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Los Lobos — The Town
Album: The Town and the City
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1608









Released: 2006
Length: 4:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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A car rolls by way down low
There's a name on a wall that I know

I heard a shot go off in the night
My father said everything is alright
in the town where I come from

Some kids are playing out in the yard
A mother says " don't wander too far "

I can go there when I dream
I close my eyes and it's all I see
The town where I come from

I know it's where my heart will be found
It's where I'll finally lay myself down

I can go there when I dream
I close my eyes and it's all I see
The town where I came from
Comments (150)add comment
i LOVE this one. Thanks, RP.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Posted 2 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 Rockit9 wrote:
This is better than you think...



I Agree!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
This is better than you think...
Posted 4 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
I can't be alone in previously thinking that Los Lobos 'were' La Bamba...

RP has opened my eyes to their music and for that I am truly grateful
Posted 4 years ago by meanderer    [ Reply ]
love these guys live. worked a long shift last night and the last 2 hours of music have been a great way to wake up and drift...
Posted 4 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
Loudest show I was ever at -Lobos at the Showbox -Seattle
one of the best American bands ever. 
Posted 4 years ago by we5jaramillos    [ Reply ]
Thank you Radio Paradise for continually amazing me with great, obscure tracks from such great bands!  
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Hidalgo sets the tone and the guys just fill in to make
some of the best music goin. Great groupaguys.
Posted 5 years ago by dflee    [ Reply ]
 Segue wrote:
This band is effin genious. Already at 9 here. Epic.
 
This seems to be a recurring comment on this LL tune....and I'm also at a 9 on this one....might have been an 8 previously - though a 9 feels better....what a great grove and sound....Long Live RP and LL!!

Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9

Why? Cuz. This is great!
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
 sircharles wrote:

I totally agree!! Best Rock & Roll band in America today!!
 
YES!!!
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Oh, go on then.  Make it a 9 from me.  Enjoy.
 
Yup, I just bumped it up to 9 too!
Posted 5 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
Oh, go on then.  Make it a 9 from me.  Enjoy.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 sircharles wrote:

I totally agree!! Best Rock & Roll band in America today!!

 
Yes sir!
Posted 6 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Not a LL fan at all.
Pero me gusto this.....
Posted 6 years ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
 KudaRey wrote:
Saw them at a small venue in Honolulu last year. First time I had seen them live. What a talented group of guys, each and every one of them. And pretty funny too. You can tell they have been doing this for a loooong time. Keep it up fellows. Aloha.

 
My wife and I first saw Los Lobos live in a small club in Tokyo, Japan in 1988, after listening to them for years on the radio in San Diego we saw that they were going to be in Tokyo at this small venue and hopped the train in Yokosuka and saw a great great show. We knew way back then what special musicians they were/are.
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
This band is effin genious. Already at 9 here. Epic.
Posted 6 years ago by Segue    [ Reply ]
Saw them at a small venue in Honolulu last year. First time I had seen them live. What a talented group of guys, each and every one of them. And pretty funny too. You can tell they have been doing this for a loooong time. Keep it up fellows. Aloha.
Posted 7 years ago by KudaRey    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:

best damn band in the land

 
I totally agree!! Best Rock & Roll band in America today!!
Posted 7 years ago by sircharles    [ Reply ]
 john-john wrote:
Very much :

Indigenous: Things We Do 

 
I would have assumed that LL influenced Mato Nanji's crew, but this song is newer than Indigenous' debut album.
Posted 7 years ago by Solanus    [ Reply ]
Very much :

Indigenous: Things We Do 
Posted 7 years ago by john-john    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

I see where you are coming from!

 
Likewise agree.
Posted 8 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:

I see where you are coming from!

 


Posted 8 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
Los Lobos played Berkeley last weekend for the first time since the 1980s (or so it was claimed). Hard to understand the absence. I surely wanted to hear this piece, but there will always be multiple songs by a group as good as this that are unjustifiably absent in any given show. David Hidaldo managed to sound remarkably like Duane Allman, Jerry Garcia, and David Hidalgo in the space of few songs. Pretty damn versatile. The others in the band are pretty good, too. The new UC Theater allowed us to be within 25 feet of the stage, could have been closer if we'd wanted.
Posted 8 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Lovely.  Guitar has elements of "Walking on Air" to these ill-educated ears.
 
