"Mexican Radio" is a song by American rock band Wall of Voodoo. The track was initially released on their second studio album Call of the West (1982).

The video for the single was regularly featured on MTV in the United States, contributing to the song's popularity. In April 1983 the song peaked at No. 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 55 on the US Cash Box Top 100. It also reached No. 18 in Canada, No. 21 in New Zealand, No. 33 in Australia and No. 64 in the UK.

Composition

The song's lyrics describe listening to the broadcasts of high-wattage unregulated Mexican radio stations, known as border blasters, whose AM broadcasts are strong enough to be picked up by radio receivers in the US. It was the first music video created by filmmaker and former the Bruthers frontman Frank Delia, who had been a long-time friend of Wall of Voodoo band members. The video impressed the Ramones, who hired Delia to direct videos for them as a result. Some of the footage was shot in Tijuana, Mexico at the bullfights.

The video cost $15,000 to make and was originally shot on film.

Critical reception

In 1983 Jim Sullivan of The Boston Globe called "Mexican Radio" a "mildly warped tune...with irresistibly catchy melody lines," and Moira McCormick of Billboard magazine called it an "intriguingly quirky single" in 1985. In 2012 Rolling Stone said "it's a pretty unconventional pop song, but it's extremely catchy.

The song gained cult status and was often played on radio stations featuring punk and new wave music. Being the only single by Wall of Voodoo to reach the top 100 in the US, the band is considered a one-hit wonder. The second, IR-9912 on IRS label released for both promotional and commercial use with a picture sleeve.

Two Songs by Wall of Voodoo 12" single I.R.S. Sp-070407

Side A

  1. "Mexican Radio" — 3:56

Side B

  1. "There's Nothing on This Side" — 10:08
  • Side B is actually two separate tracks. The first is an instrumental piece, which leads directly into "Mexican Radio (Limited Edition Special Dub Mix)", which is unlisted.

1989 mini CD reissue

  1. "Mexican Radio" — 3:55
  2. "Tomorrow" — 2:43
  3. "Call of the West" — 5:35
  • Tracks 2 and 3 recorded live at Barstow Auditorium, Barstow, CA on August 18, 1982.

Charts

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!Chart (1983)

!Peak<br /> position

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|US Cash Box Top 100

|align="center"|55

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|US Billboard Hot 100