“You hear a song on the radio you think you hate, and then after they play it far too much, all of the sudden you’re singing along.” »read more
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This was the first Pop hit that was sung in "Spanglish," a combination of Spanish and English. In later years, as Latin dance music became more popular, artists like Ricky Martin often crossed languages with their songs.
Roughly translated, "Rico Suave" means "Tasty and Smooth." Since the title also sounds like a name, many people thought Rico Suave was the name of the singer. This became a joke on MTV, as comedian Paulie Shore would refer to Gerardo as "Rico."
The "Latin Lover" portrayed in this song was a character. Gerardo (last name: Mejia) was a one hit wonder, but he has also been a successful actor and record executive. His movie credits include Colors and the Songfacts favorite "Can't Buy Me Love." As a record executive with EMI, he helped sign Enrique Iglesias in 1998.
Gerardo's real-life father played his girlfriend's father in the video. (Thanks to Ed Pearce for his help with this. Ed is author of Food for Thought: Extraordinary Little Chronicles of the World, where you can learn that Mexican food was popularized in the US by a Los Angeles restaurant: the El Cholo Spanish cafe which opened at 1121 South Western Avenue in a courtyard with a mission-style fountain in 1930. The Proprietress Rosa Borquez's menu included food such as enchiladas and tacos. Another popular item they sold was the burrito, meaning literally "little burro or donkey", which originated south of Los Angeles.)
Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody of this called "Taco Grande." Weird Al mentions a lot of Mexican food in the song, and he also says it in Spanish. (thanks, Jim - Oxnard, CA)
More songs from 1 hit wonders
More songs with foreign words in the lyrics
Comments:
(Sam from Philly) Dude your tottaly wrong lead singer for the New York Dolls was David Johansen who was the step father to Liv Tyler(Steven's daughter) and Busterpoindexter.
Francv your wrong too because the lead singer for the minuteman was D. Boon(RIP)
Check you facts guys!
- Travis, grandisland, FL
How can you confuse the lead singer of the New York Dolls, with Gerardo? lol
- Nathan, Defiance, OH
the guy who played gerardo was the lead singer of the 80's punk band the minutemen and just did it to get money
- francv, Chicago, IL
the guy who played gerardo was the lead singer of the 70's punk band the new york dolls and just did it to get money
- Sam, Philadelphia, PA