Roger Clyne's lyrics frequently showcase his Southwestern roots, and frequently imply images of cowboys, Federales, and references to Mexico and places in Arizona, amongst other Southwestern references.
After the demise of The Refreshments, a semi-successful rock band of the 1990s whose top radio hit was "Banditos," former frontman Roger Clyne and drummer P.H. Naffah formed a new band that would be called Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers.
The two were joined by former Gin Blossom, Scott Johnson; Steve Larson, former guitarist for another Tempe band, Dead Hot Workshop; and bass player Danny White. They released their first album, Honky Tonk Union in 1999.Honky Tonk Union was released in limited quantities with a bonus live CD, Real to Reel. The next year, they released an extended version of Real to Reel as a stand-alone album.
The musical feel of Honky Tonk Union was a noticeable change from Clyne's previous works with The Refreshments. Whereas The Refreshments had a prominent lead guitar and edgy southwestern rock feel, Honky Tonk Union displayed a heavier country influence along with focusing more on the singer-songwriter aspect of the band.
The Peacemakers' next studio effort, 2002's Sonoran Hope and Madness, explored the deeper themes of returning to the basics of life, of loss and of resurgence. Sonoran Hope and Madness was a tale of the demise of a much-loved way of life.
In 2002, Scott Johnson left the band to rejoin with the Gin Blossoms, leaving the part of lead guitar to Steve Larson.
2004 saw the release of Americano, the band's third, and most streamlined, studio effort. ¡Americano! is a story set not in the dusty Mexican borderlands, like the previous albums, but on a Mexican beach, miles away from the daily grind. This album was conceived and written in a third-world cantina, and canvasses the spectrum of human emotion.
In early 2004, shortly after the release of ¡Americano!, Danny White left the Peacemakers to start his own recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee. He was replaced by Nick Scropos, who was the bassist for another Tempe band, Gloritone. Scropos was slated to join the band when it formed in 1998, but was unable to do so due to his obligation to Gloritone. His playing can be heard on track nine of Honky Tonk Union, Green & Dumb.
In March of 2005, the Peacemakers were asked to play at Billy Bob's Texas, a famous honky-tonk joint that has hosted the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Pat Green. They quickly turned around and sold a live CD featuring songs from that performance entitled Live at Billy Bob's Texas, which sold well enough to make them the only independent band to have five consecutive top-10 albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.
In April of 2006, the Peacemakers released a four song EP, Four Unlike Before, which is currently available only through iTunes.
The band's fourth studio album, No More Beautiful World, was released on March 20, 2007.
The Peacemakers tour heavily, both as a headlining band and opening for national acts such as Sammy Hagar and John Fogerty.
Twice a year, an ever-increasing following of fans from around the globe descend on the Mexican beach town of Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) for their "Circus Mexicus" bash. Circus Mexicus features a four-hour long concert at the Sunset Cantina. The weekend culminates with a "hangover bash" at JJ's Cantina in nearby Cholla Bay on Sunday at which band members mingle with the fans and sign autographs.
The warm waters and ever increasing recreational opportunities motivate many participants to make "Circus Mexicus" a semi-annual pilgrimage of several days.
http://www.azpeacemakers.com/
Méxicosis
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should I not have freed our old and tired horse from the cart?
And these are gonna be a problem honey,
If I don't believe that time is money
And I've got procrastination down to a fine, fine art?
Well, the preacher, the teacher the doctor…they don't know
The police man, boss man, they all lost, man…they don't know
Hear your heart say so
You got to go and lay low
Walk, fly drive or stowaway
Just go, go go…
Ain't no way to disobey so
Go overpay in pesos
Steal one too many besos, baby
Go, go, go!
Lucky diagnosis
You've got to stop and smell the roses
Honey, you got you a chronic case of Méxicosis
Well I mean no disrespect and I don't mean to lead the rabble on
When I'm laughing out loud as I listen to Babylon babble on…
My prognosis is my attitude shows symptoms which may include
Acute levity,
Frequent drowsiness,
And a chronic cheery mood
Well, the preacher, the teacher the doctor…they don't know
The police man, boss man, they all lost, man…they don't know
Hear your heart say so
You got to go and lay low
Walk, fly drive or stowaway
Just go, go go…
Ain't no way to disobey so
Go overpay in pesos
Steal one too many besos, baby
Go, go, go!
