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.
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Los Lobos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
The lyrics of "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" are a playful and cheerful ode to the joys of life, particularly the simple pleasures of sunshine and the company of friends. The main stanza repeats a cheerful refrain that emphasizes the beauty of the day, with "zip-a-dee-doo-dah" and "zip-a-dee-ay" representing a kind of exclamation of joy. The second stanza adds the image of a bluebird on the singer's shoulder, which fully embodies the cheerfulness of the day and adds a touch of whimsy to the lyrics. The final stanza repeats the main refrain, with variations on the idea of satisfaction and sunshine making it clear that the joys of life are something that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their station in life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" are a light-hearted and infectious celebration of the beauty of the world around us. The catchy melody and simple, optimistic lyrics make it a perfect song to lift the spirits of anyone feeling down or overwhelmed, and it has become a beloved classic with generations of fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement about the day ahead.
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Feeling grateful and joyful about the amazing day ahead.
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Expecting good things to happen and plenty of happiness to come.
Mister Bluebird on my shoulder
Feeling lucky and blessed to have a companion and a symbol of happiness by one's side.
It's the truth, it's actual
Confirming the reality of the situation, which is truly enjoyable and positive.
Everything is satisfactual
Acknowledging the complete satisfaction with the current situation and overall contentment with life.
Plenty of sunshine heading my way
Reaffirming the belief in good things coming and an abundance of positivity and happiness.
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
Continuing to express enthusiasm and excitement about the day ahead, with a touch of playfulness.
Contributed by Andrew L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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?