Los Lobos – Will the Wolf Survive?

Halffastcyclingclub and I have had conversations about Los Lobos. I’ve always liked what I heard but I never heard much of anything that was not on the radio. I came across this song when I was listening to various playlists I found. I’ve been listening to this album and will start on their debut album next. 

Sometimes songs grow on me but this one I liked right off the bat. The guitar’s tone and the way they worked it into the song…it just melts into it. This song was released in 1984 as the title track of their major label debut album, How Will the Wolf Survive? The song played a significant role in defining the band’s identity and their fusion of rock, blues, and traditional Mexican music.

Los Lobos (Spanish for “The Wolves”) started in the early 1970s in East Los Angeles. High school friends David Hidalgo, Louie Pérez, Cesar Rosas, and Conrad Lozano started playing together. The guy who brought them together was Francisco González. He left the band before fame and became musical director of El Teatro Campesino and went on to start Guadalupe Custom Strings. They started off by playing top 40 music but soon tired of that. They drew inspiration from Mexican folk music they heard as kids. They didn’t fit into the typical rock band mold… instead, they experimented with acoustic instruments like the jarana, requinto, and bajo sexto. 

They opened for such artists as The Clash and  The Blasters. Steve Berlin, who was born in Philadelphia, played saxophone for the Blasters and then left the group to join Los Lobos. To his delight, he found the other members of Los Lobos shared a love for country artists such as Hank Williams and George Jones. The band mixed so many styles…Mexican folk music, country, and rock all in the same bag. 

The song peaked at #26 on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks Charts and #78 on the Billboard 100. The album peaked at #47 on the Billboard 100, #13 in New Zealand, #31 in Canada, and #77 in the UK in 1984. 

There is a documentary about Los Lobos called Native Sons that is set to be released this year. 

Will The Wolf Survive? 

Through the chill of winterRunning across a frozen lakeHunters hard on his trailAll odds are against himWith a family to provide forBut one thing he must keep aliveWill the wolf survive?

Drifting by the roadsideClimbs a strong and aging faceWants to make some honest payLosing to the rainstormHe’s got two strong legs to guide himTwo strong arms keep him aliveWill the wolf survive?

Standing in the pouring rainAll alone in a world that’s changedRunning scared now forced to hideIn a land where he once stood with prideBut he’ll find his way by the morning light

Sounds across the nationComing from your hearts and mindsBattered drums and old guitarsSinging songs of passionIt’s the truth that they all look forSomething they must keep aliveWill the wolf survive?Will the wolf survive?

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

42 thoughts on “Los Lobos – Will the Wolf Survive?”

  2. Great song and group. I bought this album on vinyl when it came out because I had read so many positive reviews in the music press. I had bought it at either Record Town or Sam Goody, got it home and it skipped all over the place. Took it back for another. Same thing. I think I was reluctant to try again, so I think I got something else. I did finally hear it later on. Waylon Jennings also did a version of this song. I’m no expert on all of their catalog, but I have bought quite a few things, and Kiko and By The Light Of The Moon are my favorites. They are great musicians. As far as the video goes, I’m a food service worker, so I can relate to ditching the dishes and running out the door!

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    2. What a pain that was about the record. I’m trying to think if that ever happened to me but I don’t believe it did.
      I don’t work in food service but I’m an IT Director for a restaurant chain…and his other businesses. So yea…I know food service…and it’s not fun.

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  4. I was visiting my friend David in LA when he played Los Lobos’ debut EP “And a Time to Dance” for me. He had several copies and I took one back to Wisconsin. David went to Garfield High in East LA with these guys. The guy who brought them together was Francisco González. He left the band before fame and became musical director of El Teatro Campesino and went on to start Guadalupe Custom Strings. He deserves a shout out here.

    My first date with my wife was to see Los Lobos at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. You can bet I will be seeing the film when it comes out. Maybe a date with my wife.

    If we need any evidence that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke it is that these guys aren’t in it.

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    2. Thanks…I updated the post with that sentence about Francisco González.
      That would be cool to go on another date to see them. I agree with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…it’s so stupid…you could build a hall of fame with artists that are NOT in.

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  9. I remembered the title but not how it went. Relistening to it, cool! Great bit of ’80s guitar alternative that fit it nicely with REM back then. Too bad it isn’t heard more these days

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      1. at the time, I saw their name a lot but didn’t hear them , even on the Alt Rock channel, until of course ‘La Bamba’. But even then they were essentially one hit wonders commercially in Canada

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      2. Yea their musicianship reminds me a little of Little Feat as far as being talented…not their music but their talent. I love what I’ve heard so far.

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  13. Great song and great album (“How Will the Wolf Survive?”) I should add. For the longest time, I only had known Los Lobos because of their hit cover of “La Bamba.” When I finally got into the group more a few years ago, I quickly realized there’s much more to Los Lobos than their great rendition of the Ritchie Valens hit. I ended up seeing them live in February 2023 at a small venue in New Jersey, and they were great!

    Still Rockin’ & Howlin’ at 50, Los Lobos Leave No Doubt They Have Survived

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  14. Yeah, like other people I only really was familiar with La Bamba, but this is a good song. I’ve just bookmarked a ‘best of’ list on youtube and will listen to more later. Thanks!

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