Lucky diagnosis
You've got to stop and smell the roses
Honey, you got you a chronic case of Méxicosis
Well I don't hurry, I don't hurry, while the modern world's all a flurry
I'm slowin'down
It's un-insurable, incurable, but delightfully endurable
I've found
The only remedy
Is to be
Perpetually
Southbound!
Hey!
Well, the teacher, the preacher, the doctor…they don't know
The police man, boss man, they all lost, man…they don't know
Hear your heart say so
You got to go and lay low
Walk, fly drive or stowaway
Just go, go go…
Ain't no way to disobey so
Go overpay in pesos
Steal one too many besos, baby
Go, go, go!
Lucky diagnosis
You've got to stop and smell the roses
Honey, you got you a chronic case of Méxicosis
Méxicosis
Méxicosis
The song "Méxicosis" by Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers is a reflection on the singer's lifestyle and mindset. He wonders if he should be more "industrious, civilized, illustrious," but questions whether that would be worth sacrificing his freedom and carefree spirit. He acknowledges that his tendency to procrastinate has become an art form, but he's content to live life on his own terms. The singer also notes that those in positions of authority - the preacher, teacher, doctor, police officer, and boss - can't understand his way of life.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to follow their heart and go where it leads, whether it's by walking, flying, driving, or stowing away. The singer insists that there's no way to disobey the heart's call, so one should embrace it fully. The chorus also acknowledges the singer's chronic ailment of "Méxicosis," which is characterized by a love of life and a slowness to conform to societal expectations.
In the final verse, the singer reflects on his decision to slow down and take life at his own pace. He finds his lifestyle "delightfully endurable," and claims that perpetual southbound travel is the only remedy he needs. The song ultimately encourages listeners to embrace their inner Méxicosis and live life fully, even if that means going against the norms of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Should I be more industrious, civilized, illustrious?
Am I supposed to be more hardworking, cultured, and successful in society's eyes?
Should I not have freed our old and tired horse from the cart?
Was it wrong to let go of something that was once useful, but now worn out and no longer needed?
And these are gonna be a problem honey, If I don't believe that time is money And I've got procrastination down to a fine, fine art?
My laid-back attitude might cause issues if I don't see the importance of time and continue to perfect my ability to delay tasks.
Well, the preacher, the teacher the doctor…they don't know The police man, boss man, they all lost, man…they don't know
The authority figures in society don't have all the answers or understanding.
Hear your heart say so You got to go and lay low Walk, fly drive or stowaway Just go, go go… Ain't no way to disobey so Go overpay in pesos Steal one too many besos, baby Go, go, go! Lucky diagnosis You've got to stop and smell the roses Honey, you got you a chronic case of Méxicosis
Listen to your inner voice, take a break and travel however you can. It's impossible to resist the urge to explore, even if it means overspending or breaking some rules. It's a fortunate diagnosis to have, so enjoy it and take time to appreciate the little things in life.
Well I mean no disrespect and I don't mean to lead the rabble on When I'm laughing out loud as I listen to Babylon babble on… My prognosis is my attitude shows symptoms which may include Acute levity, Frequent drowsiness, And a chronic cheery mood
I don't intend to be rude, but I can't help but laugh at the nonsense people spout. My outlook on life could be diagnosed as having excessive happiness, occasional sleepiness, and a tendency to not take everything too seriously.
Well I don't hurry, I don't hurry, while the modern world's all a flurry I'm slowin'down It's un-insurable, incurable, but delightfully endurable I've found The only remedy Is to be Perpetually Southbound! Hey!
I refuse to rush around like everyone else in this fast-paced world. Though impossible to cure or insure, I enjoy being leisurely and taking life as it comes. The best solution I've found is to always be headed towards the South, where life is more relaxed and laid-back. Hey!
Méxicosis Méxicosis
Méxicosis is a humorous term referring to a chronic desire to travel to Mexico and embrace its culture.
Contributed by Lucas P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.