| "Mala Vida" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Mano Negra | |
| from the album Patchanka | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:53 |
| Label | Boucherie Productions/Virgin France |
| Songwriter(s) | Manu Chao |
| Producer(s) | Mano Negra |
"Mala Vida" is the second single[1] by French rock group Mano Negra, appearing on their 1988 debut album Patchanka. Written by lead singer Manu Chao, the song also appeared on a 1984 demo tape of the same name by Hot Pants, a predecessor to Mano Negra. "Mala Vida" was an early hit for Mano Negra[2] and became a staple of the band's live shows[3] and has been covered by several artists. The song has also been performed by Chao as a solo artist; a live performance of the song by Chao was recorded for his 2002 album Radio Bemba Sound System. Boucherie Productions, who published Patchanka, financed a music video for the song, which received airplay on national radio stations and TV channels in France.[4] Mano Negra's success with the release of "Mala Vida" led the band to a contract with Virgin.[1]
Cover versions
Notable cover versions of "Mala Vida" include:
- Yuri Buenaventura, on the 2001 tribute album Mano Negra Illegal
- Café Tacuba, on their 2005 live album Un Viaje (album)
- Gogol Bordello, on their 2005 EP East Infection
- Nouvelle Vague featuring Olivia Ruiz, on their 2010 album Couleurs Sur Paris
- Элизиум (Elisium), on their 2014 album Cover Day
- Belgian pop-punk band Janez Detd.
References
- ^ a b Gebesmair, Andreas (2002). "Hybrids in the Global Economy of Music". In Steingress, Gerhard (ed.). Songs of the Minotaur: Hybridity and Popular Music in the Era of Globalization. Münster: LIT Verlag. p. 15. ISBN 3825863638. OCLC 51169913. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ Data, Juan (13 December 2010). "Video: Nouvelle Vague covers Manu Chao at airport". Remezcla. Mosaico Media. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ Nickson, Chris. "Patchanka - Mano Negra". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ Lebrun, Barbara (2009). Protest Music in France: Production, Identity and Audiences. Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate. p. 31. ISBN 978-0754694649. OCLC 432995828. Retrieved 9 November 2013.