Toby Keith, the name itself conjures images of American flags, working-class pride, and a musical style that’s as unapologetically country as a dusty pickup truck. But beneath the bravado and red Solo cups lies a songwriter with a keen eye for storytelling, particularly when it comes to the human condition – and the occasional moral quandary. Enter Stays in Mexico, a chart-topping hit that caused a stir upon its release in 2004.
Background
This wasn’t your typical Toby Keith anthem. Stays in Mexico wasn’t a ballad about small-town life or a celebration of blue-collar grit. Instead, it ventured into the realm of infidelity, albeit with a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek approach.
The song, the lead single from Keith’s Greatest Hits 2 compilation, became a massive success, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. But its popularity wasn’t without its share of raised eyebrows.
Stays in Mexico wasn’t just a hit song; it was a cultural touchstone. It sparked conversations about fidelity, the nature of marriage, and the seductive power of a tropical escape
So, the next time you hear the opening chords of Stays in Mexico, take a moment to appreciate the story it tells. It’s a song about more than just a weekend fling in paradise.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
His name was SteveHer name was GinaYou’ve never been here before have you?They met at a bar called Caboapo CantinaHe was an instant salesman from South DakotaShe was a first grade school teacher Phoenix ArizonaNo, my first time hereThey started dancing and it got real hotThen it spilled over to the parking lotOne more tequila they were falling in loveOne more is never enoughDon’t bite off more than you can chewThere’s things down here the devil himself wouldn’t doJust remember when you let it all goWhat happens down in MexicoStays in MexicoHe woke up in the morning and he made a little telephone callTo check on his wife and his kids back at home in Sioux FallsShe hopped right in the shower with a heavy heavy mindWhat am I doing?He knew it was the first time Gina had ever crossed that lineThey walked down to the beach and started drinking againJumped into the ocean for a dirty swimOne more margarita they were falling in loveOne more is never enough
Harley