Before The Next Teardrop Falls

Album

Banjo Boy

Label

ABC Records

Genre

Tejano Music

Composer(s)

Vivian Keith;Ben Peters

Entered Chart

Feb 1, 1975

Peak Date

May 31, 1975

Released

Unknown

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Dot 17540

B-Side

Waiting For Your Love

This is one of those breakup songs where the girl has moved on, but the guy is having a hard time accepting that it's over. He promises to return right away - before the next teardrop falls - if her new man lets her down. This was written by Ben Peters and Vivian Keith, both of whom worked at a publishing company in Nashville called Fingerlake Music (Peter's also wrote Charley Pride's hit "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'"). It was first recorded in 1967 by Duane Dee; his version was a minor country hit, going to #44. Over the next few years, many other artists recorded the song, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Faron Young, Linda Martell, Charley Pride and Dottie West. But it was Freddy Fender who had the breakout hit with the song, taking it to #1 on both the Country and Pop charts with his 1974 version. Fender (born Baldemar Huerta) was a Tex-Mex singer who in the late 1950s had a regional hit (as El Bebop Kid) with a Spanish version of "Don't Be Cruel." In 1960, he was sentenced to five years in jail for marijuana possession - he was released in 1963. Fender met producer Huey Meaux in 1971 and signed with Crazy Cajun Records. A few years later, Meaux convinced Fender to record "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." He wasn't thrilled about recording a country song, but did it to placate his producer. In Fender's version, he repeats the first verse (roughly) in Spanish: 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 For a followup, Fender chose to re-record "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," a song he originally had in release when he was arrested. This time, it sold well enough to reach #8 on the Hot 100. Al Green covered the track in September 2018 for his first single in over a decade. Green recorded the song at Sam Phillips Studios with the Memphis-based producer Matt Ross-Spang, best known for his work with Margo Price and Jason Isbell. It was one of a couple of songs the producer had in mind. Ross-Sprang recalled to Uncut Magazine: "Al has always been a voice of positivity. With everything going on in our world right now, everybody feels so raw. I thought if I could get Al Green singing, 'I'll be there before the next teardrop falls,' if I could get him singing that to the world, it would be the coolest possible therapy session for everybody."

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 quire de verdad

Y te da felicidad

Te deseo lo mas bueno pa' los dos

Pero si te hare llorar

A mi me puedes hablar

Y estare contigo cuando triste estas


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