Rosalie "Rosie" Méndez Hamlin was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to a Mexican mother and an Anglo-American father. She spent part of her childhood between Anchorage, Alaska and California, before her family moved to National City, California. She started singing with a band at thirteen. She wrote the lyrics for "Angel Baby" as a poem for "my very first boyfriend" when she was 14 years old, still attending Mission Bay High School in San Diego, California. When she was 15, she and some friends rented the only recording studio they could find within 100 miles of San Diego located in San Marcos, California, to record the song. The studio was owned by an airplane mechanic who had taken part of his hangar to make it. The resulting record had a very simplistic sound, and, in fact, was eventually slightly damaged from excessive playing, so the group was unable to find a record label to distribute it. Finally, after taking the master to a department store, they convinced a manager to play it in the listening booth of the store's music department. The song received positive reactions from teenage listeners, and a scout from Highland Records offered the group a recording contract, under the condition that the company take possession of the master recording, and that David Ponce be named as the author of the song, as he was the eldest member of the group.
"Angel Baby" made its radio debut in November 1960, before the group had even received their contract. When the contract finally came, Hamlin found that she was ineligible to collect record royalties from the song because she was not listed as the songwriter. This led to the group's break-up, and although Hamlin secured the copyright to her music in 1961, decades of battles over royalties followed.
In 1961, "Angel Baby" was also released in Canada on the Zirkon label and in Australia and England on London Records. The British release slightly edited the intro.
After leaving Highland Records, Hamlin recorded a full-length album with guitarist Noah Tafolla for Brunswick Records and toured with the label's other artists.
Hamlin and Tafolla married and had two children together. Their son, Joey Tafolla, is well known Jag Panzer guitarist. In 1963, Hamlin retired from singing to spend time with her family.
She returned to record singles in 1969 and again in 1973, performing occasionally throughout the 1970s and 1980s and more regularly throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
In a 1969 interview with Life magazine, John Lennon named Hamlin as one of his favorite singers. As can be heard on circulating recordings, the Beatles mention the song "Give Me Love" during sessions on 01/24/69. Lennon and friends can be heard in a quickly busked version of "Angel Baby," taped at his birthday in 1971. Lennon recorded a studio version of "Angel Baby" for his 1975 Rock 'n' Roll album, but the track would go unissued until 1986's Menlove Avenue. Rosie and the Originals are referenced by Led Zeppelin in the liner notes from their 1973 album Houses of the Holy, following the printed lyrics of the song "D'yer Mak'er" (pronounced, "Jamaica"). The quote is "Whatever happened to Rosie and the Originals?" "Rosie" also shows up in the Led Zeppelin song "How Many More Times".
In 1995, Rosie & the Originals were portrayed in the film My Family, performing "Angel Baby." Hamlin's part was played by Jeanette Jurado, of the group Expose. In 1996, Linda Ronstadt recorded a version of "Angel Baby" for her album Dedicated to the One I Love.
In 1999, Ace Records released The Best of Rosie & the Originals, including all the Highland tracks as well as Brunswick recordings and unreleased tracks. The following year, the label released the album Angel Baby Revisited, with previously unreleased material.
In 2002, Hamlin performed "Angel Baby" on a PBS-TV program, Red White & Rock.
Rosalie Hamlin passed away on March 30, 2017.
Discography
Singles
"Angel Baby"/"Give Me Love" (Highland, 1960)
"Why Did You Leave Me"/"Angel from Above"(Highland, 1961)
"Lonely Blue Nights"/"We’ll Have a Chance" (Brunswick, 1961)
"Lonely Blue Nights"/"We’ll Have a Chance" (Highland, 1961) [9]
"My Darling Forever"/"The Time is Near" (Brunswick, 1961)
"Kinda Makes You Wonder"/"My One and Only Love" (Globe, 1962)
"You're No Good"/"You Don’t Understand" (Wax World, 1973)
Albums
Lonely Blue Nights (Brunswick, 1962)
The Best of Rosie & the Originals (Ace, 1999)
Angel Baby Revisited (Ace, 2000)
The Time Is Near
Rosie & The Originals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And grateful
For everything I have
All the pain and the sadness
I leave it in the past
Bruce Wayne says it madness
That's makes us who were are
But I think it's gladness
Why get mad about it?
