Vocalist/guitarist David Hidalgo and drummer Louie Pérez met at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, and bonded over their mutual affinity for obscure musical acts such as Fairport Convention, Randy Newman and Ry Cooder. Pérez recalls, "We’re looking at each other, 'You like this stuff? I thought I was the only weird one.' So I went over to his house one day for about a year, which we spent listening to records, playing guitars, and starting to write songs." The two borrowed reel-to-reel recorders from a friend and created multi-track recordings of music spanning from parody songs to free-form jazz. They later enlisted fellow students Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano to complete the group's line-up in 1973.
Formed in the late 1970's, band members Dave Hidalgo, Cesar Rojas, Steve Berlin, Louie Pérez and Conrad Lozano became the bellwether for Mexican-American music in the U.S. when they recorded the music for "La Bamba" in 1987, which added popular acclaim to the critical praise they had received for their 1984 album "How Will the Wolf Survive?".
They have since become one of the mainstays of the Latin music scene as well as rock music in general, staying together through over 20 albums, and for almost three decades, through changing music climate and personal tragedies, they've continued cranking out albums and touring to dedicated fans.
Be Still
Los Lobos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wash your soul, passing right through you
Like the smallest rose out of the hardest ground
Like a tiny hand reaching up for the sun
Let us pray that our hearts are one
The toughest love is the strongest one
Like a crippled man fights his bitter pain
On two tired legs that hope to walk once again
As we grow, a river flows
Through our hearts
Finding peace wherever it may go
As we grow, a river flows
Through our hearts
Finding peace wherever it may go
Let the pure, pure blue waters through
Don't let the wind take them away from you
Like the littlest star
Shines in the darkest night
Like a mother's ache brings in a new life
Stay gold and be still
Pray that we all can stay gold and be still
Los Lobos's song "Be Still" is a beautifully written lyrical expression about finding solace and inner peace in even the toughest of times. The opening lines, "Let the calm, calm blue waters through, Wash your soul, passing right through you" set the tone for the song, urging listeners to let go of their worries and allow the gentle flow of nature to wash away their troubles. The lyrics go on to compare the resilience of the human spirit to that of a rose growing out of the hardest ground, or a tiny hand reaching up for the sun, even in the face of adversity.
The song's chorus brings a sense of unity and hope, with the lyrics, "Let us pray that our hearts are one, The toughest love is the strongest one, Just stay gold and be still." Here, Los Lobos is calling for a sense of togetherness and understanding amongst all people, recognizing that love and resilience are the key to weathering any storm.
As the song continues, the lyrics invite listeners to embrace the flow of life, comparing our emotional journey to that of a river, "As we grow, a river flows, Through our hearts, Finding peace wherever it may go." The imagery of the river as a symbol of emotional growth and progress is a powerful one, reminding us to go with the flow and find peace wherever we can.
Overall, "Be Still" is a poignant and uplifting song with a powerful message of hope and resilience. Its beautifully crafted lyrics and poignant imagery make it a standout in Los Lobos's impressive repertoire.
Line by Line Meaning
Let the calm, calm blue waters through
Allow the peaceful blue waters to cleanse your soul
Wash your soul, passing right through you
Let the water purify your inner being completely
Like the smallest rose out of the hardest ground
Just like a tiny flower that grows in the most unfavorable environment
Like a tiny hand reaching up for the sun
Like a small hand that aspires to touch the sky
Let us pray that our hearts are one
Let us all hope that our hearts become united through love and compassion
The toughest love is the strongest one
The love that requires the most effort and perseverance is the love that endures
Like a crippled man fights his bitter pain
Like a handicapped person struggles to overcome their physical or emotional agony
On two tired legs that hope to walk once again
With perseverance and hope, someday the legs will regain their strength and walk again
Just stay gold and be still
Remain pure and tranquil, without letting life's adversities tarnish your inner self
As we grow, a river flows through our hearts
As we mature, our emotional and spiritual wellbeing is always changing and evolving
Finding peace wherever it may go
No matter where the river flows, it brings tranquility and calmness to the heart
Let the pure, pure blue waters through
Allow the crystal clear blue water to enter without impurities
Don't let the wind take them away from you
Don't allow anything to sweep away your purity and tranquility
Like the littlest star shines in the darkest night
Just like the tiniest star that glows in the darkest sky
Like a mother's ache brings in a new life
Just as a mother's pain brings new life into the world
Stay gold and be still
Stay pure and tranquil, without allowing anything to take away your inner peace
Pray that we all can stay gold and be still
Hope that everyone can achieve the same inner purity and tranquility
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID HIDALGO, LOUIS FRAUSTO PEREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Wood
on Me Estas Matando
I would like to learn this song. My Spanish is sufficient, but I require the lyrics. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jim Wood
on Me Estas Matando
I can't seem to find lyrics for this song. Can anyone help me out?