I hear Mariachi static on my radio
And the tubes they glow in the dark
And I'm there with her in Ensenada
And I'm here in Echo Park

[Chorus]
Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down
And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
With my pearl-handled deck
The county won't give me no more methadone
They cut off your welfare check

[Chorus]

Well, I pawned my Smith-Corona
And I went to meet my man
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
By the Pioneer chicken stand

[Chorus: x2]

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Comments from YouTube:

LoginErrorAgain

6y↑92

One of my favorite Zevon songs. This is with out a doubt the best version. Dwight & Flaco own it.

Nash Burnette

This is good, but Warren Zevon's
original is definitely the best version.
Linda Ronstadt does a great cover too.

Danny C. Jewell

''Live n Learn''

TC Smith

3y↑2

OMG I first heard it on an LP by a Canadian folk singer Murray McLauchlan in the early 70's...later saw Kris and Rita Coolidge perform it in a concert in Lubbock TX. this is an awesome rendition.

Sultan Vinegar

LoginErrorAgain most definitely!!!!

Dirk Yarborough

Thanks for reminding me. This is beautiful.

2 More Replies...

MrAzrancher

6y↑55

This song is fantastic, flaco can perform magic with his accordion. He and Dwight are great together. I have actually been to the "pioneer" chicken stand on Alvarado and on Sunset blvd. Thanks for posting this....

Loretta Sulin

MrAzrancher Indeed, it's just a good feeling. ..

John r Walker

42w↑4

I'm in Ensenada now and can't stop singing this song.Dwight does a Great version of it.

eddie provencio

4y↑26

nobody else like Dwight and Flaco....Mexican and proud....no else comes close...ex military and I know every would love it!!!! Estan chingones Compa...from West Texas!!!!!🖒🖒🖒👊👊

Manuel G De Leon, II

27w

Greetings from south Texas my fellow Texan.

HR Hamada

2y↑1

yes, but the other parts of the group were Los Lobos. the Boys from East L.A.

Barbara Lilly

1y↑6

Dwight killing it. What a voice. He can put his spin on any music. God given talented. Thank God Dwight never have up.

maynardmoleman

7y↑24

I love it when talented musicians give Warren Zevon his props.....Nice version done very lovingly....

dmedranovera

2y↑7

Damn those accordion riffs carry chills with them

Blair Stan Sinclair

5y↑21

Flaco a master of his instrument !!

Princesslaya104 PZ

3y↑12

I love This Song Dwight Yoakam has such a beautiful Voice and Flaco's playing is amazing AaaWhoAAA

4aceshigh1957

2 minstrels..

BEAR

5y↑80

that is its own particular kind of lonely right there! bless all who endure it!
its like spending christmas alone and strung out, 7-11hotdogs and mountain dew for dinner knowin mom is just about to set the table with one empty seat! that was in 97, ive made every one sice!.....clean!

Jose Nivlag

Congratulations!

Lindsey Bailey

Keep going strong god bless u

Irene Max

3y↑2

Dear Bear, thank you for sharing. You have put an entire 12 step chair into a few sentences. Powerful. All the best

patricia S

4y↑2

stay well. you deserve better than that hell you were in.

BEAR

5y↑6

@Edward Catano right on man. You too!

2 More Replies...

Thomas McFadden

5y↑21

Not surprised Dwight and Flacco pulled this one off. Zevon, like Dwight, was a true musical wordsmith.

Princesslaya104 PZ

3y↑9

He sings it so beautifully, his voice melts my heart, I love his style, I love my man Dwight Yoakam,

Rosa Vasquez-Trevino

9y↑7

boy do I love to hear Dwight Yoakam sing:)

John Bruno

5y↑18

Love flaco Jimenez there really awesome, love them when they play with the Mavericks also.

Dawn Burke

I love him too ! AWEsome playing !!!

ellesetta

8y↑8

WARREN ZEVON wrote this...one of his many truly brilliant songs. He was a poet, a songwriter, and those of us who love his music miss him greatly. I love the way Dwight sings this.