Just get glad about it
Dump the trash
Rise from ash
Ain't nothin' bad about it
Live your life
And be rad about it
If you woke up today
Just be glad about it
Forget the dollars
Start makin' sense
Everybody livin'
Like they in the past tense
The time is now
It's heaven sent
Make sure you loving what you have and what you get
The time is right
The time is now
The time
Is right now
I'm grateful for it all
Every rise and every fall
Without the bad s***
Wouldn't know I'm strong at all
We ain't on the planet
For very long at all
So forget the hate man
And just learn to get along cause
Forget the clout
Forget the money honey
Ain't what this about
I think it's funny hunny
That you scream and shout
Don't pick fights
You smell of darkness
I reek of light
Will smith I'm a bright
Hand me that wand now
Watch me turn it on now
That's right
Hope you sing along now
Hope you have a good time
Hope you have a good night
Goodnight
To thy own self be true
That's what I say to you
Cause why did you come here
If you ain't doing you
And if you aint having fun here
You're only screwing you
You gotta keep your vibes up then we all rise up
Forget the dollars
Start makin' sense
Everybody livin'
Like they in the past tense
The time is now
It's heaven sent
Make sure you loving what you have and what you get
The time is right
The time is now
The time
Is right now
Be careful who you let ride with ya
Gypsy droppin' knowledge cause she vibe with ya
People showing masks yeah they hide from ya
Jim Carey aint crazy he just wise with ya
Ace ventura, Laces Out
Gypsy going places
She don't even know about
People show me two faces
Then they think it even stevens out
If my energy Under Siege
I just Steven Seagull out
Watch me fly
Like a bird in the sky
Don't know why
I'm a goddess in disguise
Love is real
Don't believe the lies
Try and feel
Try and see
Without your eyes
Earth spins on rotation
Never hide always show
Your location
Turn the tide
Always keep your motivation
Spread love, that's my dedication
Forget the dollars
Start makin' sense
Everybody livin'
Like they in the past tense
The time is now
It's heaven sent
Make sure you loving what you have and what you get
The time is right
The time is now
The time
Is right now
The Time Is Near by Rosie & The Originals is a song about being thankful for everything in life - the good, the bad, and the ugly. The lyrics suggest that we should forget about the money and materialistic things and start making sense in our lives. The song suggests that we should not hang on to our past and be grateful for the present. The artiste sings about being happy and content with what one has and not go after more. The theme of the song is to live life to the fullest and be glad for everything, even if it seems difficult, because that is what makes us strong as individuals.
The chorus of the song urges people to forget about the money and start making sense. The time is now, the right time to make sure that you love everything you have and everything that you get. The lyrics suggest that we should ignore the negativity and hate around us and focus on having a good time, being true to ourselves, and spreading love wherever we go. The song talks about keeping our motivation level high and to keep rising no matter what challenges come our way.
Overall, The Time Is Near by Rosie & The Originals is a song that brings a message of positivity and hope to its listeners. It asks us to take a step back and appreciate everything we have in life and to let go of negative energy and grudges. It encourages us to live in the present and to make the most of every moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm thankful
I am expressing my gratitude
And grateful
I'm even more thankful than grateful
For everything I have
I am appreciative of all that I own and have accomplished
All the pain and the sadness
I'm accepting my setbacks and failures
I leave it in the past
I'm not dwelling on my mistakes and disappointments
Bruce Wayne says it madness
I'm acknowledging that some people dismiss this approach
That makes us who were are
I'm recognizing that these experiences help shape our identity
But I think it's gladness
I think it's something to be happy about
At least that's where we start cause
At least that's the first step
Why get mad about it?
