My Gen X Playlist: Mexican Radio – Wall of Voodoo

For years I’ve thought about visiting Portland, Oregon. I’m no hipster, but the slogan Keep Portland Weird got me. How could you not want to visit with a tagline like that? A few weeks ago we jumped on a plane to check it out.

Because I occasionally roast my own coffee beans, I was drawn to the coffee culture in the city. I tried a number of local roasters’ brew and enjoyed every sip. And what goes perfectly with coffee? Donuts. Specifically, Voodoo Donuts. Apparently, there is a donut culture in Portland, too. I savored my Captain Crunch donut while sipping a hot delicious cup of Joe. Heaven. Coffee and Voodoo Donuts were the perfect pairing as we explored the city…

Wall of Voodoo released Mexican Radio in 1982. I always thought this was a bizarre song, but it was also catchy, too.

To some, it’s a one-hit wonder. To others, it’s just part of the catalog of songs. To the great wide open American world public, ‘Mexican Radio’ is known in America; when I go to Europe, it was never anything there. The song over there is ‘Camouflage.’ I go to Switzerland or Germany and it’s a song called ‘Calling Out To Carol’ which was on Mosquitoes. So I’m not trying to overly wave my flag here, but there’s lots of songs, and every song is part of a symphony, it’s the only way you can look at it. And philosophically speaking, as an artist, first impressions are hard to beat.

– songfacts

I like that each area has their own Wall of Voodoo flavor. And this shouldn’t be a surprise. Most places have their own unique thing, their own taste and culture. Portland is just a hop, skip and a jump away from Los Angeles, but it couldn’t have been more different – and I like it like that. For the love of God, who ever thought there was something such as donut culture? Genius. Pure genius. All I can say is thank goodness for keeping Portland weird. I’m sure the locals wouldn’t have it any other way. Neither would I.

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

[Spoken]
One-double-oh-seven (100.7)
This is for you fellas
Ha ha ha
Something I cooked up the Dope House
In my kitchen ha ha ha yeah

[Verse One]
Roll Cadillacs never lie on ravs
Smoke killer herb till my lungs collapse
Lost two grand last night shooting craps
then I hit the Ritz and bought a few laps
Just got a letter from my old best friend
Doing twenty-five in the federal pen
Wanna come home but he said until then
Could I look over his three children
They wake em up at five am for Fruit Loops
Draped in white overalls and black boots
Used to drive a Lac sipping gin and juice
Now we need money for some chips and soups
Run around town with a sack of rocks
Polo shirt with the matching socks
Mom I promise one day I'ma stop
I'ma grow up and be a astro-naut

[Chorus]
I'm on the Mexican radio radio radio
I'm on the Mexican I-Oh radio radio radio radio
I'm on the Mexican radio radio radio
I'm on the Mexican I-Oh radio radio radio radio

[Verse Two]
Now daddy come first and daddy come next
Daddy represent that Screwston, Tex
Silly punks jealous of the S-P-Mex
But your whole crew should be wearing Kotex
I'ma get by and I'ma get high
Thirteen five I'ma let my birds fly
Everybody knows that my back is not dry
If you say it is you a d-d-damn lie
Rolling through life like a tumbleweed
I'm the young pres of my company
Home catching hell cause I love my weed
Baby can you please let your husband breathe
Trying to dodge death and trying to dodge jail
Old damn friends trying to do my gal
People use to call me a bum from hell
Laughed at my car when my muffler fell

[Chorus]

[Verse Three]
Pull another bud from the fat ass dime
Gripping wood grain let the seat recline
Got the Asian girl with the big behind
Take her to the telly and she love me long time
Remember when I begged you to buy my tapes
Now I buy cribs on the sides of lakes
Pray to the Lord and ask why they hate
Cause they got the nuts 'bout the size of grapes
Twenty-two inches on the thirty-two ton
And the candy paint cost eighty-five hun
Even if I'm in my swimming pool having fun
Still I stay strapped with the waterproof gun
I'm asking you please can you pray for me reverend
When I die will I go to heaven
Trying to count the TVs in my car I got eleven
Pioneer read one-double-oh-seven

[Chorus]

The day is here
What up baby
Hustle Town
Two double 0 one hun
And it just don't quit
No it just don't stop
Chunk duce
Blow truce