Carmelita
Tex-Mex Flavours 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 you 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 pawned my Smith and Wesson
And 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
Well I′m sittin' here playing solitaire
With my pearl handled Derr′
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
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 lyrics of Tex-Mex Flavours's song Carmelita is a somber and melancholic depiction of drug addiction and its devastating effects on a person. The song paints a vivid picture of the singer's struggle with heroin addiction, as well as his longing for his lover Carmelita. The opening lines describe the singer's state of mind as he hears static on his radio, perhaps indicating his detachment from reality. He feels as though he is in two places; Ensenada, where he is with Carmelita in his memories, and Echo Park, where he currently resides.


The lyrics go on to describe how the singer has hit rock bottom, having pawned off his weapon to feed his addiction. He refers to his drug dealer as "my man," and mentions where he can be found, emphasizing the dangerous lifestyle he is living. The chorus of the song repeats the refrain "Carmelita, hold me tighter, I think I'm sinking down," expressing the singer's need for comfort and support from his loved one, even though he knows he is spiraling out of control. The bridge highlights the desperation of the situation, as the singer is reduced to playing solitaire with his pistol, and he and Carmelita have been cut off from welfare and methadone respectively. The final chorus of the song drives home the tragedy of the situation, with the singer admitting that he is all strung out on heroin on the outskirts of town, seemingly beyond help.


Overall, Carmelita is a haunting and powerful ballad that examines the devastating effects of drug addiction on individuals and their relationships. It's a reminder that in the face of such horrors, love and support can still make a difference, and that even the most hopeless of situations can be improved with help.


Line by Line Meaning

I hear mariachi static on my radio
I hear the distant sound of mariachi music on my static-ridden radio


And the tubes they glow in the dark
The glow of the radio's vacuum tubes is visible in the darkness


And I'm there with you in Ensenada
In my mind, I am transported to Ensenada with the person I am thinking of


And I'm here in Echo Park
Physically, I am present in Echo Park


Carmelita, hold me tighter
I am pleading with Carmelita to hold me tighter, as I feel myself slipping away


I think I'm sinking down
I am struggling and feel like I am sinking deeper into despair


And I'm all strung out on heroin
My addiction to heroin has taken hold and I am consumed by it


On the outskirts of town
I am in a desolate, isolated place, far from the rest of the world


Well I pawned my Smith and Wesson
I pawned off my gun in order to obtain drugs


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


He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
My drug dealer can be found on Alvarado Street


By the Pioneer Chicken stand
He frequents the Pioneer Chicken stand in that area


Well I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
I am alone and passing the time by playing card games


With my pearl handled Derr′
I am playing solitaire with a handgun, specifically a pearl-handled Derringer


The county won't give me no more methadone
My access to methadone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction, has been cut off by the county


And they cut off your welfare check
Not only have I lost access to methadone, but my financial support has also been cut off




Writer(s): Warren Zevon

Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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