About the song
Toby Keith has always had a knack for storytelling. Whether he’s singing about patriotic pride, barroom brawls, or broken hearts, there’s something undeniably compelling about the way he spins a tale. With “Stays in Mexico,” released in 2004 as part of his Greatest Hits 2 album, Keith steps into the realm of sun-soaked escapism — a place where the rules of everyday life get a little blurry and decisions are made in the heat of the moment, often with a margarita in hand.
Set against the sultry backdrop of Cabo San Lucas, the song paints a vivid picture of a spontaneous romantic rendezvous between two strangers — Steve, a salesman from Sioux Falls, and Gina, a first-grade teacher from Phoenix. Both are on vacation, both are married to other people, and both find themselves caught up in the kind of impulsive fling that’s as fleeting as it is forbidden. The song’s title, “What happens down in Mexico stays in Mexico,” echoes the familiar phrase used to justify a little harmless (or not-so-harmless) mischief while on vacation. It’s a theme that’s been played with before in popular culture, but Keith brings a distinctly country flavor to it, blending playful lyrics with a laid-back, south-of-the-border rhythm that makes it as catchy as it is provocative.
What’s especially interesting about “Stays in Mexico” is how it walks the line between humor and moral ambiguity. Keith doesn’t offer judgment or resolution; instead, he just tells the story and lets listeners draw their own conclusions. There’s no lesson learned, no comeuppance — just a vivid snapshot of human temptation and the strange kind of freedom people sometimes seek when they leave their daily lives behind.
Musically, the track leans into a Tex-Mex feel, with bright guitar licks and a toe-tapping groove that mirrors the warmth and mischief of its narrative. It’s a fun listen, yes — but like many of Keith’s best songs, it also invites a deeper look at the choices people make when they’re trying to outrun their own responsibilities, even if just for a weekend.
Whether you see it as a cautionary tale or a cheeky celebration of recklessness, one thing’s certain — “Stays in Mexico” is classic Toby Keith: bold, memorable, and just a little bit dangerous.
Video
Lyrics
His name was Steve,
Her name was Gina,
(Spoken) You’ve never been here before have you?
They met at a bar called Caboapo Cantina,
He was a salesman from South Dakota,
She was a first grade school teacher Phoenix Arizona,
(Spoken) No, my first time here
They started dancing and it got real hot,
Then it spilled over to the parking lot,
One more tequila they were falling in love,
One more is never enough[Chorus:]
Don’t bite off more than you can chew,
There’s things down here the devil himself wouldn’t do,
Just remember when you let it all go,
What happens in Mexico,
Stays in MexicoHe woke up in the morning and he made a little telephone call,
To check on his wife and his kids back at home in Sioux Falls,
She hopped right in the shower with a heavy heavy mind,
(Spoken) What am I doing?
He knew it was the first time Gina had ever crossed that line,
They walked down to the beach and started drinking again,
Jumped into the ocean for a dirty swim,
One more margarita they were falling in love,
One more is never enough[Chorus]
Oh Mexico
Waiting at the bar at the terminal gate,
She says ‘Steve I gotta go, I’m going to miss my plane’
He said one more tequila before you climb on up,
She said one more is never enough[Chorus]
Stays in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico,
Stays in Mexico,
Oh Mexico
