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
It's All in the Game
FREDDY FENDER Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But It's All In The Game
All in the wonderful game
That we know as love
You have words with him
And your future's looking dim
But these things your hearts can rise above
Once in a while he won't call
Soon he'll be there at your side
With a sweet refrain
And he'll kiss your lips
And caress your waking fingertips
And your hearts will fly away
And he'll kiss your lips
And caress your waking fingertips
And your hearts will fly away
And your hearts will fly away
And your hearts will fly…
And your hearts will fly…
Freddy Fender's song 'It's All In The Game' is a beautiful and timeless melody that captures the essence of love and relationships. The song is about the highs and lows of love, and how even though there may be tears and heartache, it's all part of the magical game that is love. The opening lyric, "Many a tear has to fall, but it's all in the game," sets the tone of the song and speaks to the idea that love is not always easy, but it's worth it.
The lyrics go on to speak about how sometimes words are said in anger, and the future might look uncertain, but a couple's love can rise above it all. The idea that love can conquer all is a recurring theme throughout the song and is something that many people can relate to. The chorus of the song is particularly beautiful, with Freddy Fender singing about how love will always find a way to bring a couple back together. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that no matter what curveballs love may throw our way, it's all part of the journey, and in the end, our hearts will fly away.
Overall, 'It's All In The Game' is a beautiful love song that encapsulates the joy and heartache that comes with relationships. It's a timeless melody that speaks to people of all ages and backgrounds and reminds us that even though love can be tough, it's worth it in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Many a tear has to fall
Challenges are a part of love and tears are to be expected
But It's All In The Game
However, love is like a game that we play and we must accept the good with the bad
All in the wonderful game
Despite the ups and downs, love is truly a wonderful thing
That we know as love
This is the essence of what we call love
You have words with him
Occasionally, there will be disagreements with your partner
And your future's looking dim
These arguments may cause you to question your future together
But these things your hearts can rise above
However, if both partners are willing to forgive and move on, their love can overcome any obstacle
Once in a while he won't call
Sometimes your significant other may not call or reach out for a while
But It's All In The Game
Again, this is just a part of the unpredictable game of love
Soon he'll be there at your side
Though it may take some time, your partner will come back to you
With a sweet refrain
When your partner returns, they will likely use sweet words and gestures
And he'll kiss your lips
Your partner will show their affection with intimate physical actions
And caress your waking fingertips
They will show their love with tender, gentle touches
And your hearts will fly away
In that moment, your hearts will be filled with joy and love
And your hearts will fly away
And this feeling of love and happiness will take you away
And your hearts will fly…
This cycle of love will continue, with its ups and downs, but ultimately making life wonderful
And your hearts will fly…
As long as you continue to go through this game of love, your hearts will soar
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Carl Sigman, Charles Gates Dawes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind