Pixies

Lyrics

[Intro]
Estaba pensando sobreviviendo con mi sister en New Jersey
Ella me dijo que es una vida buena allá
Bien rica bien chévere
Y voy!
Puñeta!

[Verse 1]
We'll keep well-bred, we'll stay well-fed
We'll have all sons, they will be all well hung
They'll come and play, their friends will say
Your daddy's rich, your mamma's a pretty thing

[Chorus]
That maid Maria, she's really OK
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa

[Bridge]
Ay! Muñeca cabrona! Maricona! Cabrona!
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
[Verse 2]
I keep gettin' friends looking like lesbians
If we get bored we'll move to California
They'll come and play, their friends will say
Your daddy's rich, your mamma's a pretty thing

[Chorus]
That maid Maria, she's really OK
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa
Vamos a jugar por la playa

The Pixies are known for their unique sound and the indie rock scene they helped foster in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Each of their songs is a gem in its own right, with complicated histories and backstories. One such song is "Vamos," which first appeared as a demo tape in their early beginnings but was later re-recorded for their debut album, Surfer Rosa.

About Vamos (Surfer Rosa)

"Vamos (Surfer Rosa)" is a song that represents the Pixies' experimental and unpredictable sound well. It has a complicated recording history, considering it was first recorded as an excerpt from the band's 1987 demo tape, "Come on Pilgrim." This song's re-recording in 1988 for their debut album, "Surfer Rosa," is distinguished by a long, highly distorted, frantic, extended guitar solo performed by Joey Santiago.

It is a psychotic patchwork solo conceived by editing together a series of short improvisations Santiago performed over the rhythm section's constant backbeat, which were edited together by "Rosa's" recording engineer, Steve Albini. This editing allowed for quite a bit of experimentation, resulting in some sections of the tape being put in backwards, some forward, all out of order to create a thrillingly disorienting whole, fitting the Pixies' eclectic sound.

The song's title "Vamos" is Spanish for "let's go," and the lyrics contain Spanish phrases that add to its sense of urgency and recklessness. The song's lyrics are simple, and they have a spontaneous feeling that aligns with its rowdy guitar solo. The song is about a man's adventure to Tijuana and the excitement, chaos, and danger he experiences while going there. The song's opening lines, "We'll keep well-bred / We'll stay well-fed," establish a sense of instability and lead into the chorus' Spanish lyrics, "Vamos a jugar por la playa," reinforcing the reckless vibe of the song.

The song's melody is propelled by its rhythm, with the drums and bass moving in unison, almost like a march. Santiago's heavily distorted guitar adds texture to the rhythm while also creating a contrasting solo that perfectly complements the lyrics' chaotic energy. The song feels like a breakaway, a release from the already-tense atmosphere established by the rest of the album, making it a fan favorite and a must-play at their live shows.

"Vamos (Surfer Rosa)" is a Pixies classic, with its unique sound, thrilling guitar solo, and straightforward lyrics. It's a song that gets the crowd going, and the experience of listening to it is like being transported into the world of the song's protagonist's reckless adventure. As with many Pixies songs, its backstory only adds to its appeal, making it a must-listen for any alternative rock enthusiast.

• Release Date: March 21, 1988
• Artist: Pixies