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.
Come On
Ritchie Valens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me that you'll never leave me
Come on, come on, let's go again
Go again and again
Well, now, swing me, swing me, swing me, little darlin'
Come on, let's go, little darlin'
Let's go, let's go again once more
Well, I love you, babe
And I'll never let you go
Come on, baby, so, oh, pretty baby, I love you so
Well, let's go, let's go, let's go, little sweetheart
Forever we can always be together
Come on, come on, let's go again
Oh, well, I love you, babe
And I'll never let you go
Come on, baby, so, oh, pretty baby, I love you so
Well, come on, let's go, let's go, little darlin'
Tell me that you'll never leave me
Come on, come on, let's go again
Again, again, and again
Again, again, and again
Again, again, and again
The lyrics of Ritchie Valens's song "Come On Let Go" are an expression of love and the desire to be with someone forever. The song is an invitation to a loved one to never leave and to keep coming back to enjoy each other's company. The singer seems to be completely infatuated with his partner, and the lines "I love you, babe/ And I'll never let you go" express his devotion and commitment to her.
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody are characteristic of Valens's style, which combined Latin and rock elements. The use of Spanish phrases like "little darlin'" and "pretty baby" adds to the song's romantic flavor, creating an atmosphere of fun and unbridled passion.
The repetition of the refrain "Come on, come on, let's go again" emphasizes the excitement and energy of the song, and the exhortation to "swing me, swing me, swing me" invites the listener to join in and dance along. Overall, "Come On Let Go" is a joyous celebration of young love and the desire to live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, come on, let's go, let's go, little darlin'
Encouraging the listener to take action and go somewhere or do something together.
Tell me that you'll never leave me
Asking for reassurance that the listener will stay committed and not abandon the relationship.
Come on, come on, let's go again
Inviting the listener to repeat the enjoyable activity or experience together.
Well, now, swing me, swing me, swing me, little darlin'
Requesting physical affection from the listener to enhance the romantic bond between them.
Let's go, little darlin', Let's go, let's go again once more
Encouraging the listener to continue the enjoyable activity or experience together and have more fun.
Well, I love you, babe, And I'll never let you go
Expressing complete devotion and commitment to the listener and promising not to abandon them.
Come on, baby, so, oh, pretty baby, I love you so
Declaring love and physical attraction towards the listener.
Well, let's go, let's go, let's go, little sweetheart
Using endearment to encourage the listener to engage in an activity together.
Forever we can always be together
Expressing the desire for a long-term relationship with the listener.
Oh, well, I love you, babe
Reiterating the strong feelings of love towards the listener.
Again, again, and again
Emphasizing the desire to repeat the enjoyable activity or experience together multiple times.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICHARD VALENZUELA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewcorbett5729
17 years old.
A 8 month career.
Better than 20 years of today's 'Artists'
@mochoman743
Not trying to be an asshole but do you mean rappers who talk about pussy, money, and killing?
My name is also Seth much luv man
@andrewcorbett5729
Yes. Valens had actual talent.
@launchbase4944
do you guys get off to making comments like this
@kollinlorenzo3287
Damn richie if hed live longer he might have created so many good songs
@HedeccaTamer
Couldn't be more incorrect
@attila7092
An 8 month career?? This guy truly was the James Dean of rock.
@MrJett1971
He would have been bigger than Elvis. Writer. Producer. Guitarist. Singer. Kid could do it all.
@kennethconklin4140
Great comparison, man! You're also quite right, in my opinion.
@carlsmith1263
@Jett Crash he is now