Roberto Griego Arriba Nuevo Mexico

From a youngster who was raised in a community "where there are more rabbits than people," to a nationally known music star, Roberto Jose Griego still considers himself, "just an ordinary guy." "I was raised on a ranch in La Joya, N. M. by my father, grandparents and an aunt. I lost my mother to cancer when I was two. My grandfather worked from before dawn until after dark to provide us with a roof over our heads and food on the table, and we were still on Welfare. As a teenager, I practiced playing the guitar for seven to eight hours a day. My grandmother would tell me to go find a job, so I would pretend to have looked all day and then come back and play my guitar again." Griego goes on to say that although they were considered working poor, and his grandparents were probably considered illiterate, "We were rich in love." Griego just recently lost his father at the age of 91. "We were very close." He began playing and singing with other bands and subsequently recorded his first record in a studio in Albuquerque owned by John Wagner. "I walked in and asked if I could record a song and they asked me where my band was. I told them, 'I am the band!'" It cost him $45 to record his record ($120 today). Griego said, "I played rhythm and sang on the first track and then played lead melody on the second track." Griego then remarks that, "What began as me, myself and I and my guitar producing my first 45 rpm record (Un Pobre No Mas, 1971-which still remains his biggest hit) I have since written and produced close to 40 songs with various other artists, and have just completed my seventh full length CD." Griego said that his first record label was his own independent label, 'Bravo Records', ("sounded like a cool name to me") but it eventually had to be changed to RJG Records, "because someone else already had the name "Bravo". He has kept the same label for the past 30 years.

[redleg]

Soy un Nuevo Méxicano
Y un verdadero Chicano
Yo nací en un pueblo pequeño
Muy humilde, pobre y sincero
Y ahora les voy a cantar
De mi pueblo natural

El pueblo en que yo naci
Lleva por nombre La Joya
Donde vivian mis parientes
Mis amigos - los Griegos,  Romeros
Y los Moyas

[Pre-Chorus]
Y ahora les quiero cantar
De mi estado popular

[Chorus]
Arriba Nuevo México
Arriba mi estado querido
Arriba mi Albuquerque
Y arriba con toda su gente

Arriba Nuevo México
Arriba nuestra capital
Arriba con Santa Fe
Y arriba mi estado popular

Y arriba Nuevo México, ¡sí señor!

En mi querido Albuquerque
Están las montañas Sandías
Y más allá hacia el norte
Encuentran más maravillas
Y en la ciudad de Las Vegas
Me enamore de una querida

En el pueblo de Española
Hay tantas mujeres preciosas
En Belen, Socorro y Las Cruces
También están muy hermosas

[Pre-Chorus]
Y por eso les quiero cantar
De mi estado popular

[Chorus]
Arriba Nuevo México
Arriba mi estado querido
Arriba mi Albuquerque
Y arriba con toda su gente

Arriba Nuevo México
Arriba nuestra capital
Arriba con Santa Fe
Y arriba mi estado popular

[paulcordova]

I grew up in Los Angeles, but my dad was born and raised in Los Chavez, New Mexico. My best memories are of our vacations to New Mexico. Even though I was born in L.A. Soy puro Nuevo México en mi corazón.

[PG-yiiz]

I moved to New Mexico in 1995. Recently, I had to move away to a nearby State for work, but when I finally moved back I heard this song driving the Uhaul. I cried like a baby, I was so happy to be back in New Mexico.

[cn]

I grew up in northern New Mexico in a traditional spanish family. My Mom played Roberto Griego every Saturday afternoon while she ironed clothes, I listened every Saturday until I graduated from high school. He was one of the best musicians that New Mexico has ever had!!!

[Deadman]

He speaks of Norte which is the village I'm from and it always makes me miss my grandpo, Rest In Peace Ines Aragon y te amo con todo a mi corazon.

[eileen-by]

So proud to be Hispanic I grew up with this song I love it so much

[chingon]

We need to make this song "Arriba Nuevo Mexico" the state song it is more fitting to our culture than "O Fair New Mexico", which was incorporated into our state records in 1917. As all things evolve throughout time this too should evolve to what is pertinent for the people that value and love our state as Roberto Griego describes. 

Lets make it happen! Que Viva Nuevo Méjico!

[Steve-in]

This song reminds me of my beautiful first cousin Theresa niece of Roberto Griego I Love you auntie Ermy Roberto's sister and Theresa's mother❤❤❤🎉😅

[adamjaramillo]

To hear someone as passionate about our state as Roberto Griego makes me realize how how much I love our culture and history and beauty. I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else!

[browndownburque]

Albuquerque "BURQUE" Nuevo Mexico..

[Gutierrez]

PROUD TO BE A MEXICAN, BUT HONORED RAISED TO IN NUEVO MEXICO.. IM A PROUD CHICANO.. Arriba nuevo méxico.. Desde santa fe.. THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT SONG, LOVE

[glasserbuds]

we used to play this every Saturday morning to clean up the house. right before Tortillias Y chilie con papas. Yummmy. this is God sent.

Thank you. Que viva Nuevo Mexico.

[grousemann]

My family name Gonzales I found out has been in New Mexico since 1624 ARRIBA NUEVO MEXICO you will always live on in Mi Corazon SI SENOR

[FRANKTHERABBIT]

My mom listened to new Mexican music so much us being from burque and all I'm 12 so I get embarrassed when she says she loves new mexican music she passed November 17 2022 and I would give anything to be embarrassed by her right now I love you so much mom and thank you for giving me the tools I need to succeed in life

[jauar]

New Mexico was blessed with with Roberto Griego and so many amazing singers. We would go see Roberto perform, met him, not only was he so handsome, but he was so kind and respectful to to the people. Much love and respect to him and his music!

[eugeniotapia]

On the seventh God rested, but on the eighth day He woke up early and made la provincia de Nuevo Mexico ! Si Senor !!!

[dingus]

Best New Mexico music. Your a great artist Roberto. God bless.

[justinanaya]

PROUDLY BORN AMD RAISED IN ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO!!!

[angsandoval]

They had the right idea when they wrote and sang this song, they were proud to be New Mexicans.

[stevenortiz]

I live in medellin Colombia. These colombianos love Roberto's music.