Illegal Alien (song)
| "Illegal Alien" | ||||||||||
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| Single by Genesis | ||||||||||
| from the album Genesis | ||||||||||
| B-side | Turn it on again (live) | |||||||||
| Released | January 23, 1984 | |||||||||
| Format | 7", 12" | |||||||||
| Recorded | 1982- 1983 | |||||||||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||||||||
| Length | 5:14 | |||||||||
| Label | Atlantic, Virgin, Vertigo | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford | |||||||||
| Producer | Genesis, Hugh Padgham | |||||||||
| Genesis singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"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".
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[edit] Live performances
"Illegal Alien" was only played live during the Mama Tour.[1]
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.
[edit] 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)
[edit] Personnel
- Phil Collins - drums, percussion, vocals
- Tony Banks - keyboards, backing vocals
- Mike Rutherford - guitars, bass guitar, backing vocals
[edit] Trivia
Illegal Alien is one of the Genesis 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.
