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Los Lobos — Malaque
Album: Good Morning Aztlan
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1959









Released: 2002
Length: 4:25
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Tell me please Dear Malaque
Why have our loved ones gone away
Left with nothing much to say
Only the warm place where they lay
On the way to the ruby king

Malaque what do we do
Now there's only me and you
Can we begin our lives anew
After all that we've been through
On this day of the ruby king

We have worked so hard to find
What is yours and what is mine
How does one become so blind
And forget what is divine
In the world of the ruby king

Malaque oh Malaque
Where have our friends all gone today
Gone without a word to say
Only the beds where they once laid
Left to rest with the ruby king
Gone away to the ruby king
Comments (211)add comment
The person screaming in the background is a big turn off.  Downvote.
 Metaspace wrote:

Does anyone know to what refers "the ruby king" in the lyrics?




Yes, what is the Ruby King?  Anybody know?
Does anyone know to what refers "the ruby king" in the lyrics?
Real American music from genuine Americans. This may sound like some Latin offerings but it is strictly a product of diverse American culture,
I remember when these guys hit the airwaves. Knew they had something special then.
The more I hear this tune, the more I Like it!!  Thanx RP!
Gotta admit, I'm not a great appeciator of latin music. But I make an exception for these guys. 
Excellent!! It is different from most of their tunes This was the first time I heard this..  Thanx RP!
Los Lobos did this at the Sellersville in PA, near where Steve Berlin grew up, right after it came out, I had not heard the song.  Hidalgo was absolutely in another place for his solo coming into the last verse, we were all there watching him.  One of the great musical experiences of my life.
Absolutely love this band, see them every time they come to Australia.In my top 3 for sure.
a little close to home right now..
I get so frustrated defending this band to so many who do not understand their artistic creativity and sheer greatness.  Nice to read so many below who get it.  Have seen them so many times and never disappointed, but that show with the Hildago family would have been awesome.  
 DeAun wrote:
Where/What is the Ruby King they are referring to? 

 
I think it is a metaphor for Mammon or chasing the "dollar".   The Ruby is known as the 'King' of gems and so I suppose people leaving home (say Mexico) for a place that might be "paved with gold" (say the USA).  
 ottovonb wrote:
I saw David Hidalgo backed up by his kids at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA a few months ago. Sweetwater is a wonderfully intimate room and there's not a bad seat in the house and all those Hidalgos were just terrific - whatta blast. Thanks David!
 

 
Lived in Mill Valley for a stint- Great room the Sweetwater.
Traveling through Germany in the mid 90's some drunken travelers learned I was from the Bay Area and mentioned a "small club near some mountain" where they had seen John Lee Hooker- "Sweetwater?" I asked. "YES!" they replied. That made for a long train trip much shorter...
Small world out there all orbiting around music. {#Sunny}
Some days I'm really not in the mood for this song. This ain't one of those days! Sounds great!
These guys have created a lot of terrific music.
 siqbal wrote:
The Wolves can do no wrong!

 

Their latest release is another  not wrong
 siqbal wrote:
The Wolves can do no wrong!

 
sure seems like that
The Wolves can do no wrong!
Always tasteful, excellent- Los Lobops!  This Bear wishes the same for us all, my friends!
Where/What is the Ruby King they are referring to? 
We just saw LL at a concert last Saturday and they sound just as good as 25 years ago! Percussionist Enrique Gonzalez is absolutely insane! Louie Pérez is up front with guitar, jarana, mandolin, etc., but took a turn at the drums for old times sake. This a great band that doesn't get the attention it deserves, IMHO, probably because they're clean and solid—and are celebrating their 40th year together because of it! I requested Malaque but they encored with La Bamba. Go figure. (They did do Kiko, though, which was a big crowd pleaser.)
Meh.
I saw David Hidalgo backed up by his kids at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA a few months ago. Sweetwater is a wonderfully intimate room and there's not a bad seat in the house and all those Hidalgos were just terrific - whatta blast. Thanks David!
 
