Song Lyric Meaning - Should know but don't

[MontaukTrl]

In the song Banana Republics (an underrated favorite of mine) there is a line: "Spending those renegade pesos on a bottle of rum and a lime." My question focuses on the words "Renegade Pesos" seems like I should know what that means but for the life of me I cannot figure it out. A little hlp?

Thanks,

[urlcenter]

In order to understand Jimmy's lyrics about "Renegade Pesos" you need to review, the second verse of the song which describes the different types of people one might find in so called Banana Republics:

Some of them go for the sailing
Brought by the lure of the sea
Tryin' to find what is ailing
Living in the land of the free
Some of them are running to lovers
Leaving no forward address
Some of them are running tons of ganja
Some are running from the IRS

The people Jimmy sings about in the second verse can all be called renegades as the word renegade is defined as follows:

"a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles."

Thus when Jimmy sings the third verse, he describes the night time activity of the people mentioned in verse 2

Late at night you will find them
In the cheap hotels and bars
Hustling the senioritas
While they dance beneath the stars
Spending those renegade pesos
On a bottle of rum and a lime
Singin' give me some words I can dance to
Or a melody that rhymes

The words "renegade pesos" refers to money the renegades spend, as the peso has been a common form of currency in many places that have been referred to as "Banana Republics"

The words "On a bottle of rum and a lime" refer to the two key ingredients in a "Daiquiri"

[LIPH]

In order to understand Jimmy's lyrics ...

They're "Jimmy's lyrics" only in the sense that he sings them. Banana Republics was written by Steve Goodman.

[FinsUp6835]

Great song. Jimmy makes it magical.


Sail on, Stevie Goodman.

[wanderingtoes]

All very well said, I too love that song and have heard it a few times live, it feels like a freedom song, an escape lifestyle for a long list of reasons that Jimmy sings about, including those "Renegade Pesos"! Although Steve deservedly gets the credit for the writing, Jimmy has done a lot for the promotion of a bottle of Rum and a lime!