Clandestino (Manu Chao song) explained

Clandestino
Type:	single
Artist:	Manu Chao
Album:	Clandestino
Released:	11 July 2000
Prev Title:	Bongo Bong
Prev Year:	1999
Next Title:	Merry Blues
Next Year:	2001

"Clandestino" is the second single and the title track from Manu Chao's first album, Clandestino. The lyrics of the song are sung in Spanish and deal with the issue of immigration: "I wrote it about the border between Europe and those coming from poorer nations. Look around — maybe 30% of the people in this street are clandestino [illegal]."^[1] The song peaked at number 78 on the French charts.^[2] It charted again in November 2013, peaking at number 196.^[3]

Track listings

1. "Clandestino"
2. "Bienvenido A Tijuana" (More Image Version)
3. "Mama Call"
4. "Clandestino" (Enhanced Video)

Music video

A music video was produced for the song along with the album track which appears on the single, "Mama Call".

Cover versions

• Argentinian singer Pil Trafa (El monopolio de las palabras, 2004)^[4]
• Playing for Change released a version, featuring Manu Chao and other musicians from around the world (2014)^[5]
• Adriana Calcanhotto (Público - (Ao Vivo), 2000)
• Tihuana (Ilegal, 2000)
• Fiorella Mannoia (Concerti, 2004)
• Scala & Kolacny Brothers (2005)
• El Gafla (featuring Manu Chao) (pA/Ris-Casbah, 2006)
• José Mercé
• NoBraino (in Italian)
• Modena City Ramblers (Tracce clandestine, 2015)

Notes and References

1. News: Garth . Cartwright . The wild rover . . 1 October 2007 . 25 July 2008.
2. Web site: Le Détail par Artiste . InfoDisc . Select "Manu Chao" from the artist drop-down menu . 14 May 2016 . fr.
3. Web site: lescharts.com – Manu Chao – Clandestino . Lescharts.com. Hung Medien . fr . 7 January 2014.
4. Web site: Pil Trafa . Rock.com.ar . 6 December 2015 . es.
5. Web site: Clandestino from Playing for Change . 17 April 2014.