It was a moonlit night in Old Mexico.
I walked alone between some old adobe haciendas.
Suddenly, I heard the plaintive cry of a young Mexican girl:
La la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la
la la la la.
You better come home Speedy Gonzales, away from tannery row.
Stop all of your drinking with that floosie named Flo!
Come on home to your adobe and slap some mud on the wall!
The roof is leaking like a strainer. There's loads of roaches in the
hall.
(La la la la)
Speedy Gonzales (Speedy Gonzales),
why don't you come home?
Speedy Gonzales (Speedy Gonzales),
how come you leave me all alone?
"He, Rosita, I have to go shopping downtown for my mother,
she needs some Tortillias and Chilli Pepper!"
La, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la
la la.
Your doggie's gonna have a puppy, and we're running out of Coke.
no enchiladas in the icebox, and the television's broke.
I saw some lipstick on your sweatshirt, I smell some perfume in your
ear.
Well, if you're gonna keep on messin', don't bring your business back
a-here.
(La la la la)
Mmm, Speedy Gonzales (Speedy Gonzales),
why don't you come home?
Speedy Gonzales (Speedy Gonzales),
how come you leave me all alone?
"He, Rosita, come quick!
Down at the cantina, they're giving green stamps with Tequila!"
La, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la
la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la, la la la
la la la la la.
Speedy Gonzales
Speedy Gonzales Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
The song "Speedy Gonzales" presents a lively narrative centered around a domestic situation in what is depicted as Old Mexico. The story unfolds through a spoken introduction setting the scene, the lament of a young woman named Rosita, and brief, seemingly flippant interjections from the character Speedy Gonzales himself. The core of the song is Rosita's exasperated plea for Speedy to return home and address the numerous problems plaguing their shared life and dwelling.
Rosita's verses paint a vivid, albeit slightly comedic, picture of neglect and disarray. She lists a series of urgent issues: a leaking roof, a cockroach infestation, a lack of basic necessities like food and beverages, and a broken television. Beyond the household repairs and provisions needed, her words also hint at deeper concerns about Speedy's behavior. She mentions seeing lipstick on his clothing and smelling perfume, strongly suggesting suspicions of infidelity or at least frequenting establishments where such encounters might occur. Her frustration is palpable as she warns him against bringing such "business" back home.
Speedy's responses, delivered as spoken asides, starkly contrast with Rosita's anxious calls. He offers seemingly trivial excuses for his absence, initially claiming he needs to shop for his mother. Later, he excitedly announces the availability of free tequila, highlighting his focus on immediate gratification and social activities over domestic responsibilities or Rosita's feelings. These brief appearances underscore the central conflict: Speedy's apparent irresponsibility and desire for leisure versus Rosita's yearning for him to be a stable presence and partner.
The song's structure, alternating between Rosita's sung verses and chorus and Speedy's spoken lines, along with the catchy "La la la" refrain, contributes to its memorable and somewhat lighthearted feel, despite the underlying theme of relationship strain. Rosita's repeated call in the chorus, asking why he won't come home and leaves her alone, serves as the emotional anchor, conveying her isolation and desire for connection amidst the chaos and neglect she describes. The portrayal employs character archetypes and a setting that reflects popular cultural representations of the time, creating a narrative that is easy to follow and entertaining, capturing the dynamic of a frustrated partner dealing with a seemingly carefree, errant individual.
