About the song
“Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” is an evocative and timeless song that beautifully encapsulates the musical journey and resilience of Freddy Fender. First recorded in 1959, the song stands as a testament to Fender’s innovative fusion of rockabilly, blues, and Tejano influences, a blend that would come to define much of his career.
Freddy Fender, born Baldemar Huerta in San Benito, Texas, was a pioneering figure in the swamp pop genre, which combines elements of country, rock and roll, and Cajun music. “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,” penned during the nascent phase of his career, is a quintessential example of this style. The song’s original version, recorded for Duncan Records, showcased Fender’s unique musical vision, though his burgeoning career was abruptly interrupted in 1960 when he was convicted on charges of marijuana possession.
Despite this early setback, Fender’s passion for music never waned. He recorded a Spanish-language version of the song, “Noches y dias perdidos,” which further underscored his ability to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers with his music. In 1971, the Texas-based Sir Douglas Quintet, led by Doug Sahm, covered “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,” bringing it back into the limelight.
Fender’s career saw a significant resurgence in the mid-1970s, thanks to the massive success of “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” This success paved the way for Fender to re-record “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” in 1975 under the guidance of producer Huey P. Meaux. This re-recorded version, engineered by Mickey Moody and featuring session musicians like Bruce Ewen, Bill Hamm, David Hungate, and Bob Ketchum, achieved remarkable commercial success. It topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in August 1975 and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Fender’s place in both country and pop music spheres. Additionally, the song climbed to number nine on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart, demonstrating its wide-ranging appeal.
The 1975 re-recording of “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales exceeding one million units. Its success was not confined to the United States; in New Zealand, the song spent a record-breaking 12 weeks at the number one position on the singles chart, becoming one of the longest-running number-one singles of all time in the country.
Fender revisited “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” in the 1980s, infusing it with contemporary elements like synthesizers and gated snare drums, and again in the early 1990s as a member of the Texas Tornados. This latter version was included in the soundtrack of the 1993 film adaptation of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
The song’s enduring legacy is further evidenced by its inclusion in various films and television series, such as Oliver Stone’s “W.,” “Fire in the Sky,” “Hancock,” and the 2021 TV series “Reservation Dogs.” Its cultural significance was cemented in 2012 when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In conclusion, “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” is more than just a song; it is a reflection of Freddy Fender’s indomitable spirit and his profound impact on the music industry. Through its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, the song continues to resonate with audiences, transcending time and cultural boundaries.
Video
Lyrics
Wasted days and wasted nights
I have left for you behind
For you don’t belong to me
Your heart belongs to someone else
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you’re not true?
And why should I call your name
When you’re to blame
For making me blue?
Don’t you remember the day
That you went away and left me?
I was so lonely
Prayed for you only
My love
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you’re not true?
And why should I call your name
When you’re to blame
For making me blue?
Don’t you remember the day
That you went away and left me?
I was so lonely
Prayed for you only
My love
Wasted days and wasted nights
I have left for you behind
For you don’t belong to me
Your heart belongs to someone else
Why should I keep loving you
When I know that you’re not true?
And why should I call your name
When you’re to blame
For making me blue?