Jim Reeves – Mexican Joe

«Mexican Joe» is 1953 single by Jim Reeves. Accompanying Jim Reeves on «Mexican Joe» were the Circle O Ranch Boys and was Jim Reeves’ debut single on the country charts. «Mexican Joe» hit number one on the country charts for six weeks with a total of twenty six weeks on the chart.

Featuring «Big» Red Hayes on the fiddle and Floyd Cramer on the piano, «Mexican Joe» was a rollicking, Western swing-influenced tale of a bandito and drifter who engages in a lifestyle of women, carousing and gambling.

From the album Bimbo
B-side «I Could Cry»
Released March 1953 (U.S.)
Recorded January 18, 1953
KWKH, Shreveport, Louisiana
Genre Country
Length 2:39
Label Abbott Records 116
RCA Victor (later)
Songwriter(s) Mitchell Torok
Producer(s) Fabor Robinson

Jim Reeves – Mexican Joe Lyrics

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