Four Great Gringo Songs About Mexico

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  09.17.10 | 2:10 PM ET

We just linked to a list of the 10 “most Mexican” songs of all time, and that got me thinking about my favorite songs about Mexico that aren’t Mexican at all—songs that were, in fact, written and recorded by gringos.

Here are my top four. What are yours?

‘Mexico’ by James Taylor

‘Mexican Radio’ by Wall of Voodoo

‘Across the Wire’ by Calexico

‘Cortez the Killer’ by Neil Young



6 Comments for Four Great Gringo Songs About Mexico

Elizabeth 09.17.10 | 3:24 PM ET

What about “Mexico” by Dschinghis Khan, a German 80s disco group?  The video is totally ridiculous, where this guy goes around essentially turning people Mexican.

TambourineMan 09.17.10 | 4:05 PM ET

“Romance in Durango” by Bob Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm0TT79kXgU

Bob in white face, high on coke and shouting in Spanish. Come on, Jim. It should’ve been numero uno.

Jim Benning 09.17.10 | 7:03 PM ET

I’ll check that out, Elizabeth. It sounds hilarious. Thanks.

Great suggestion, Eli. I’m always disappointing you. I thought you’d at least be pleased with the inclusion of Cortez the Killer.

Gary Warner 09.20.10 | 2:33 AM ET

“Gringo Honeymoon” by Robert Earl Keen. Couldn’t find a good version on YouTube, so this one will have to suffice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p_lC299F5I

Has that laid-back gringo fantasy of Mexico that died out about a decade ago.

TambourineMan 09.20.10 | 12:43 PM ET

All your picks are good, but yeah, you forgot Bob.

Elizabeth’s German disco video is on youtube. She’s right. It’s totally ridiculous.

Who is Eli?

cheap flights 10.05.10 | 12:08 PM ET

Very interesting video songs i liked very much and is playing very beautiful guitar and mr talor is playing the guitar really very wonderful.
thanks.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.