I see where you are coming from!
Posted 8 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Is there a more versatile band? Not. 

 
best damn band in the land
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Lovely.  Guitar has elements of "Walking on Air" to these ill-educated ears.
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Pro
fessionals. 
Posted 9 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
WONDERFUL!
Posted 9 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Is there a more versatile band? Not. 
Posted 10 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 mojoman wrote:
I'm trying really hard to think of a single song by these guys that I don't like.

 
I agree. They are very considered in their composition and delivery. It's all so tasty. And personally, I'd crawl a mile on broken glass to hear David Hidalgo fool around with a guitar.

Have you heard any of the first material from the 'Latin Playboys' project (self titled - 1994)? It's brilliant.



 
Posted 10 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
I'm trying really hard to think of a single song by these guys that I don't like.
Posted 11 years ago by mojoman    [ Reply ]
Delicious
Posted 11 years ago by rascal    [ Reply ]
 Snoopy2 wrote:
A nice song to just sit and think about what is going.
 
I am answering to your comment after two long years of constant thinking what is going.
Posted 11 years ago by t00lur    [ Reply ]
A nice song to just sit and think about what is going.
Posted 13 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in a while here... nice to hear it again.
Posted 13 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
MMMmm.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
eyes closed, head nodding.......
Posted 13 years ago by katiediddler    [ Reply ]
Los Lobos - underrated in my opinion and they wrote "Angel Dance" that Alison and Robert made famous recently.  I love Los Lobos....good vibes.
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]

Great song for a midnight drive down the highway... Nothing or nobody to see, just you, the car and the white lines on the road passing by...

8


Posted 13 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
Great transition from Fleetwood Mac's Albatross to this song.  Didn't even realize there was a change in songs!
Posted 13 years ago by coyotexxx2    [ Reply ]
This song always reminds me of my folks. 

They told me a lot about the town they come from.  Including a story about how their high school baseball team won a championship and how they were treated along the way. 

Sports Illustrated just did a bit on it.   

https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1187581/index.htm

Viva La Bowie


Posted 13 years ago by SuzG    [ Reply ]
Bumping from 8 to 9 - this is one really good song!{#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Los Lobos continues to be one of the most vital bands working in this country. These guys are tapping into the essence of American music beautifully. They never fail in their efforts, to my ears. Their Mexican heritage blends with the more central culture to create something uniquely their own. With time, my appreciation continues to grow.
Posted 13 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]

He has such an amazing voice.
Posted 13 years ago by teapot    [ Reply ]
LOLO'S are awesome!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]

I am so glad to hear so much Los Lobos on RP— I have come to appreciate their music tremendously! 


Posted 14 years ago by anabel    [ Reply ]
Thanks, New-2-Me is why I listen. I appreciate the seques, the patterns and changes...
I like the song. It's a perfect song for feeling low/moving slow and thinking about "what I've been through to see what I've become" as the poet said.


Posted 14 years ago by AndyJ    [ Reply ]
 dmax wrote:

Please defend the music instead of attacking the poster. The poster didn't attack you personally.
 
OK, your point is understood. However, how does one "defend the music" from a charge that it is boring? If I say it's not boring? The simple reality is that there are some who hear "boring" where others hear excitement. The charge of being boring is not substantive enough to merit a reasoned response, which was probably my error.
Posted 14 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
great segue again Bill. This is why i listen.

Posted 14 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
And to think that at one time, the only song I liked by Los Lobos was "Will the Wolf Survive?"  RP has certainly opened my mind to their music, and I love it! {#Sunny}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 Chipps wrote:
Great to hear some raw guitar playing. But is that Stratocaster single-coil pickup hum in the right speaker for the second half of the song? If it is, then I _think_ I'm impressed that they left it in to show how un Pro-Tools treated the recording was... Someone who's not as into guitars might just hear an annoying hum though...
 
It is there through the first part of the song, too.  I love music that just happens...

Neil

Posted 14 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
LL can be soooo shitty...
...and soooo good!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this tune I think it's Big Head Todd and the Monsters!    Love it!

{#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by RedTopFireBelow    [ Reply ]
 swruch wrote:
All hail Radio Paradise.
 

Hear, hear!

