From the White House to el barrio, Tish Hinojosa has enchanted, enlightened and entertained countless listeners with her distinctive cross-cultural music. In the process, she has become one of the most acclaimed and beloved artists in the contemporary Latin and folk scene. With a purity of voice and a vision that also embraces pop, rock, tejano and international styles into her music, she reflects modern America's multicultural richness with sincerity, heart and a winning musicality.
Family, music and a multicultural perspective were hallmarks of Hinojosa's years growing up in San Antonio, where she began performing as a teen. Alongside the traditional Mexican songs she inherited from her parents, she was inspired by the pop and rock artists she and her older siblings listened to along with the folk revival of the early 1960s. Performing in her hometown as well as doing stints in Taos and Nashville, she eventually landed in the renowned Austin, TX music scene. Her debut album, "Homeland", found Hinojosa weaving all the threads of her musical ethos into a stunning tapestry that immediately put her on the international musical map. With her release, "Culture Swing", Hinojosa won the NAIRD Award for Best Folk Album.
Over the eleven subsequent releases, countless tours of North America and Europe, Hinojosa developed a loving and loyal audience and has explored a wide range of musical expression. Her music and social activism has won her numerous awards and accolades, including recognition by Fox TV's Bravo Honors and a Las Primeras (The Firsts) Award from MANA, the largest organization of Latina women. Hinojosa is frequently asked to appear at events, make cultural contributions and work on behalf of children, bilingual education, civil liberties, immigration, farm workers, multicultural organizations, and other humanitarian causes. Recent examples include: the National Bilingual Educators conference; the National Council of La Raza's conference, including performances at the event recognizing Latinas; the National Latino Children's Agenda, honoring the work of Latino legislators; a Capitol Hill reception publicizing the plight of Latino children during Hispanic Heritage Week, in Washington, DC; the Hispanic Women in Leadership's national conference; local spokesperson, PSA's, and events for Any Baby Can which provides aid to families of children with chronic illness or handicaps; a reception at the MAFO (farm worker organizations coalition) conference. She performed at the Hispanic Gala and at other events at the 1993 inauguration of the President of the United States and for the National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Conference. Tish was also invited to perform at The White House for President and Mrs. Clinton.
Linda Ronstadt has recorded Hinojosa’s songs among many others. She has recorded with Lucinda Williams, Joan Baez, Dwight Yoakum, Kris Kristofferson, Albert Lee and Nancy Griffith to name just a few. Along the way, Tish has performed with various eminent symphonies throughout the United States. Her albums have been favorites on radio stations around the world, consistently winning critical praise and making annual Top 10 lists both nationally and internationally. Her appeal reaches both Anglo and Hispanic listeners. Since 1996, Tish has forged a separate career as a children's music artist with the release of “Cada Niño” (Every Child) CD and illustrated songbook in Spanish and English. The 2005 release of “A Heart Wide Open” has added to her stature as an American musical treasure.
Official site: http://www.mundotish.com/
West Side Of Town
Tish Hinojosa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heading north to Texas where he grew into a man
He fixed cars and worked the wars and raised a family
San Antonio was home on the west side of town
Young Maria dreamed of singing in a concert hall
Past the plaza and the village church adobe wall
Hard times stole her innocence but drove the woman's heart
She was proud and lived on faith
He was strong in his own way
They were pilgrims that made
A good life the hard way
Felipe lost his first wife in 1943
7 growing children and desperately in need
Maria came to look for work and found her destiny
With one child of her own to the west side of town
They were married, years went by and now we were 13
Days were good and days were bad but mostly they were lean
School and shoes and food and books, believin' in a prayer
God must know His way 'round on the west side of town
She was proud and lived on faith
He was strong in his own way
They were pilgrims that made
A good life the hard way
We would go to Mexico and Mama, she would cry
For the things we'll never know, she had to leave behind
Sisters, brothers know too well what memories can do
Climbing up when you're down from the west side of town
Daddy never owned a house but built a strong foundation
Mama bought her own damn house with self determination
They're both gone but I know that they're listening to this song
'Neath the San Fernando ground on the west side of town
She was proud and lived on faith
He was strong in his own way
They were pilgrims that made
A good life the hard way
[Foreign Content]
[Foreign Content]
They were pilgrims that made
A good life the hard way
The song "West Side Of Town" by Tish Hinojosa depicts the story of two individuals named Felipe and Maria, who immigrated to Texas from Mexico with dreams of building a better life. The song highlights their struggles as they grew into adulthood, faced hardship, and built a family in San Antonio on the west side of town. Felipe and Maria's determination to overcome adversity and forge a better life for their children is a powerful tribute to the strength and resilience of immigrants.
