Improve your listening and writing skills by filling in the blanks in the song lyrics. These activities are designed for Beginners and Intermediates so that they can learn new vocabulary related to a specific topic in a quick and fun way.
The exercise we propose today is an R&B oldie from the 1950’s, Down in Mexico by the rhythm & blues band The Coasters. This was the band’s first hit single and was used decades later by Quentin Tarantino in his film Death Proof. Tarantino is well known for creating amazing soundtracks for his films, selecting great songs and mixing them into the stories of his movies. The best know Tarantino soundtrack is probably that of Pulp Fiction.
Down in Mexico tells the story of a guy who travels south of the border to a bar in Mexico. The “crazy little place” is owned by “a cat” named Joe. The “honky tonk” bar and its owner are described in the lyrics, using a lot of slang from that time that is still in use today. Have fun!
Exercise
Fill in the missing words. ⇩
Grammar – Adverbial Phrases of Place 
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Adverbial Phrases of Place
- We use ADVERBS OF PLACE to talk about WHERE something happens. We usually place ADVERBS OF PLACE at the end of a sentence. Sometimes we place them at the beginning (more common in writing than in speaking).
- We can use ADVERBS OF PLACE to talk about the location of something. Common examples of these adverbs include: here, there, inside, outside, indoors, outdoors, upstairs, and downstairs.
- “My aunt lives there.”
- “Please come here.”
- “Is the dog outside?”
- “Children, please don’t run indoors!”
- “My papa is upstairs.”
- “We keep jars and cans in the basement, downstairs.”
- -PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES can be ADVERBS OF PLACE, also:
- “You can sit next to me.”
- “My uncle is in Chicago.”
- “It is warm by the fire.“
- -We use ADVERBS OF PLACE to talk about direction and distance as well. Common examples of these adverbs include: into, past, to the end, abroad, overseas, nearby, far, next door, and down the street.
- “Get into the car.”
- “Walk past the police station and turn left.”
- “I live abroad.”
- “Sam’s house is nearby.”
- “Is it very far from here?”
- “It’s just next door.”
- Remember, we sometimes use “Up” and “Down” in English to talk about movement that is not vertical!
- “Come up to visit me!”
- “Go down the street!”
- “My house is up from the fire station.”
Related Course Units
Unit 78 – Prepositions of Movement 
Don’t miss our latest song lyric activities. By creating a habit step-by-step, you will be able to shape your learning path while doing activities you love.
Which song would you like to practise with next?
This song is so good. But it was dificult to understand. I love Blue and Jazz.
You have good taste Rodolfo! Thanks for sharing and keep the good work!
Same here!!! Very difficult to understand!!!
Thanks
I don’t understand. Hy
I have a lot of problems to understand a lot of songs. I think there are a lot of slang and the meaning often is very personal.
I like this song but it’s hard to understand it