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.
Little Girl
Ritchie Valens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hurt me so
Oh now little girl
Don't you treat me so
Well now little girl
My hearts broke in two
Oh now little girl
Well now little girl
I'm gonna say goodbye
Oh please please girl
I can't see you cry
So now little girl
Promise you'll do
Oh oh little girl
Just say you'll be true
Well now little girl
I'm gonna say goodbye
Oh please little girl
I can't see you cry
So now little girl
Promise you'll do
Oh oh little girl
Just say you'll be true
In Ritchie Valens's song "Little Girl," he sings about a young woman who has hurt him deeply. He refers to her as a little girl, but it is unclear if she is actually young or if this is just a term of endearment. He tells her that she has broken his heart and begs her to be true to him, implying that she may have cheated on him or broken some other promise. Despite his pain, he cannot bear to see her cry, and he asks her to promise that she will be faithful in the future. The song ends with him saying goodbye to her, but still hoping that she will keep her promise and be true to him.
The lyrics of this song are a poignant reflection of the pain that can come with love and relationships. Valens's use of the term "little girl" and his plea for her to be faithful suggests a degree of innocence and naivety on his part, which makes the betrayal he feels all the more keenly felt. The fact that he cannot bear to see her cry also reveals his deep emotions and his desire to protect her, despite the pain she has caused him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now little girl
The singer addresses the subject of the song, a little girl, expressing his emotions towards her.
You hurt me so
The singer communicates that the little girl's actions have caused him emotional pain and turmoil.
Don't you treat me so
The singer implores the little girl to not continue to behave in a way that causes him distress.
My hearts broke in two
The singer expresses the level of devastation he feels, indicating that his heart has been shattered.
Why can't you be true
The singer questions why the little girl cannot simply be honest and faithful to him.
I'm gonna say goodbye
The singer has made the decision to end the relationship by breaking up with the little girl.
Oh please please girl
The singer pleads with the little girl, asking for her not to make the breakup any harder than it needs to be.
I can't see you cry
The singer is unable to witness the little girl's tears, as it causes him emotional distress.
Promise you'll do
The singer implores the little girl to make a promise to him.
Just say you'll be true
The singer requests that the little girl simply pledges to be honest and faithful in their relationship.
Lyrics © KEMO MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Forder
First time I've heard this song. Valens' tenor makes "Little Girl" a standout. He also gives it a soulful sound--who else but Ritchie could carry a tune in that fashion?
Was I surprised to learn that Waylon Jennings was backing him up on bass guitar!!! 🎸🎸🎸 Must've been recorded in 1958--was it among the posthumous releases in 1959--60? 😿😿😿
RIP, Ritchie, you were, & always will be, an original songwriter. 👍👍👍
John Robertson
92 on billboard
gladys sanabria
Bella voz de Richie Valens y linda canción
Simone Lima
Que voz adorável um artista maravilhoso lendário ❤️🎸✨✨✨ amo te por toda eternidade ⭐
Brent Davidson
He had the most unique and gorgeous voice. The higher he sang the better he sounded.
Tonetwisters
He was one of the RARE singers that did not lose tone when he went up (voice did not suffer from "thin out"). Early Paul McCartney, Buddy Holly and Paulette Carlson are a few others ...
irinkaification
OMG!!! What a voice!!! Good Lord! What a voice!!!! Never heard this song before. Such a pleasure. Thank you very very very much for sharing.
RockedThe/CrapOut
The best vocal performance of Ritchie.
Renata
Q voz linda 😍 q Ritchie Valens tinha. Pena q se foi cedo 😞
Jazmin Flores
Sounds like country music. Beautiful voice.