Mala Vida

This article is about the Mano Negra song. For the Argentine film, see La Mala Vida.
"Mala Vida"
Song by Mano Negra
from the album Patchanka
Released1988 (1988)
Genre
Length2:53
LabelBoucherie 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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Data, Juan (13 December 2010). "Video: Nouvelle Vague covers Manu Chao at airport". Remezcla. Mosaico Media. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  3. ^ Nickson, Chris. "Patchanka - Mano Negra". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  4. ^ 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.