Luv me some Los Lobos!!
Cool segue from QOTSA.
Los Lobos always got it dialed in!
 rpdevotee wrote:
Amazing!  I saw these guys back in the 80's and they did a wonderful concert.  I gained a lot of respect for them after that show because that was when their remake of "La Bamba" was a big hit on the radio but they did NOT play it!  Their concert was good because of their own original material and they got the praise of the crowd on their own merit.  Still sound good...if not better!

 
University of Virginia, probably 1985 or so. An unknown band that at the moment had a relatively minor hit 'How Will the Wolf Survive' played in a sunken field on campus, free beer (not from the band), and very little notice. I was hooked. Since then I've seen Los Lobos several times and highly recommend them. Yes, they have lots of original and interesting material, play rockabilly, country, Mexican, Tex-Mex, straight ahead rock, and who know what else. Out of East LA. They are continuing the tradition of the Dead, without really being like the Dead.
Amazing!  I saw these guys back in the 80's and they did a wonderful concert.  I gained a lot of respect for them after that show because that was when their remake of "La Bamba" was a big hit on the radio but they did NOT play it!  Their concert was good because of their own original material and they got the praise of the crowd on their own merit.  Still sound good...if not better!
When you see Los Lobos live, you get a big serving of BAD A$$!!!!
Just saw these guys Friday night.  They put on a great show and David Hidalgo's voice is still incredible!
viva la raza, por vida loco.......{#Dance}
 macbags wrote:
IS IT MAYBE JUST MY SOUND SYSTEM OR IS THIS A 1.
  
MIGHT BE YOUR HEARING. DO YOU ALWAYS SHOUT?
A wonderful song - sad, hopeful, and so dance-inducing. So why I am alone at my desk? 
 Cynaera wrote:

I am SO thrilled that someone finally acknowledged "How Will The Wolf Survive"!  The more I listen to the music of Los Lobos, the more I appreciate their roots, and the music they provide. I came from a very bigoted household, so it's taken some time to unlearn a lot of the hatred and prejudice.  Los Lobos is SO far through that stupid wall - I can't believe I don't have all their music! (But I will have, when I can afford it.)

I like Los Lobos a lot, too... {#Sunny}
 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...
 
a swinging summer tune
Saw these guys a few months ago at the brand-new Bing Concert Hall at Stanford.edu
Amazing venue and a great show by Los Lobos as always.  This song was probably the highlight of the night!
Los Lobos @ Bing Concert Hall 
 colt4x5 wrote:

"This seemed as natural to Newland Archer as all the other conventions on which his life was moulded: such as the duty of using two silver-backed brushes with his monogram in blue enamel to part his hair, and of never appearing in society without a flower (preferably a gardenia) in his buttonhole."
 
And my next book will be by Edith Wharton, thanks to you, and you. A nice and very appealing way to discover an author
 rdo wrote:

"An unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical world required that the German text of French operas sung by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the clearer understanding of English-speaking audiences"
 
"This seemed as natural to Newland Archer as all the other conventions on which his life was moulded: such as the duty of using two silver-backed brushes with his monogram in blue enamel to part his hair, and of never appearing in society without a flower (preferably a gardenia) in his buttonhole."
 rdo wrote:

"An unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical world required that the German text of French operas sung by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the clearer understanding of English-speaking audiences"
 
...seems natural.  {#Yes}
 mafe wrote:
This song would sound a lot better if it was sung in spanish.
 
"An unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical world required that the German text of French operas sung by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the clearer understanding of English-speaking audiences"
  DeeCee1109 wrote:


They are incredible live.
 
Just saw them last Saturday night, for maybe the 15th or 16th time. One of my all time favorite American bands. A few years ago I saw them in September, October, and November, a different city for each show and each show was different from the one before. Amazing.
 daveesh wrote:
one of my all-time favorite bands. completely overlooked by commercial radio.
 



They are incredible live.
one of my all-time favorite bands. completely overlooked by commercial radio.
 fredriley wrote:

Me, I thought they were singing about a Rubik Cube. Best get the old ear drops out, I think.
 
sounds like sun to me
the egyptians also worshipped the sun and why not ? 
nice two play
larry mcmurtury safe side
and los lobos and the ruby king
with the aztex two step and the backyard rooster
 
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I'm trying to figure out what the Ruby King is. "on this day of the ruby king" etc in the lyrics... anyone?