Zurin Arctus

10w

Dwight is Amazing

Morag MacGregor

7y↑23

This is BRILLIANT. I love you, Dwight. I love too, Flaco (a LOT right this minute).

Ramona Gerig

12w

@Dionysus incarnate I can listen to it over and over. then comes the downhill of playing sad songs .. Goodbye's all we got Left, and on and on. :)

Dionysus incarnate

1y↑2

It's a beautiful heartbreak isn't it?

Viva Flaco

seph2801

5y↑12

When Dwight and Flaco teams up or shares a song : the end result is flawless.

David Gzesh

5y↑2

This has been a favorite Zevon song for about 30 years, never heard this cover before. I like both Dwight and Flaco, nice

Chuck G

2y↑3

A more unique combination can hardly be found anywhere in any genre.
Andale, mi amigos, andale!

Laroseblanche Duchesne

3y↑2

this song awakens in me the presence of my father, the eternal source leaves its tears shed in my heart ...

Helen Hovey

9y↑2

Love this song. It's a classic, also reminds me of my late husband, Tim.

Joseph M.

4y↑16

I always thought Linda Ronstadt did the best version of this......UNTIL I HEARD DWIGHT SING THIS SONG.......amazing.

Dionysus incarnate

Linda smashed it. But dwight and flaco brought soul to it

Mick Kollins

I really thought I'd heard all the versions out there..UNTIl this one! Dwight's inflections of Warren's words and Flaquito bringing that Olivera Street accordion...perfectamente!

Kevin Thompson

Warren or Warren and Jackson Browne. This one is good too.

Judy D

1y↑4

Dwight Can Sing Anything - Amazing

Margit Reiner

5y↑3

Wonderful Flaco forever! 🇦🇹💫✨🎻🌺🎸✨💫🇦🇹

Maria Vasquez

8y↑5

I just love his music thats all I have to say. There is no need to say anything more!!!

Brent Thornton

4y↑3

i love this version of the song, but gg allins will always be closest to the truth.

MANGDA

6y↑5

Just listening to this makes me drug sick.
Amazing piece of music.

Appalachian American

5y↑18

not wrote,sang or played like this anymore. music now has no soul you can't feel it's heart it doesn't bleed,it doesn't breathe, it doesn't live

El Cranky

7y↑10

Great cover of the classic Warren Zevon song!

Ted Vanko

7y↑6

Great version!

Barbara Gaunt

3y↑1

Best song ever ! You and Flaco are amazing on Carmelita !!!!!

4100susie

5y↑2

Love the lyrics and the music (accordion). Harmonious.

Lupita H

2y↑2

Es lo mäximo , y con Flaquito , que voz , jamàs me canzo de escucharlos , y ahora en :: 10 / 20 / 2019 , espero que Flaquito este muy bièn tdavia 🎸🎹❤️🕊🎸🎹❤️🕊🎸🎹🕊❤️

fabian martinez

Ta viejito el flaquito pero aún sus dedos llenos de virtuosismo princesa... bendiciones para ud

jazzijazz harry

9y↑1

exelente musica y vos la he escuchado varis veses

Elaine Smith

2y↑1

Dwight is awesome with this song just love him

natanel Rodrigues

6y↑4

beautiful song!

Tom Mcfadden

2y↑1

One of Warren Zevon’s best. Lovely version by Dwight and the great Flaco Jimenez.

David Wasserman

23w↑1

What a performance!!!!

Gloria Jimenez

6y↑1

got to listen to this every day. I have been to the area he sings about.

Alice Randall

3y↑2

Love Dwight doesn't matter if he's 30 or 60💕💕💕💕

Milady Virginia

I totally agree

Marc Solomon

8y↑1

just a great song thanks dwight

Nancy Wolfe

9y↑1

This is beautiful!!!

lula4561

3y↑2

This song is BRILLIANT Iv just found it on utube cant stop playing it ...Dwight play an sing more with Flaco ya both are Brill .From LULA IN ENGLAND .Thank you for the Post.xx

John Hutchins

5y↑15

RIP Warren! We miss ye!

