Leonardo " Flaco" Jiménez began performing, at the age of seven, with his father, Santiago Jimenez, who was a pioneer of conjunto music and began recording at age fifteen as a member of Los Caporales. He played in the San Antonio area for several years, and then began working with Douglas Sahm in the 1960s. Sahm, better known as the founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet, played with Jiménez for some time. Flaco then went on to New York City and worked with Dr. John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Ry Cooder and Bob Dylan. He appeared on Cooder's world music album Chicken Skin Music and on the Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge. This led to greater awareness of his music outside America and, after touring Europe with Ry Cooder, he returned to tour in America with his own band, and on a joint bill with Peter Rowan. Jiménez, Peter Rowan and Wally Drogos were the original members of a band called The Free Mexican Airforce.
Jiménez won a Grammy Award in 1986 for Ay Te Dejo en San Antonio, one of his father's songs. He was also a member of the Tejano fusion group Texas Tornados, with Augie Meyers, Doug Sahm and Freddy Fender. The Texas Tornados won a Grammy Award in 1990, and Jiménez earned one on his own in 1996, when his self-titled album Flaco Jiménez won the Grammy Award for Best Mexican-American Performance. In 1999, Flaco earned another Grammy Award for Best Tejano Performance for Said and Done (released by Barbed Wire Records), and one for Best Mexican-American Performance as a part of supergroup Los Super Seven. Jiménez has also won a Best Video award at the Tejano Music Awards and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from Billboard Latin Magazine for "Streets of Bakersfield" with Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens.
Jiménez appeared in the movie Picking Up the Pieces, with Woody Allen and Sharon Stone, and also featured on the soundtrack. His music has featured in the soundtrack for other movies such as Y Tu Mamá También, The Border, Tin Cup, and Striptease. The Hohner company collaborated with Jiménez to create the Flaco Jimenez Signature Series of accordions.
His brother, Santiago Jiménez, Jr., is also an accomplished accordionist who has recorded extensively.
Jiménez's latest CD, Ya Volvi De La Guerra, was issued in 2009 by Fiesta Records.
Open Up Your Heart
Flaco Jimenez Lyrics
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It's all about the devil and I learned to hate him so
She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with bloom."
So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never wins
So let the sunshine in, patient with a grin
When you are unhappy the devil wears a grin
But aw, he starts to running when the rain comes pouring in
I know he'll be unhappy 'cause I'll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling he'll get tired of hanging round.
So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never wins
So let the sunshine in, patient with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sunshine in.
If I forget to say my prayers the devil jumps with plea
But all he feels so awful when he sees me on my knees
So if you're full of trouble and you never seem to win
Just open up your heart and let the sunshine in.
So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never wins
So let the sunshine in, patient with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sunshine in
Flaco Jimenez's "Open Up Your Heart" is an uplifting, positive song that encourages listeners to let positivity into their lives and keep the negativity out. The lyrics of the song also touch on the idea of the devil and his role in causing trouble in our lives.
The song's opening lines begin with the singer recounting something their mother said regarding the devil. Their mother explained that the devil causes trouble when allowed into the room and that he will never leave a person's heart if it is filled with negativity. Thus, the singer urges listeners to open up their hearts to positivity, letting the sunshine in and facing life with a grin. The song also touches on the idea that the devil preys on people who are unhappy, but if one keeps smiling and stays positive, the devil will eventually tire of hanging around.
The song's final verse reiterates the importance of positivity, specifically through the practice of prayer. The devil apparently jumps with pleasure when people fail to pray, but the singer reassures that once the devil sees them on their knees, he feels awful. In essence, the song is a call for people to live a positive, joyful life in order to keep the devil at bay.
Overall, Flaco Jimenez's "Open Up Your Heart" is a hopeful, uplifting song that encourages listeners to let positivity into their lives and keep negativity out.
Line by Line Meaning
My mother told me something that everyone should know
My mother gave me an important piece of advice to share with others.
It's all about the devil and I learned to hate him so
My mother taught me to strongly dislike the devil.
She said he causes trouble when you let him in the room
According to my mother, the devil brings problems when allowed into your life.
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with bloom.
If you keep your heart full of positivity, the devil will never be able to stay around.
When you are unhappy the devil wears a grin
The devil is pleased when you are unhappy.
But aw, he starts to running when the rain comes pouring in
The devil becomes scared and leaves when things become difficult.
I know he'll be unhappy 'cause I'll never wear a frown
The devil won't be able to make me unhappy because I'll always have a smile on my face.
Maybe if we keep on smiling he'll get tired of hanging round.
If we all stay positive and happy, the devil will become tired of trying to cause harm.
If I forget to say my prayers the devil jumps with plea
The devil takes advantage of moments when I neglect my spiritual practices.
But all he feels so awful when he sees me on my knees
The devil becomes upset when he sees me being religious and praying.
So if you're full of trouble and you never seem to win
If you're going through a tough time and can't seem to catch a break,
Just open up your heart and let the sunshine in.
try being positive and letting positivity into your life.
So let the sunshine in, face it with a grin
Be positive and take on life with a smile.
Smilers never lose and frowners never wins
Having a positive outlook in life leads to success.
So let the sunshine in, patient with a grin
Be resilient and positive in difficult times.
Open up your heart and let the sunshine in.
Allow positivity and good things into your life.
Writer(s): Buck Owens
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.