| "Tequila" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Champs | |
| Released | January 15, 1958 |
| Recorded | December 23, 1957 |
| Genre | Instrumental rock |
| Label | Challenge |
| Writer(s) | Daniel Flores |
"Tequila" is a 1958 Latin-flavored rock and roll song recorded by the group, the Champs. The title of the song constitutes the entirety of the lyrics, and is spoken a total of three times during the course of the song. "Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its release and continues to be strongly referenced in pop culture to this day.[1] The track would be the Champs' only hit song, relegating them to one-hit wonder status.
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In 1957, Gene Autry's record label, Challenge Records, signed Dave Burgess (born 1934), a rockabilly singer-songwriter from California who often recorded under the name "Dave Dupree." At the end of 1957, having produced no hits, Challenge Records looked to Burgess, who organized a recording session on December 23 in Hollywood. In the studio that day were Burgess on rhythm guitar, Cliff Hills on bass guitar, the Flores Trio (Danny Flores on saxophone and keyboards, Gene Alden on drums, and lead guitarist Buddy Bruce), and Huelyn Duvall contributing backing vocals.[2] They gathered primarily to record "Train to Nowhere," a song by Burgess, as well as "Night Beat" and "All Night Rock."
The last song recorded was "Tequila," essentially just a jam by the Flores Trio. There were three takes, and Daniel Flores (d September 19, 2006), who wrote the song, was also the man who actually spoke the word "Tequila!". Flores also played the song's trademark "dirty sax" solo.[3] The song served as the B-side for "Train to Nowhere," which was released by Challenge Records on January 15, 1958. Duvall recalls that the record initially found little success, but, after a DJ in Cleveland played the B-side, "Tequila" skyrocketed up the charts, reaching #1 on the Billboard chart on March 28, 1958.
Daniel Flores had written "Tequila," but, because he was signed to another label, the song was credited to "Chuck Rio," a name he adopted for the stage. Those present for the December 23 session began recording together again on January 20, 1958, under the name the Champs; the group technically formed after recording its most famous song. The song has been noted to have the same sound and structure of Bo Diddley's 1958 release "Dearest Darling".
In the 1980 film Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, the song was played during a montage scene in which Cheech and Chong begin customizing Cheech's work van.
In the 1985 film Pee-wee's Big Adventure featured a scene in which Pee-wee Herman knocks over a row of motorcycles, then proceeds to win over the angered bikers by selecting "Tequila" from the jukebox and comically dancing to it. The "Pee-wee dance," as well as the character himself, have since been closely linked with the song in popular culture. This usage of the song was further referenced in rapper Joeski Love's track "Pee-wee's Dance", which also utilized "Tequila"'s melody.
In the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Michaelangelo and Donatello dance to "Tequila" but finish by crying out "Ninjitsu!"
The song "Está llegando la banda" ("The band is arriving") uses the tune of "Tequila". "Está llegando la banda" is usually sung at Mexican Football Federation football matches.
In the 1993 film The Sandlot, the kids are on a ride while "Tequila" plays, but they get nauseous and throw up because they had chewing tobacco.
The Weather Channel occasionally uses this song for their Local on the 8s segments.
Charlie Sheen's character sings this in the Two and a Half Men episode "Principal Gallagher's Lesbian Lover".
Mafia II featured the Champs' "Tequila" on the radio station Empire Central Radio during the 50's part of the game
Terrorvision used the main elements of the melody of this song as the basis of their 1998 song Tequila.