' past as a rocker; when back-announcing the song, they would often refer to Montez as being female, likely owing to Montez's falsetto singing style. This confusion would be cleared up by the time the album, bearing Montez's pictures on the front and back sleeve, was released.
Montez would record three more albums for A&M: Time After Time (1966), Foolin' Around (1967), and Watch What Happens (1968). Although quite stylistically similar to his first hit album on A&M, they failed to mirror its success, although Time After Time's title cut and "Because of You" both managed to crack the Hot 100. In 1968, Montez departed from A&M on a three-year sabbatical. In 1972, Montez released a big hit single in Brazil, "Loco por ti". By this time, he had returned to his rock roots, albeit with more noticeable pop influence than before.
Two years later, now with CBS Records, Montez released The Best of Chris Montez, a compilation consisting of both old and new material, the newer bearing little to no resemblance to his past hits. While at CBS, he released one more album: Raza: Ay no digas, which fared well in international markets but failed to make an impact in the US. In 1983, Montez released his final album, Cartas de Amor, all of its songs being sung in Spanish. Although his recording career appears to be behind him, Montez is still an active musician, performing to mostly foreign audiences.
In 2008, Frozen Pictures announced plans to make a documentary on Montez's life and career, El viaje musical de Ezekiel Montanez: The Chris Montez Story. The film, focusing on Montez's multi-faceted musical career and considerable influence, has been previewed at several film festivals, but has not seen domestic release.
Rocking Blues
Chris Montez Lyrics
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Ever since you left me baby I've been so sad and blue
I don't know what to do but cry for you
I've got the rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
I hear the rumors goin' around that you found somone new
Now honey won't you please tell me, oh is it true
I've got the rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
And I'm wonderin' lovin' baby if you, you got 'em too
Just because you were untrue, I hope you do
I've got the rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
Well I love you pretty baby even though, you know I do
So won't you please come home to me and start anew
(Repeat & Fade)
Let's rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
The lyrics to Chris Montez's song Rocking Blues express the feelings of hurt and heartbreak that have become synonymous with the blues genre. The repetition of "rock'n" throughout the song creates a sense of rhythm and energy, which could be Montez's way of trying to distract himself from the pain he feels after being left by his lover.
The lines "Ever since you left me baby I've been so sad and blue, I don't know what to do but cry for you" convey the deep sadness Montez is experiencing since the break-up. He is unable to move on and is stuck in a cycle of despair, as he misses his lover and longs for them to return.
The song also touches on the idea of rumors and infidelity, with the lines "I hear the rumors goin' around that you found someone new, Now honey won't you please tell me, oh is it true". Here, Montez is trying to get clarity on whether his lover has moved on with someone new, and the uncertainty of this only adds to his pain.
Overall, the lyrics to Rocking Blues are a reflection of the pain and heartbreak that come with failed relationships. The repetitive use of the phrase "rock'n" adds to the energy of the song, while the lyrics themselves are full of emotion and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
I am feeling a deep and somber sadness, which I have encapsulated into an upbeat, energetic style of music known as rock'n blues.
Ever since you left me baby I've been so sad and blue
My separation from you has inflicted upon me great sorrow and heartache, causing me to feel extremely despondent.
I don't know what to do but cry for you
In my current state of emotional distress, I find myself unable to do anything but weep over your absence.
I hear the rumors goin' around that you found somone new
There are murmurs and whispers circulating that suggest you have moved on and found another lover.
Now honey won't you please tell me, oh is it true
I implore you, my dear, to confirm or deny the rumors that have reached my ears regarding your romantic involvement with another person.
And I'm wonderin' lovin' baby if you, you got 'em too
I am curious if you are also experiencing the same deeply felt anguish and sorrow that I am currently feeling, my love.
Just because you were untrue, I hope you do
Even though you have been unfaithful to me, I still hope that you are not suffering the same sense of despair that I am experiencing.
Well I love you pretty baby even though, you know I do
Despite the fact that you are aware of my feelings towards you, I feel compelled to remind you that I still deeply love you, my beautiful darling.
So won't you please come home to me and start anew
I beseech you to return to my side so that we may begin again, starting fresh and building a new chapter in our lives together.
Let's rock'n, rock'n, rock'n, rock'n blues
Let us infuse our mutual passion for music into a shared experience of vibrant, upbeat rock'n blues.
Writer(s): Chris Montez
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.