Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.
Down in Mexico
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
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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
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
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