Marty Isbell

2y↑1

Awesome song performed by two of the best..

carmen watson

6y↑6

Love tex-mex awesome combination of talent

alan

+tammylinn kilber that is true one of mine to

tammylinn kilber

+alan Cervantes Ry Cooter is one of my all time favorites

alan

6y↑2

Do you like ry cooder he has some good music to

Ken Brennan

5y↑4

just brilliant!

John Locker

2y↑1

Dwight is always blowing me away the pride of Bakersfield

MrNickzen

7y↑3

pawned my smith and wesson, nice turn of a phrase, and a truly fine cast

Derek Wilcox

werewolves of london

Tim B

6y↑5

+MrNickzen it was originally "pawned my Smith-Corona" but these days no one knows what a typewriter is.

ScotsLyon

7y↑1

Just type his name on youtube
Theres loads of his material on here but i will tell you some of his material may surprise you.

borntosurf2

@ScotsLyon
Cool never knew that but name rings a bell, can u recommend something of his please?

ScotsLyon

7y↑1

Yes its brilliant lyrics
This song was written by Warren Zevon
you won't be disappoined with his other stuff if you look him up.

I would love to have seen Warren and Dwight on the same stage

ainthurtinnobody

6y↑29

The road to hell is lit with bright lights. How can something sung and played so beautifully be so dangerous. If you have this weakness or tendencies you know what I mean. It's a strange blend of feelings and emotions. Be careful. Don't fall because the floor in this case is a long way off and the journey is hell. Also, who knows if that might just be the time when there is no bounce or recovery off the bottom but only a continuous fall into oblivion. Just todays unpleasant thought for those who know.

Matthew Gabbard

Truth brother

orgone conclusion

4y↑1

Idiots and assholes do heroin. No one else.

Shane Balucan

Bob Robert
M

Bob Robert

6y↑1

+ainthurtinnobody Chasing the dragon has many meanings one of which is this strange attraction this particular drug has even when you know its eventual outcome and surely those first few doses and their produced state are part of this chase. You know the chase that can never again attain that particular state. Something very odd and strange in the psyche of mankind that allows this to happen. So as the above response says be careful and do not let this song feed
your attraction. Be aware and let it go it's not worth it. This dragon bites and destroys individuals, families and whole communities. All over a little fading pleasure that will soon become a living hell. Do not chase the dragon. He is an illusion that can never be caught. Even if for a few moments you think you have him he will vanish into thin air and you will be left with nothing but a desire. A desire that can never be satisfied. Cruel and unusual punishment.

Rollin' So.Cal.

6y↑7

This is a great song, I lived on Alvarado st, and in echo park, I know exactly what he's talking about

Morgan Evans

7y↑23

Squeeze it Flaco!!

Manuel G De Leon, II

28w↑1

G.G. Allin Dwight Yoakam and Flaco Jimenez wouldve made a greater rendition of this.

unclebill68

9y↑2

A great Warren Zevon song.

Paul Kobal

1y↑2

The only thing missing would be Buck Owens singing high harmony. What a tasty tune!!!

Princesslaya104 PZ

3y↑1

I love the way my Dwight Yoakam sings it

Miguel Martinez

"Solitaire with my pearl-handled deck"... spent a lot of nights and days contemplating that

Scott Castruita

8y↑1

One of my favorites. Dwight you are awesome brother.

Tommy Berglin

2y↑1

This is just great! As we tink in Sweden!

Joe martinez

8y↑9

Dwight is one of my favorites and so Is Flaco they sound great together. Love drinkin with Flaco at Rubens place in selma

Bethy-Lou

Joe martinez
He seems to be a nice man. Glad you knew him. Wish I could have met him. Do you remember him having a sense of humor?

Dixie White

8y↑3

Beautiful!

Cathy W

Perfect voice for great song.

William Seward

4y↑1

A singer named Danny Santos does a great cover of this too. I kind of like his better, I think. But it was the first version I heard.

