Ruben and the Jets was a Los Angeles, CA based doo-wop, rhythm and blues an… Read Full Bio ↴Ruben and the Jets was a Los Angeles, CA based doo-wop, rhythm and blues and rock and roll band active between 1972 and 1974. Led by Ruben Guevara, band members included Tony Duran, Robert "Frog" Camarena, Johhny Martinez, Robert "Buffalo" Roberts, Bill Wild, and Bob Zamora. They released two albums, the first of which was produced by Frank Zappa, whose band The Mothers of Invention had previously released an album titled Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, for which Guevera had named his band.

In 1968, Frank Zappa released a concept album titled Cruising with Ruben & the Jets, with members of The Mothers of Invention taking on the personas of a fictional 1950s doo-wop group. Singer/songwriter/musician Ruben Guevara approached Frank Zappa following a concert to tell him how much he loved the album, pointing out that he shared a first name with the album's fictional lead singer, and that Guevara had performed music of the style. Two years later, Zappa suggested that Guevera start his own band, and eventually gave approval for the band to be named "Ruben and the Jets". The band toured alongside the Mothers of Invention in 1972.

Zappa took on the duty of producer for the band's 1973 debut album, For Real!, which was released by Mercury Records. Mothers of Invention band member Jim Sherwood contributed saxophone and tambourine performances to the album, and Zappa wrote one of the album's songs, "If I Could Only Be Your Love Again", and played guitar on another track from the album, "Dedicated to the One I Love" During the band's 1973 tour, Ruben and the Jets were booked alongside Three Dog Night and West, Bruce and Laing, and played alongside the likes of Tower of Power, Azteca, and Cheech & Chong. Ruben and the Jets released a second album, Con Safos, before disbanding in the mid-1970s. The band is referenced during the final scene of Up in Smoke, in which Cheech Marin's character, Pedro de Pacas, comments that Alice Bowie, the punk rock band that he and Tommy Chong's Anthony "Man" Stoner character led in the film, will be "bigger than Ruben and the Jets." Guevara appears in the film as Tom, a trumpet player for the band.

Tony Duran died December 19, 2011. Jim Sherwood died on December 25, 2011, aged 69. Robert "Frog" Camarena died in March 2018.

I Wanna Know
Ruben and the Jets Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Don't, don't
Don't run away
From yourself
From yourself
I know, it's hard to face
It's hard, I know
Don't you face it)
I remember your first job

I remember those nights
Memories come and go fast
No one treats you right
How could they be so cruel
Never understood why
Promise that I won't show you
The other side of my mind
I remember
Green necks and lullabies
I'll hold you close
You rest your eyes now you're doing the most
Red cheeks and butterflies
How can I know?
If I paint the picture you promise to pose?
I can't put it down
Shouldn't be around
Yeah
City not gon' sleep I don't see why we should
But you rest your head on my chest
Everything is new that don't mean it's all good
Still I'll always give you my best
Ey
Got your hair up
I ain't mean to stare but I'm just stunned
Couldn't be fair that I got ya
Life is too good now
(Things change)
And I should have listened that night on the phone
If I said I loved you would you think I'm wrong
Feelings are fleeting but choice is forever, child
(Leave it alone)
Put it down
I can't
I'll be around
Green necks and lullabies
I'll hold you close
You rest your eyes now you're doing the most

Red cheeks and butterflies
How can I know?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ruben and the Jets's song I Wanna Know are about facing oneself and dealing with memories. The song starts with a plea to not run away from oneself and face the hard truths that exist within. The singer remembers the past, specifically the addressee's first job, and the cruelty that they have faced, acknowledging that they never understood why they were treated so badly. The singer promises not to show the addressee the darker side of their mind.

The chorus of the song is about the happy memories of childhood, green necks, lullabies, and restful eyes. The singer seems to want to recreate these moments with the addressee, who is now an adult dealing with the harsh realities of life. While the city isn't sleeping, the singer chooses to slow down and spend time with the addressee. They both know that everything is not good, but the singer promises to always give their best.

The second verse of the song is a reflection on lost opportunities to communicate and express love. The singer regrets not listening on the phone that night and not expressing their love earlier. They acknowledge that feelings are fleeting, but choices are forever. They can't seem to put down the memories of the past and promise to be around for the addressee.

Line by Line Meaning

(Don't, don't Don't run away From yourself From yourself I know, it's hard to face It's hard, I know Don't you face it)
Don't avoid confronting your true emotions and inner self, even though it may be difficult to do so.

I remember your first job I remember those nights Memories come and go fast No one treats you right How could they be so cruel Never understood why Promise that I won't show you The other side of my mind
I recall memories of past struggles and disappointment, wondering how people could treat you poorly, and I vow not to expose you to the negative thoughts lurking in my mind.

I remember Green necks and lullabies I'll hold you close You rest your eyes now you're doing the most Red cheeks and butterflies How can I know? If I paint the picture you promise to pose?
I reflect on the past when we were younger and in love, when I would hold you tight and you would drift off to sleep, leaving me to wonder if we can recapture that feeling and if you will cooperate in the endeavor.

I can't put it down Shouldn't be around Yeah
I can't seem to let go of the past and the memories associated with it, even though it may not be good for me.

City not gon' sleep I don't see why we should But you rest your head on my chest Everything is new that don't mean it's all good Still I'll always give you my best Ey
Despite the fast-paced nature of urban life, we should take the time to relax and enjoy each other's company, even though everything may not be perfect, because I am committed to always providing my best for you.

Got your hair up I ain't mean to stare but I'm just stunned Couldn't be fair that I got ya Life is too good now (Things change)
Your current state of happiness and beauty has left me in awe, and I feel lucky to have you now, even though things may not always stay the same.

And I should have listened that night on the phone If I said I loved you would you think I'm wrong Feelings are fleeting but choice is forever, child (Leave it alone)
I regret not hearing you out during a past conversation, and I worry that expressing my love for you now may be ill-timed and inappropriate. I realize that emotions can be fickle, but the choices we make have long-lasting effects.

Put it down I can't I'll be around Green necks and lullabies I'll hold you close You rest your eyes now you're doing the most Red cheeks and butterflies How can I know?
Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to forget about my past experiences and feelings for you. I will always be here for you, like in the old days, and we can relive the memories of our youth, but I remain uncertain whether we can truly reconnect on a deeper level.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Nathaniel Randle

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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