The band was formed from the fusion of 2 smallers bands, the Hot Pants and the Casse-pieds.
Mano Negra mixed a number of styles: straight rock (with a lead guitar), latin music (with a brass section), punk (influenced by The Clash). Their songs often mixed French, Spanish and English lyrics.
Frontman Manu Chao later reappeared as as the lead in Radio Bemba Sound System to record their eponymous 2002 live album. He has also released four solo albums, Clandestino and Proxima Estacion: Esperanza in 1998 and 2002,Siberie M'Etait Conteee in 2005 and La Radiolina in 2007.
Former band member Tom Darnal was one of the founders of the band P18
About name
La Mano Negra ("The Black Hand") was a supposed anarchist organization in Andalucía, Spain, accused of many terrorist acts. Although, in latter studies, its existence was found unlikely and was probably an excuse used by the government under Sagasta to oppress anarchist activity in southern Spain.
Letter To The Censors
Mano Negra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
& mummy turns tricks
Your sister is a brother
& your brother's suckin' DICKS
I'm walkin' on the
Railroad tracks
Your daddy had the pox
Your mummy had the singles
All around her bloody cock
I'm walking on the
Railroad tracks.
This is a letter
To the censors
Ooh
Wapadoo wapadoo
Wapadoo Hoohoo!
Wapadoo Hoohoo!
Your father is a panzy
Your mother was no cherry
Oh lord how could it be
Such a beautiful baby?
Your daddy's way to the top
Such a pratical cop
Your mummy was a stoolie
One day she'll be shot
You're walkin' on the
RAILROAD TRACKS
I'm walkin' on the
Railroad tracks
The lyrics of Mano Negra's "Letter to the Censors" are characterized by their provocative and subversive nature. The song begins with the line "Daddy's a mother fucker and mummy turns tricks," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer then goes on to talk about the sexual behaviors of various family members, such as the sister being a brother and the brother performing oral sex on other men. The singer states that he is walking on the railroad tracks, which can be interpreted as a symbol of his rebellion and non-conformity to the rules of society.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to criticize various authority figures, including cops and stoolies, implying that they are all corrupt and hypocritical. The song reaches its climax with the line "Your father is a panzy, your mother was no cherry, oh lord how could it be such a beautiful baby?" which challenges the listener to question conventional ideas of morality and sexual propriety.
One interesting interpretation of the song is that it is a response to censorship and the restriction of creative expression. The lyrics seem to intentionally push boundaries and provoke a reaction from those who would seek to censor or control artistic content. In this way, the song can be seen as a statement of artistic freedom and a call to resist oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy's a mother fucker
Your father is a despicable person
& mummy turns tricks
Your mother is a prostitute
Your sister is a brother
Your sister is transgender
& your brother's suckin' DICKS
Your brother is gay
I'm walkin' on the
I am currently walking on the
Railroad tracks
railway lines
Your sister had the blueballs
Your sister didn't have an orgasm
Your daddy had the pox
Your father had a sexually transmitted disease
Your mummy had the singles
Your mother had multiple sexual partners
All around her bloody cock
Referring to sexual activity with a female body part
I'm walking on the
I am currently walking on the
Railroad tracks.
railway lines.
This is a letter
I am writing a letter to
To the censors
people who prohibit or remove controversial content
Ooh
An exclamation conveying excitement or admiration
Wapadoo wapadoo
Nonsensical sounds
Wapadoo Hoohoo!
Nonsensical sounds
Wapadoo Hoohoo!
Nonsensical sounds
Your father is a panzy
Your father is weak or cowardly
Your mother was no cherry
Your mother was not a virgin
Oh lord how could it be
A rhetorical question expressing shock or disbelief
Such a beautiful baby?
How can a child be born into such a dysfunctional family?
Your daddy's way to the top
Your father used unethical means to achieve success
Such a practical cop
Your father is a corrupt police officer
Your mummy was a stoolie
Your mother was an informant
One day she'll be shot
Your mother will be killed for her actions
You're walkin' on the
You are currently walking on the
RAILROAD TRACKS
railway lines
I'm walkin' on the
I am currently walking on the
Railroad tracks
railway lines
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@juanfernandogarcia3729
Ace of spades
@cositamartinez5758
Mano negra es punk y protesta !!
@usshu
MotorMano Head punk :)? :D
@wickedras934
@Emil Ivanov, right on :)
@JoeMaconha
parece una canciòn de Mad Caddies XD
@nashbilbao
¿Y esos quienes son? 😂