Los Lobos: A Closer Look

In light of Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl appearance, we wanted to look at another band we love, Los Lobos.

The L.A. group first got together in the mid-70s. The bandmembers shared an affinity for early rock n’ roll, Tex-Mex, and country music, as well as Zydeco and R&B. That rich blend of influences resulted in an entirely fresh sound which broke through to the mainstream with their hit cover of “La Bamba” for the 1987 movie of the same name.

Among their awards, they’ve won 3 Grammys, and their songs have been covered by everyone from Elvis Costello and Robert Plant to Waylon Jennings.

Currently on a massive worldwide tour, here’s a sampling of some of this magnificent, multi-genre Mexican American band’s top tunes.

“Will the Wolf Survive?” (1984)

How Will the Wolf Survive? was Los Lobos’ first album released on a major label, Slash/Warner Brothers.  The 1984 record, recognized as one of the decade’s best, features an aching lament for a man of a bygone era, “Will the Wolf Survive?”.  It is song crafting at its finest and most poignant.

 

 

“La Bamba” (1987)

If you’re familiar with Los Lobos at all, chances are you recognize this Billboard Number One smash from the soundtrack of the Ritchie Valens biopic.  “La Bamba” became the first song performed entirely in Spanish to top the American popular music charts.  A rollicking electric guitar riff opens here.  It hooks us from the get-go, delightfully engaging straight through to the finish of a guy’s inspired invitation for his love to come dancing.

“Whiskey Trail” (1992)

 Like father, like son.  Only this refrain of resignation from the 1992 album Kiko does not foretell a fond familial future. Think Stones-style amped-up guitar romps like “Happy” or “Little T & A.”  Only even boozier and loosey-goosier. And the woman’s strident scream punctuating the tumultuous tail end of this track only serves to ruin it……in no way whatsoever.

“Bertha”, Live (1992)

 Peppering the set list from a 1992 show at West Palm Beach, Florida’s Carefree Theatre is a righteous rendition of The Grateful Dead’s mysterious “Bertha.”  The group’s captivating live performance is included on 1993’s Just Another Band from East L.A.–A Collection album.  May this playfully odd ode work its way into more than a few shows during their current musical globe-trotting.

“Viking” (1999)

“Viking” is a strange song about an eerily enigmatic character from 1999’s This Time.  In it, the listener is asked repeatedly if they remember Viking, even though the lyrics reveal precious little about the dude.  Nonetheless, there is the distinct impression that if you ever met him, it would leave an enduring impression.  For better or worse, we’ll never know for certain.

 

 

“The Road To Gila Bend” (2006)

The narrator in this haunting, heavy rocker did a bad, bad thing.  Now he’s running from the law on “The Road To Gila Bend”.  The guitar work veritably rumbles on this standout track from 2006’s The Town and The City.  The vibe is of an uneasy uncertainty. Much like the fate of this jilted lover who can never go back.

-John Smistad

Photo: Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy