"Clavado en un Bar" (English: "Stuck in a Bar") is a song by Mexican band Maná from their fifth studio album, Sueños Líquidos (1997). The song was written by the band's lead vocalist Fher Olvera, who handled productions alongside drummist Alex González and Benny Faccone. It was released as the album's lead single on 5 September 1997. A reggae rock "heartbreak" song, the protagonist is depicted as stuck in a bar waiting for his lover to return.
"Clavado en un Bar" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Maná | ||||
from the album Sueños Líquidos | ||||
Released | 5 September 1997 (1997-09-05) | |||
Recorded | A&M Studios Hollywood, California Puerta Azul-Mobile Studio Quinta Del Mar, Puerto Vallarta | |||
Genre | Reggae rock | |||
Length | 5:11 (album version) 4:20 (radio edit) | |||
Label | WEA Latina | |||
Songwriter(s) | Fher Olvera | |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Maná singles chronology | ||||
|
"Clavado en un Bar" received positive reactions from music critics, who favorably compared it to other rock bands and received an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Latin Award on the Pop/Ballad field in 1998. In the United States, it peaked at numbers twelve and five on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs and Latin Pop Airplay charts in the United States. "Clavado en un Bar" was covered by Dominican Republic singer José Alberto "El Canario" on his studio album Herido (1999), and peaked at number ten on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.
On 24 June 1997, Maná confirmed that they were working on their fifth studio album, Sueños Líquidos with recording taking place at the Quinta Del Mar and the Puerta Azul-Mobile Studio in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and mixing at the A&M Studio in Hollywood, California; additional recordings took place at Classic Recording Rentals, Conway Studios, and Mad Hatter Studios.[1][2] Fher Olvera composed most of the tracks and co-produced the record with drummer Alex González and Benny Faccone.[2][3] One of the songs Olvera wrote for Sueños Líquidos was "Clavado en un Bar",[2] a "punkish reggae rock song.[4] According to Gonzalez: "Fher wanted to write a heartbreak song, like how in many mariachi songs (the protagonist) usually ends up in a cantina, drinking and lamenting, 'why did she leave me!' — but in a rock version."[5] The San Antonio Express-News editor Ramiro Burr noted that Olvera "mixes pain and pride" as the artist sings in Spanish: "I'm here trying to alleviate my pain. It's not working. But I'm not leaving till you come rescue me."[6] Olvera also mentioned that "Clavado en un Bar" was inspired by José Alfredo Jiménez's songs.[7]
"Clavado en un Bar" was released as the album's lead single on 5 September 1997.[8] A music video for the song was filmed that same year, which an editor from Billboard commented about: "Trying to forget someone? This is the perfect song for it!"[9] A live version of the track was included on the album Arde el Cielo (2008).[10] Maná performed "Clavado en un Bar" live, along with "Labios Compartidos", at the Person of the Year gala in 2018 where they were honored with the accolade,[11] and again at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards the following day.[12] Ernesto Lechner of the Los Angeles Times commented that the "legions of fans will probably embrace the catchy rocker",[13] while Burr lauded its "feverish reggae rhythms".[6] Don Mayhew of The Fresno Bee stated that the track "comes on with all the swagger of the Rolling Stones" and praised Olvera's vocals as "pure Sting, appropriate since the song builds into a steady, soaring chorus worthy of The Police".[14] Similarly, the Newsday editor Richard Torres felt that the song is "reminiscent of the reggae power pop of The Police".[15] The Miami Herald reviewer Leila Cobo-Hanlon called it a "reggae-inspired hit".[16]
The track was recognized as one of the best-performing songs of the year on the Pop/Ballad field at the 1998 ASCAP Latin Awards.[17] In the United States, "Clavado en un Bar" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, making it the highest ranked Spanish-language song at the time.[6] The song also peaked number five on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.[18] Dominican Republic salsa singer José Alberto "El Canario" covered "Clavado en un Bar on his studio album Herido (1999).[19][20] His version peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart in the US.[21] The song was used on the American television series New Girl for the episode of the same name, where it was played at a jukebox on Clyde's Bar.[22][23]
US promo single[24]
Mexican remix single[25]
|
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[26] | 12 |
US Latin Pop Airplay (Billboard)[18] | 5 |
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link){{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)