 
Me, I thought they were singing about a Rubik Cube. Best get the old ear drops out, I think.

I'm trying to figure out what the Ruby King is. "on this day of the ruby king" etc in the lyrics... anyone?

 macbags wrote:
IS IT MAYBE JUST MY SOUND SYSTEM OR IS THIS A 1.
 

Nah.  Your ears are broken.
IS IT MAYBE JUST MY SOUND SYSTEM OR IS THIS A 1.

Should be listen to speeding down the open highway in this beautiful monster

{#Sunny}
I can't love this, I'm afraid.
Wow...
 rjewyo wrote:
Todos bailan.....{#Bananasplit}
 
Esta canción es tan buena para las orejas?

Seguero que Hell yes — Los Lobos y Stevie Ray - echale chingase!
Todos bailan.....{#Bananasplit}
Now we're talkin'! What a song! What an album! What a band!

Thank you for playing Malaque just when I need to hear it.

And then following up with Buena Vista Social Club.

Beautiful. 
Mute {#Taped-shut}
This stuff worms right into my brain—just beautiful!
{#Dance}
 yanet wrote:
ah it's been a while since i heard this one...need to dance!
 
Dancin' right along with you. Love this song, and the band...{#Dancingbanana}
ah it's been a while since i heard this one...need to dance!
this is the purest form of truth i've heard spoken in a song in well maybe since lucinda williams this morning ? baby are you down down with that


 bpkengor wrote:
i am amazed that they recorded such strong material for so many years. 1984: How Will the Wolf Survive; 1987: By the Light of the Moon; 1990: the Neighborhood; 1992: Kiko; 2002: Good Morning, Aztlan; 2006: The Town and the City. any one of those recordings could be a career for many artists. Most of the best artists eventually lose their ability to innovate and start repeating themselves. Not the Wolves. their other albums are great. but these albums are all fantastic. Kiko should be on everyone's Desert Island Disk list. oh, and did i mention that I like Los Lobos a lot?
 
I am SO thrilled that someone finally acknowledged "How Will The Wolf Survive"!  The more I listen to the music of Los Lobos, the more I appreciate their roots, and the music they provide. I came from a very bigoted household, so it's taken some time to unlearn a lot of the hatred and prejudice.  Los Lobos is SO far through that stupid wall - I can't believe I don't have all their music! (But I will have, when I can afford it.)

I like Los Lobos a lot, too... {#Sunny}
 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

Let's all sing together...
"Onetontomato, Onetontomato, Oh she was a Onetontomato  Onetontomaaaato...." {#Mrgreen}

 

{#Roflol}

 sirdroseph wrote:

I like this song; someone should upload Guantanamera though, ok, I will!{#Lol}


 
Let's all sing together...
"Onetontomato, Onetontomato, Oh she was a Onetontomato  Onetontomaaaato...." {#Mrgreen}

One of my LL favourites.

I like this song; someone should upload Guantanamera though, ok, I will!{#Lol}


GREAT BAND - not-so-great song, still more than decent

i have seen los lobos a few times, and just LOVE their live shows!
Just like Drugs. . .I get hooked on Calexico after first hearing sunken Waltz way back when, now I'm diggin' these guys. . . what's next?  Eliades Ochoa?

Thanks for the intros Bill.
 geezin57 wrote:
     If commercial FM rockers only knew-but they're all deaf or drunk-imagine if this band got some solid airplay. Most excellent musicians, lotsa excellent originals, even the fillers reflect serious musicianship, And they've maintained like, the music matters, not the sellout. RP!! It's become essential! Funds,You Lazys1 Where else wouldja gotten a shot like that whiile ya gear up for workin'? I'm takin' up pluggin', well, doin' all that beggin' between sets, Bill's goin for exasperation.and maybe put the Dandy Warhols on shuffle while he goes on a staycation until we get up off it. What then, Lost FM?
 

I for one buy ALL my CD's and ALL my MP3 downloads through RP so that Bill gets credit for it.  Lately I've even gotten to the point of hearing a tune come on (like this one) and switching over from RP to Amazon and buying the MP3 download while it's still playing on my lap-top.

