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Carmelita
Murray McLauchlan Lyrics

Zevon

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

Contributed by Colin J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them

Murray McLauchlan (born June 30, 1948 in Paisley, Scotland) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player. He is best known in Canada, for his smash hit "Down by the Henry Moore", which was about a sculpture in front of Toronto's city hall, where students met in the 60s and early 70s. McLauchlan has had success in the pop, adult contemporary, country, and folk-music fields, with songs such as the Juno Award-winning "Farmer's Song" (1973) Read Full BioMurray McLauchlan (born June 30, 1948 in Paisley, Scotland) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, and harmonica player. He is best known in Canada, for his smash hit "Down by the Henry Moore", which was about a sculpture in front of Toronto's city hall, where students met in the 60s and early 70s. McLauchlan has had success in the pop, adult contemporary, country, and folk-music fields, with songs such as the Juno Award-winning "Farmer's Song" (1973), "Hurricane of Change" (also 1973), "Do You Dream of Being Somebody" (1975), and "Whispering Rain" (1979). He holds 11 Juno Awards, is a pilot, a painter and a Member of the Order of Canada, and also plays with Lunch At Allens.

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01No Time Together Today3:32

02Lady Soul3:05

03I Wanna Watch You Move3:09

04Old Man's Song3:26

05Billy McDaniels2:49

06Lose We2:25

07Quiet Places To Come Home To3:16

08Carmelita4:10

PT4M10S

Murray McLauchlan

09Big Bad City3:39

10The Farmers Song3:01

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Comments from YouTube:

Roe C.

8y↑17

Nice to come across the early recorded history of this song. Gotta admit, my first and favorite exposure to this song, years ago, was rendered by a true dirty rock n' roller--GG Allin. His music and lifestyle just fit the words of this song to a tee.

ArsenicFiend85

Same dude. First time I heard this song was in my "punk" days years ago. I always assumed GG wrote it cause like you said it fits his lifestyle. Then I was randomly listening to Warren Zevon stuff today and saw he had a version and thought the song was his. Now I stumble on this guy Murray McLauchlan and realize Warren wrote it but Murray recorded it 4 years before Warren. Crazy... Anyway great tune.

Bob Allen

10y↑3

Murray really nailed this one! My favorite Warren Zevon tune..

Jimiel Joseph

4y↑5

Had I not started with my list of artists like Linda Ronstadt doing this as well as a few others here on my list but I just happened to read that it was Murray McLaughlin that first recorded the song even though Warren Zevon wrote it 1972 and how's about that for some Canadian history, EH.

Rollin' WithTheFlow

8y↑4

Of course this amazing song was written by Warren. But, when no one else was listening or even talking about Warren Zevon's music, Murray knew the greatness of this classic, 4 years before Warren even officially released his version.

Zoe Miller

40w

Classic Murray. Reminds me of old times eh Sargy.

Chris Biggar

9y↑2

i would like to remind you guys that this song is murray's version, lets not compare it to the original and appreciate it for what it is.

Jimiel Joseph

Keith Moore Yes, I just schooled myself on that bit of information I've always loved this song and thought it was the best rendition done by Linda Ronstadt but that's preference this is a very nice version the mandolin is great and it's best to hear the original recording unfortunately it didn't get enough air play and recognition although Murray McLaughlin is still considered rather popular and respected musical icon here in Canada.

Keith H Moore

5y↑4

MM released Carmelita in 1972, four years before WZ. Unfortunately, that makes this version the, "original." I do like the mandolin!

Anne Langer

23w

I love this song performed from WillydeWille

Derek Matuja

This dude did the song first in 72. Zevon did it in like, 75.

Jesse Plinkman

14w

Zevon didn't record it until four years later, in 1976, but he did actually write it. The whole "Google told you that" response is fucking ridiculous. Like it or not, the way information is shared, in this day & age, is through the internet. Whether it be fact or opinion, that is mainly how it's done. But, yes, Warren Zevon wrote Carmelita. Judging by your response to this other person, I wouldn't be surprised if your reply to me is either you calling me a loser for replying to a year-old comment, or perhaps just a bunch of these 🤣🤣🤣. Regardless of when you wrote said comment, it's still wrong.

Derek Matuja

bottleobushmills Google told you that ?

bottleobushmills

Zevon wrote this song

scarface82us

10y

I need Carmelita to hold me tighter :-(

Bob Allen

10y

Murray probably wishes he wrote it, but it was penned by Warren Zevon.

Buzz Goodrich

11y

Thanks for the post!!

Lunatic Fringe Fly Fishing

5y↑1

You guys are all right (kind of) Warren Zevon wrote it but Murray McLauchlin was first to record it in 72. 4 years later it was recorded by Warren himsel and the most popular version was recorded in 77 by Linda R.

Jacob Hubbard

2y↑1

Warren Zevon is best. GG Allin acoustic version second. This is ok, but the other two are gold.

Jesse Plinkman

14w

@Jacob Hubbard I'd say GG's is better than Mclauchlan's & Ronstadt's versions.

Jacob Hubbard

I like GG Acoustic because he was an emotionally cut off man, and you could hear heart in his voice.

Jacob Hubbard

@Joseph Loew I'm not a bot, I'm drunk as fuck.

Joseph Loew

Ok I thought I was crazy. I comment this.on a different video but it's the same comment on both videos. You're a bot. Warren Zevon wrote this song. I knew that. I also know that Murray MacLauglin's had a different version. Just saying. And GG Allin's isn't very good.

Jacob Hubbard

@Joseph Loew Zevon wrote the song.

wabblum99

9y↑1

yeah i would agree he had the right idea but cant seem to put the heart and soul into it

Stella Ercolani

3y↑2

How about stuck in 'Skagway' Alaska like that. Irony or what? !

Chris Biggar

jesus man, keep your negative opinions to yourself. i dont agree haha

jack master

3y↑2

Warren zevon didn't put no soul in Carmelita its kind of sad when gg does a better rendition of your song

Joseph Smith

2y↑1

Zevon's version feels more classic, Allin's version feels more real. Which one I pick depends on the mood I'm in. Honestly, not a huge fan of MM's version here, it's a bit too old-timey for me.

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