About the song
“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” is a remarkable American country and pop song that holds a special place in music history. Written by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters, it gained its most famous recognition through the rendition by Freddy Fender. Released in 1975, Fender’s version became a massive hit, reaching number 1 on both the Billboard pop and country charts.
The song’s journey began in 1967, and over the years, it was recorded by various artists, including Duane Dee and Linda Martell, though these early versions achieved only modest success. It was Jerry Lee Lewis who included it on his 1969 album, adding to its growing popularity.
In 1974, producer Huey P. Meaux approached Freddy Fender with a unique idea: to overdub vocals for an existing instrumental track. Fender agreed and recorded the song in a bilingual format, singing the first half in English and the second half in Spanish. Fender described the recording process as quick and straightforward, and he initially thought it would be just another project. However, the song’s release turned out to be a game-changer.
When “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” was first released on the Crazy Cajun label and later picked up by ABC-Dot, it quickly soared to the top of the country charts in early 1975. The song’s success was not limited to country radio; it also made a significant impact on pop stations, leading to its number 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s crossover appeal was so powerful that Billboard ranked it as the fourth best song of 1975.
Fender’s rendition of the song, with its blend of English and Spanish, highlighted his distinctive tenor voice and Meaux’s Tex-Mex style. This hit marked a major comeback for Fender, whose career had previously stalled. Following this success, Fender recorded several more bilingual hits, including “Secret Love.”
“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling over a million copies and won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year award in 1975. The song also found its way into movies, such as “Something Wild” (1986) and “The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada” (2005).
This song stands as a testament to the power of blending genres and languages, marking a significant milestone in the 1975 music landscape alongside other notable hits of the year.
Video
Lyrics
If he brings you happiness
Then I wish you all the best
It’s your happiness that matters most of all
But if he ever breaks your heart
If the teardrops ever start
I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls
Si te quiere de verdad
Y te da felicidad
Te deseo lo más bueno pa’ los dos
Pero si te hace llorar
A mé me puedes hablar
Y estaré contigo cuando triste estás
I’ll be there anytime
You need me by your side
To drive away every teardrop that you cried
And if he ever leaves you blue
Just remember, I love you
And I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls
And I’ll be there before the next teardrop falls