After retiring from active music-making, Ridgeley still remained active in music-writing under various pseudonyms.
Ridgeley began surfing in the early 1990s. While surfing with his brother off the coast of England, both men contracted a waterborne illness from the raw sewage being discharged from a nearby pipe. After recovering from his illness, Ridgeley gave an interview to The Times. He went on to become a prominent environmentalist in the cause of water quality at English surfing beaches and riverways, working with the UK charity, Surfers Against Sewage.
Ridgeley is a partner in an English business that makes surfing equipment. He frequently lends his name and donates money to help pass laws against the discharge of raw sewage in UK offshore waters. Ridgeley's and SAS's efforts enjoyed success in recent years, having influence upon numerous safe sewage laws that have virtually eliminated E. coli illness and deaths in the UK.
He now lives in Cornwall, United Kingdom, in a restored 15th century farm property with his partner Keren Woodward of the pop group Bananarama.
Mexico
Andrew Ridgeley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a trunk full of beers and the boys
Got a tear in the hood and the sun feels good
And Dave's on the waves making noise
In a '68 Caddy I bought from my daddy
We ran all the cops out of sight
Sliding through brush and the heat and the dust
And the desert's a shimmering light
There's a girl cruising by in a flatbed Ford
And she purrs and she sighs and I'm hounddog dumb for her puss cat eyes
Hell, step on the gas, come and get trashed
Here we go, Mexico
Senoritas, we got the cash
Here we go, Mexico
Hell, step on the gas, come and get trashed
Here we go, Mexico
Senoritas, we got the cash
We roll into town, take a good look around
Then hang at the bar for a while
There's a lady, she's cute wearing cowboy boots
And flashing a latin smile
Check this out, yes, oh my Lord
It's the girl, I saw in that old black Ford
And she sighs and she purrs
And she squeeze me again with her silver spurs
Step on the gas, come and get trashed
Here we go, Mexico
Senoritas, we got the cash
Here we go, Mexico
Hell, step on the gas, come and get trashed
Here we go, Mexico
Que bonita, hola. Rumba caliente para gozar
Que bonita, hola. Rumba caliente para gozar
Que bonita, hola. Rumba caliente para gozar
Que bonita, hola. Rumba caliente para gozar
In a mescaline trance, lovers tequila dance
To the earth and the gods and the skies
All the world turns around and my head fills with sound
And there's light and there's life in my eyes
Chorus
The song "Mexico" by Andrew Ridgeley is an upbeat and fun-filled track that talks about a group of friends traveling to Mexico in a '68 Caddy bought from his daddy. They're equipped with a trunk full of beers, riding along with a smile and a gun, driving through the desert's shimmering light, encountering beautiful women, and enjoying themselves at the bar for a while. The song represents experiencing freedom, fun, and adventure while traveling to a new destination.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but it seems that the singer and his friends are on a road trip, living their life to the fullest before returning to reality. The reference to cruising along with a smile and gun may signify independence and freedom. The line, "Sliding through brush and the heat and the dust," describes the group overcoming the hassle and inconvenience of traveling to get to their destination. The line, "Senoritas, we got the cash," suggests that the group is there to party and have a good time.
Overall, Andrew Ridgeley's "Mexico" portrays a fun and wild adventure for a group of friends seeking excitement in their lives. The song's upbeat melody coupled with the lyrics' imagery lets listeners escape to a world of freedom and fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Riding along with a smile and a gun
Driving with a sense of joy and power, armed with confidence and weaponry.
And a trunk full of beers and the boys
Accompanied by friends and surrounded by the comfort of alcohol.
Got a tear in the hood and the sun feels good
Experiencing a minor issue with the car, but enjoying the warmth of the sun regardless.
And Dave's on the waves making noise
One of the group members, Dave, is actively surfing and causing a commotion.
In a '68 Caddy I bought from my daddy
Driving in a vintage Cadillac that was once owned by a family member and purchased from them.
We ran all the cops out of sight
Successfully evaded any law enforcement presence while driving recklessly.
Sliding through brush and the heat and the dust
Navigating through harsh desert terrain with ease and excitement.
And the desert's a shimmering light
Appreciating the beauty of the desert landscape and the way the sun reflects off of it.
Check this out, yes, oh my Lord
Expressing excitement and amazement at a sudden and unexpected sight or event.
There's a girl cruising by in a flatbed Ford
Spotting an attractive woman driving a specific type of vehicle.
And she purrs and she sighs and I'm hounddog dumb for her puss cat eyes
Being infatuated with the woman's physical attributes and mannerisms.
Hell, step on the gas, come and get trashed
Encouraging reckless behavior and indulgence in alcohol.
Here we go, Mexico
Beginning an exciting journey to Mexico.
Senoritas, we got the cash
Referring to the group having funds to spend on women and other indulgences in Mexico.
We roll into town, take a good look around
Arriving in a new location and taking in the sights.
Then hang at the bar for a while
Spending time at a local bar, likely to drink and socialize.
There's a lady, she's cute wearing cowboy boots
Noticing a woman who is considered attractive due to her choice of footwear and attire.
And flashing a latin smile
Smiling in a way that is considered alluring and indicative of her cultural background.
And she sighs and she purrs
Continuing to show physical and audible signs of attraction and interest.
And she squeeze me again with her silver spurs
Using her footwear to physically touch the artist in a flirtatious manner.
Que bonita, hola. Rumba caliente para gozar
Expressing admiration for the beauty of the local women and joining in on the lively dance scene.
In a mescaline trance, lovers tequila dance
Feeling entranced by the surroundings and the effects of drugs and alcohol, and watching others engage in passionate dancing.
To the earth and the gods and the skies
Feeling a spiritual connection to the world and the universe while experiencing this moment.
All the world turns around and my head fills with sound
Feeling overwhelmed by the sensory overload of the experience.
And there's light and there's life in my eyes
Feeling alive and invigorated by the experience.
Chorus
Repeating the chorus, encouraging excitement and indulgence in Mexico.
Contributed by Aiden H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
areasmith
I actually like this song. His voice is fine, he can carry a tune, and it's high-energy! Give the guy a break. Just because he isn't George Michael doesn't mean he shouldn't do music.
Victoria Washington
areasmith Yes! I totally agree! It's too bad he didn't stick with it! I love Andrew he is really beautiful
Anahi Barajas
@Victoria Washington he really is beautiful!
Dario Western
One of the best songs on the Son Of Albert album. It's a shame that the critics ripped Andrew to shreds over it, as it's quite a good album musically. Sounds like a cross between Santana and Motley Crue. :-)
Mysterious Madams
Sounds pretty good to me it has the heavy guitar like I like Andrew well done 👍🏼
Mike Mapson
this is a strong pop-rock song that should have been pushed much harder by the record company.
Angie Perlaki
loved this album.. very fun sound.... unfort have it only on cassette and it's dying... need it digitally...
Debra Garner
I do think Andrew had a chance, he gave up too soon in my opinion.
Just a Toaster
Debra Garner I guess so. The album got bad reviews and he reportedly was discouraged by that
Damián Mayorga
Barack W. Trump lmao