Posted 14 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
3 disappointing songs in a row.  My lowest ever ebb on RP.  What gives here?
Posted 14 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
It's funny how I don't like anything by these guys - except for this song...
It's even funnier how I'm hearing it on RP.  This is why I keep coming back.

All hail Radio Paradise.
Posted 14 years ago by swruch    [ Reply ]
Orale! Low and slow - just like it should be. Super tasty guitar, too.
Posted 14 years ago by Photo-John    [ Reply ]
 jkscoggin wrote:
Very similar to, but even better than Springsteen's "My Hometown". An insightful commentary on how we feel about our birthplace and how we cope with changes to those places and within ourselves.
  Or John Mellencamps “Small Town”. Actually these three would make a nice sequence Bill.

Posted 14 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a Ween tune from "chocolate and cheese" ...
Posted 14 years ago by ronald8e    [ Reply ]
One of the best American bands, this guys rock!!
Posted 15 years ago by oscar_driver    [ Reply ]
Nice song and fortunately not the town where I come from.
Posted 15 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]

I know it’s where my heart will be found
It’s where I’ll finally lay myself down
I can go there when I dream
I close my eyes and it’s all I see

Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]

easy but nice!


Posted 15 years ago by buzmaggie    [ Reply ]
Just another example of Los Lobos being one of the finest bands in existence.
Posted 15 years ago by david1045    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

What's amazing is that it has a monster growling in the background and it's STILL boring.
 
These types of comments, of course, tell the reader more about the (anonymous) poster than about the music. The inability to appreciate anything that has subtlety or that does not thrash about is endemic in what I hope is a minority of RP listeners. When a child claims he is bored, this invariably shows a lack of maturity. In this case, I cannot say, due to the anonymity.
Posted 15 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:

What's amazing is that it has a monster growling in the background and it's STILL boring.
 
i cannot possibly know - but these artists are talking about their life - how many times did your father tell you not to wander too far or you would be the victim of a drive by - not boring dude
{#Cowboy}


Posted 15 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
Supremely cool tune! ^..^~
Posted 15 years ago by rbigelo    [ Reply ]
 Thistle wrote:
This song couldn't be cooler.
up to 9.  Extremely cool tune I think

Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
heroin much?  {#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
This album has some of the most beautiful textured sounds of ANY album.  Just beautiful!  10 all day

Posted 15 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Channeling Robin Trower (a very good thing)............
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
These guys are coming to California World Fest in Grass Valley this July. Check 'em out.
Posted 15 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]
This song couldn't be cooler.
Posted 15 years ago by Thistle    [ Reply ]
Very similar to, but even better than Springsteen's "My Hometown". An insightful commentary on how we feel about our birthplace and how we cope with changes to those places and within ourselves.
Posted 15 years ago by jkscoggin    [ Reply ]
 govna wrote:
never heard anything more "ho-hum" in my life.
 
What's amazing is that it has a monster growling in the background and it's STILL boring.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
wow
{#Cowboy}
Posted 15 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
 Chipps wrote:
Great to hear some raw guitar playing. But is that Stratocaster single-coil pickup hum in the right speaker for the second half of the song? If it is, then I _think_ I'm impressed that they left it in to show how un Pro-Tools treated the recording was... Someone who's not as into guitars might just hear an annoying hum though...
 
I agree with you lad.  I love the hum.  It gives cred to the spirit of the song and adds to the tension.  I love this song on first listen.  Wicked cool vibe.

Posted 15 years ago by Thistle    [ Reply ]
 Chipps wrote:
Great to hear some raw guitar playing. But is that Stratocaster single-coil pickup hum in the right speaker for the second half of the song? If it is, then I _think_ I'm impressed that they left it in to show how un Pro-Tools treated the recording was... Someone who's not as into guitars might just hear an annoying hum though...
  No offence Chipps but I think you need to get out more.

Posted 15 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Great to hear some raw guitar playing. But is that Stratocaster single-coil pickup hum in the right speaker for the second half of the song? If it is, then I _think_ I'm impressed that they left it in to show how un Pro-Tools treated the recording was... Someone who's not as into guitars might just hear an annoying hum though...
Posted 15 years ago by Chipps    [ Reply ]
Wow, not bad—I'm not a Los Lobos fan, but this has a nice chill groove...
Posted 15 years ago by TravelRat    [ Reply ]
Quit relaxing
Posted 15 years ago by flapser    [ Reply ]
never heard anything more "ho-hum" in my life.
Posted 15 years ago by govna    [ Reply ]
Such a downer song.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
 siandbeth wrote:
I watched a whole show on the making of a guitar for this band. Yes, I do have a lot of free time.
 
