Illegal Alien (song)
Encyclopedia
"Illegal Alien" is the fifth track in the 1983 album Genesis by Genesis
.
The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations because of its perceived offensiveness toward illegal immigrants. In particular, the second stanza of the bridge — in which the trespasser suggestively offers sexual favours from his sister in exchange for admittance across the border — has been edited from radio versions of the song, as well as from the music video version.
"Illegal Alien" made Blender
magazine's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", charting at number 13.
The video uses stereotypical portrayals of Mexicans, with the participants (including Collins) shown drinking, sleeping, playing Mariachi music, wearing huge sombreros and serapes, and singing in mock-Mexican accents. The clip was filmed at the same time as the video for "Mama
".
A live version is featured on Disc Two of Genesis Archive 2: 1976–1992, which was Recorded live at the L.A. Forum
, Los Angeles
on 14 January 1984.
12" maxi
songs mentioned by the character Patrick Bateman in Bret Easton Ellis
's novel, American Psycho
. Bateman expresses amusement at Collins' mock spanish accent in the song, and finds the whole style of the song funny.
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
.
The song's lyrics are a lighter, humorous depiction of the frustrations an illegal immigrant faces, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun/Being an illegal alien". The song is rarely played on United States radio stations because of its perceived offensiveness toward illegal immigrants. In particular, the second stanza of the bridge — in which the trespasser suggestively offers sexual favours from his sister in exchange for admittance across the border — has been edited from radio versions of the song, as well as from the music video version.
"Illegal Alien" made Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
magazine's list of the "50 Worst Songs Ever", charting at number 13.
The video uses stereotypical portrayals of Mexicans, with the participants (including Collins) shown drinking, sleeping, playing Mariachi music, wearing huge sombreros and serapes, and singing in mock-Mexican accents. The clip was filmed at the same time as the video for "Mama
Mama (Genesis song)
"Mama" was the first single from Genesis' 1983 self-titled album. It is recognizable for its harsh drum machine introduction composed by Mike Rutherford, which leads into minimalist synthesizer lines in minor keys and finally Phil Collins' reverb-laden voice. It remains the band's biggest...
".
Live performances
"Illegal Alien" was only played live during the Mama Tour.A live version is featured on Disc Two of Genesis Archive 2: 1976–1992, which was Recorded live at the L.A. Forum
The Forum (Inglewood, California)
The Forum is an indoor arena, in Inglewood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. From 2000 to 2010, it was owned by the Faithful Central Bible Church, which occasionally used it for church services, while also leasing the building for sporting events, concerts and other events.Along with Madison...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on 14 January 1984.
Track listings
7" Single- "Illegal Alien" (5:14)
- "Turn It On Again" (live) (5:24)
12" maxi
- "Illegal Alien" (5:14)
- "Turn it on again" (Live extended) (9:26)
Personnel
- Phil CollinsPhil CollinsPhilip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Tony BanksTony Banks (musician)This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
- keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals - Mike RutherfordMike RutherfordMichael John Cleote Crawford Rutherford is an English musician. He is a founding member of Genesis, initially as a bassist and backup vocalist. In later incarnations of Genesis, he assumed the role of lead guitarist. He is one of only two constant members in Genesis . He also fronts Mike + The...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals
Trivia
Illegal Alien is one of the GenesisGenesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
songs mentioned by the character Patrick Bateman in Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis
Bret Easton Ellis is an American novelist and short story writer. His works have been translated into 27 different languages. He was regarded as one of the so-called literary Brat Pack, which also included Tama Janowitz and Jay McInerney...
's novel, American Psycho
American Psycho
American Psycho is a psychological thriller and satirical novel by Bret Easton Ellis, published in 1991. The story is told in the first person by the protagonist, serial killer and Manhattan businessman Patrick Bateman. The book's graphic violence and sexual content generated a great deal of...
. Bateman expresses amusement at Collins' mock spanish accent in the song, and finds the whole style of the song funny.
External links
- Music Video at VH1 ClassicVH1 ClassicVH1 Classic is a television network, launched on May 8, 2000. It is operated as part of MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom and primarily features music videos and concert footage from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, though it formerly included a wider range of genres and time periods...