A Rock and Roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens' recording career lasted only eight months. During this time, however, he scored several hits, most notably "La Bamba", which was originally a Mexican folk song that Valens transformed with a rock rhythm and beat that became a hit in 1958, making Valens a pioneer of the Spanish-speaking rock and roll movement.
Valens died in a plane crash outside Clear Lake, Iowa while on the Winter Dance Party tour. Also killed in the crash were the pilot of the plane and rock and roll stars Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. The song American Pie, by Don McLean is a tribute to the three musicians who died, and a reflection of the changes in music since their deaths. In the song he calls the day of their death "the day the music died," a phrase that came from newspaper headlines that announced the tragedy on February 3, 1959
Brought up hearing traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well as flamenco guitar, R&B and jump blues, by the age of 5 he expressed an interest in making music of his own. He was encouraged by his father to take up guitar and trumpet, and it is also known that he later taught himself the drums. One day, a neighbour came across Ritchie trying to play a guitar that had only two strings. He re-strung the instrument, and taught Ritchie the fingerings of some chords. While Ritchie was left-handed, he was so eager to learn the guitar that he mastered the traditionally right-handed version of the instrument. By the time he was attending Pacoima Jr. High School, his proficiency on the guitar was such that he brought the instrument to school and would sing and play songs to his friends on the bleachers.
When he was sixteen years old, he was invited to join a local band named The Silhouettes as guitarist. Later on, the main vocalist left the group and Ritchie assumed this position as well. In addition to the performances with The Silhouettes, he would play solo at parties and other social gatherings.
A completely self-taught musician, Valenzuela was an accomplished singer and guitarist. At his appearances he often improvised new lyrics and added new riffs to popular songs while he was playing. This is an aspect of his music that is, sadly, not heard in his commercial studio recordings. Due to his high-energy performances, Valenzuela earned the nickname "The Little Richard of the Valley".
In 2002, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. "La Bamba" was named one of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's Top 500 Songs Of All Time. In 2004, "La Bamba" was named #345 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs Of All Time.
Boney Maronie
Ritchie Valens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, she's as skinny as a stick of macaroni
Oughta see her rock and roll with blue jeans on
She's not very fat, just skin and bone
Well, I love her, she loves me
Oh, how happy now we can be
Making love underneath the apple tree
Well, I told her mama and I told her papa, too
Well, just exactly what I'm gonna do
Get married on a night of June
And rock and roll by silvery moon
Well, I love her, she loves me
Whoa, how happy now, we can be
Making love underneath the apple tree
She's my one and only, she's my heart desire
She's a real up setter, she's a real live wire
Ev'rybody turns when my baby goes by
She's somethin' to see that really catches the eye
Well, I love her, and she loves me
Whoa, how happy, now we can be
Making love underneath the apple tree
The lyrics of Ritchie Valens's song "Boney Maronie" are a testament to the love he feels for his girlfriend who is slender and petite. He describes her as being as thin as macaroni, but she knows how to rock and roll in her blue jeans. In his eyes, she is not very fat, just skin and bone. He loves her deeply and feels that she loves him just as much, which makes him happy. He dreams of making love with her under the apple tree and getting married in June. He has already informed her parents of his intentions and is eagerly waiting for the wedding day to arrive.
The song "Boney Maronie" tells the story of a young couple deeply in love with each other. Ritchie Valens describes his girlfriend as vivacious and attractive, despite her slim physique. He loves her for who she is and wants to spend the rest of his life with her. The song is a celebration of young love, as well as a tribute to the power of music to bring people together. Valens uses the imagery of the apple tree to convey the idyllic nature of the couple's relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a girl name Boney Maronie
I have a girlfriend called Boney Maronie
Well, she's as skinny as a stick of macaroni
She is very thin, like a stick of macaroni
Oughta see her rock and roll with blue jeans on
She looks great when dancing in blue jeans
She's not very fat, just skin and bone
She is not overweight, just skin and bones
Well, I love her, she loves me
We are in love with each other
Oh, how happy now we can be
We are very happy together
Making love underneath the apple tree
We love to be intimate under the apple tree
Well, I told her mama and I told her papa, too
I told her parents what I am going to do
Well, just exactly what I'm gonna do
I told them my plans for the future
Get married on a night of June
We plan to get married in June
And rock and roll by silvery moon
We will dance and have a great time under the moonlight
She's my one and only, she's my heart desire
She is the only one for me, the one I desire
She's a real up setter, she's a real live wire
She is very exciting, and full of energy
Ev'rybody turns when my baby goes by
Everyone notices her when she walks by
She's somethin' to see that really catches the eye
She is very attractive and catches everyone's attention
Well, I love her, and she loves me
We are deeply in love with each other
Whoa, how happy, now we can be
Our love has made us very happy
Making love underneath the apple tree
We still love to be intimate under the apple tree
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Larry Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
Well, I got a girl 👧 name Boney Maronie
Well, she’s as skinny as a stick of macaroni
Oughta see her rock and roll 🎸 with blue jeans 👖 on
She’s not very fat, just skin and bone 🍖
Well, I love 💓 her, she loves me
Oh, how happy 😃 now we can be
Making love 💓 underneath the apple 🍏 tree 🌳
Well, I told her mama and I told her papa 👴 too
Well, just exactly what I’m gonna do
Get married on a night of June
And rock and roll 🎸 by silvery moon 🌓
Well, I love 💓 her, she loves me
Whoa 😨 how happy now, we can be
Making love 💓 underneath the apple 🍎 tree 🌳
She’s my one ☝️ and only, she’s my heart 💓 desire
She’s a real up setter, she’s a real live wire
Ev’rybody turns when my baby 👶 goes by
She’s somethin to see that really catches the eye 👁
Well, I love 💓 her, and she loves me
Whoa 😮 how happy 😃 now we can be
Making love 💓 underneath the apple 🍏 tree 🌲
@jovanym2931
Well his unfinished demos as you called them
Come on let’s go
Donna
La bamba
Stay besides me
Hurry up
Cry cry cry
Ohh my head
Just to name a few 22 original songs in 8 months and 33 total
Sound way better than most other artist not to mention he was only 16 and he already had multiple hits on the top charts he was a legend and he accomplished that in less than a year so shut your ignorant ass down
@judyvareberg2275
17 years old he loved singing and playing that guitar. This was truly a tragedy all the way around. Just think of the music we missed out on. He was just starting out. So sorry this happened to you Richie. Boney Maronie is my favorite. You left this world way to soon.
@user-ij5lc1kw8r
Don't moan on what we missed, be glad for what we got!
@jamesnewman7961
Back when EVERY NOTE COUNTED!! Way to Rock Em Ritchie!! RIP You Made Your Mark! 👍💯🇺🇲🇺🇲
@reality7078
And you can just hear how raw it sounds. I love it
@simonelima8585
Sempre está em minhas orações nobre rapaz, como te amo eternamente ⭐❤️
@charlyyfierro2958
Como Mexicano es un pionero del rock ; es un orgullo para mi ;IMAGINESE lo que le falto por cantar????????
@madalenaalves8408
Q pena esse Garoto tão especial já se foi mais amamos eles pra sempre como gostaria de ter conhecido esse astro
@danielrios8570
Pase 4 veces por el lugar donde cayó su avión y ahi recordaba esta gran leyenda.
@robertomachuca8929
Exelente tema Ritchie Valent perdura a travez del tiempo... por Siempre Ritchie...!!! Maestro...!!❤
@rafaelfreitassantos5534
rock de qualidade dos anos 50 muito bom.