Really?  Where?  As an amateur luthier I'd love to see that, and maybe it's on line.

As for the Grateful Dead tie in, I don't know, but I remember seeing them open for The Dead a lifetime ago at Laguna Seca. Mmmmm .... good memories.

BTW: love this track!


Posted 16 years ago by smdeeg    [ Reply ]
 EssexTex wrote:

How were they?

 

There were promotional problems with the show, so it wasn't sold out, and the band isn't used to that.

Once they got rolling, though, they were as good as you'd expect —- David Hidalgo is a great front man and gets to kiss all the girls (although Conrad threw a couple of elbows to get to one especially, um, easy on the eyes blond that was dancing on the stage), and Cougar Estrada (who, if you look at the web page, isn't an official member) is a force of nature.

HIghlights: The Town, Don't Worry Baby, I Walk Alone, a LONG version of Neil Young's Down By The River complete with a very innovative lead drum part, and Mas Y Mas, which was going by so fast that only the band could find the pulse —- it was a riot to watch the audience try to clap.

Long story short: if you've seen any band enough times, they're going to have good nights and off nights.  This was an off night for LL, and they're still better than anybody else.

{#Drummer}

Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
keller1 wrote:

They're headlining at Massey Hall in Toronto on September 19, and I've got six seats in the tenth row.

Needless to say, cannot wait.

How were they?

Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
First time hearing this one.  Like it alot!{#Clap}
Posted 16 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
Los Lobos is the best example of a group I respect a lot, but somehow don't care for many of their songs (like this one).
Posted 16 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 spunkyboy62 wrote:
Just saw them play a killer show, opening for Los Lonely Boys in a fantastic garden setting in Grand Rapids, MI.  The entire band spent the intermission at an autograph table chatting with fans.  Love these guys!
 
They're headlining at Massey Hall in Toronto on September 19, and I've got six seats in the tenth row.

Needless to say, cannot wait.


Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Just saw them play a killer show, opening for Los Lonely Boys in a fantastic garden setting in Grand Rapids, MI.  The entire band spent the intermission at an autograph table chatting with fans.  Love these guys!
Posted 16 years ago by spunkyboy62    [ Reply ]
 gabbadar wrote:
Did anybody else hear that weird voice halfway through the solo? {#Eek}
  Darkmatter did...see below


Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
I have noted this in postings for other Los Lobos songs, but they are making a good case for replacing the Grateful Dead as America's folk/rock/blues/etc. band. Nonsense you say? They are consciously keeping a tradition going. Their concerts are remarkably diverse and can seems to be channeling the process the Dead used for merging and melding songs into nearly seamless pieces. Last weekend at the Marin County Fair, they played a series of Dead trademark songs, which is to say, songs that were part of the concerts but not written by the Dead. Bertha led into an extended jam. Another long piece featured long blues guitar solos by two of their guitarists, which merged into Dear Mister Fantasy, in a manner that was very Dead-like. The choice of Americana they work with is more Mexican-tinged than the Dead, not surprisingly, but they do blues, country (Mexican and northern North American), driving rock, rockabilly, etc. Their shows are really energetic and worth much more than the price of admission. I keep hearing songs that I did not realize were theirs. Highly recommended.
 

Their name is a tribute to Jerry Garcia's Guitar / nickname
Posted 16 years ago by Taraincognito    [ Reply ]
interesting playing it after Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross" today.  It sounds so much like a logical extension of FM from the "English Rose" days.  And a wonderful extension, too.  Love this.
Posted 16 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
I watched a whole show on the making of a guitar for this band. Yes, I do have a lot of free time.
Posted 16 years ago by siandbeth    [ Reply ]
One of the greatest bands ever.  Period.{#Notworthy}
Posted 16 years ago by saltysanford    [ Reply ]
now THIS is the type of band that should be making millions and millions of dollars and played on the mainstream radio, but i digress...
Posted 16 years ago by jarrudy    [ Reply ]
Did anybody else hear that weird voice halfway through the solo? {#Eek}
Posted 16 years ago by gabbadar    [ Reply ]
rcurrier wrote:
I really like this, particularly the Fripp-ish guitar work.

