Mexican Radio
Encyclopedia
"Mexican Radio" is a song written and performed by the band Wall of Voodoo
, and produced by Richard Mazda
. The track was initially made commercially available on their 1983
album Call of the West
. The song peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart in the U.S. while peaking at #64 in the U.K, #33 in Australia, and #21 in New Zealand.
and guitarist Marc Moreland
traced the inspiration for the song to listening to high-wattage unregulated AM Mexican radio stations
(among them XERF, XEG, and XERB).
Marc Moreland was the first to begin writing the song, which in a recorded interview in the '90s he stated, "It was basically just me singing 'I'm on a Mexican radio' over and over again". Moreland stated when he played it for his mother she hated it because of his repetitious lyrics. Stan Ridgway co-wrote with Moreland to finish the song, and added all the verse's lyrics to Moreland's chorus and guitar lick as well as the "mariachi" harmonica melody in the song's middle breakdown. When performing live with Wall Of Voodoo, Stan usually played the mariachi melody via an organ/synthesizer and Bill Noland used a synthesizer to play the melody when performing with Wall Of Voodoo in the 1982-1983 years.
The 7" single version differs in a few areas from the album cut, most notably in the way Ridgway's vocals are mixed, as well as a loud Spanish-speaking DJ voice at the beginning and end of the song. Also, the DJ voice is dramatically different from the one heard in the Call Of The West version. A louder snare drum part is also noticeable in the song's chorus. The single mix is sometimes called the "oleo" mix, because Ridgway chants "radio, radio, oleo, radio" at the song's end, rather than "radio, radio, radio, radio" as he does on the album version. There is also an absence of the pulsing, mangled synth noise that is heard at the end of the song on the album version, but it is louder at the beginning in this version as well as during the song's midway instrumental break.
It was rumored that Wall Of Voodoo drummer Joe Nanini was very difficult to work with at times in the studio when the group were recording their 1982 LP, Call Of The West, on which "Mexican Radio" appeared. On "Mexican Radio" in particular, it has been said that Joe was a little upset when Richard Mazda suggested a snare drum hit on the chorus of the song. Joe ultimately refused to cooperate, leading Mazda to recording the snare part himself, and with the band's acceptance the snare appeared in the final mix of the song.
-based punk rock band Authority Zero
featured a cover version on their 2004
album Andiamo with slightly modified lyrics; for instance, "They talk about the U.S. inflation" was replaced with "They talk about the Iraq
invasion".
Kinky
, a Mexican electronic/rock band from Monterrey
Mexico has covered this song as well. They kept the upbeat rhythm of the song with their own electronic twist and added some lyrics in Spanish. This version is in their album Reina De Lujo, and their Sassy EP, and also is featured in Need for Speed Undercover.
Bruce Lash gave the song the bossa nova treatment on his 2004 album, "Prozak for Lovers II" which also includes easy-listening versions of Nirvana
's "Lithium" and Joan Jett
's "Bad Reputation" among others.
Mike Keneally
has played the song in live concerts with his band, Beer for Dolphins.
The intro synthesizer was sampled by the hip-hop group Cannibal Ox
in the song "Iron Galaxy".
Atlanta-based band doubleDrive
covered the song as a hidden track in their 1000 Yard Stare album.
Swiss metal band Celtic Frost
have also covered the song. They put it as the first song on their third album Into the Pandemonium
.
South Park Mexican
has a somewhat different version of the song, keeping the chorus more or less intact, but writing a completely new set of verses.
The math rock
band Polvo
contributed a cover of the song to Tannis Root Presents: Freedom of Choice, a 1992 sampler to benefit Planned Parenthood
.
A first-person rendition ("I'm a Mexican / On the radio") appears on the album Graciasland by El Vez
, the "Mexican Elvis".
French band Nouvelle Vague
, who specialise in bossa nova covers of New Wave tracks, performed this song live in London on November 25, 2006.
Dutch
band Gruppo Sportivo
covered the song on their 1987 album "Back to 19 Mistakes".
Austin, Texas
band Vallejo
covered the song on their album "Stereo" in 2002.
s on the telephone
").
Wall of Voodoo
Wall of Voodoo was an American New Wave group from Los Angeles best known for the 1983 hit "Mexican Radio". The band had a sound that was a fusion of synthesizer-based New Wave music with the spaghetti western soundtrack style of Ennio Morricone.-Formation:...
