Bob Wills – New Spanish Two Step

Bob Wills – New Spanish Two Step, is a Western swing standard based on a traditional fiddle tune, “Spanish Two Step”. Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys recorded the latter on September 23, 1935, and released it on Vocalion 03230 in 1936. Ten years later, Wills and Tommy Duncan added lyrics and recorded it again on April 25, 1945, releasing it on Columbia 36966 in April 1946 as “New Spanish Two Step”. It stayed on the charts for 23 weeks, reaching number one on the Folk-Jukebox chart for 16 weeks. Both versions were one of the band’s signature songs.

Wills and his vocalist, Tommy Duncan, added lyrics to reflect the title:

I told her I had to go,
Left her down in Mexico,
The band played ‘Spanish Two-Step’ soft and low.

The “b” side, “Roly Poly”, was also a big hit, reaching number three.

Bob Wills – New Spanish Two Step
B-side “Roly Poly”
Released April 1946
Recorded April 25, 1945
Studio CBS Studio at Radio Station KNX, Hollywood, California
Genre Western swing
Label Columbia 36966
Songwriter(s) Bob Wills, Tommy Duncan

COUNTRYPEDIA

Bob Wills – New Spanish Two Step Lyrics

Down below the Rio Grande
A senorita held my hand
And sweetly sang an old melody
Without a worry or a care
A rose she gave me from her hair
Then she whispered, “Si, Senor, si, si”
In a cabaret we danced the hours away
Her eyes told more than words dare could say
I told her I had to go
Left her down in Mexico
The band played Spanish Two-Step soft and low
Instrumental Break
I told her I had to go
Left her down in Mexico
The band played Spanish Two-Step soft and low

GENIUS