Their first ever single was Out There in the Jungle (Polydor 1976), but the height of their career came with the two Robert Jan Stips produced albums 10 Mistakes and Back to 78, both released in 1978.
They came to popularity just after the height of punk, but were regarded as more post-punk, veering more towards the mainstream pop. They were much admired for their live performances, which had great humour--even slapstick. Their biggest hit in their native Netherlands is Disco Really Made it (#11 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1978), but their most well-known song internationally is Beep Beep Love (from the album Ten Mistakes), which enjoyed some success in both U.K. and U.S.
The U.K.'s Radio & Records voted them "Top Newcomer '78". In July 2006 the Japanese girl band Puffy AmiYumi recorded a new version of Tokyo, originally recorded by Gruppo Sportivo in 1978.
Gruppo Sportivo kept recording and performing on and off until December 2013, when the group announced and performed their (initially) final show in Haarlem, The Netherlands. However, they reformed in 2018 and released a new studio album the same year, titled Great. They went on another promotional tour which ended in 2019.
In the summer of 2021 they began recording new music, with - for the first time again in over 40 years - Robert Jan Stips as the producer.
Mexican Radio
Gruppo Sportivo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the touch of a world that's older
Turn the switch and check the number
Leave it on, in bed I slumber
Hear the rhythm of the music
Buy the product, never use it
Hear the talking of the DJ
Can't understand, what's he say?
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
Dial it in, tune the station
They talk about U.S. inflation
I understand just a little
No comprende - it's a riddle
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
Wish I was in Tijuana -
Eating barbecued iguana
I'd take requests on the telephone
I'm on a wavelength far from home
I feel the hot wind on my shoulder
I dial in, south of the border
Hear the talking of the DJ -
Can't understand, what's he say?
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
Radio
Radio
Radio
What does he say?
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm on the Mexican radio ...
Gruppo Sportivo's "Mexican Radio" is a song that tells the story of an American listening to the radio in Mexico. The first verse describes the feeling of being in a foreign land: the hot wind on his shoulder and the touch of a world that's older. The singer then turns on the radio and hears the rhythm of the music, but buys the product and never uses it. He hears the talking of the DJ but can't understand what he says. The chorus features the repetition of the line "I'm on the Mexican radio," emphasizing his isolation from his homeland.
The second verse describes the singer dialing in to the station, hearing them talk about U.S. inflation. He understands just a little but feels as though it's a riddle. The singer then wishes he was in Tijuana eating barbecued iguana and taking requests on the telephone. The final verse repeats the first verse, with the singer feeling the hot wind on his shoulder and dialing in south of the border.
The song is a commentary on the feeling of being lost in a foreign land, where even the radio is hard to comprehend. It captures the isolation and disconnection that comes with being a stranger in a strange land.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel a hot wind on my shoulder
I feel the warmth and heat of the Mexican desert on my skin.
And the touch of a world that's older
I sense the ancient history of Mexico through its lands and people.
Turn the switch and check the number
I turn on the radio and tune to a Mexican station.
Leave it on, in bed I slumber
I fall asleep listening to the radio, dreaming of Mexico.
Hear the rhythm of the music
I listen to the beat and melody of the traditional Mexican music.
Buy the product, never use it
I buy souvenirs and items from Mexico as a reminder of my trip, but never really use them.
Hear the talking of the DJ
I hear the voice of the radio host, who is speaking in Spanish.
Can't understand, what's he say?
I struggle to understand the language and meaning of what the DJ is saying.
Dial it in, tune the station
I adjust the radio to receive a clearer signal of the Mexican station.
They talk about U.S. inflation
The DJ discusses economic issues and problems in the United States.
I understand just a little
I barely comprehend the meaning behind the DJ's words.
No comprende - it's a riddle
I don't understand - it's like a puzzle or mystery.
Wish I was in Tijuana -
I long to be in Tijuana, a city in Mexico right across the US border.
Eating barbecued iguana
I imagine myself eating a traditional dish of barbecued iguana, which is unique to Mexico.
I'd take requests on the telephone
I would enjoy being a DJ, taking requests from listeners over the phone.
I'm on a wavelength far from home
I feel like I'm connected to a different part of the world, far away from my own home.
Radio
The medium of radio, which allows me to connect with the culture and music of Mexico.
What does he say?
I continue to struggle with understanding the Spanish language and the DJ's words.
I'm on the Mexican radio
I'm listening to a station in Mexico, and immersing myself in the culture and language of the country.
Writer(s): MARC MORELAND, OLIVER JOE NANINI, CHARLES T GRAY, STANDARD RIDGWAY FUNSTEN
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
darkside177
Very good cover! It's always a pleasure to find someone that give an hommage to bands like Wall of Voodoo!
krazykat500
This is the greatest cover of the song so far! Just great!
Senza Nome
Dunno about that . . . . English psychobilly band Frenzy do a fine version from the mid-80's
Bobby Fischer
Best cover I've heard so far. Almost as good as the original.
MrsFish7
..always loved this song.......but this cover really KICKS ARSE!.....Thanks for the post....
bianchi1885
This is a very good cover.
Larry Toothbrush
Yes that's the one. The Buddy Odor Stop. I love Gruppo !!! since 1979 out in Brooklyn NY. Thanks for the response. It's good to know there are others.
Pitayad1
Totally out there... Bad ass as hell. !! Listen driving the streets of Mexico.
gerard4450
Ik ben toch helemaal nog gek van deze groep,nu weet ik wat ik altijd gemist heb.Word nu weer mezelf.lieverds. Gerard
luney323
I heart this vid! I'm on the mexican radio radio. :)