Along the way, El Chicano had many personnel changes; members who didn't join until the '70s included Ersi Arvizu (lead vocals), Hector "Rudy" Regalado (timbales, vocals), Max Garduno (congas), Danny Lamonte (drums), Brian Magness (bass), Joe Perreira (bass), Jerry Salas (lead vocals, guitar), Rudy Salas (guitar), and Steve Salas (lead vocals), among others. (The Salas brothers went on to join another East L.A. band, Tierra, which was an El Chicano spinoff and is best-known for its hit 1980 cover of the Intruders' Philadelphia soul ballad "Together"). After creating a buzz in East L.A. in the late '60s, El Chicano signed with MCA in 1970 and recorded its debut album, Viva Tirado. The instrumental title song, which was written by jazz pianist Gerald Wilson, was released as a single and became El Chicano's biggest hit; the recording reached number 28 on Billboard's pop singles chart and number 20 on its R&B singles chart. On regional L.A. charts, "Viva Tirado" spent about 12 weeks at number one. "Viva Tirado" (which was inspired by Mexican bullfighter Jose Ramon Tirado) was a rarity; in the '60s and '70s, one rarely saw any type of jazz instrumental — straight-ahead, fusion, soul-jazz, or otherwise — climbing that high up the national Billboard charts. When a jazz instrumental became a hit single in the pop or R&B markets, it was the exception instead of the rule. While the "Viva Tirado" single didn't make El Chicano national superstars — they were never as big as Santana — the band did acquire a loyal cult following and was especially popular in the Mexican-American neighborhoods of the southwestern United States. El Chicano's second biggest hit came in 1973 when MCA released the brown-eyed soul classic "Tell Her She's Lovely" as a single. Nationally, the tune (which features Jerry Salas on lead vocals) wasn't a major hit; "Tell Her She's Lovely" only reached number 40 on Billboard's pop singles chart and number 98 on the magazine's R&B singles chart. But in Mexican-American neighborhoods, the song was huge — among Chicano Baby Boomers, "Tell Her She's Lovely" was as popular as War's big '70s hits. The band also composed the theme to Robert Blake's 1970s television cop show “Baretta" . El Chicano's contract with MCA ended in 1976; that year, the band recorded its first post-MCA album, This Is...El Chicano, for the independent Shady Brooke label (where the L.A. residents enjoyed more creative control than they had during their six years at MCA). The band's next LP, Look of Love, was released on Musidisc in 1977; then in the early '80s, El Chicano briefly recorded for Columbia, which released the romantic blue-eyed soul tune "Do You Want Me" as a single in 1983. Although not a national chart-buster, the song became a minor hit (primarily in Mexican-American areas). El Chicano, enjoyed newfound attention in the 1990s after rapper Kid Frost sampled "Viva Tirado" for his hit "La Raza." and the band made a long overdue return to the studio with 1998's album Painting the Moment which showed some creeping influences of smooth jazz into the band's sound. Released on Thump, that CD marked the return of original lead guitarist Mickey Lespron, who had not recorded with El Chicano since the '70s.
Inevitably, El Chicano (whose Spanish name means "the Chicano" or "the Mexican-American") has been heavily influenced and compared to Latin Rock pioneer Carlos Santana. Despite similarities in approach, El Chicano has displayed a distinct style of its own and Santana is certainly not the band's only influence. Over the years, El Chicano has been stylistically affected by everyone from Chicano soulsters like Cannibal & the Headhunters and Thee Midniters to Latin soul-jazz favorite Pucho to salsa heavyweights such as Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, and Mongo Santamaria. El Chicano's members were not only affected by the Mexican-American experience, they were also well aware of what Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians were doing on the East Coast and in the Caribbean, as well as contemporary jazz and funk artists.
Tell Her She's Lovely
El Chicano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
El Chicano
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, she know's how to suffer.
People want to think that their are
the only ones who really are alone.
the only ones who really are alone.
People, are so beautiful in love.
People, are so wonderful to love.
People want to think that their are
the only ones who really are alone.
Thinking a little bit over.
Try to know one and another.
Waiting a little bit longer.
Thinking a little bit over,yeaaaaa.
Tell her, love is a song.
Sing out,sing out, all night long.
People want to think that their are
the only ones who really are alone.
Thinking a little bit over.
Try to know one and another.
Waiting a little bit longer.
Thinking a little bit over,yeaaaaa.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Fade
The lyrics to El Chicano's song Tell Her She's Lovely are all about love and the need for people to feel loved and appreciated. The song encourages listeners to express their love for their partners and to let them know how beautiful and valuable they are. The lyrics suggest that people often feel alone and believe they are the only ones who feel that way, but the truth is that everyone experiences loneliness and the need for love.
The song's chorus, "Tell her, tell her she's lovely," is repeated throughout the song as a reminder to listeners to express their love and appreciation for their partners. The lyrics also emphasize the importance of taking the time to get to know each other and waiting for the right moment to express one's feelings. Overall, the song is an uplifting and positive celebration of love and the human need for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Compliment her and let her know she is beautiful.
Tell her, she know's how to suffer.
Acknowledge her pain and understand that she is going through a difficult time.
People want to think that their are the only ones who really are alone.
Many people believe they are the only ones who feel lonely.
People, are so beautiful in love.
Love makes people feel beautiful.
People, are so wonderful to love.
Loving people is a wonderful experience.
Thinking a little bit over.
Take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
Try to know one and another.
Make an effort to truly understand and get to know each other.
Waiting a little bit longer.
Be patient and give things time to develop naturally.
Tell her, love is a song.
Love is a beautiful, musical expression.
Sing out,sing out, all night long.
Express your love and affection openly and freely.
Tell her, tell her she's lovely.
Continue to remind her of her beauty and worth.
Fade
The song ends with a fade out.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID HURST BATTEAU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
T McGee
This song is 50 years old and still rockin it! The 70's were the best for music. Love this music
Armando Martinez
I dedicated this to my woman cause it reminds me of her! 🥰 And I always "tell her she's lovely"
LP
ARMANDO!!! GOOD MAN for telling her SHE’S LOVELY!!! At 57 years and ALIVE & LISTENING to this music when it first came out - I’m telling you, it means EVERYTHING for your woman to feel like her man thinks SHE’S LOVELY. ❤❤❤😂
CC Makaw
It was 1975 and I was11 y/o when my older siblings were playing this (in New Zealand) on repeat repeat - still playing it in 2021! Just amazing beautiful music 😍
Robert Anthony Sotela
When I first met my Lydia this song was Jamming in my head. And now she's my wife and I sing this song to hear in the morning's before leaving for work.
Sabrina Phillips
Sweeeeeet
I love this song so much; makes me think of California in the 70s and how good it was and the people too. Nice story
♡ ⋆ ˚｡⋆ ☾ ZORA ☽ ⋆ ˚｡⋆ ♡
♥️❤️❤️♥️♥️SO 🥰 CUTEE ♥️❤️❤️❤️❤️♥️
Welder Time
Is your last name Sotela ? I'm Sotelo
Eugenia Sanchez
Recuerdos de mi juventud! Desde El Salvador disfrutando esta musica.
Zuny Ostos
Toda la vida me ha gustado este grupo . me encanta oirlos.