Juan García Esquivel (January 20, 1918 – January 3, 2002) was a Mexican band leader, pianist, and composer for television and films. He is recognized today as one of the foremost exponents of a sophisticated style of largely instrumental music that combines elements of lounge music and jazz with Latin flavors. Esquivel is sometimes called "The King of Space Age Pop" and "The Busby Berkeley of Cocktail Music." Esquivel is considered one of the foremost exponents of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop that became known (in retrospect) as "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music".
He was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, and his family moved to Mexico City in 1928 where he studied at the UNAM.
Esquivel is considered the king of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop known today as lounge music. Esquivel's musical style was highly idiosyncratic, and although elements sound like his contemporaries, many stylistic traits distinguished his music and made it instantly recognizable, including exotic percussion, wordless vocals, virtuoso piano runs, and exaggerated dynamic shifts. He used many jazz-like elements; however, other than his piano solos, there is no improvisation, and the works are tightly, meticulously arranged by Esquivel himself, who considered himself a perfectionist as a composer, performer, and recording artist.
His orchestration tended toward the very lush, employing novel instrumental combinations, such as Chinese bells, mariachi bands, whistling, and numerous percussion instruments, blended with orchestra, mixed chorus, and his own heavily-ornamented piano style. The chorus was often called upon to sing only nonsense syllables, most famously "zu-zu" and "pow!" A survey of Esquivel's recordings reveals a fondness for glissandi, sometimes on a half-valved trumpet, sometimes on a kettle drum, but most frequently on pitched percussion instruments and slide guitars.
Esquivel's use of stereo recording was legendary, occasionally featuring two bands recording simultaneously in separate studios, such as on his album Latin-Esque (1962). The song "Mucha Muchacha" makes particularly mind-bending use of the separation, with the chorus and brass rapidly alternating stereo sides.
He arranged many traditional Mexican songs like "Bésame Mucho", "La Bamba", "El Manisero" (Cuban/Mexican) and "La Bikina"; covered Brazilian songs like "Aquarela do Brasil" (also known simply as "Brazil") by Ary Barroso, "Surfboard" and "Agua de Beber" by Tom Jobim, and composed spicy lounge-like novelties such as "Mini Skirt", "Yeyo", "Latin-Esque", "Mucha Muchacha" and "Whatchamacallit". He was commissioned to compose the music of a Mexican children's TV show Odisea Burbujas.
His concerts also featured elaborate light shows years before effects like that became popular in live music. He performed in Las Vegas on several occasions, often as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.
Several compilations of Esquivel's music were issued starting with Space Age Bachelor Pad Music in 1994. The apparent success of these releases led to reissues of several of Esquivel's albums. The first reissues were compiled by Irwin Chusid, who also produced the first CD reissues of Raymond Scott and The Langley Schools Music Project.
The last recording on which Esquivel worked was Merry Christmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad in 1996, for which he did a voiceover on a track by the band Combustible Edison. This album also included several obscure tracks from his past sessions. The last CD released during his lifetime, See It In Sound, was actually recorded in 1960, but was not released at the time because the record company believed it would not be commercially successful. When finally released in 1998, it exhibited very unusual and introspective stylings absent from his other works, including a version of "Brazil", played as a musical soundscape of a man bar-hopping where the band plays different renditions of "Brazil" at each bar.
Esquivel also worked as a composer for Revue Productions/Universal Television; where he scored the TV western series "The Tall Man," and wrote the familiar Revue/Universal TV logo fanfare.
Tribute performances (current)
Jan 14, 2011 Boston - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel"
Mar 18, 2011 New York City - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel" (first-ever live performance of Esquivel's big band studio orchestra music in NYC)
Influences
Kronos Quartet recorded a string quartet arrangement of Esquivel's song "Mini Skirt" for their album Nuevo.
All of Me
Esquivel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
My head's under water
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you
Give me all of you
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you
The lyrics to Esquivel's song "All Of Me" are a beautiful and honest representation of a deep, passionate love that has no bounds. The song speaks to the unconditional, all-encompassing love that two people can share, despite each other's flaws and imperfections. The first verse describes the intense attraction and confusion two people can feel when they first fall for each other. One person is drawn in by the other's "smart mouth" but is also thrown off balance by their mysterious and unpredictable nature. Despite this, they remain captivated and are willing to go on a "magical mystery ride" with them.
The second verse explores the idea of vulnerability and trust in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that they are willing to give everything they have to their partner and accept them for who they are, no matter what. They use the metaphor of being underwater but still able to breathe to represent the struggle and challenge of love, but also the resilience and strength it provides. The chorus repeats this theme of total devotion and commitment, with the powerful line "you're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning." The final verse further reinforces the idea of honesty and openness in a relationship, with both parties risking everything to love each other fully.
"All Of Me" is a beautiful song that captures the essence of true love and is a testament to the power and beauty of relationships. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with people from all walks of life and remains a staple in romantic playlists to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
What would I do without your smart mouth
I admire the way you speak so intelligently and cleverly, you have my attention.
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You constantly attract me and push me away, making it difficult to resist you.
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
You make me feel dizzy and uncertain, I can't seem to figure you out or control my emotions around you.
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm curious as to what thoughts and feelings are running through your mind, especially because you are so captivating.
I'm on your magical mystery ride
I'm enjoying this thrilling and exciting journey I'm on with you, even though I don't know where it's leading.
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
I feel overwhelmed and confused, but I know I'll be fine because being with you is worth taking the risk.
My head's under water
I feel like I'm drowning in my emotions.
But I'm breathing fine
Despite feeling overwhelmed, I'm still managing to stay calm and keep going.
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
You're wild and unpredictable, and being with you makes me feel like I'm losing my mind too.
'Cause all of me
Every part of me, my heart, my soul, my being.
Loves all of you
I love every single thing about you, from your physical features to your personality.
Love your curves and all your edges
I love every little aspect of you, even the imperfections that make you unique.
All your perfect imperfections
Your flaws and idiosyncrasies are what make you special and perfect in your own way.
Give your all to me
Put your heart and soul into our relationship, and give me all of yourself.
I'll give my all to you
I promise to put as much effort and love into our relationship as you do, and give you my whole self in return.
You're my end and my beginning
You are the start and the finish of my world, my everything.
Even when I lose I'm winning
Even when things don't go as planned, I still feel like I'm a winner because I have you.
'Cause I give you all, all of me
I am fully committed to you and will give you everything I have, my heart and my soul.
And you give me all, all of you
I know that you're just as devoted as I am, and you will give me everything you have in return.
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
We're being honest and open with each other, showing our true selves and feelings.
Risking it all, though it's hard
Even though it's scary and difficult, we're willing to take a chance on each other and give it our all.
I give you all of me
Again, I am completely devoted to you and giving you everything I have.
And you give me all of you
I know that you're equally committed, and you're giving me everything you have in return.
Writer(s): Gerald Marks, John Roger Stephens, Seymour Simons, Tobias Gad
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.