Lowell George's first band, The Factory, formed in 1965. Members included future Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward (he replaced Dallas Taylor in Sept 1966), and Martin Kibbee (a.k.a. Fred Martin) who would later co-write several Little Feat songs with George, including "Dixie Chicken" and "Rock & Roll Doctor". Frank Zappa produced two tracks for The Factory. Following the disbanding of The Factory, George briefly joined the band The Standells. There followed a few months in late 1968 to early 1969 where George was a member of Zappa's band, the Mothers of Invention.
After leaving the Mothers of Invention, George invited fellow musicians to form a new band, which they named Little Feat. As Feat's primary motive force and chief songwriter, he sang, played slide guitar and produced much of their output of eight albums...plus "Hoy Hoy," a collection of live recordings and studio outtakes released posthumously. Recorded one amazing solo LP. Died at the age of 34. An autopsy showed that he died of an accidental drug overdose.
With Little Feat, Lowell crafted a completely unique-sounding band. His approach to the slide or "bottleneck" guitar was not based in the blues from whence it originated, but was rather tailored specifically for the New Orleans-style funk, jazz-tinged improvisations and straight-ahead rock which the band played so brilliantly.
Lowell became a major influence on other artists such as Linda Ronstadt and the Rolling Stones. Even a producer for the Grateful Dead.
Notorious for his hard partying life style, died of a heart attack at age 34. The rock world lost a musician of singular talent and vision with his passing.
Lowell's daughter, Inara George, is a solo artist and member of the duo The Bird and the Bee.
Cheek to Cheek
Lowell George Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rosarita
I laid on your beach
Dreaming and drinking Tequila
I came all the way from Marina del Rey
On a plane yesterday
From the gray LA air
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so-so?
From uphill Californio
Rosarita
Forget that border, check please
You won't have to sneak
Two or three times a week
And your green card, da ga verde may never be strong
'Cause you've got my heart on permanent loan
Cheek to cheek
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings solo?
From uphill Californio
In Lowell George's song "Cheek to Cheek," the singer focuses on his time spent in Rosarita, Mexico, a beach where he dreams and drinks Tequila. He sings about how he came to Rosarita on a plane from the gray LA air, presumably to escape his mundane, monochromatic life in California. He's fallen in love with a woman in Rosarita, and he longs to be "cheek to cheek" with her. He repeats this phrase throughout the song as a symbol of intimacy and closeness.
The lyrics also touch on societal issues related to immigration. The singer notes that "Forget that border, check please / You won't have to sneak / Two or three times a week." Here, he's suggesting that he and his lover shouldn't have to sneak across the border to see each other. He's also unsure of the status of their relationship, singing, "And your green card, da ga verde may never be strong / 'Cause you've got my heart on permanent loan." This line implies that the singer is willing to take on the risks and consequences associated with being in a relationship with someone who may not have legal citizenship.
Overall, "Cheek to Cheek" is a song about love in its many forms - the love between people, love for one's surroundings, and love for the idea of freedom and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Rosarita
Addressing the listener, who is presumably a woman from Rosarita.
I laid on your beach
The singer has been to Rosarita before and has enjoyed a leisurely day on the beach there.
Dreaming and drinking Tequila
The singer passed the time on the beach by daydreaming and drinking tequila, perhaps implying he was alone and simply enjoying himself.
I came all the way from Marina del Rey
The artist has traveled quite a distance, from Marina del Rey near Los Angeles.
On a plane yesterday
The artist arrived in Rosarita by plane the day prior to singing this song.
From the gray LA air
Los Angeles has dirty and polluted air, which the singer is glad to have left behind.
Cheek to cheek
The singer is singing about being close and intimate with someone, potentially dancing cheek to cheek.
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
The artist uses the phrase 'Chiquiti-ita' as a term of endearment, suggesting this is a loved one with whom he is close.
Yo soy amoroso
The artist is saying 'I am loving' or 'I am affectionate'.
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so-so?
The artist is confident in his own singing ability, despite acknowledging it may not be perfect.
From uphill Californio
The singer is identifying himself as being from California, specifically an 'uphill Californio' which may imply he is from a wealthier area.
Forget that border, check please
The artist is suggesting to the listener that they should forget about the border between the US and Mexico and live in the moment.
You won't have to sneak
The singer is telling the listener they will be able to spend time together without being secretive or clandestine.
Two or three times a week
The singer is suggesting they spend time together frequently, implying an ongoing romance or relationship.
And your green card, da ga verde may never be strong
The singer is making light of the serious issue of legal residency, suggesting the relationship will be strong enough to make border concerns irrelevant.
'Cause you've got my heart on permanent loan
The artist is expressing his emotional attachment to the listener, saying she has his heart forever.
Cheek to cheek
Repeating the earlier line, reinforcing the idea of closeness.
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
Again, using 'Chiquiti-ita' to suggest affection for the listener.
Yo soy amoroso
Again, saying 'I am loving' or 'I am affectionate'.
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings solo?
Again, the artist is confident in his singing ability, and may be asking what could be wrong with someone who sings alone.
From uphill Californio
Repeating the earlier reference to being from California and potentially from a wealthier area.
Contributed by Parker S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Forrest George
Rosarita
I laid on your beach
Dreaming and drinking Tequila
I came all the way from Marina del Rey
On a plane yesterday
From the gray LA air
Cheek to cheek
To cheek, Chiquiti-tita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so slow?
From up in Californio
Rosarita
Forget that border-check please
You won't have to sneak
Two or three times a week
And your green card (tarjeta verde) may never be shown
'Cause you've got my heart on permanent loan
Cheek to cheek
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so low?
From up in Californio
Eric Lopez
I smile and cry when I hear this song. Beautiful. A friend in college introduced me to Little Feat, long ago. Ever since, as life became more complex, I often thought of running away, to a beach hut, maybe in Mexico, living with a Mexican girl, fishing, drinking, strumming a guitar, as the rest of the world races on to its inglorious end.
Forrest George
Rosarita
I laid on your beach
Dreaming and drinking Tequila
I came all the way from Marina del Rey
On a plane yesterday
From the gray LA air
Cheek to cheek
To cheek, Chiquiti-tita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so slow?
From up in Californio
Rosarita
Forget that border-check please
You won't have to sneak
Two or three times a week
And your green card (tarjeta verde) may never be shown
'Cause you've got my heart on permanent loan
Cheek to cheek
To cheek, Chiquiti-ita
Yo soy amoroso
What could be wrong with the hombre who sings so low?
From up in Californio
MrRobuo
My favorite track on an exceptionally creative and underrated "album"...
cireboers
this immediately brings me back to good times when I was young. Music is magic. Thanks Lowell R.I.P.
John Schroder
Lowell George ruled! When I play Little Feat (older) at my local bar, the youngsters always ask who the new band is on the box! Claim they havent heard music like this since the 70's. Hah Hah! Lowell was ahead of his time, His solo album "Thanks I'll eat it here" is becomming hard to find.
Assiepassy
This music touches my heart! Beautiful....
taildragger53
This whole album was PERFECT. Got played alot by the lateAlexis Korner in 1979 , UK Disc Jockey & Father of British Blues...and Alexis knew his music.
Jack van den Broek
The harp is played beautiful in a present sense!!
SnorkelCat
It’s the same harpist, Arthur Gerst, who played so beautifully on Jackson Browne’s song “Linda Paloma”.
basculalibra
yesss, great song . just now on dutch radio. found it back here!!!! thanks Lowell, RIp