In 1959, Fender recorded the blues ballad "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights." The song became popular in 1959, but he was beset by legal troubles after he and a band member were arrested for possession of marijuana. After a two years in Louisiana's Angola prison farm, he was released through the intercession of Gov. Jimmie Davis, also a songwriter and musician. Davis requested that Fender stay away from music while on probation as a condition of his release. By the end of the 1960s, Fender was back in Texas working as a mechanic, and attending a local junior college, while only playing music on the weekends.
Number One Pop and Country
In 1974, Fender recorded "Before The Next Teardrop Falls." The single was selected for national distribution, and became a number one hit on the Billboard Country and Pop charts. His next four singles, including a remake of "Wasted Days", all hit the number one spot on the Billboard Country charts. During the next few years, Fender had several major country hits, including the No. 1 hits "Secret Love" (1975) and "You'll Lose a Good Thing" (1976).
Texas Tornados
In the 1990s, Fender teamed up with fellow Tex-Mex musicians Doug Sahm, Flaco Jimenez and Augie Myers to form the Tex-Mex supergroup the Texas Tornados, whose work was widely acclaimed. Following the death of Sahm, the production of the Tornadoes slowed.
Los Super Seven
Freddy Fender continued to still be on top with a groundbreaking collaboration with several musical legends to produce another supergroup, Los Super Seven which consisted of David Hidalgo (vocals, guitar, drums, bass, percussion, requinto, hidalguera); Rick Trevino, Joe Ely (vocals, guitar); Flaco Jimenez (vocals, accordion); Cesar Rosas (vocals, six-string bass, guitar, guitarron, jarana); Freddy Fender (vocals, acoustic bass); Ruben Ramos (vocals). This Super Seven effort won a Grammy in 1999.
On February 4, 1999, Freddy's star was installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2004, the Texas Folklife Resources produced a widely acclaimed sell-out show at the Paramount in Austin, Texas " Fifty Years of Freddy Fender", where Freddy was honored and then performed to a packed house. Also in 2004, Freddy's hometown of San Benito Texas honored Freddy with his likeness emblazoned on their new watertower with "Hometown of Freddy Fender". Freddy would later say that this honor meant more to him than any other accolade he had ever won.
Freddy Fender's Masterpiece...
La Musica De Baldemar Huerta
Freddy delves deeply into the music of his forefathers: the boleros and rancheras that would have played in the ghettos of his native San Benito, Texas, and that he sang as a youth in border-town cantinas. Especially gorgeous are "Adios Muchachos," a melancholy meditation on final farewells, and the delicate opener, "Rayito de Luna." El Be Bop Kid isn't just back; he sounds reborn. Freddy won his last Grammy for this album.
Freddy Fender underwent a kidney transplant in 2002 donated by his daughter and a transplant of the liver in 2004. Nonetheless, his condition continued to worsen. He was suffering from an "incurable cancer" in which he had tumors on his lungs. On December 31, 2005, Fender performed his last concert and resumed chemotherapy.
Fender has Passed on...
Rest in Peace, Vaya Con Dios
Freddy Fender passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2006, after a long battle with lung cancer. He is buried in his Hometown of San Benito, Texas.
Plans are underway for a Freddy Fender Museum to be located in his beloved hometown, San Benito, Texas. Check back at: www.freddyfendermuseum.org or
www.freddyfender.com
I Just Called To Say I Love You
FREDDY FENDER Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact here's just another ordinary day
No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, of my heart
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care, I do
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
The first verse of Freddy Fender's "I Just Called To Say I Love You" sets a dreary mood with a list of things that are missing from the day like New Year's Day, chocolate covered candy hearts, the first of spring and a song to sing. The second verse is more of the same with the absence of April rain, flowers, wedding Saturdays and June. But instead of dwelling on the lack of these things, the songwriter focuses on what is true and important. Love.
The chorus makes it clear that the reason for the call is to say "I love you." It's a simple yet powerful message that doesn't require a special occasion or a reason to celebrate. It's a reminder that love is all you need to make any day special, and it's a sentiment that anyone can relate to.
The final verse continues with the absence of the things that are typically associated with certain months and seasons, but again the songwriter emphasizes the importance of love. "But what it is, though old so new, to fill your heart like no three words could ever do" is a powerful statement that speaks to the universal nature of love and its ability to bring joy to our lives.
Overall, "I Just Called To Say I Love You" is a reminder that love is always worth expressing, no matter the circumstances. It's a simple yet profound message that will never go out of style.
Line by Line Meaning
No New Year's Day to celebrate
There is nothing special or exciting happening that would give reason to celebrate like on New Year's Day.
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
There are no Valentine's Day treats to give as gifts to show affection to someone.
No first of spring
There is no special or significant event like the start of spring, which usually brings about feelings of new beginnings and fresh starts.
No song to sing
There is no particular tune or melody that comes to mind to express the emotions being felt.
In fact here's just another ordinary day
This day, just like any other, has nothing special or noteworthy about it.
No April rain
There is no precipitation in the form of April showers, which are often seen as a sign of renewal and growth.
No flowers bloom
As the seasons change, there are no blossoming flowers or plants to signify the arrival of new life and growth.
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
June is a popular month for weddings, but there are no nuptials to attend or partake in on any given Saturday.
But what it is, is something true
Despite the absence of any significant events or celebrations, there is an underlying truth that needs to be expressed.
Made up of these three words that I must say to you
The message that needs to be conveyed is a simple one, comprised of just three words.
I just called to say I love you
The singer is calling to express their feelings of love and affection towards the person on the other end of the line.
I just called to say how much I care
Along with expressing love, the artist wants to convey how much they truly care about this person.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
This is not just a passing sentiment or empty statement, but a deeply genuine feeling coming from the singer's heart.
No summer's high
The hot and carefree days of summer have not yet arrived, and there is no excitement or anticipation for them.
No warm July
July's warmth and sunshine are not present, and the singer is not looking forward to them.
No harvest moon to light one tender August night
The harvest moon, which traditionally signifies abundance and prosperity, is not present to light up a romantic August evening.
No autumn breeze
The cool and crisp breeze of autumn has not yet arrived, and there is no sense of nostalgia or longing for it.
No falling leaves
As the seasons change, there are no leaves falling to the ground as a sign of transition and change.
Not even time for birds to fly to southern skies
The singer is expressing a sense of urgency or time constraint, as there is not even enough time for the birds to migrate south for the winter.
No Libra sun
The astrological sign of Libra, which represents balance and harmony, is not present in this moment.
No Halloween
As a holiday associated with spooky fun and dressing up, Halloween is not being celebrated in the current time frame.
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
Despite Christmas being a time for joy and gratitude, the artist has not had the opportunity to express their thanks for the joy this person brings into their life.
But what it is, though old so new
Once again, despite the lack of any celebratory events or special days, there is still something profound and meaningful to be expressed.
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
The artist believes that what they are about to say will fill the other person's heart in a way that no other three words could possibly do.
I just called to say I love you
The message being conveyed is once again the simple expression of love towards the person on the other end of the line.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, of my heart
The singer wants to emphasize just how much they truly mean what they are saying.
I just called to say how much I care, I do
The singer is once again emphasizing just how much they genuinely care for this person.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart, of my heart, baby of my heart
The artist is using an endearing term and once again emphasizing how deeply they feel this sentiment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind