Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003) was an American… Read Full Bio ↴Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003) was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his strange, sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.

Carmelita
Jackson Browne & Warren Zevon Lyrics

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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

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
And they cut off your welfare check

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

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

Carmelita hold me tighter
I think I'm sinking down

And I'm all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town

Overall Meaning

The song "Carmelita" is a collaborative effort by American songwriters Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon, originally released in 1976. The somber tune is a reflection of Zevon's personal struggles with addiction, particularly heroin, and its impact on his relationships with people in his life. The lyrics are both personal and universal, giving us a glimpse into the dark and painful world of addiction.

The song opens with the singer hearing "Mariachi static" on their radio and reminiscing about being in Ensenada with someone special. The imagery of the glowing radio tubes suggests a sense of nostalgia, as if the singer is far removed from those happier times. The chorus of the song, "Carmelita hold me tighter, I think I'm sinking down, and I'm all strung out on heroin on the outskirts of town" sends chills down the spine. It's a painful plea for help, an admission of vulnerability and a cry for connection.

As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they're all alone and struggling to make ends meet. There's a sense of hopelessness, both in their addiction and in their inability to find support from society. The final verse sees the singer pawning their typewriter to buy more heroin, and going to meet their dealer by the chicken stand. The repetition of the chorus at this point is particularly haunting, as the singer's desperation only seems to grow.

Overall, "Carmelita" is a powerful and moving meditation on addiction and its impact on the human spirit. It's a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding, and the need for finding support and love in moments of darkness.

Line by Line Meaning

I hear Mariachi static on my radio
I am listening to the sound of a Mariachi band on my radio, but the static is interfering with the reception

And the tubes they glow in the dark
The tubes of my radio emit a soft light, making it easy to see them even in the dark

And I'm there with her in Ensenada
I am transported in my thoughts to Ensenada, where I was with my girlfriend or wife

And I'm here in Echo Park
But in reality, I am sitting in Echo Park, which is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California

Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
I am sitting alone and playing a card game called solitaire

With my pearl-handled deck
The deck of cards I am using has handles made of pearl

The county won't give me no more methadone
I cannot get any more methadone from the government or public services

And they cut off your welfare check
You have also lost your financial support from the government

Well, I pawned my Smith Corona
I had to sell or give away my typewriter, which is a Smith Corona brand

And I went to meet my man
I went to meet my drug dealer or supplier

He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
My dealer spends his time on Alvarado Street, which is in Los Angeles

By the Pioneer chicken stand
He is near the Pioneer Chicken fast-food outlet

Carmelita hold me tighter
I am addressing Carmelita, asking her to embrace me with a stronger grip

I think I'm sinking down
I fear that I am losing control and becoming more addicted to heroin

And I'm all strung out on heroin
I am completely addicted to heroin and cannot function without it

On the outskirts of town
I am living on the fringes of society and am reduced to pawning my belongings and relying on drug dealing to survive

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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