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.
Rock 'N' Roll Band
Mano Negra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whit a Dirty Sound
Playing in my Room
Heard from the Moon let's Dance
Bass player's
Gone yesterday
That junky was sick
There's no way! No way to Dance!
You're gettin fat
Move your ass
And do the Bass
This it's a R'N'ROLL BAND
300 Miles
From the next show
So far from the scene
No more gazoline! Let's Dance
The show's over
And the Boss, he says
Those kids were drunk!
They sounded like monkeys
Upside down Everybody dance
But Big Bug says
"Won't give you a cent"
FUCK OFF!!
Girls around
Are ready for fun
A jealous guy's
He's drunk, holdin a gun! Let's Dance
IF YOU WANT TO DANCE
TAKE A CHANCE!
LET'S DANCE
The Mano Negra song "Rock 'n' Roll Band" tells the story of a band playing their music with all their heart, despite the obstacles thrown their way. The song begins with the opening lines "Shessin town, whit a Dirty Sound" which sets the tone for a gritty and raw experience. The lyrics tell us that the band plays in a small room, possibly indicating that they have yet to make it big. From the lyrics "Playing in my room, heard from the moon let's dance" we understand that the music they're creating has universal appeal.
As the song moves forward, we learn that the band's bass player is missing, having succumbed to addiction. This sets the stage for the remaining members of the band to step up their game to fill the void left by their friend. We hear the lyrics, "Hey! Johnny the Rat, you're getting fat, move your ass and do the bass. This is a R'N'ROLL band." The band's determination for their music and their passion for it is evident in every word they sing.
As the song progresses, we see the band facing different challenges, such as running out of petrol far from the site of their next performance. But even in the face of these difficulties, the band remains devoted and determined to keep playing. When the boss complains about their music, they continue to rock it out, ignoring the criticism. The message of the song is clear: if you want to dance, take a chance, and let's dance!
Line by Line Meaning
Shessin town
The band is in a small and possibly dingy place
Whit a Dirty Sound
The sound is not great, possibly distorted or gritty
Playing in my Room
The music is being played in an intimate space
Heard from the Moon let's Dance
The energy from the band has an otherworldly quality and inspires dancing
Bass player's
The bass player has left the band
Gone yesterday
The bass player has recently departed
That junky was sick
There may be drug addiction involved in the bass player leaving
There's no way! No way to Dance!
Without a bass player, dancing seems unlikely or impossible
Hey! Johnny the Rat
Johnny is a member of the band
You're gettin fat
Johnny may be out of shape, or metaphorically growing complacent
Move your ass
The singers want Johnny to be more active onstage and to assert his role as bassist
And do the Bass
Johnny needs to step up and play bass effectively
This it's a R'N'ROLL BAND
The band identifies as rock and roll, with all its energy and spirit
300 Miles
The band has a great distance to cover on their tour
From the next show
They need to travel far for their next performance
So far from the scene
The distance between locations makes it hard to feel connected to the music scene
No more gazoline! Let's Dance
Despite running low on gas, they want to keep the party going
The show's over
Their performance has ended
And the Boss, he says
The leader of the group has something to say
Those kids were drunk!
The audience had been drinking heavily
They sounded like monkeys
The band was displeased with the quality of the performance
Upside down Everybody dance
Even though the music may not be great, everyone should still dance and have fun
But Big Bug says
This may be another member of the band, or possibly someone outside the group with authority
"Won't give you a cent"
Refusing to pay the band for their work
FUCK OFF!!
The band is angry and frustrated
Girls around
Female fans are present
Are ready for fun
These women are enthusiastic and excited
A jealous guy's
There is a man at the show who is possibly envious or possessive
He's drunk, holdin a gun! Let's Dance
Despite the dangerous situation, the band insists on keeping things lively and upbeat
IF YOU WANT TO DANCE
The band invites the audience to let loose and have a good time
TAKE A CHANCE!
Don't be afraid to let yourself go and have fun
LET'S DANCE
Enjoy the music and the moment
Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brad Robinson
LOVE IT
Hector Vera
La mejor banda de rock de los90 aguante mano negra aprendan reguetoneros
L FX
let there be rock'n roll !
SoLiTheOnly
jai 23 ans im 23 yo et cet labum est une bombe and this album is a bomb !!! merci thank you !!
Yvan Rochat
Plus de bruit........💃👓🐮🦄🦄🦄🍄🍄🍄🕸🕸🕸🕸🌞🌞☄☄🍺🍻🛰🛰si j'avais le chapeau de Manu thao....vive le rock nrol
Shado Maz
ma jeunesse