, and produced by Richard Mazda
Richard Mazda
Richard Mazda is a record producer, writer and musician. In later life he also became an actor and director.-Music career:Mazda was one of the co-founders of Poole punk/mod band Tours, singing and playing lead guitar. They signed to Virgin Records in 1979 after selling large quantities of their...
. The track was initially made commercially available on their 1983
1983 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1983.-January-April:*January – ZTT Records is founded.*January 8 – The UK singles chart is tabulated from this week forward by The Gallup Organization...
album Call of the West
Call of the West
Call of the West is the second studio album by Los Angeles new wave band Wall of Voodoo, released in 1983. "Mexican Radio", released as a single and as a video that received moderate airplay on MTV), is the group's most well-known song....
. The song peaked at #58 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in the U.S. while peaking at #64 in the U.K, #33 in Australia, and #21 in New Zealand.
Background
Wall of Voodoo lead singer and player of organ, synthesizer and harmonica, Stan RidgwayStan Ridgway
Stanard 'Stan' Ridgway is an American multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, dramatic lyrical narratives, and eclectic solo albums and was the original lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo...
and guitarist Marc Moreland
Marc Moreland
Marc Moreland was an American rock musician. He was the former guitarist for new wave band Wall of Voodoo, punk band The Skulls, and rock bands Pretty and Twisted and Department of Crooks...
traced the inspiration for the song to listening to high-wattage unregulated AM Mexican radio stations
Border blaster
A border blaster is a licensed commercial radio station that transmits at very high power from one nation to another. Border blasters should not be confused with international broadcast stations...
(among them XERF, XEG, and XERB).
Marc Moreland was the first to begin writing the song, which in a recorded interview in the '90s he stated, "It was basically just me singing 'I'm on a Mexican radio' over and over again". Moreland stated when he played it for his mother she hated it because of his repetitious lyrics. Stan Ridgway co-wrote with Moreland to finish the song, and added all the verse's lyrics to Moreland's chorus and guitar lick as well as the "mariachi" harmonica melody in the song's middle breakdown. When performing live with Wall Of Voodoo, Stan usually played the mariachi melody via an organ/synthesizer and Bill Noland used a synthesizer to play the melody when performing with Wall Of Voodoo in the 1982-1983 years.
The 7" single version differs in a few areas from the album cut, most notably in the way Ridgway's vocals are mixed, as well as a loud Spanish-speaking DJ voice at the beginning and end of the song. Also, the DJ voice is dramatically different from the one heard in the Call Of The West version. A louder snare drum part is also noticeable in the song's chorus. The single mix is sometimes called the "oleo" mix, because Ridgway chants "radio, radio, oleo, radio" at the song's end, rather than "radio, radio, radio, radio" as he does on the album version. There is also an absence of the pulsing, mangled synth noise that is heard at the end of the song on the album version, but it is louder at the beginning in this version as well as during the song's midway instrumental break.
It was rumored that Wall Of Voodoo drummer Joe Nanini was very difficult to work with at times in the studio when the group were recording their 1982 LP, Call Of The West, on which "Mexican Radio" appeared. On "Mexican Radio" in particular, it has been said that Joe was a little upset when Richard Mazda suggested a snare drum hit on the chorus of the song. Joe ultimately refused to cooperate, leading Mazda to recording the snare part himself, and with the band's acceptance the snare appeared in the final mix of the song.
Cover versions
ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
-based punk rock band Authority Zero
Authority Zero
Authority Zero is a punk rock band from Mesa, Arizona. The band's style is rooted in reggae and skate punk, with Bad Religion, Pennywise, and Sublime cited as influences. The band also draws from Spanish/Portuguese influences.-History:...
featured a cover version on their 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
album Andiamo with slightly modified lyrics; for instance, "They talk about the U.S. inflation" was replaced with "They talk about the Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
invasion".
Kinky
Kinky (band)
Kinky is a five-member band from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, formed in 1998 as part of the Avanzada Regia musical movement and consisting of Gilberto Cerezo, Ulises Lozano, Carlos Chairez, Omar Góngora, and Cesar Pliego. The band's music is heavily influenced by Latin music, rock, dance, and...
, a Mexican electronic/rock band from Monterrey
Monterrey
Monterrey , is the capital city of the northeastern state of Nuevo León in the country of Mexico. The city is anchor to the third-largest metropolitan area in Mexico and is ranked as the ninth-largest city in the nation. Monterrey serves as a commercial center in the north of the country and is the...
