Career
Mattern moved to New York as a young adult in order to pursue a career in music production. His early work, in the 1980s, was under the guidance of notable disco DJ and pop remixer/producer Shep Pettibone.
From 1989 to 1995, Vasquez gained national prominence — along with music industry influence — through his residency at the original Sound Factory, a club he cofounded at 530 West 27th Street in Manhattan's Chelsea District. Because of the heavy influence he had over his crowd, Vasquez was able to make or break new releases, and major record labels solicited Junior to craft club-friendly remixes of pop-oriented songs. Junior also created his own "private collection" of remixes of songs he was authorized to remix — and also for those he wasn't — that made his sets even more special to his audience.
After the closure of Sound Factory, Vasquez held residencies at the Tunnel, then his Arena party at the Palladium. In 1997, he returned to the Sound Factory's old space, remodeled to include a custom-designed DJ booth for Junior's exclusive use and reopened as Twilo, for a residency that lasted until that club's closure in 2001. Later that year, Vasquez began a new Sunday-morning afterhours residency -- Earth, at Exit Nightclub, that lasted until 2003. In the years that followed, he held shorter-lived residencies at various clubs in New York, including Discotheque (Fridays), Sound Factory (a club on West 46th Street, not to be confused with the "original Sound Factory"; since 2005, it has reopened with the name of Pacha), Spirit (the again-remodeled and reopened space at 530 West 27th Street that was formerly the home of legendary nightclub Twilo), and Roxy NYC. He now holds a small, monthly, Sunday-night residency at Cielo, a small bar located in the West Village section of Manhattan and spins at various other venues in New York and around the world.
In addition to his work as a DJ and remixer, he has co-produced albums for John Mellencamp, For Real, Lisa Lisa, and Cyndi Lauper, among others.
Madonna controversy
Vasquez had a public falling out with Madonna in 1996, after the release of an unauthorized single titled "If Madonna Calls". The original version that Junior plays at clubs contains what is widely believed to be an actual phone message from Madonna left on Junior's answering machine.
The song lyrics are as follows:
(voice recording ostensibly left by Madonna on Junior's answering machine at his home in New York):
"Hello Junior, This is Madonna. Are you there? (short pause) Call me in Miami."
This is follow by the voice of a male that says:
"If Madonna calls, I'm not here"
This is followed by hard tribal rhythms, with the samples of the message still playing in the loop of the track, and the male singer repeating the words shown above. Towards the end of the song, the words change and the male voice then says:
"If Madonna Calls…actually if she calls just disconnect her."
The song reportedly was produced after Madonna failed to show up for a surprise performance at one of Junior's parties held at legendary New York City club "Tunnel" at the last second. Although never confirmed, Madonna did not approve of Junior's actions, ending their professional relationship on bad terms. Chances for a reconciliation are impossible according to Madonna's longtime rep Liz Rosenberg, who in a June 2003 news story in New York Magazine said “I can assure you that Madonna will never work with Junior again.”
X
Junior Vasquez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if you really love me won't you tell me
And if you really love me won't you tell me
Then I won't have to be
Playing around
You call my name
Oooh so sweet
To make your kiss incomplete
You quickly change your ways
Then you say I'm untrue
What am I supposed to do
Be a fool who sits alone waiting for you
But if you really love me won't you tell me
But if you really love me won't you tell me
And if you really love me won't you tell me
Then I won't have to be
Playing around
I see the light of your smile
Calling me all the while
You are saying baby
It's time to go
First the feeling's alright
Then it's gone from sight
So I'm taking out this time to say
Oh if you really love me won't you tell me
Oh if you really love me won't you tell me
And if you really love me won't you tell me
Then I won't have to be
Playing around no
Playing around no
Hey yeah
Goofin' around no
Oh baby
Playing around no
Let me know how you feel baby
Hey oh baby
Playing around no
The lyrics to Junior Vasquez's song "X" explore themes of love, communication, and trust within a relationship. The repeated chorus of "if you really love me, won't you tell me" highlights the importance of honesty and vulnerability in expressing one's feelings to their partner. The singer seems to be frustrated with their partner's inconsistent behavior and mood swings, causing them to feel unsure and insecure in the relationship. The line "to make your kiss incomplete" suggests that the partner is purposefully withholding affection to maintain power in the dynamic. However, the singer acknowledges their own agency and declares that they won't continue "playing around" if their partner would just communicate their love clearly.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing for clarity and reassurance in a relationship plagued by uncertainty. The contrast between the sweet, alluring tone of the verses and the more assertive, pleading tone of the chorus creates a sense of tension and desperation, emphasizing the urgency of the singer's message.
Line by Line Meaning
And if you really love me won't you tell me
Asking for reassurance that their partner loves them
Then I won't have to be
Playing around
They won't have to look for love and attention outside of the relationship
You call my name
Oooh so sweet
To make your kiss incomplete
Their partner knows how to lure them in but refuses to fully commit
When your mood is clear
You quickly change your ways
Then you say I'm untrue
Their partner is unpredictable and manipulative, making them doubt themselves
What am I supposed to do
Be a fool who sits alone waiting for you
They feel stuck and unsure of how to move forward in the relationship
I see the light of your smile
Calling me all the while
You are saying baby
It's time to go
Their partner sends mixed signals, being loving one moment and distant the next
First the feeling's alright
Then it's gone from sight
So I'm taking out this time to say
Their partner's love seems temporary and fleeting
Playing around no
Hey yeah
Goofin' around no
Oh baby
Playing around no
Let me know how you feel baby
Hey oh baby
Playing around no
Repeated emphasis on not wanting to engage in casual behavior, and asking their partner to be honest about their feelings
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SYREETA WRIGHT, STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samadhirodriguez7579
I miss the 90s clubs especially Sound Factory watching Junior DJ was epic..i miss those days no music from today can even touch how fab it was
@christophertogbah484
The Garage, The Sound Factory Bar, Trax, Cafe Con Leche; Lawd! Those, Were The Days.
@carriesplaylists4anyoccasion
Vinyl Saturday nights- Hudson & Hubert...&Body & Soul Sunday afternoons! I would go in my sweats and sneakers, maybe one or two Heinekens no more (that was the beer there, remember that?! - they were like $4 each, crazy I just remembered the little bar right off the floor in the main room), and dance for 9 hours! I miss records like this damn! Junior Vasquez -the best!
@djgvasquezgv
True underground House music NY 💎 DIAMONDS 😊
@sonnymonks2872
its just too bad we all gots to get old,shit innit,id have to stay in bed for a week now,mind you,i did 30 yrs ago lol.
@christophertogbah484
@@sonnymonks2872 Yup; just work, school, sleep. work, school, sleep. :/
@jacknjill3000
I was visiting NYC in 93 and went to the Shelter and nothing to do with this great song. Me and my friend went there went early like 10pm. and the House of Xtravaganza came down from the stage and down to the dance floor vogueing and parted the crowd. It was amazing to see and witness the power of the house of Xtravaganza.
My friend also got a hold of Roger Sanchez in Queens and he gave my friend advise on music producing equipment and now a big dj himself and living in Berlin.
Those were special times and so much raw and creative energy was being firm in these House clubs. Glad I was able to witness it all in SF.
@christophertracy7136
I remember being in the Sound Factory when Junior dropped the bomb. Jose and Luis Xtrava were in the house and boy did they bring it!😉😉😉 Also remember hanging at Angie's Apt on the LES. RIP Mother!
@dwhite8997
The history, struggle and loss this song is identified with... XTRAVAGANZA!
@RafaelSaffiotti
From 4:55, my soul translated to a beat! LOVE IT! <3