The song begins with Felipe's arrival in Texas as a young boy, and highlights his journey to become a man who made a living fixing cars and working odd jobs. Maria, on the other hand, had a dream of becoming a singer but faced tough times that robbed her of her innocence. Despite the struggles they faced, they both shared a strong faith and a determination to create a good life for themselves and their family. The song moves on to focus on their relationship with each other and with their children, depicting their successes and setbacks through the years.
One of the most powerful themes of "West Side Of Town" is the idea that success can be achieved even in the face of hardship. Felipe and Maria did not have an easy life, but their determination to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones is a testament to the power of human resilience. This song is a celebration of the strength, determination, and hard work of immigrants and their families who have established themselves in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Felipe was a young boy when he crossed the Rio Grande
Felipe crossed the Rio Grande as a young boy heading north to Texas where he became a man
Heading north to Texas where he grew into a man
Felipe grew up in Texas after crossing the Rio Grande as a young boy
He fixed cars and worked the wars and raised a family
Felipe worked hard fixing cars, was involved in the wars, and raised a family
San Antonio was home on the west side of town
Felipe's home was on the west side of town in San Antonio
Young Maria dreamed of singing in a concert hall
Maria had dreams of singing in a concert hall as a young girl
Past the plaza and the village church adobe wall
Maria grew up near the plaza and village church adobe wall
Hard times stole her innocence but drove the woman's heart
Maria lost her innocence during hard times, but it made her a stronger woman
San Antonio bound to the west side of town
Maria went to San Antonio and lived on the west side of town
She was proud and lived on faith
Maria was proud and lived her life guided by faith
He was strong in his own way
Felipe was strong in his own unique way
They were pilgrims that made
Maria and Felipe were like pilgrims, trying to make a good life
A good life the hard way
They made a good life for themselves despite the hardships they faced
Felipe lost his first wife in 1943
Felipe's first wife passed away in 1943
7 growing children and desperately in need
Felipe had seven children who were growing up and desperately needed support
Maria came to look for work and found her destiny
Maria came to search for work and found her place and destiny
With one child of her own to the west side of town
Maria came with her own child and settled on the west side of town
They were married, years went by and now we were 13
Maria and Felipe got married and had 13 children throughout the years
Days were good and days were bad but mostly they were lean
Life had its ups and downs, but mostly they were struggling to make ends meet
School and shoes and food and books, believing' in a prayer
They had to prioritize school, shoes, food, and books, relying on their faith to guide them through tough times
God must know His way 'round on the west side of town
They had faith that God had a special hand in their life on the west side of town
We would go to Mexico and Mama, she would cry
They would travel to Mexico, and Maria would feel sad for leaving things behind
For the things we'll never know, she had to leave behind
Maria was sad that they would never know what they were leaving behind
Sisters, brothers know too well what memories can do
Maria and Felipe's siblings understand how memories can have an impact
Climbing up when you're down from the west side of town
They had to find a way to rise above their struggles and hardships from the west side of town
Daddy never owned a house but built a strong foundation
Felipe never owned a house but established a solid foundation for his family
Mama bought her own damn house with self determination
Maria bought her own house through sheer determination and willpower
They're both gone but I know that they're listening to this song
Although Maria and Felipe have passed away, the singer believes they are still listening to this song
'Neath the San Fernando ground on the west side of town
Maria and Felipe are buried beneath the San Fernando ground on the west side of town
They were pilgrims that made
Maria and Felipe were like pilgrims, trying to make a good life
A good life the hard way
Despite the hardships they faced, they were able to make a good life for themselves
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TISH HINOJOSA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rick Keogh
I don't know why she's not a superstar - a great singer, a great songwriter, a good guitarist and very attractive and full of life - has a charity too.
Brian Cairns
I was in Tish's band, early 80's in Red River, New Mexico. Tish Hinohosa (Acoustic guitar and Lead vocals), Craig Barker (bass), Dave McGill (piano), Leroy Featherston (drums), Myself, Brian Cairns (Acoustic Lead Guitar).
Sam Sanchez
Brian Cairns, you don’t how bummed that makes me feel. I was a sophomore at Questa HS in 84-85 and lived in the Moly cabins at the Columbine campground, between Questa and Red River. I bought her “Homeland” tape on a whim in 89 or 90 while I was at NMSU and have loved her ever since.
I only wish I had known of her a few years earlier.....
riverraisin1
Tish's performance on ACL was my first introduction to her talent and when I became smitten with her voice. Her music give me a sense of peace and happiness.
multicaruana
Isn't she wonderful. Brings back memories from the early 90's, Just awesome. My wife also crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico almost 40 years ago. The rest is history. Come to Long Island, ms. Hinojosa!
Michael Sewald
She is a great talent.
Tom Johnson
I've always loved Tish, as a pedal steel player it would be my dream to play behind her. Your a superstar not according to Nashville standards.
S P
Who came here after reading about her on HONY?
Lawrence Cisek
I first heard this song at a San Fernando Mission light show. Been a fan ever since.
D Scott
I did!