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.
one night
Los Lobos Lyrics
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About the places he had been to and the things that he had seen
A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song 'bout the home of the brave in this land here of the free
One time one night in America
A lady dressed in white with the man she loves
A shot rang out in the night
Just when everything seemed right
Another headline written down in America
The guy that lived next door in three o five
Took the kids to the park and disappeared 'bout half past nine
Who will ever know how much she loved them so
That dark night alone in America
A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song 'bout the brave in this land here of the free
One time one night in America
Four small boys playing ball in the parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America
A young girl tosses a coin in the wishing well
She hopes for a heaven while for her there's just this hell
She gave away her life to become somebody's wife
Another wish unanswered in America
People having so much faith
Die too soon while all the rest come late
We write a song that no one sings
On a cold black stone where a lasting peace will finally bring
The sunlight plays upon my window pane
I wake up to a world that's still the same
My father said to be strong
That a good man could never do wrong
In a dream I had last night in America
A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to and the things that he had seen
A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song 'bout the home of the brave in this land here of the free
One time one night in America
One time one night in America
One time one night in America
The song "One Time One Night" by Los Lobos tells the story of different people and events that take place in America. The lyrics suggest that these stories have a common thread, hinting at a sense of loss and tragedy that is felt by both the individuals and America as a whole. The singer hears the telling of these stories from a wise man, who has traveled and seen many things. The singer also hears a quiet, age-old song about the land of the free and home of the brave, which seems to echo throughout the different stories.
The first story is about a lady dressed in white with the man she loves, who is shot and killed, once again bringing tragedy to America. The lyrics convey a sense of shattered hope and peace, as this happens just when everything seemed right. Another story is about a man who disappears after taking his kids to the park, leaving behind a grieving wife who loved her children so much. Four small boys playing ball in a parking lot, a preacher, a teacher, and a cop, represent the innocence of childhood, service to the community, and safety all around. However, one of the boys dies after a car skids in the rain, shattering this perceived safety.
The lyrics of the song also bring up the idea of faith and hope being lost too soon, leaving others to come too late. A young girl tosses a coin in a wishing well, longing for heaven as she experiences her own hell, after giving her life away to become somebody's wife. The lyrics suggest that people who have so much faith and goodness can die too soon, leaving a world where their song remains unsung.
In conclusion, the song "One Time One Night" by Los Lobos tells a poignant story of loss, tragedy, and shattered hope, that echoes throughout the stories of different people in America. It is a reminder that even the home of the brave and the land of the free is not free from the pain and despair that life presents in different ways.
Line by Line Meaning
A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to and the things that he had seen
The singer is listening to a wise man's stories about his travels and experiences.
A quiet voice is singing something to me
An age old song 'bout the home of the brave in this land here of the free
One time one night in America
The singer hears a quiet voice singing an old song about the bravery of Americans at a particular moment in time.
A lady dressed in white with the man she loves
Standing along the side of their pick up truck
A shot rang out in the night
Just when everything seemed right
Another headline written down in America
A couple is enjoying a moment together when a shot is fired, ending their happiness and adding to the many tragic headlines in America.
The guy that lived next door in three o five
Took the kids to the park and disappeared 'bout half past nine
Who will ever know how much she loved them so
That dark night alone in America
A neighbor takes his kids to the park and mysteriously vanishes, leaving his wife to suffer alone in a frightening time in America.
Four small boys playing ball in the parking lot
A preacher, a teacher, and the other became a cop
A car skidded into the rain
Making the last little one a saint
One more light goes out in America
Young boys are playing when a car accident kills one, turning him into a martyr while another light goes out in America.
A young girl tosses a coin in the wishing well
She hopes for a heaven while for her there's just this hell
She gave away her life to become somebody's wife
Another wish unanswered in America
A young girl dreams of a better life and future, but instead is trapped in a hopeless reality as someone's wife, adding to the many unfulfilled wishes in America.
People having so much faith
Die too soon while all the rest come late
We write a song that no one sings
On a cold black stone where a lasting peace will finally bring
Those with the most faith often die young while others come later, leaving people to write songs that go unsung and hope for peace on a grave marker.
The sunlight plays upon my window pane
I wake up to a world that's still the same
My father said to be strong
That a good man could never do wrong
In a dream I had last night in America
The singer wakes up to a world that's still troubled but recalls his father's advice and a dream about America.
One time one night in America
One time one night in America
One time one night in America
Repeating the phrase 'one time one night in America' emphasizes the tragic nature of the events described in the song.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID KENT HIDALGO, LOUIS FRAUSTO PEREZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sparkdog 494
This song will always give me chills, great guitar work.
C Elliott
All of them a great musicians, and under rated song writers. Great, great lyrics. Makes me smile knowing these dudes are still touring, bringing their music live to their fans.
Matthew O'Boyle
It’s so funny to see Louie on drums after seeing him for the last bunch of years playing guitar. Tremendous drummer but Bugs is fantastic! Louie, David and Cesar are all great guitar players. Hidalgo hits me as hard as any guitar player in terms of making my soul cry. Long Live The Wolves Of East LA. 🐺
MROCEANSIDE HIMSELF
If you have not listed " will the wolf survive? I recommend you to take a listen....
Daniel Sanchez
Movie soundtrack COLORS
Iron Horse
Same here!
G F
One of the best things to come out of East LA was this terrific band!
Marcus Barrera
Anthony Quinn was also from East LA.
Mark
@J G always some tool who has to add race
Bob Fresno
Mike Valdez the lobo with the shades was born in Mexico, he immigrated here illegally.