The Tijuana Jail

The Kingston Trio

About The Tijuana Jail

"The Tijuana Jail" is a song written by Denny Thompson and performed by The Kingston Trio. It reached #12 on the US pop chart in 1959. The song was ranked #77 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 singles of 1959.


Year:
2005
2:51
61 

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We went one day about a month ago (a-ha-ha)
To have a little fu-un (a-ha) Mexico
We ended up in a gambling spot (oh yeah) a-ha-ha
Where the liquor flow-owed and the dice were hot

So here we a-are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain't got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we'll sta-ay 'cause we can't pa-a-a-a-ay
Just send our ma-ail to the Tijuana Jail

I was shootin' dice, rakin' in the dough (long green)
And then I hea-ard the whistle blow
We started to run when a man in blue
Said "Señor, come with me 'cause I want you."

So here we a-are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain't got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we'll sta-ay 'cause we can't pay
Just send our mail to the Tijuana Jail (shout)

Just five hundred dollars and they'll set us free
I couldn't raise a penny if ya threatened me
I know five hundred don't sound like much
But just try to find somebody to touch

So here we are in the Tijuana Jail
Ain't got no frie-ends to go our bail
So here we'll sta-ay 'cause we can't pay
Just send our mai-il to the Tijuana Jail 

So here we a-are in the Tijuana Ja-a-a-a-il
Ain't got no frie-eh-ends to go our bail
So here we'll sta-ay 'cause we can't pa-ay
Just send our mai-il to the Tijuana Jail

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The Kingston Trio

The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds. It rose to international popularity, fueled by unprecedented sales of 33⅓ rpm long-playing record albums (LPs), and helped to alter the direction of popular music in the U.S. more »

4 fans

Written by: DENNY THOMPSON

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Classification
"The Tijuana Jail" was recorded by the American folk and pop music group, The Kingston Trio. The song falls under the genres of American folk music and pop.
Release Date
The song was released in 1959, during the time when the band was at the height of their popularity.
Songwriters
"The Tijuana Jail" was written by Denny Thompson. However, it is known for the notable performance of The Kingston Trio.
Chart Performance
Despite its controversial themes, the song managed to reach #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959. It also reached #11 on the R&B chart.
Controversy
The song tells a story about a night of debauchery that lands the subject in a Mexican jail, unable to secure their release. This caused a stir as the song was released during a more conservative time in music history.
Banning Incident
The song was initially banned from the radio due to its perceived celebration of reckless behavior and law-breaking.
Song Influence
Despite the conservative reactions to its release, "The Tijuana Jail" went on to influence other artists and shaped the rebellious, freedom-seeking spirit that would define much of the rock, folk, and pop music of the 1960s.
Different Versions
The Kingston Trio often performed live versions of the song which varied slightly from the recorded studio version, adding to its appeal and showing the band's improvisational skills.
Album Inclusion
"The Tijuana Jail" was included in The Kingston Trio's "Live at the Crazy Horse" album, which was released in 1994.
Legacy
Despite initial controversy, "The Tijuana Jail" has stood the test of time and remains one of the more recognized songs from The Kingston Trio. It represents both the band's ability to tackle controversial topics and their skill at crafting catchy folk-pop tunes.

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    The Tijuana Jail

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1959

    Billboard #12


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