Say...................while I mention that......where's my mouse?

{#Exclaim}

 geezin57 wrote:
     If commercial FM rockers only knew-but they're all deaf or drunk-imagine if this band got some solid airplay. Most excellent musicians, lotsa excellent originals, even the fillers reflect serious musicianship, And they've maintained like, the music matters, not the sellout. RP!! It's become essential! Funds,You Lazys1 Where else wouldja gotten a shot like that whiile ya gear up for workin'? I'm takin' up pluggin', well, doin' all that beggin' between sets, Bill's goin for exasperation.and maybe put the Dandy Warhols on shuffle while he goes on a staycation until we get up off it. What then, Lost FM?
 
Yeah.

Gracias señor Goldsmith
Me gusto mucho
I got to see them live at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. It was awesome to see their low-rider parked out front of the fancy, elegent venue. Too Cool.
     If commercial FM rockers only knew-but they're all deaf or drunk-imagine if this band got some solid airplay. Most excellent musicians, lotsa excellent originals, even the fillers reflect serious musicianship, And they've maintained like, the music matters, not the sellout. RP!! It's become essential! Funds,You Lazys1 Where else wouldja gotten a shot like that whiile ya gear up for workin'? I'm takin' up pluggin', well, doin' all that beggin' between sets, Bill's goin for exasperation.and maybe put the Dandy Warhols on shuffle while he goes on a staycation until we get up off it. What then, Lost FM?
What a treasure these guys are! Just amazing.
bpkengor wrote:
i am amazed that they recorded such strong material for so many years. 1984: How Will the Wolf Survive; 1987: By the Light of the Moon; 1990: the Neighborhood; 1992: Kiko; 2002: Good Morning, Aztlan; 2006: The Town and the City. any one of those recordings could be a career for many artists. Most of the best artists eventually lose their ability to innovate and start repeating themselves. Not the Wolves. their other albums are great. but these albums are all fantastic. Kiko should be on everyone's Desert Island Disk list. oh, and did i mention that I like Los Lobos a lot?
Don't forget The Ride!! I've seen these guys a dozen or so times. Just tremendous musicians. Sadly, they haven't played in Detroit since our once incredible public radio station switched to nearly all news about 3-4 years ago. I almost bought tickets to see Los Lonely Boys cause Los Lobos is opening, but Los Lobos is not an opening act.
i am amazed that they recorded such strong material for so many years. 1984: How Will the Wolf Survive; 1987: By the Light of the Moon; 1990: the Neighborhood; 1992: Kiko; 2002: Good Morning, Aztlan; 2006: The Town and the City. any one of those recordings could be a career for many artists. Most of the best artists eventually lose their ability to innovate and start repeating themselves. Not the Wolves. their other albums are great. but these albums are all fantastic. Kiko should be on everyone's Desert Island Disk list. oh, and did i mention that I like Los Lobos a lot?
I feel compelled to comment on the strangely dismissive approach taken by so many listeners (maybe not a good word choice in this case?) to Los Lobos. It has taken some time to appreciate what they do and what they are, but this is as American a band as one can find. They cover the range of American music really well. Their original work is quite good and deeply in the American tradition. In some ways, the Grateful Dead seem similar to me, in that both groups work from within a folk/country tradition, influenced by southern and urban blues, jazz, and anything else they encounter that makes sense. then they make it something new. And, they are exceptional live.
Pretty!
Tall_T wrote:
NOT THE REAL DEAL? Wait a sec, last time I checked, these cabelleros have been together for 30 YEARS, and are poised to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame!! And what are they crossing over from? They ARE the genre..they don't need to cross over anything. Except the threshold of imoortality as one of the greatest bands to ever create musico. Peace out-
i have revisited Los Lobos and I think I just might have to agree! This is one of my faves.
Love the cover of this
Long live The Wolves! They're so awesome!
yeah....but that weird piano noodling was a bit distracting
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I bet they can.
how about sitars, can they play them?
xkolibuul wrote:
They sound precisely American.
They sound precisely fantastic!
They sound precisely American. prickelpit96 wrote:
They don't sound American at all....
NeilBlanchard wrote:
The best American band, period. (Unless Louis Armstrong had a band?)
Not only did he have a band, he had three, and they had the best band names ever, too: The Hot Seven; The Hot Five, and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars!