Linda Conder

4y↑1

Beautifully done!

fabian martinez

2y↑1

El country tex mex no sería lo mismo sin el aporte de la dinastía Jiménez...larga vida al flaco y a Dwight Yoakam

bill schimko

8y↑1

TIMELESS !!!

sunshineonadogsass

9y↑1

best of all versions

norman ayles

3y↑4

The true sadness of this,song strikes my,soul. Ive been there

Kevin Thompson

I actually find this to be a happy song. The awareness and beauty...

chevy 350

5y↑5

greetz from the netherlands love this music 👍

Thomas Elsner

chevy 350 Ihr habt ja auch einen Flaco - Dwayne Verheyden

Byron Schwartz

Nando Stalman hell yeah man

John Crosetto

5y↑2

Greetings from Chicago, Tex Mex is a great genre, thanks for interest in our country music, we appreciate you!

Gary Vuorela

7y↑1

GReat song Dwight,Peace GARYV.

rdkg2

9y↑1

Dwight's clear nasal tones and Flaco's squeeze box. Classic. But I suppose you could say the song may not have the best meaning. A paradox I suppose. Still this song displays Dwight's voice better than any other song he sings.

Anne Mieke Van Vliet

5y↑2

This song is also beautiful by Willy DeVille

Neil Ladd

3y↑1

Pretty song about a sad way to live, and die. Thanks for the post.

Osiris The Dead

When it's my time, I truly want to go out with my Lady. Lady Heroin, she never lies.

Gloria Jimenez

5y↑1

I love you Dwight!

ese hombre

8y↑3

Warren Zevon wrote the song. You are here through the Internet then it doesn't take much to do a search to find out who wrote this song.

Ed Smith

41w↑1

G.G Allen does a better cover of this

Rich Townsend

Just great!!! Dwight's voice, Flaco's accordian and someone's drums. Who is the drummer?

Honky Tonk Man

8y↑3

Beautiful.

Diane Willams

10w↑1

I want to sit and drink and listen to more

Siggi FÄHR

5y↑2

Great ! Wonderful ! Bellissima ! Super !

todd11561

8y↑3

Warren Zevon wrote this ... not Gram Parsons....

Patricia Amundson

3y↑1

love this song

Anthonyexplostion Mayothebestnameever

5y↑2

love it

Bonnie Buck

I would love to have seen them together, Yes, Dwight is HOT, he is so good, but, I love Flaco, would give anything to see him in person, I say Dwight lest week in Little Rock, He is still so good.

Don Vernon

Warren zevon was a hell of a songwriter.rip

J R Hidalgo

4y↑1

I used to run into him at Astro Burgers on York and Figueroa in Highland Park, cool guy

jaime sanchez

I like this version however the song suits GG

Dan

5y↑5

RIP Warren

RUTHLESS BEANER

Buena Buena pura pura my mistress love this song Anthony

edmundo oliver

5y↑2

i thought the pioneer chicken was on sunset & echo park

Tom Mcfadden

2y↑1

Life...it’ll kill ya. Warren Zevon. R.I.P.

Zurin Arctus

10w↑1

I love Dwight Yoakim

Ross Schiefelbein

5y↑4

They don't come any better!

Altosax50

We all have a Carmelita in our lives...you know who you are!

Daniel Mesery

Another winner good stuff

Pat Disaster

19w↑1

Sur Laredo....Tejas......Ora'le GG Allin...

Antonio Gemini

3y↑1

hold me tighter I think I'm sinking down in the out skirts of town Anthony

twangville

methinks Warren Zevon, too did it on a compilation to a highway

GODLESS HEATHEN

I heard this song on a fading Am Radio station while driving a Uhaul with all my stuff in it on my Big Move From Austin TX to Nashville Tn. Bought The Flaco Album that it was on shortly thereafter. Many Many Great Flaco tunes on that album Change Partners ??? I Think it was called ??? Found out many years later me and Dwight were both born on OCT 23rd fate? always been a fan of DEEEEEEEEWight even when I was Producing a Music TV show in Austin.. I played his videos mixed in with the heavy Metal content of my show... and just as i thought the viewers loved it.... Good Music knows no barriers and is not limited to one genre I Live by that to this day