But how can these be the same guys that produced the execrable Chico and the Man/ Freebie and the Bean/Kiko and the Lavender Moon or whatever the hell that thing is that always makes me mute RP?

Is there more Los Lobos in this style, or is this the exception?

Hard to pin these guys to any particular style. They are so diverse that almost everything they do is an exception to anything else they've done. That said, this album has a lot of tunes in this style along other more recent albums: Good Morning Aztlan, This Time, and Colossal Head.

I'm particular to Good Morning Aztlan, The Neighborhood, and yes, Kiko. You might listen to other songs on Kiko. "Kiko & the Lavender Moon" is a lesser song on that album, imo.


Posted 16 years ago by bpkengor    [ Reply ]
I really like this, particularly the Fripp-ish guitar work.

But how can these be the same guys that produced the execrable Chico and the Man/ Freebie and the Bean/Kiko and the Lavender Moon or whatever the hell that thing is that always makes me mute RP?

Is there more Los Lobos in this style, or is this the exception? 
Posted 16 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
This song has become an integral part of my "late night" playing list. But what is that spooky voice saying in the bacground during the first guitar solo?
Posted 16 years ago by Darkmatter    [ Reply ]
I have noted this in postings for other Los Lobos songs, but they are making a good case for replacing the Grateful Dead as America's folk/rock/blues/etc. band. Nonsense you say? They are consciously keeping a tradition going. Their concerts are remarkably diverse and can seems to be channeling the process the Dead used for merging and melding songs into nearly seamless pieces. Last weekend at the Marin County Fair, they played a series of Dead trademark songs, which is to say, songs that were part of the concerts but not written by the Dead. Bertha led into an extended jam. Another long piece featured long blues guitar solos by two of their guitarists, which merged into Dear Mister Fantasy, in a manner that was very Dead-like. The choice of Americana they work with is more Mexican-tinged than the Dead, not surprisingly, but they do blues, country (Mexican and northern North American), driving rock, rockabilly, etc. Their shows are really energetic and worth much more than the price of admission. I keep hearing songs that I did not realize were theirs. Highly recommended.
Posted 16 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
really beautiful
Posted 16 years ago by araujokrl    [ Reply ]
i tunes, here I come.
Posted 16 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
sqqqrly wrote:
Which is LL's best album(s)?
If you're new to LL I recommend their Live at the Fillmore DVD --- shows you the full range of what these guys can actually do, which is really something, and Cougar Estrada is one of the best rock drummers out there right now.
Posted 16 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
Pyro wrote:
With a little FRIPP thrown in.
Very "Walking On Air" Thrakish.
Posted 16 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
lovely, seamless transition from fleetwood mac. great job Bill! -PL-
Posted 16 years ago by plight    [ Reply ]
Best song on the album! 8 > 9
Posted 16 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
God I love this band.
Posted 16 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
coyote620 wrote:
This song grates on my nerves. 0
stop your howlin'... this'n a classic tune.
Posted 16 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
oceansoul63 wrote:
Love the guitar work. Flavors of Hendrix, Santana and the good kind of jazz guitar. I dig it.
With a little FRIPP thrown in.
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
phlattop wrote:
Kiko.
Hard to argue with Kiko. But this one is great! And there are many others.
Posted 16 years ago by lanewbie    [ Reply ]
sqqqrly wrote:
Which is LL's best album(s)?
Kiko.
Posted 16 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
I have seen these guy several times... but last week I saw their 2 man acoustic show... What a beautiful show. just fantastic.
Posted 16 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]
Love the guitar work. Flavors of Hendrix, Santana and the good kind of jazz guitar. I dig it.
Posted 16 years ago by oceansoul63    [ Reply ]
birdland wrote:
I have a great deal of respect for this man's guitar artistry. He's so understated and brilliant.
Hildago and Rosas are a serious one-two punch.
Posted 16 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
It's an okay song, but RP plays it into the ground.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Kiko and this one, the town and the city. awesome disks. spunkyboy62 wrote:
Kiko.
Posted 16 years ago by jkscoggin    [ Reply ]
I have a great deal of respect for this man's guitar artistry. He's so understated and brilliant.
Posted 16 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]