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.
Let's Rock and Roll
Ritchie Valens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well sometimes, baby, I don't know what made you jump
'Cause you've got me runnin', you got me rollin' all night
Well come on little baby, come & shake with me
We're gonna rock just one, two, three
And now that I'm winning all my night
I just don't know where to fly
So come on, let's rock & roll
Well let's go once again round & round
Never never stop just lookin' around
'Cause I love you so oh and I'll never let you go
The lyrics of Ritchie Valens's song Let's Rock and Roll are an invitation to dance and have a great time. The singer talks about being rocked all night long by a girl and not always understanding why she jumps. He's just happy to have her taking him on the ride of his life. He urges her to shake with him and they're going to rock together. The two of them are in the moment, winning all night long, but not knowing where to fly. They're just enjoying the time they're spending together.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she rocks me and she takes me all night long
My partner energizes me and we spend long hours enjoying each other's company
Well sometimes, baby, I don't know what made you jump
Occasionally, my partner behaves unexpectedly and I don't understand the reason behind it
'Cause you've got me runnin', you got me rollin' all night
My partner has me feeling lively and keeps me going all through the night
Well come on little baby, come & shake with me
Partner, let's dance together and enjoy the experience
We're gonna rock just one, two, three
We're going to dance to the beat of the music rhythmically
And now that I'm winning all my night
Since I am enjoying my time with my partner all night long
I just don't know where to fly
I can't think of anything else that could make my experience better
So come on, let's rock & roll
Partner, let's keep dancing energetically to the music
Because right on me yeah yeah no more
Things are going great between us, and I don't want this to end
Well let's go once again round & round
Let's keep on dancing
Never never stop just lookin' around
We'll keep moving and looking around, enjoying our surroundings
'Cause I love you so oh and I'll never let you go
I love you so much, and I'm not letting go of you anytime soon
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RITCHIE VALENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miranda Clayton
Ritchie Valens is a BRILLIANT ARTIST and even though he is sadly long gone, he is STILL MY HERO.
Octafavio hurtafavio
my inspiration to start playing guitar since 8th grade!!!
Magic world
That the real Ritchie Valens?? I m a big fan and i never listen that song before
Monika Środoń
Richite Valens lets rock n roll.
Ghost Boy 5986
This song is short because it wasn't fully completed before his death
FREDDIE REAGAN
Wow
🍩 squad
I love you I am a fan
🍩 squad
It is my birthday and I like Ritchie
Kevin Allison
See Boogie with Stu
Led Zeppelin
This is where it came from.
Marco KIT T.
Not a copy, only a different title! Boogie with Stu is “Ohh my head!” crossed with this One!