Will the Wolf Survive?

The "wolf" is a metaphor for a man who is striving to survive in a world that has outcast him: "Running scared, now forced to hide, in a land where he once stood with pride, but he'll find his way by the morning light."

The title for this song and album was derived from an issue of National Geographic, which contained an article headed: "Where Can the Wolf Survive?" Drummer and songwriter, Louie Perez, told Rolling Stone this headline resonated with Los Lobos, who had struggled for success in the US having come from Mexican roots: "It was like our group, our story: What is this beast, this animal that the record companies can't figure out? Will we be given the opportunity to make it or not?"

This song was produced by T-Bone Burnett, who served as a backing guitarist for Bob Dylan before venturing into music production.