Ruben Rabago Music
For the last 30+ years, I've been a full time business professional, and a very part-time musician, songwriter, and composer. I’m excited to release my first single. I hope this is one of many more to come.
New single
is out now
This song is dedicated to anyone who carries memories of those they loved so deeply, it still hurts. Born from a lifetime of love, this serenade transforms loss into grace. I am excited to share this inspired collaboration that honors two lives, one love, and the beauty of remembering.
The Story Behind The Song
Tommy Quijada was my dad’s best friend of 79 years. He was family.
After Tom passed away, his wife Carol wrote a poem the following summer about their 54 years of marriage. She asked me to put it to music. Although I had not written a song in more than 20 years, I agreed, with some hesitation, to honor the love I had witnessed between them for literally most of my life. I then asked her, "Did you hear any kind of melody or envision a certain genre of music?" Carol paused for a moment and said, "Yes. Like the crooners, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, 50’s and 60’s."
A few months later, on a long flight in that same October, I read the words repeatedly for 30 minutes straight. I then closed my eyes, took two deep breaths, said a prayer, and then the melody came to me suddenly. Twenty minutes later, I recorded it a cappella on my phone, right then and there on a full flight, along with a lot of strange looks. In the immediate hours that followed, I would hear more instruments every time I replayed it. After returning home from that trip, I began to lay down the tracks and finished it just after Christmas. I then found Valentina, a talented jazz vocalist from Buenos Aires, to sing it.
It was born from a poem written after a lifetime of love. This song transforms loss into grace. Inspired by the timeless spirit of the Great American Songbook style, it honors two lives, one love, and the beauty of remembering.
You Surround Me Every Day (For Tom)
I will always wear your ring
It still stands for everything
That we used to do together
Thinking it would be forever
When we’d walk, you’d hold my hand
With this lovely golden band
Now, though you’re not here beside me
I have all our dreams inside me
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I almost feel that you’re still here
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I almost feel that you’re still here
All our dreams will still come true
Since I always carry you
In my heart where e’er I go
Somehow, I know, that you know
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I sometimes feel that you’re still here
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I sometimes feel that you’re still here
I'm with you and you're with me
If only in my memory
I still hear your special laugh
And sometime even answer back
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I often feel that you’re still here
You surround me every day
It’s hard to think that you're away
You seem so close, so very near
I always feel that you’re still here
Lyrics by Carol Ann Quijada | Music by Ruben Rabago
© Copyright 2025 Ruben Rabago & Carol Ann Quijada
The Story Behind The Song
The moment Carol heard it all come together.
Tommy Quijada was my dad’s best friend of 79 years. He was family.
After Tom passed away in 2024, his wife Carol wrote a poem the following summer about their 53 years of marriage. She asked me to put it to music. Although I had not written a song in more than 20 years, I agreed, with some hesitation, to honor the love I had witnessed between them for literally most of my life. I then asked her, "Did you hear any kind of melody or envision a certain genre of music?" Carol paused for a moment and said, "Yes. Like the crooners, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, 50’s and 60’s."
A few months later, on a long flight in that same October, I read the words repeatedly for 30 minutes straight (exactly as you see them here). I then closed my eyes, took two deep breaths, said a prayer, and then the melody came to me suddenly. Twenty minutes later, I recorded it a cappella on my phone, right then and there on a full flight, along with a lot of strange looks. In the immediate hours that followed, I would hear more instruments every time I replayed it. After returning home from that trip, I began to lay down the tracks and finished it just after Christmas. I then found Valentina, a talented jazz vocalist from Buenos Aires, to sing it.
It was born from a poem written after a lifetime of love. This song transforms loss into grace. Inspired by the timeless spirit of the Great American Songbook style, it honors two lives, one love, and the beauty of remembering.
Ruben Rabago Music
© Copyright 2026 Ruben Rabago Music