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.
Donna
Ritchie Valens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
I had a girl
Donna was her name
Since she left me
I've never been the same
'Cause I love my girl
Where can you be?
Now that you're gone
I'm left all alone
All by myself
To wander and roam
'Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be?
Where can you be?
Well, darlin', now that you're gone
I don't know what I'll do
All time and all my love for you
I had a girl
Donna was her name
Since she left me
I've never been the same
'Cause I love my girl
Donna, where can you be?
Where can you be?
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
Oh
, Donna is a classic song by Ritchie Valens that was released in 1958. It is a heart-wrenching love song that describes the aftermath of losing a loved one. The song begins with the singer lamenting about his lost love, Donna. He describes how he has never been the same since she left him, and how he is now all alone, wandering and roaming, and looking for her. He wonders where Donna could be and expresses his love for her, which is evident throughout the song.
The chorus of the song, which repeats several times, is a simple yet emotional expression of the singer's love for Donna. He calls out her name repeatedly, hoping that she will hear him and come back. The lyrics convey a sense of longing, heartbreak, and despair, which is accompanied by the smooth and melancholic melody of the song. One can feel the pain and passion in the singer's voice, which makes the song timeless and relatable.
In summary, Donna is a classic love song that captures the essence of heartbreak and longing. It is a beautiful expression of love and loss that continues to resonate with people to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Donna, oh, Donna
The singer is seemingly calling out for his lost love, Donna.
I had a girl
The singer is talking about a girl he once had a romantic relationship with.
Donna was her name
The singer is revealing that the girl he was with was named Donna.
Since she left me
The singer is pointing out that Donna is no longer with him.
I've never been the same
The singer is indicating that he has struggled to move on from the relationship with Donna.
'Cause I love my girl
The singer is admitting that he still loves Donna.
Donna, where can you be?
The singer is expressing confusion and sadness at not knowing Donna's whereabouts.
Now that you're gone
The singer is reflecting on how he feels since Donna's departure.
I'm left all alone
The singer is now without Donna and feels lonely.
All by myself
The singer is emphasizing how alone he feels since Donna left him.
To wander and roam
The singer is describing what he feels like he is doing aimlessly since their separation.
Well, darlin', now that you're gone
The singer is addressing Donna affectionately despite her absence.
I don't know what I'll do
The singer is admitting his inability to cope without Donna.
All time and all my love for you
The singer is saying that he has put all of his love and time into their relationship and is unable to move on.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ritchie Valens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WillieDines1
2021 and still enjoy this music, but as someone who also plays guitar and has wrote a few songs, I believe that Ritchie and Buddy Holly both had something unique in common... They were both way ahead of their time with their sheer talent for music and for Ritchie, this song is a perfect example.
Ritchie has written this as a blues ballad and he cleverly uses some old school blues riffs and licks into his guitar playing, but without taking away from the smoother rhythm guitar chords with the rest of the band.
You can hear in Ritchie's vocals that he was singing this one from the heart just for Donna and I sure wish that he could still be alive now because I believe that he and Donna would be together now, if he was.
Rest in Heaven Ritchie and it sucks that your time was too short, but you will live forever in your music and in memories.
God bless the Ritchie, buddy and JP's families 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
@dennissorensen8099
My wife’s name is Donna she past away in June 2020 . I dedicate this song to her.
@sauldeluna9129
I'm sorry for your loss my respects
@ceasarg625
R.i.p I hope the best for you
@smokedope6677
Rip to your wife man prayers
@davidoftheglen3447
Sorry for your lose buddy
@idontknowmuch3441
I’m sorry for loss
@cleangoblin2021
I think Ritchie would be really surprised to learn that his songs still being listened to by millions.
36 million views is no joke.
@cruzdeleon1888
I don't think he would be Surprised..he knew many would enjoy his music timelessly
@aliensexfien
@Cruz Deleon Fr
@fernandomaron87
His fanbase in Mexico and South America in general is still huge.