Quotation-John-Barrowman-humor-people-moments-song-thought-music-pleasure-happiness-Meetville-Quotes-149758Music mixes with Mexico like chips go with salsa. It’s hard to have one without the other. Here you are, driving in your car, another day at the office and suddenly a song pops on the radio—or your iPod or whatever techy device you now use—and instantly your mind drifts to the Mexico seashore. Visions of walking barefoot through the soft sands of the Sea of Cortez, the vast landscape shining with glittering diamonds on the blue water and a large smile firmly planted on your face. You are happy, relaxed and content. You want to be here now.

Music has added magical power to my life; a time traveling vehicle to go from here to there in seconds. Perhaps it’s had the same time traveling essence on you? One moment you can be stressed with all the worries of the day, work, kids, family and then your ears detect a melody and you escape for a moment, whether you step in an elevator, start your car, walk into a café or put your earbuds in and magically—just as I imagine time travel would work—you are transported into another place in time.

If it’s a romantic ballad, maybe you are thinking of your spouse or lover. If it’s an old love song, you might get transported back to high school, your first crush flashing through your mind. Music has a way of alerting the senses—hey you…remember when this song was playing?—and conjuring up the memories of times gone by.

Mexico memories have their own special playlist in my mind. A certain song comes on and I am transported instantly back to Puerto Peñasco, a sailing trip on a friends boat, a day spent with friends and family lounging on beach chairs under a palapa, a day bar hopping in Old Port or simply sitting with friends under a Cholla Bay starry sky.

Whatever your taste in music is, why not make a Mexico playlist? Heck, make one every time you go down for a weekend or have visitors come to your Mexican hideaway. Music is the melody of time travel and memories, it should be shared and not forgotten.

In case you need some help, here is a starter Mexican playlist I put together with a little help from my friends on Facebook.

 

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination

and life to everything.”

― Plato

 

Top 30 songs to make you think of Mexico (go ahead make a playlist!)

1. That’s Why God Made Mexico- Tim McGraw and the Dance Hall Doctors

2. Mexico Moonshine- Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers (RPCM)

3. Mexico- James Taylor

4. Hero- Enrique Iglesias(Spanish and English version)

5. Between God and Country- Andy Hersey

6. Besame Mucho- variety of artists

7. I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing- Aerosmith

8. Back Against the Wall- Euphoria

9. Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet

10. Mexico-Refreshments/RCPM

11. Beer in Mexico- Kenny Chesney

12. Love Shack-B52’s

13. Kokomo-Beach Boys

14. Maybe Mexico- Jerry Jeff Walker

15. Switchblade-RCPM

16. Road to Nowhere- Talking Heads

17. I’m on a Boat- TPain joins Lonely Island

18. Mañana- RCPM

19. Stays in Mexico – Toby Keith

20. I know you want me- Pitbull

21. La Bamba- Los Lobos

22. Oye Como Va -Santana

23. La Cucaracha- Los Lobos

24. Tequila makes her clothes fall off- Joe Nichols

25. Sailing-Christopher Cross

26. South of the Border- Frank Sinatra

27. Tequila Sunrise- Eagles

28. Leaky Little Boat- RCPM

29. Free- Zac Brown Band

30. Border song- Eric Clapton

 

Make your own playlist and feel free to share it on line. But whatever you do, listen to the music, take your flippy flops off, and dance in the sand…I dare you

 

“Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music.”

― George Carlin

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

― Bob Marley

Anita Kaltenbaugh is the Mexico travel examiner at examiner.com and author of the book “Travel Secrets- Insider guide to planning, affording and taking more vacations” available at Amazon.com.