This is a song
About best friends
John Roy
Was a boy I knew
Since he was three
And I was two
Grew up two little houses
Down from me
The only two bad apples
On our family tree
Kind of ripened and rotted
In our puberty
Two kindred spirits bound by destiny
Well now I was smart
But I lacked ambition
Johnny was wild
With no inhibition
Was about like mixin
Fire and gasoline
(And he’d say)
Hey Romeo
Let’s go down to Mexico
Chase senoritas
Drink ourselves silly
Show them Mexican girls
A couple of real hillbillies
Got a pocket full of cash
And that old Ford truck
A fuzzy cat hangin
From the mirror for luck
Said don’t you know
All those little
Brown-eyed girls
Want playboys of the southwestern world
Long around
Our eighteenth year
We found two plane tickets
The hell out of here
Got scholarships
To some small town
School in Texas
Learned to drink Sangria
Til the dawns early light
Eat eggs Ranchero
And throw up all night
And tell those daddy’s girls
We were majoring in a rodeo
Ah but my
Favorite memory
At school that fall
Was the night John Roy
Came runnin down the hall
Wearin nothin
But cowboy boots
And a big sombrero
(And he was yellin)
Hey Romeo
Let’s go down to Mexico
Chase senoritas
Drink ourselves silly
Show them Mexican girls
A couple of real hillbillies
Got a pocket full of cash
And that old Ford truck
A fuzzy cat hangin
From the mirror for luck
Said don’t you know
All those little
Brown-eyed girls
Want playboys of the southwestern world
And I said
We had a little
Change in plans
Like when Paul McCartney
Got busted in Japan
And I said
We got waylaid
When we laid foot
On Mexican soil
See the boarder guard
With the Fu Manchu mustache
Kind of stumbled on John’s
Pocket full of American cash
He said
Doin a little funny business
In Mexico Amigo
But all I could think about
Was savin my own tail
When he mentioned ten years
In a Mexican jail
So I pointed to John Roy and said
It’s all his now please let me go
Well it was your idea genius
I was just layin there in bed
When you said
Hey Romeo
Let’s go down to Mexico
Chase senoritas
Drink ourselves silly
Show them Mexican girls
A couple of real hillbillies
Got a pocket full of cash
And that old Ford truck
A fuzzy cat hangin
From the mirror for luck
Said don’t you know
All those little
Brown-eyed girls
Want playboys of the southwestern world
Ah we’re still best friends
Temporary cell mates
Brotherhood, Mischief, and Southern Charm
“Playboys Of The Southwestern World” by Blake Shelton captures the wild, unbreakable bond between two lifelong friends as they chase adventure and trouble from their small-town roots to the sun-soaked freedom of Mexico. Through vivid storytelling, the song paints a picture of two mischievous boys, John Roy and the narrator, whose friendship is built on risk-taking, laughter, and shared dreams of escape. Their reckless escapades—filled with drunken nights, flirtatious encounters, and brushes with the law—reveal a deep nostalgia for youth and the kind of loyalty that survives every high and low.
The Irresistible Allure of Adventure
Shelton’s lyrics are laced with humor and warmth, drawing listeners into a whirlwind of impulsive decisions and unforgettable memories. The recurring chorus highlights the duo’s quest for fun and connection, particularly with the “brown-eyed girls” of the Southwest. As their adventures spiral out of control, the narrative cleverly illustrates how friendship can turn even the stickiest situations into legendary stories worth telling.
Song Credits
- Artist: Blake Shelton
- Songwriters: Neal Coty, Randy VanWarmer
- Release Year: 2003
- Label: Warner Bros. Nashville