MEXICAN JOE
Words And Music By MITCHELL TOROK
(Recorded January 18, 1953


South of the border, hey, I know a lad,
He's got more fun than anybody's had,
Don't got no worry, don't got no dough,
Everybody's wondering 'bout Mexican Joe.

In old Mexico, they call him the Rhumba King,
Leads all the women around on a string,
When they go out, they get a million thrills,
But the lovely seņoritas wind up with the bills.

Chorus:
Dancin', romancin',
Always on the go,
Sun shinin' down on Mexican Joe

He makes the night spots all along the bay,
People want to see him when he comes their way,
He spreads so much joy everywhere he goes,
Everyone shouts "Viva la Mexican Joe."
He likes to gamble, at poker he's an ace,
He's always lucky with the cards that got a face,
At winning the money, he is sure a whiz,
But when they win they don't collect
'Cause they don't know where he is.

Repeat Chorus

He don't no income tax 'cause he don't got no dough,
Still he gets along just fine, how we'll never know,
He's got everything he wants, a girl, a drink, a song,
If we use his formula, we surely can't go wrong.
His favorite playground is anywhere there's girls,
He's got that somethin' that sets their hearts a-whirl,
It couldn't be his money 'cause he ain't got a peso,
But when he wants a kiss all he gotta do is say so

Repeat Chorus


© 1953 by American Music, Inc./Elvis Presley Music, Inc./Noma Music, Inc. Copyright renewed, all rights controlled by Unichappel Music, Inc and Elvis Presley Music, Inc.

"Mexican Joe" was the fourth record released commercially by Jim Reeves. There had been two releases on the Macy label in 1949, and then the first on Abbott Records, "Wagon Load Of Love." "Mexican Joe" was Jim's second outing on Abbott.

The song was recorded in the studio of KWKH radio in Shreveport, Louisiana where Jim worked as a deejay and as an announcer on the Saturday night Louisiana Hayride Show. During the week he was a deejay at night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. playing country records and reporting news, sports, etc. (the usual things a deejay does).

Floyd Cramer-who also was to gain fame as an RCA recording artist-played piano on "Mexican Joe" since he was a staff musician on the Louisiana Hayride.

The record soared to number 1 in all the national charts and was voted record of the year 1953 by Cash Box magazine. Presented in Hollywood, this was Jim's first award in country music.

"Mexican Joe" is a very important song. It was the first national hit by Jim Reeves.

Taken from the notes accompanying "Jim Reeves - A Legendary Performer" (CPL1-1891).
© 1976 RCA Records -- Submitted by C.B. Dixon


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