Mexico has covered this song as well. They kept the upbeat rhythm of the song with their own electronic twist and added some lyrics in Spanish. This version is in their album Reina De Lujo, and their Sassy EP, and also is featured in Need for Speed Undercover.
Bruce Lash gave the song the bossa nova treatment on his 2004 album, "Prozak for Lovers II" which also includes easy-listening versions of Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
's "Lithium" and Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
's "Bad Reputation" among others.
Mike Keneally
Mike Keneally
Michael Joseph Keneally is an American guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist and composer. Allmusic says: "With his wide-ranging talents and ability to be creative in almost any musical situation, Keneally is the leading progressive rock genius of the post-Zappa era."Born on Long Island, New York, he...
has played the song in live concerts with his band, Beer for Dolphins.
The intro synthesizer was sampled by the hip-hop group Cannibal Ox
Cannibal Ox
Cannibal Ox, also known as CanOx, is an abstract hip hop duo from Harlem, New York City. Its members include Vast Aire and Vordul Mega. They are often accompanied by DJ Cip-One...
in the song "Iron Galaxy".
Atlanta-based band doubleDrive
Doubledrive
The band, doubleDrive , was a rock band from Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:Originally called MK Ultra, doubleDrive arrived on the music scene in their hometown of Atlanta in late 1996...
covered the song as a hidden track in their 1000 Yard Stare album.
Swiss metal band Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost
Celtic Frost was a metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. They are known for their heavy influence on the extreme metal genres. The group was first active from 1984 to 1993, and re-formed in 2001. Following Tom Gabriel Fischer's departure in 2008, Celtic Frost decided to break up again...
have also covered the song. They put it as the first song on their third album Into the Pandemonium
Into the Pandemonium
Into the Pandemonium is the 1987 album by avant-garde metal band Celtic Frost. The album is more varied than many of Celtic Frost's past LPs, with unlikely covers , emotionally charged love songs, the album's recurring industrial-influenced rhythmic songs of demons and destruction and thrash metal...
.
South Park Mexican
South Park Mexican
Carlos Coy , better known by his stage name South Park Mexican, is an American rapper, founder of Dope House Records, and convicted felon...
has a somewhat different version of the song, keeping the chorus more or less intact, but writing a completely new set of verses.
The math rock
Math rock
Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock that emerged in the 1980s and that was very influenced by progressive rock like King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Henry Cow - and 20th century composers such as Steve Reich and John Cage...
band Polvo
Polvo
Polvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
contributed a cover of the song to Tannis Root Presents: Freedom of Choice, a 1992 sampler to benefit Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
.
A first-person rendition ("I'm a Mexican / On the radio") appears on the album Graciasland by El Vez
El Vez
El Vez is the stage name of Robert Lopez, a Mexican-American rock and roll artist, who performs and records original material and covers classic rock songs...
, the "Mexican Elvis".
French band Nouvelle Vague
Nouvelle Vague (band)
Nouvelle Vague is a French musical collective led by musicians Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux. Their name is a play on words, meaning "new wave" in French, and "bossa nova" in Portuguese...
, who specialise in bossa nova covers of New Wave tracks, performed this song live in London on November 25, 2006.
Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
band Gruppo Sportivo
Gruppo Sportivo
Gruppo Sportivo are a Dutch pop band, from The Hague, formed in 1976, who enjoyed some measure of international success in the late 1970s and 1980s...
covered the song on their 1987 album "Back to 19 Mistakes".
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
band Vallejo
Vallejo (band)
Vallejo is a rock band based in Austin, Texas, but formed in El Campo, Texas and Alabaster, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. Albums include their self-titled 1997 debut and Beautiful Life released in 1998, both on the TVT label, and Into the New, released by Sony in 2000. In 2002, Vallejo...
covered the song on their album "Stereo" in 2002.
Music video
The music video for the song consist of the band performing in a studio decorated like the album cover. Interspersed are images of typical Mexican life and, near the end, the band are shown operating their own radio station (a reference to the lyric, "I'd take requestRequest
Request may refer to:*a question*in computer science, a message sent between objects*in computer science, a request in Hypertext Transfer Protocol*ReQuest Dance Crew, a hip-hop dance crew from New Zealand*Request TV, a defunct pay-per-view service...
s on the telephone
Telephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
").