Carmelita
Willy And Mink DeVille Lyrics
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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
Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
With my pearl-handled deck
The county won't give me no more methadone
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
On the outskirts of town
The song "Carmelita" by Willy and Mink DeVille is a haunting account of a man's struggle with drug addiction and his longing for love and comfort. The opening lines of the song describe the singer listening to mariachi music on his radio, as he daydreams about being with his lover in Ensenada but also acknowledges his physical presence in Echo Park. The juxtaposition of these two places, one known for its idyllic seaside and the other for its urban grittiness, suggests a sense of displacement and disorienting experience of addiction.
The singer's yearning for love and support is expressed in the repeated refrain of "Carmelita hold me tighter, I think I'm sinking down." This plea for help is underscored by the singer's admission that he is "all strung out on heroin, on the outskirts of town." The sense of isolation and desperation is palpable in these lines, as the singer is not only physically removed from his loved one but also psychologically stuck in a cycle of addiction and despair.
The final verses of the song further illustrate the singer's struggle with addiction, as he describes pawning his typewriter to buy drugs and going to meet his drug dealer at a fast-food restaurant. The mention of the Pioneer chicken stand adds a touch of grim humor to the bleak scenario and reinforces the sense of the singer's lowly status in society. Overall, "Carmelita" is a powerful depiction of addiction and the need for human connection and support to overcome it.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear Mariachi static on my radio
I am listening to my radio but all I can hear is the sound of Mariachi static.
And the tubes they glow in the dark
The radio tubes are lit in the darkness.
And I'm there with her in Ensenada
I'm picturing myself with Carmelita in Ensenada, Mexico.
And I'm here in Echo Park
But I'm actually physically in Echo Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Carmelita hold me tighter
Carmelita, please hold me tightly.
I think I'm sinking down
I feel like I am losing control and going down a path of no return.
And I'm all strung out on heroin
I am addicted to heroin and it's taking over my life.
On the outskirts of town
I am living on the edge of society, away from the mainstream.
Well, I'm sittin' here playing solitaire
I'm passing time by playing solitaire, a variation of patience.
With my pearl-handled deck
I'm using my fancy deck of cards with a pearl handle.
The county won't give me no more methadone
The local government has stopped providing me with methadone, a medication used to treat heroin addiction.
They cut off your welfare check
They have also stopped giving me a welfare check, which provides financial support to low-income individuals.
Well, I pawned my Smith-Corona
I sold my Smith-Corona typewriter for cash.
And I went to meet my man
I went to meet my drug dealer who supplies me with heroin.
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
He usually spends his time on Alvarado Street, another neighborhood in Los Angeles.
By the Pioneer chicken stand
Specifically, he hangs out near the Pioneer Chicken stand, a fast-food chain.
Carmelita hold me tighter
Once again, Carmelita, please hold me tighter.
I think I'm sinking down
I feel like my addiction is dragging me down even further.
And I'm all strung out on heroin
I'm still struggling with my heroin addiction.
On the outskirts of town
I'm still living on the fringes of society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Warren Zevon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Passion
Best cover of Carmelita ever! He is a great talent never getting the recognition he deserves. They loved him in Germany and most of Europe. U.S. can be so ignorant sometimes. He is greatly missed.
Martina Mairitsch
@darlingUSA2 Pettee No, "Carmelita" was written by Warren Zevon - and first recorded by Murray McLaughlin (not sure of the spelling)
darlingUSA2 Pettee
@Martina Mairitsch Yes, you're absolutely correct. I was thinking of another song Willy wrote when I typed that. Thank you for the correction.
William Van Hooff
Wow!! I'm 58 now. Was a young, ignorant punk rocker back in the day and could never allow myself to listen to anything other than 'Punk'. In the last few days, I have just been so amazed by this Artist. Better late than never I guess!! Lol... Part of the sound track for the remainder of my life now for sure. Lucky!!
DirkjeA
Great comment and you are never too old to discover something good. As you say, better late than never. :)
Adam Rubin
If you enjoyed this, you should check out the original artist of this song Warren Zevon.
William Van Hooff
@Adam Rubin Have already done so. Warren Zevon another great singer/songwriter for sure!! Really into the whole Americana music genre at the moment. Thanks for the referral though🤘🤙😎
Badbad Manly
He was
Raymond Marks
GG Allin did a great job on this as well.
Joop Rahajaan
Wat een lied.ik luister hem wel een paar keer per dag. Maar hij heeft zoveel schitterende songs.Wat een charismatische man.Hij is veeeel te vroeg heen gegaan.