arserocket wrote:
I love them but I bet they can't play the bagpipes?
I bet they can.
the progressions or something about this sounds a bit like "the way" from fastball... eh?
Greetings, sugarbaby wrote:
probably one of the best american bands this country has produced.
The best American band, period. (Unless Louis Armstrong had a band?) Neil
sugarbaby wrote:
probably one of the best american bands this country has produced. they can play anything..
I love them but I bet they can't play the bagpipes?
Mexico is in North America, by the way.
bitbanger wrote:
What does American music sound like?
Bad spelling on my side. NORTHamerican sound was what I wanted to express. But of course: When I remember my visits to New Mexico we used to listen to those southern sounds in many locations all over the state... Just forget what I wrote, could be the result of a bad day.
prickelpit96 wrote:
They don't sound American at all....
What does American music sound like?
sugarbaby wrote:
probably one of the best american bands this country has produced. they can play anything..
They don't sound American at all....
sugarbaby wrote:
probably one of the best american bands this country has produced. they can play anything..
Yup!
Well, at least the mutual disdain bit is accurate. MutualDisdain wrote:
I don't know why, but I am just not a fan of this type of music. I should probably tune in a bit later in the day when the playlist picks up.
probably one of the best american bands this country has produced. they can play anything..
Los Lobos - one of the best live shows you could possibly see. There is a certain magic in hearing a band that has happily and steadily played together for over 25 years. It's magic.
Los Lobos in Telluride in a little more that 2 weeks!
I'll listen to the boys, morning noon or night.
I don't know why, but I am just not a fan of this type of music. I should probably tune in a bit later in the day when the playlist picks up.
Welly wrote:
These guys are SO good I just wish they'd hire better producers.
That comment is so incomprehensible, I have to figure you were just joking? Please say yes.
Welly wrote:
These guys are SO good I just wish they'd hire better producers.
I'm pretty sure they know EXACTLY what they're doing. And what sound they want to push. It's like sandpaper - it may grate, but it does the job just right.
These guys are SO good I just wish they'd hire better producers.
Tall_T wrote:
NOT THE REAL DEAL? Wait a sec, last time I checked, these cabelleros have been together for 30 YEARS,
...yeah. What he said.
To heck with the negativity about this great band! I can't wait till August, when I get to see them play at The Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival!!!!
Tall_T wrote:
NOT THE REAL DEAL? Wait a sec, last time I checked, these cabelleros have been together for 30 YEARS, and are poised to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame!! And what are they crossing over from? They ARE the genre..they don't need to cross over anything. Except the threshold of imoortality as one of the greatest bands to ever create musico. Peace out-
Thanks for educating him on that that faux paux...couldn't have said it better myself!
NOT THE REAL DEAL? Wait a sec, last time I checked, these cabelleros have been together for 30 YEARS, and are poised to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame!! And what are they crossing over from? They ARE the genre..they don't need to cross over anything. Except the threshold of imoortality as one of the greatest bands to ever create musico. Peace out- thewiseking wrote:
crossover artists generally. not as good as the real deal. but i do kinda like the guitar riff.
More good stuff from a band known mostly here from a movie soundtrack; it's unfortunate we only get spooned stuff like "La Bamba" on FM.
7 >>>>>>>> 8 Nice!
crossover artists generally. not as good as the real deal. but i do kinda like the guitar riff.
coding_to_music wrote:
We need immigrants
We need a system that doesn't make it so difficult for immigrants to come to this country.
mojoman wrote:
Actually, I love the song and the title. Deliberate bad grammar is fun and artistic. You have to know the rules to bend them, as in any good jazz. Bad grammar out of ignorance just bugs me.
As in: Tell me quick before I faint Is we is, or is we ain't?
FamilyMan wrote:
Panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air. "Why?" asked the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. "I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up." The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. "Panda. A large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves." From the book by Lynne Truss which celebrates proper punctuation.
Too bad the book is full of incorrect punctuation! (click here)