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'm Leaving It up to You
Freddy Fender Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You decide what you're gonna do
Now do you want my lo-o-ove?
Or are we through?
That's why I'm leaving it up to you-ooh-ooh
You decide what you're gonna do
Now do you want my lo-o-ove?
Or are we through?
I-I don't understand
Baby, what, what have I done wrong?
You know, I worship the ground that you walk on
That's why I'm leavin' it up to you-ooh-ooh
You decide what you're gonna do
Now do you want my lo-o-ove?
Or are we through?
In Freddy Fender's song "I'm Leaving It Up to You," the singer is expressing his frustration to his lover due to his confusion about their relationship. The lyrics reveal that he does not understand what he has done wrong to jeopardize their love. The repetitive lines of "I'm leaving it all up to you-ooh-ooh" and "You decide what you're gonna do; now do you want my lo-o-ove or are we through?" imply that the singer is giving his partner an ultimatum to decide the future of their relationship. The lyrics communicate the singer's vulnerability at this moment as he gives his heart in hand and leaves the decision to his lover.
The repetition of "ooh-ooh" and "lo-o-ove" creates an emotional and nostalgic effect on the listener, emphasizing the melancholic feeling when one is unsure of the future of their relationship. Overall, the song's lyrics depict the pathos of love and the fear of being abandoned.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leavin' it all up to you-ooh-ooh
I am relinquishing control to you, leaving the decision-making entirely in your hands.
You decide what you're gonna do
It is your responsibility to make the choice about what happens next.
Now do you want my lo-o-ove?
Are you still interested in a romantic relationship with me?
Or are we through?
Is this the end of our relationship?
That's why I'm leaving it up to you-ooh-ooh
I am emphasizing the importance of your decision in determining the future of our relationship.
I've got my heart in my hand
I am vulnerable and open with my feelings towards you.
I-I don't understand
I am confused by the current state of our relationship.
Baby, what, what have I done wrong?
I am seeking clarification for any wrongdoing on my part that may have contributed to our relationship's current state.
You know, I worship the ground that you walk on
I hold you in very high regard and look up to you.
That's why I'm leavin' it up to you-ooh-ooh
I want to reinforce that the decision about the fate of our relationship is in your hands.
You decide what you're gonna do
I am reiterating the importance of your role in determining what happens next.
Now do you want my lo-o-ove?
I am emphasizing the significance of this question in determining the fate of our relationship.
Or are we through?
I am underscoring the possibility that our relationship may end depending on your response.
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rickyc8626
One of a kind voice! Wasted days, Since I met you baby, Before the next teardrop and this song are my favorites. RIP Freddy and thank you for the awesome songs you left for the world to enjoy!
@richardespinoza9680
Played this for my Wife, on our 52nd., Anniversary. We had the Honor, to meet Mr.Freddy Fender personally several times at Concerts. This is a Great Man + Great Entertainer. We, Love You Freddy.
@zafpra
This is Dan from Jolo, Sulu Philippines. I used to listen to this song which a DJ from our local radio station loved to play and sing to. That was some forty years ago. I still like this song even now.
@nolanpierce9254
What a song! What ย an entertainer ! Thank's for the many songs Freddy Fender,we love you!ย
@garyhogan6771
There will never be a voice like Freddy Fender. RIP FRED
@stevenjohnston7709
WISHED TODAYS COUNTRY MUSIC WAS THIS GOOD
@becky231953
I looked up San Benito TX, and it is located way south in Texas. It is rich in culture in many different ways, but music is always important part of the Hispanic culture. Thanks for the information.
@ednamattox6347
no one could sing like him loved him and his music i grew up with his music now this is music thank you mr fender for all of your music you had a mazing voice
@nereydaalzuri9557
Beautiful
@maggieking4820
I heard this song back in the day. I grew up listen country music. Country music has change over the yrs.