Así es la Vida
Performed by Los Alamo Sonidos
Fue una boda de adolescentes, and the old folks wished them well
You could see that Jimmy Jo did truly love Becky Lynne
And now the young cowboy and cowgirl have rung the dinner bell
“Así es la vida”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They furnished off a farmhouse with a two room Amazon sale
The freezer wasn’t crammed with steak and tamales
But when Jimmy Jo harvested the crop, the little money comin’ worked out well
“Así es la vida”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They had streaming FARM.FM, boy, did they let it blast
Seven hundred little farm songs, all country, cajun and Tajano
But when the sun went down, the tempo became rapido ¡Ay hermano!
“Así es la vida”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell
They bought a Telsla tractor, ’twas a cherry red 2026
They drove it into town to celebrate the anniversary
It was there that Jimmy Jo was married to the lovely Becky Lynne
“Así es la vida”, say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell.
Behind the Song: How Alan Nafzger Gave “You Never Can Tell” a Texas Twist
By Ella Mae Harper, Farm.FM Blogger
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix Tejano beats, country fiddles, and a Tesla tractor, look no further than Alan Nafzger’s latest tune, “Fue una boda de adolescentes.” It’s a song that celebrates young love, life’s unpredictability, and the unique culture of rural Texas—complete with steak, tamales, and streaming Farm.FM.
When I sat down to talk with Nafzger, I knew I was in for a story. He’s the kind of songwriter who can weave the perfect blend of humor, culture, and heart into his music, and this song is no exception. Inspired by Chuck Berry’s classic “You Never Can Tell,” Nafzger has crafted a song that brings Berry’s theme of young love into the modern-day cowboy world.
Interview with Alan Nafzger
Ella Mae Harper: Alan, I’ve got to say, “Fue una boda de adolescentes” had me smiling from the first line. It feels like such a fun, fresh take on “You Never Can Tell.” How did you come up with the idea to rewrite that classic in a Texas setting?
Alan Nafzger: Well, first off, I’m glad it made you smile! That’s the goal. Chuck Berry has always been a massive influence on me. “You Never Can Tell” is one of those songs that tells a story in such a simple but powerful way. It’s about young love, and how unpredictable life is. But I thought, “What would that look like in Texas?” You know, what happens when you mix a cowboy and cowgirl with modern tech, Tejano music, and a bit of country flair?
Ella Mae Harper: The details you included really paint a picture—like the Amazon sale furniture and that cherry-red Tesla tractor! How much of this is rooted in your own life or experiences?
Alan Nafzger: Oh, the Amazon sale line definitely comes from real life! [Laughs] You know, life out here is a mix of old and new. We’ve got our traditions, but we’ve also got modern conveniences like ordering half the house off the internet. The Tesla tractor, well, that’s just my way of saying that the cowboy life isn’t stuck in the past. We’re evolving, and we’re doing it with style!
Ella Mae Harper: I noticed that you used the phrase “Así es la vida” throughout the song, which echoes Chuck Berry’s “C’est la vie.” Was that intentional?
Alan Nafzger: Absolutely. I wanted to keep that phrase because it perfectly captures the theme of the song. Life is unpredictable, and you just have to roll with it. But instead of Berry’s French, I chose Spanish to reflect the Tejano influence here in Texas. It’s a way of paying tribute to the original while making it feel rooted in this culture. Around here, “Así es la vida” is something you hear all the time, especially from the old folks.
Ella Mae Harper: Speaking of old folks, I loved how you included them in the song, almost like wise narrators observing the young couple. It reminded me of how the elders in rural communities always have something to say about life’s twists and turns.
Alan Nafzger: Exactly! In any small town or farming community, the older generation is always there with their wisdom, even if it’s just a wink and a nod. I wanted to capture that sense of continuity—that no matter how much life changes, some things stay the same, like the older folks wishing you well, even if they’ve seen it all before.
Ella Mae Harper: I also wanted to ask about the musical influences in the song. You’ve got fiddle, banjo, and Tejano rhythms all blended together. How did you decide on that mix?
Alan Nafzger: You know, that’s just Texas. The fiddle and banjo are nods to traditional country music, and the Tejano rhythms reflect the cultural diversity that’s a huge part of life here. Growing up, you hear all these different sounds—Tejano, country, Cajun, blues—and it just becomes part of who you are. I wanted the song to feel like a celebration of that mix, because it’s real. It’s what you hear at any Texas wedding, especially one where the cowboy and cowgirl might be streaming Farm.FM while they dance.
Ella Mae Harper: I have to ask—how did the idea of streaming Farm.FM make it into the lyrics?
Alan Nafzger: [Laughs] Well, how could it not? Farm.FM is where you go to hear those farm tunes, right? Seven hundred farm songs, all ready to go! It’s become such a part of the modern rural lifestyle. I thought, “If these two young lovebirds are building their life together, you know they’re cranking up the farm songs.”
Ella Mae Harper: The cherry-red Tesla tractor—what inspired that? It’s such a great image!
Alan Nafzger: The Tesla tractor is my way of blending the future with the past. We’ve got these old traditions—like driving into town to celebrate an anniversary—but now we’ve got technology on our side. The cherry-red color is just a little nod to the classic car culture, but it’s futuristic, too. It says, “We’re moving forward, but we’re still country at heart.”
Ella Mae Harper: I love that! So, what’s the overall message you hope people take from the song?
Alan Nafzger: I hope people take away a sense of joy and optimism. Life’s unpredictable, but that’s what makes it fun. Whether it’s a wedding, a farm, or a Tesla tractor, you never know what’s coming next. And that’s okay—just enjoy the ride. I want people to hear this song and feel connected to that sense of possibility, especially in a place as rich and unique as rural Texas.
Ella Mae Harper: Alan, thank you so much for sharing the story behind “Fue una boda de adolescentes.” It’s a beautiful blend of tradition, modern life, and pure Texan spirit.
Alan Nafzger: Thanks, Ella Mae! Always a pleasure talking to someone who knows their way around farm tunes.
Conclusion: Alan Nafzger’s “Fue una boda de adolescentes” is more than just a reimagining of a Chuck Berry classic—it’s a celebration of young love, life’s unpredictability, and the unique cultural mix of rural Texas. With humor, heart, and a few nods to modern life, Nafzger shows us that while times may change, the spirit of love and resilience never does.
Stay tuned to Farm.FM for more interviews with your favorite farm songwriters, and don’t forget to stream all your favorite farm hits while you work, play, or drive your Tesla tractor!
