The song I researched for this assignment was “El Rosalito” by Valerio Longoria. This song belongs to the Tejano style of conjunto music. Conjunto is a style of music played in a group which were popular in places in Latin American, more specifically Mexico and Cuba that literally means music played in a group, usually of four people. Tejano is a subgenre of conjunto music which was born in Texas in the 1800s after the accordion was introduced by German settlers at the time. Interestingly enough, a lot of the influence from Tejano music came from Anglo settlers from Germany and other eastern European countries. The accordion is a key sound in the musical style, but the other instruments heard in this style are drums, electric bass, vocals and bajo sexto (12 stringed instrument in the guitar family originated in Mexico). This style of music was popularized by the famous Tejano artist, Flaco Jimenez, who paved the way for many other Tejanos.
It’s interesting to think about the European influence on Tejano music. Germans and Czechs were known for their dance music which comes in the forms of Polka and the waltz. Tejano music is also music that is for dancing, so it makes sense that they would adopt some of the musical ideas from the European settlers who came to texas in the 1800’s. Not only the instruments, but meter and rhythm as well. The upper class Tejanos much admired their musical culture, and would host welcoming receptions to the new immigrants, so the two cultures had a good relationship with each other.
Sources say that Valerio Longoria was born in Mississippi. He was born into a family of migrant farmers, which meant that he rarely attended school as a child. His father bought him his first guitar at an early age after showing his talent for music. Soon after, he started learning to play the accordion and was influenced by Narciso Martinez, who was another conjunto artist at the time.
His career in music picked up when he was serving in the Army during World War II and was stationed out in Germany, where he would play out at the local nightclubs. After returning to the United States in 1945 he began making commercial recordings. After recording several hits, including “El Rosalito”, he signed to Ideal Records where he stayed for eight years.
Ideal Records played a big role during this time for Tejano artists. The label was founded in 1946 by Paco Betancourt and Armando Marroquin, and it was the first label in Texas that was owned and founded by Mexican-Americans. During the Label’s early years there was no competition at all for them. They were the biggest regional label for conjunto music. The label was able to pay artists more to record songs, which is the reason the Longoria had left Corona records. At the time Ideal paid $20 per song and Corona only $15. This label also played a role in expanding the fanbase and listeners of Tejano music. During 1950 and 1956 the label set up many tours for artist all over the country. While the label did start to decline in the 1960’s during its peak almost every notable Tejano musician had recorded with them.
Longoria was credited with pioneering some new aspects of conjunto music. He was the first to add lyrics over the music as well as slowing down the beat and adding “romantic boleros” which is basically a love song. “El Rosalito” is clearly a love song about a woman who doesn’t keep her promise to love a man (maybe Valerio himself).
This part of the story gives some context to why this song was made. Ultimately the purpose was to record and publish the song for many people to hear. This style of conjunto music is usually music that people would dance to. Overall, this song is a good representation. of the Tejano style. We hear the staple instruments and hear different culture references, especially relating to Christianity. As we learned in class Christianity was brought here by the Spanish settlers, which then became a big part of the Tejano culture.
Lyrics:
The little rosebush is drying and its
flowers don’t bloom anymore
Also, my life is ending
from the lack of your love
When you gave me the first date
at the foot of the pretty rose
I cut through flowers for the virgin
After you gave me a little kiss
You swore to love me in front of the virgin
and you left her flowers
You didn’t keep your promises
I offered you my love
Also, the flowers that you left all wilted
You didn’t keep your promises and
your soul will be condemned
Works Cited:
Rodriguez, Juan Carlos. “Longoria, Valerio (1924–2000).” TSHA, Texas State Historical Association, 5 Dec. 2006, www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/longoria-valerio.
“Accordion Dreams- history of conjunto music”. PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 2001
https://www.pbs.org/accordiondreams/main/index.html
Valerio Longoria- El Rosalito, YouTube, 13 Sept. 2017,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrkWN_Cn1GY&ab_channel=CesarivanSoto.
Admin-Rancho Alegre. El Rosalito. El Rancho Alegre, 2013
https://www.ranchoalegre.org/lyrics/el-rosalito
Moras, David. “The San Antonio Origins of Conjunto Music – Journal of San Antonio.” The San Antonio Origins of Conjunto Music – Journal of San Antonio | Journal of the Life and Culture of San Antonio, https://www.uiw.edu/sanantonio/moras.html.
