The 10 Best Freddy Fender Songs of All-Time
Freddy Fender was a singer and musician who was born in San Benito, Texas, on June 4, 1937, and his real name was Baldemar Garza Huerta. He died from lung cancer in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 14, 2006. Fender began his career in 1957, although he was at the height of his fame during the 1970s. Not only was he a solo artist, but he was also part of the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornadoes. Freddy Fender is most associated with the Tejano, rock and roll, and country music genres. As a solo artist, Freddy Fender released 20 albums and 21 singles. Here are the 10 best Freddy Fender songs of all time.
10. I’m Leaving It All Up to You (1978)
Although ‘I’m Leaving It All Up to You’ was not a top ten hit for Freddy Fender, it remains one of his best-known songs. The song was written by and originally performed by Don Harris and Dewey Terry in 1957. It increased in popularity in 1974 when Dale and Grace released their version. Four years before Freddy Fender released this track, the most popular version of the song was released by Donny and Marie Osmond.
9. The Wild Side of Life (1976)
Hank Thompson was the first artist to record ‘The Wild Side of Life,’ which was written by Arlie Carter and William Warren. The latter was inspired to write the song after a personal experience with a woman when he was younger. Fender then recorded his version of the song in 1976. While it did not achieve the same level of success as the singles he released the previous year, it reached number 13 on the country charts.
8. Since I Met You Baby (1975)
‘Since I Met You Baby’ was a top ten hit on the country charts in 1975 for Freddy Fender. It was written by Ivory Joe Hunter in 1956, and Hunter was also the first person to release the single. The popularity of the song was renewed in 1969 when it was recorded by country music artist Sonny James.
7. Vaya Con Dios (1976)
Not only did ‘Vaya Con Dios’ top the Canadian country chart, but it also reached number seven on the country chart in the United States. It was the second single that Freddy Fender released from his album ‘Rock ‘N’ Country.’ The name of the track translates as ‘may God be with you,’ and it was written by Larry Russell, Buddy Pepper, and Inez James. It is included in the list of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time that was compiled by the Western Writers of America.
6. The Rains Came (1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTGUUkipfck
Although ‘The Rains Came’ only reached number four on the country charts in the United States, it was a number one hit on the country chart in Canada. It is another song that Freddy Fender was not the first to sing, as it was written in 1962 by Huey P. Meaux and was first recorded by Big Sambo and the House Wreckers. The song was then recorded in 1965 by Sir Douglas Quintet.
5. Living It Down (1976)
‘Living It Down’ topped the Canadian Country chart and peaked at number two on the country chart in the United States. It was the first single Fender released from his 1976 album ‘If You’re Ever in Texas.’ Freddy Fender was the sole writer of this track.
4. You’ll Lose a Good Thing (1976)
Country Thang Daily says that ‘You’ll Lose a Good Thing’ is one of the best Freddy Fender songs of all time. It was written by rhythm and blues artist Barbara Lynn in 1962, and she was the first person to release this song. Her version topped the R&B charts and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1976, Freddy Fender covered the song, and he retained some of the bluesy feel while also making it a country version of the original. It was his fourth number one hit on the Hot Country Singles chart.
3. Secret Love (1975)
Originally, ‘Secret Love’ was written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webber for the 1953 film Calamity Jane and was sung by Doris Day. Fender covered the song in 1975, and the single featured on the album ‘Are You Ready for Freddy?’ It was the third of Fender’s singles to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song was also a number one hit in Canada.
2. Wasted Days and Wasted Nights (1975)
When Fender released ‘Wasted Days and Wasted Nights’ in 1975, it was not the first time he had recorded this song. He originally wrote and recorded the song in 1959, which was right at the beginning of his career. At that time, he was combining the rockabilly and Tejano genres, and this song showcased his unique style. Fender then rerecorded the song in 1975, and it became one of his most successful singles. It topped the country charts in the United States and was also a number one hit in New Zealand.
1. Before the Next Teardrop Falls (1975)
Undoubtedly, the most successful of Fender’s singles was ‘Before the Next Teardrop Falls,’ and Last.FM also lists this single as the best Freddy Fender song of all time. It was the second single Fender released, and it appeared on the album of the same name. Not only did it reach. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and country music charts in the United States, and it was also a number one hit in Canada and Australia. Fender was not the first person to perform this song, as it was written in 1967 by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters and recorded by several artists prior to Freddy Fender.