Down In Mexico
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics

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Down in Mexicali
There's a crazy little place that I know
Where the drinks are hotter than the chili sauce
And the boss is a cat named Joe

He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna
In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache

In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

Well, the first time that I saw him
He was sittin' on a piano stool
I said "Tell me dad, when does the fun begin?"
He just winked his eye and said "Man, be cool."

He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna
In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache
In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

All of a sudden in walks this chick

Joe starts playing on a Latin kick

Around her waist she wore three fishnets

She started dancin' with the castanets

I didn't know just what to expect

She threw her arms around my neck

We started dancin' all around the floor
And then she did a dance I never saw before.

So if you're south of the border
I mean down in Mexico
And you wanna get straight,
Man, don't hesitate
Just look up a cat named Joe.

He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna
In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache
In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico

Yeah, como est usted senorita
Come with me to the border, south of the border, that is
In Mexico, yeah in Mexico

You can get your kicks in Mexico
Come with me baby, come with me, come with me, crazy, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ella Mae Morse's “Down in Mexico” depict a scene in this isolated cantina located in Mexicali, a town situated in the northeastern region of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Here, the boss, who is known as Joe, is a character with a red bandana, purple sash, and a black moustache, who plays blues pianna in the cantina. In an attempt to paint a mental picture of the unconventional fun to be had in this joint, the lyrics describe how drinks are hotter than chili sauce, and Joe is the cat who's known for playing a blues piano like no one else. The narrative is further enhanced when Morse's character walks into the cantina and sees Joe, asking him when the fun would begin. Joe, in response, simply winks and tells him to be cool.

The lyrics also describe a mysterious woman who walks into the cantina, and as soon as she does, Joe starts to play a Latin beat. The woman has a unique fashion sense, wearing three fishnets around her waist, and she starts to dance with castanets. The main character finds himself agog at her moves and is completely ensnared by her when she throws her arms around his neck as he dances with her. The song ends with Morse exhorting anyone who wants to have a good time in Mexico to look up Joe in the cantina, where they are sure to have a good time.

Line by Line Meaning

Down in Mexicali
In the town of Mexicali

There's a crazy little place that I know
There is a peculiar location that I am aware of

Where the drinks are hotter than the chili sauce
The alcoholic beverages are spicier than the hot sauce

And the boss is a cat named Joe
The proprietor of the establishment is a gentleman named Joe

He wears a red bandana, plays a blues pianna
Joe sports a red scarf and performs blues music on a piano

In a honky-tonk, down in Mexico
Located in a lively music venue in Mexico

He wears a purple sash, and a black moustache
Additionally, Joe wears a purple ornament and a black moustache

Well, the first time that I saw him
During my initial meeting with him

He was sittin' on a piano stool
He was seated on a piano bench

I said "Tell me dad, when does the fun begin?"
I asked him when the entertainment would begin

He just winked his eye and said "Man, be cool."
The proprietor winked and advised me not to worry

All of a sudden in walks this chick
Suddenly, a young lady arrived

Joe starts playing on a Latin kick
Joe began performing Latin music

Around her waist she wore three fishnets
She sported three fishnets around her midriff

She started dancin' with the castanets
She began to dance while utilizing castanets

I didn't know just what to expect
I was uncertain about what was going to occur

She threw her arms around my neck
She hugged me tightly

We started dancin' all around the floor
We began to dance throughout the venue

And then she did a dance I never saw before.
She performed an exotic dance that I had never witnessed previously.

So if you're south of the border
If you happen to be near the border

I mean down in Mexico
More specifically, in Mexico itself

And you wanna get straight,
If you want to have an enjoyable time

Man, don't hesitate
Do not wait or hesitate

Just look up a cat named Joe.
Simply seek out the establishment owned by Joe.

Yeah, como est usted senorita
A Spanish greeting, meaning "How are you, miss?"

Come with me to the border, south of the border, that is
Join me as we journey to the border, specifically the one located in Mexico

In Mexico, yeah in Mexico
Once we arrive in Mexico

You can get your kicks in Mexico
You can enjoy yourself in Mexico

Come with me baby, come with me, come with me, crazy, yeah
Join me, my dear, let us enjoy ourselves, enthusiastically

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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