"Tequila!" was written by the saxophone player Danny Flores, although he was credited as Chuck Rio because he was under contract to another record label at the time. Flores, who died in September 2006, was known as the "Godfather of Latino rock." Flores' "dirty sax" and his low-voiced "Tequila!" are the hallmarks of the song. Flores signed away the U.S. rights to the song but retained worldwide rights until his death.
There are many cover versions of the tune, including a jazz version by guitarist Wes Montgomery in 1966. It has also been recorded by rappers A.L.T. and XL Singleton. The Champs also had success with instrumentals such as "Limbo Rock" and "El Rancho Rock". In 1985 "Tequila" featured prominently in the film Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
The Champs also recorded a sequel to Tequila entitled "Too Much Tequila".
Tequila
The Champs Lyrics
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Tequila
Tequila
The Champs's song "Tequila" is an instrumental track that gained worldwide fame after its release in 1958. The song opens with a catchy horn riff that sets the lively, party mood that the song is known for. The main melody is driven by a lively percussion section with strong beats, powerful brass sounds, and a catchy whistle-like sound. The song is intended to evoke a sense of celebration, fun, and good times that come with drinking tequila.
The short, repeated lyrics "Tequila, tequila, tequila" add to the song's simplicity, making it easy to learn for partygoers who want to sing and dance along to it. The song immortalizes the iconic drink that shares the same name and remains popular to this day. However, the use of the word "Tequila" throughout the song creates a sense of repetitive mania, reflecting the state of mind people might find themselves in after indulging in too much tequila.
Overall, The Champs's "Tequila" song is an ode to the infamous drink and a reflection of the party atmosphere that it accompanies. The song's dynamic rhythm, catchy melodies, and lively tunes make it an all-time favorite among partygoers, and it has been embraced and celebrated by generations worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Tequila
The word 'Tequila' is being said repeatedly to show a sense of excitement and anticipation for the rest of the song.
I was at the bar with my drinkin' team
The singer is at a bar with his group of friends who he considers his 'drinkin' team,' implying that they often socialize together and enjoy consuming alcohol.
It was me, Jack, and Jim and a few more of his friends
The singer and his 'drinkin' team' consist of him, Jack, Jim, and some additional friends whose names are not mentioned. It signifies the relaxed and unimportant nature of the gathering.
I ran into some whores and a old friend
The artist bumped into some sex workers and an acquaintance from his past who he hadn't seen in a while. It reflects the random and non-serious nature of the night.
Someone bought a round, and we bought a few more
After someone bought a group of drinks, the artist and his friends bought additional rounds, thus leading to an increase in alcohol consumption.
Drinkin' tequila and takin' salt and lime
The singer and his friends are drinking tequila and using the traditional method of taking salt and lime to help with the aftertaste of the tequila shot.
I wanna do bad things to you
This line is actually from the HBO show True Blood; it doesn't hold any relation to the rest of the song or its lyrics, and is therefore not included in the JSON output.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Danny Flores
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind