Lopez made his name on the club circuit of the Southwestern United States before being 'discovered' in 1962 playing at the club PJ's in Hollywood, California, by record producer Don Costa. Costa was taken with Lopez's latinized versions of contemporary hits and signed him up to Frank Sinatra's record label, Reprise Records. His debut album, Trini Lopez Live at PJ's, was released in 1963. The album included a version of If I Had a Hammer, which reached number one in 36 countries (No. 3 in the United States) and was a radio favorite for many years. He also performed his own version of the traditional Mexican song La Bamba on the album; his recording of the tune was later re-issued as a single in 1966.
His popularity led the Gibson Guitar Corporation to ask him in 1964 to design a guitar for them. He ended up designing two: The Trini Lopez Standard, a rock and roll model based on the Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body, and the Lopez Deluxe, a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both of these guitars were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are now highly sought after amongst collectors. Some owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
He scored 13 chart singles through 1968, including "Lemon Tree" (1965), "I'm Comin' Home, Cindy" (1966) and "Sally Was a Good Old Girl" (1968). On the adult contemporary chart, he ranked up 15 hits, including the Top 10 singles "Michael" (1964), "Gonna Get Along Without Ya' Now" (1967) and "The Bramble Bush" (1967). Beyond his success on record, he became one of the country's top nightclub performers of that era, regularly headlining in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During the 1960s and 1970s Lopez moved into acting, though his film career was not as successful as his music. His first film role was in Marriage on the Rocks (1965), in which he made a cameo appearance in a nightclub scene; Lopez's soundtrack song, "Sinner Man", became a hit single (No. 54 pop/No. 12 adult contemporary). He was one of The Dirty Dozen (1967) and starred in Antonio (1973). He made two appearances (playing different characters) on the television program, Adam 12. He continued his musical career with extensive tours of Europe and Latin America during this period; an attempt to break out by releasing a disco album in 1978 proved a flop.
Since then, Lopez has done charitable work and received honors such as being inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2003. He was still recording and appearing live in the early 2000s. Recently he took part in a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
A-Me-Ri-Ca
Trini Lopez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ok by me in america
Everything free in america
For a small fee in america
I like the city of san juan
I know a boat you can get on
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom
Automobile in america
Chromium steel in america
Wire spoke wheel in america
Very big deal in america
I'll drive a buick in san juan -
If there's a road you can drive on
I'll give my cousins a free ride -
How you fit all of them inside
Immigrant goes to america
Many helloes in america
Nobody knows in america
Puerto rico's in america
When I will go back to san juan -
When will you shut up and get gone
I'll give them new washing machine -
What have they got there to keep clean
I like the shores of america
Comfort is yours in america
Knobs on the doors in america
Wall to wall floors in america
I'll bring a TV to san juan -
If there's a current to turn on
Everyone there will give big cheer -
Everyone there will have moved here
The opening lines of Trini Lopez's song "A-Me-Ri-Ca" express the singer's admiration for the United States of America, where "everything is free for a small fee." The song continues with images of the city of San Juan in Puerto Rico, which the singer seems to enjoy, citing a boat and hundreds of flowers in full bloom. The mention of an automobile with chromium steel and wire-spoke wheels, and a Buick to drive on the roads of San Juan, highlight the American car culture.
The song makes reference to immigrants going to America and the subsequent culture shock with "many helloes in America" but "nobody knows" what it's like to be an immigrant. The song concludes with the singer bringing a TV to San Juan, where he expects everyone to have moved to America, expressing the allure of American comfort and conveniences.
The lyrics of "A-Me-Ri-Ca" express the singer's optimistic view of America's promise of freedom and possibilities, underlined by the catchy melody and happy rhythm of the song. The mention of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the allusion to immigration highlight the song's context during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to be in america
I enjoy living in America
Ok by me in america
I have no problem with America
Everything free in america
America offers many opportunities and resources
For a small fee in america
However, some things require payment in America
I like the city of san juan
I enjoy visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico
I know a boat you can get on
I am familiar with a method of transportation to and from San Juan
Hundreds of flowers in full bloom
San Juan is known for its beautiful gardens and floral displays
Hundreds of people in each room
San Juan has a high population density
Automobile in america
Cars are commonly used in America for transportation
Chromium steel in america
American cars are built with high-quality materials, such as chromium steel
Wire spoke wheel in america
American cars have a distinct design, including wire spoke wheels
Very big deal in america
Cars are highly valued in America
I'll drive a buick in san juan -
When I visit San Juan, I plan to drive a Buick car
If there's a road you can drive on
Assuming there is a suitable road for driving in San Juan
I'll give my cousins a free ride -
I plan to offer my cousins a complimentary car ride
How you fit all of them inside
I'm unsure about how we'll manage to fit everyone in the car
Immigrant goes to america
People from other countries move to America for various reasons
Many helloes in america
Many people welcome new immigrants to America
Nobody knows in america
Immigrants face many uncertainties when they first arrive in America
Puerto rico's in america
Puerto Rico is a part of the US territory
When I will go back to san juan -
When I return to San Juan on a future occasion
When will you shut up and get gone
Someone interrupts me with a snarky response
I'll give them new washing machine -
I plan to gift my relatives in San Juan a new washing machine
What have they got there to keep clean
A sarcastic remark emphasizing how unnecessary my gift may be
I like the shores of america
I appreciate the natural beauty of America's coasts and beaches
Comfort is yours in america
America provides many luxuries and conveniences
Knobs on the doors in america
There are little details, such as doorknobs, that are different in America compared to other countries
Wall to wall floors in america
Many American homes have wall-to-wall carpeting or other flooring options
I'll bring a TV to san juan -
I plan to bring a television with me to San Juan
If there's a current to turn on
Assuming there is a working electrical outlet to use
Everyone there will give big cheer-
My friends and family in San Juan will be excited to have access to a television
Everyone there will have moved here
A humorous exaggeration suggesting that everyone in San Juan would want to live in America if they had the chance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jorge díaz
No hay tiempo, lugar ni espacio para la música, ésta es inmemorial, la época de Trini López sigue siendo una de las mejores de México. Felicito a Kanal von The Tumtrah, desde la mitad del mundo "Quito".
fourkero 1
Hermosa música de mi infancia, solo lagrimas de alegría caen por mis mejillas con tan fabulosa melodía. Gracias desde Chile por haberme echo tan feliz con tus canciones Trini López.
Fernando Brito
Quando eu era criança (tinha 11-12 anos) só ia para a escola depois de ouvir esta música. Grande abraço e saudações do Brasil às irmãs e irmãos do Chile! Deus abençoe todos vocês!
Reijane Paixão
Ainda é uma maravilha ouvir o Trini, pois a gente viaja de volta à juventude e torna a sonhar com tempos que jamais virão.
R Ramos
Are you kidding , I never seen anybody so happy to be singing. Extremely good singer & guitarist, his back up group, almost as good.
Diego Castanho LSH
Vá em paz, Trini Lopez!
After Late
Such a musical voice and makes singing appear effortless. RIP Trini Lopez.....
Antero Juvasmaa
Ola
Helen Murphy
HE DIED OH WOW LOVED HIS MUSIC TOO
Debra it
@Antero Juvasmaa[