Why get upset over it?
Just get glad about it
Just focus on the positives
Dump the trash
Get rid of the negativity
Rise from ash
Overcome the failures or adversities
Ain't nothin' bad about it
There is nothing wrong with it
Live your life
Enjoy your own life
And be rad about it
And be awesome about it
If you woke up today
If you are alive today
Just be glad about it
Just be grateful for it
Forget the dollars
Don't focus on the money
Start makin' sense
Start making more meaningful decisions
Everybody livin'
Everyone is living
Like they in the past tense
Like their life is already over
The time is now
The present is the right time
It's heaven sent
It's a gift from above
Make sure you loving what you have and what you get
Make sure you appreciate what you have and receive
The time is right
The timing is perfect
The time is now
The present is the only time
Is right now
It's the perfect time right now
I'm grateful for it all
I'm thankful for everything
Every rise and every fall
Every success and failure
Without the bad s***
If there were no negative experiences
Wouldn't know I'm strong at all
I wouldn't realize my strength
We ain't on the planet
We don't live on this planet
For very long at all
For only a short time
So forget the hate man
So let go of the negativity
And just learn to get along cause
And focus on harmony and unity
Forget the clout
Forget about status and power
Forget the money honey
Forget about money, sweetheart
Ain't what this about
It's not what's important here
I think it's funny hunny
I find it amusing
That you scream and shout
That you get upset easily
Don't pick fights
Don't look for trouble
You smell of darkness
You exude negativity
I reek of light
I radiate positivity
Will smith I'm a bright
Like Will Smith, I am optimistic
Hand me that wand now
Give me the tool I need now
Watch me turn it on now
Then watch me succeed
That's right
I'm confident, that's correct
Hope you sing along now
I hope you join me in this journey
Hope you have a good time
I hope you enjoy yourself
Hope you have a good night
I hope you sleep well
Goodnight
I'm saying goodbye for the night
To thy own self be true
Be honest and true to yourself
That's what I say to you
That's my advice for you
Cause why did you come here
Why are you here?
If you ain't doing you
If you're not being yourself
And if you aint having fun here
And if you're not enjoying yourself
You're only screwing you
You're only hurting yourself
You gotta keep your vibes up then we all rise up
If we surround ourselves with positivity, we can all thrive
Be careful who you let ride with ya
Be cautious of who you allow into your life
Gypsy droppin' knowledge cause she vibe with ya
I'm sharing my wisdom because I have a connection with you
People showing masks yeah they hide from ya
People conceal their true selves from you
Jim Carey aint crazy he just wise with ya
Jim Carey is not insane, he's just sharing his knowledge
Ace ventura, Laces Out
A reference to the movie 'Ace Ventura' where this line is spoken
Gypsy going places
I am pursuing my goals and dreams
She don't even know about
But I don't even know where this journey will take me
People show me two faces
People present themselves differently with different people
Then they think it even stevens out
Then they believe it balances out
If my energy Under Siege
If my positivity is under attack
I just Steven Seagull out
I just rise above it, like Steven Seagal in the movie 'Under Siege'
Watch me fly
Watch me succeed
Like a bird in the sky
As effortless as a bird in the sky
Don't know why
I don't know the reason
I'm a goddess in disguise
I'm a powerful and beautiful being
Love is real
Love is genuine
Don't believe the lies
Don't be fooled by deception
Try and feel
Try to understand by experiencing
Try and see
Try to understand by observing
Without your eyes
Without being influenced by what you see
Earth spins on rotation
The earth rotates on its axis
Never hide always show
Never conceal yourself, always be who you are
Your location
Where you exist at this moment in time
Turn the tide
Tip the scales in your favor
Always keep your motivation
Always maintain your drive towards your goals
Spread love, that's my dedication
My main focus is to share love and positivity with others
Is right now
The present is the best time to focus on these things
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: ddd ff, Kelly Wrublevski
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind