I had a match
But she had a lighter
I had a flame
But she had a fire
I was bright
But she was much brighter
I was high
But she was the sky

Oh baby
I was bound for Mexico
Oh baby
I was bound to let you go

I don't know much about Cinco de Mayo
I'm never sure what it's all about
But I say I want you
And you don't believe me
You say you want me
But I've got my doubts

Oh baby
I was bound for Mexico
Oh baby
I was bound to let you go

I had a match
But she had a lighter
I had a flame
But she had a fire
I was bright
But she was much brighter
I was high
But she was the sky

Oh baby
I was bound for Mexico
Oh baby
I was


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Mexico Lyrics as written by John M Mccrea

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Mexico song meanings
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39 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Here is my interpretation:

    The singer is infatuated with the woman he is singing about, but she has stronger and more permanent feelings for him, and he knows it. The singer is aware that he is mainly bound for "Mexico", which means the same thing as "Way Down South" means in the song <i>Up So Close</i> (for those who know the song, I do not have to spell it out). He knows he is with her to sleep with her, and will eventually let her go. The song has a sad tone, because although he knows this is true and is honest with himself, he does not necessarily think it is a good thing.

    cakeobsessedon October 28, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song means alot to me. I once had a year long relationship with a married mexican girl. I always felt that she was too perfect for me, that she never tried to get one over on me it was just natural that if you think someone is so perfect then you will always feel below them. Anyway it ended because she never left her husband and so I moved to spain. Mexico to me always represented a different world that one day I could go to and forget the things in my world, the bit about cinco de mayo to me always adressed the part I felt where yes you have a romantic image of latin america but you dont really get the culture fully. There are as many reasons not to go as there are to go. I don´t know, maybe thats just because I come from rainy old england

    Barcaboyon August 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    im guessin this song is about a dysfunctional relationship where the chic always one up'ed him... no matter what he did, it was never quite good enough... so in the end, the dude gives up and is bound for mexico b/c is bound to let her go...

    imafrkshowon July 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think it's not so much about the chick one-upping him as the guy having feelings of inferiority...that would have to kill a relationship sooner or later if it wasn't resolved.

    malachiteon April 21, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The match/lighter, flame/fire part is merely a foil for the Mexico part. You are supposed to ask yourself, if she always has/does more then him, and he is bound for Mexico and bound to let her go, then where is she going? Of course, non of you thought of that.

    herrera152on June 29, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Then what does the Mexico part mean?

    code6productionson July 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I like the part about Cinco de Mayo. When is Cinco de Mayo, anyway.

    Only kidding, dudes.

    ondraon September 19, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It sounds like he has an obsession with this woman, and sees her as the most amazing creature to ever walk the Earth. He's fallen in love, and so has she. But he can't stay, and therefore, they can never be in love.

    St_Ideson October 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    um..this song is so chill that's all

    krockon February 18, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i think being bound for mexico means he's going south as in he was bound to fail in the relationship. he just feels that the girl is so much better than him it kind of makes him feel bad, and so he wants to end it.

    tunasandwich77on March 04, 2005   Link

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