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.
This Bird's Gonna Fly
Los Lobos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too, too long baby, I've got to say
And even though we had some fun
I'm tellin' you honey, I've got to run
Well it seems you had your time
Takin' everything from me you could find
But now the table's turned
But this bird's got to fly, bird's got to fly
I'm tellin' you honey, this bird's got to fly, so long
Got to be on my way
You always seemed so clever
With your little books that you read forever
Always a-keepin' me down, but now I'm gonna come back around
A-tears a-burnin' me, a-pain a-burnin' me, can't you see?
And I'm tired of wasting precious time
To you my life ain't worth a single dime
But this bird's got to fly, bird's got to fly
I'm tellin' you honey, this bird's got to fly, so long
Got to be on my way
And so we've come a long way
Too, too long baby, I've got to say
I'm tired of wastin' precious time
Cause to you my life ain't worth a single dime
So this bird's got to fly, bird's got to fly
I'm tellin' you honey, this bird's got to fly, so long
Got to be on my way
So so long
Got to be on my way
Ya, so long baby
The song "This Bird's Gonna Fly" by Los Lobos is a testament to the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been through a lot in a relationship that has ultimately become toxic, and that it's time for him to move on. He acknowledges that there were good times in the past, but ultimately he knows what he needs to do for himself. The metaphor of the bird is used throughout, as birds have the ability to fly away from problems and start anew.
Throughout the verses of the song, the singer speaks to his partner, telling her that even though they had some fun, it's time for him to leave. He points out that she has taken everything from him that she could find, and that she has always been a weight holding him back. He also tells her that he is tired of wasting precious time on her, as he doesn't feel like she values his life or his time.
The chorus of the song is where the metaphor of the bird comes in strongest. The singer repeats the phrase "this bird's gonna fly" to signify that he is leaving, and that he needs to distance himself from his partner and their toxic relationship. He tells her that he needs to be on his way, and that it's time for him to start anew.
In essence, "This Bird's Gonna Fly" is a song about the breaking of chains, both physical and emotional. It's about recognizing when it's time to walk away from a bad situation, and having the courage to do so. The song is a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt trapped in a toxic relationship, or who has felt held back by the weight of their own struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
And so we've come a long way
We've been together for a long time and have gone through a lot.
Too, too long baby, I've got to say
However, it's been too long, and it's time for me to move on.
And even though we had some fun
Though we had some good times together,
I'm tellin' you honey, I've got to run
I need to leave and move on with my life.
Well it seems you had your time
You had your chance to be in control.
Takin' everything from me you could find
You took everything you could from me.
But now the table's turned
But now, things have changed, and the power dynamic is different.
And this old heart you'll never burn
And you'll never hurt me again.
But this bird's got to fly, bird's got to fly
But I need to leave and live my own life.
I'm tellin' you honey, this bird's got to fly, so long
I'm telling you that I need to leave, and it's goodbye.
Got to be on my way
I need to move on and continue on my journey.
You always seemed so clever
You always seemed to have the upper hand and were smarter than me.
With your little books that you read forever
You read a lot of books and thought you knew everything.
Always a-keepin' me down, but now I'm gonna come back around
You always put me down, but now I'm going to come out on top.
A-tears a-burnin' me, a-pain a-burnin' me, can't you see?
I am hurting and in pain, and I need to leave.
And I'm tired of wasting precious time
I'm tired of investing time in a relationship that's no longer working.
To you my life ain't worth a single dime
You don't value me or my life.
But this bird's got to fly, bird's got to fly
But I need to leave and move on with my life.
I'm tellin' you honey, this bird's got to fly, so long
I'm telling you that I need to leave, and it's goodbye.
Got to be on my way
I need to move on and continue on my journey.
So so long
Goodbye, I'm leaving now.
Got to be on my way
I need to move on and continue on my journey.
Ya, so long baby
Yes, goodbye, I'm leaving now.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROSAS
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?