Tom Russell (born in Los Angeles in either 1947 or 1948) is an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Tom Russell (born in Los Angeles in either 1947 or 1948) is an American singer-songwriter from California, currently living in El Paso, Texas. His music incorporates elements of folk, traditional country & western, border and cowboy music of the American West. Russell's songs have been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Ian Tyson, Nanci Griffith, Dave Alvin and others. In addition to his music, he is also an artist and published author.

In the 1980s Russell made four albums credited to the Tom Russell Band. These featured Andrew Hardin and accordionist Fats Kaplin.

In the 1990s Russell made a number of solo albums, collaborated with blues singer Barrence Whitfield on two albums, and also recorded an acoustic album mixing original material with his favorite cowboy-themed songs. His albums include several guest appearances from other folk, country, and Americana artists, such as Chris Gaffney and Dave Alvin. His song "Outbound Plane", co-written with Nanci Griffith, became a Top Ten country hit for Suzy Bogguss. His most significant album from this period is the 1999 folk opera, The Man From God Knows Where.

His more recent albums include "Blood and Candle Smoke" (2009) and "Mesabi" (2011).

When Sinatra Played Juarez
Tom Russell Lyrics

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Uncle Tommy Gabriel, he played the blue piano
While Frank and Ava Gardener danced the wild Juaurenzi tango
Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said
But everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

I wish life was still like that my Uncle Tommy said
But everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez
You could get a cheap divorce, get your Pontiac tuck and rolled

You could take your dolly to the dog track in her cheap chinchilla stole.

The Fiesta Club, The Chinese Palace, The Old Kentucky Bar
The matadors and baseball heroes and great big movie stars.
Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said,
Cause everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Now Uncle Tommy Gabriel he still plays Fats Domino
He speaks that border Spanglish well, Heowns a carpet store
He lives out on his pecan farm, I don't cross the bridge he says
Cause everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said,
But everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez

Overall Meaning

Tom Russell's When Sinatra Played Juarez tells the story of Uncle Tommy Gabriel, who played the blue piano in Juarez during its "golden years." According to Uncle Tommy, Juarez was a thriving town filled with casinos, bars, and clubs where people could get cheap divorces, drive-in movies, and attend dog races. The town attracted movie stars, baseball heroes, and matadors, and everything was going well until the day Frank Sinatra came to perform.

When Sinatra played Juarez, everything went downhill. The town became more dangerous, and the casinos and bars began to close down. Even after all these years, Uncle Tommy Gabriel still reminisces about the golden days of Juarez, but he refuses to cross the bridge into Mexico, knowing that everything had changed since those fateful days.

The lyrics offer a glimpse into the past and the nostalgia for a time that may never return. The singer's sadness and longing for the past are palpable, and they lament the impact one person can have on a town's fate. The song's melancholic tone and vivid imagery paint a picture of a town that has changed for the worse.

Line by Line Meaning

Uncle Tommy Gabriel, he played the blue piano
Uncle Tommy Gabriel used to play the blue piano in Juarez

While Frank and Ava Gardener danced the wild Juaurenzi tango
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner used to dance the wild Juaurenzi tango in Juarez while Uncle Tommy played the piano

Those were truly golden years my Uncle Tommy said
Uncle Tommy thinks that period in time was really special

But everything's gone straight to Hell since Sinatra played Juarez
Things have gone downhill since Frank Sinatra started performing in Juarez

I wish life was still like that my Uncle Tommy said
Uncle Tommy wishes life was still as good as it was back then

You could get a cheap divorce, get your Pontiac tuck and rolled
During those golden years, you could get a cheap divorce and have your Pontiac customized

You could take your dolly to the dog track in her cheap chinchilla stole.
You could take your girlfriend to the dog track while she wore her cheap chinchilla stole

The Fiesta Club, The Chinese Palace, The Old Kentucky Bar
These were some of the bars or clubs where people used to go back then

The matadors and baseball heroes and great big movie stars.
Even famous people used to come to these places

Now Uncle Tommy Gabriel he still plays Fats Domino
Uncle Tommy now plays music by Fats Domino

He speaks that border Spanglish well, Heowns a carpet store
Uncle Tommy speaks a mixture of Spanish and English and owns a carpet store

He lives out on his pecan farm, I don't cross the bridge he says
Uncle Tommy lives on a pecan farm and doesn't go to Juarez anymore

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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