The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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 senoritas wind up with the bills
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
Dancin', romancin'
Always on the go
Sun shinin' down on Mexican Joe
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's got to do is say so
Dancin', romancin'
Always on the go
Sun shinin' down on Mexican Joe
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 senoritas wind up with the bills
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
Dancin', romancin'
Always on the go
Sun shinin' down on Mexican Joe
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's got to do is say so
Dancin', romancin'
Always on the go
Sun shinin' down on Mexican Joe
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
Mexican Joe Lyrics as written by Mitchell Torok
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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