Illegal Alien

"Illegal Alien" is a song by the English rock band Genesis. It was written by members Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford, produced by all three alongside Hugh Padgham, and released as the third single from their self-titled 1983 album in January 1984. The song's lyrics, inspired by the band's troubles with getting visas to reenter the United States while on tour, tell the satirical story of an illegal immigrant facing obstacles in the process of trying to move to the United States. Its accompanying music video depicts the members of Genesis as a group of Mexican men unsuccessfully attempting to get their passports approved, and shows them in ponchos and sombreros. "Illegal Alien" reached number 46 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. In retrospective reviews, "Illegal Alien" and its music video received largely negative reception, with critics describing both as racist and stereotypical. Genesis performed the song live throughout their Mama Tour from 1983 to 1984. Composition and release "Illegal Alien" was written by Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford, and produced by all three with Hugh Padgham. It appeared on Genesis's 1983 self-titled album, and was released as a single in 1984 with an edited live version of "Turn It On Again" as its B-side. It was also released as a B-side on the Australasia 12" single release of "Home by the Sea". The song's lyrics were inspired by the band's difficulties with trying to get visas to enter the US while on tour, and was meant to be sympathetic towards the plight of immigrants. They are a satirical depiction of the frustrations an undocumented immigrant faces in coming to the United States, with lead singer Phil Collins affecting a stereotypical Mexican accent. The song begins with its narrator waking up from a hangover before going to the bar carrying a bottle of tequila, leading up to the chorus: "It's no fun being an illegal alien." The midsection features piano and a trumpet played by Collins, as well as sound effects, such as traffic noises and a telephone ringing, recorded by Banks's E-mu Emulator. The bridge is inspired by mariachi music, and the second stanza of the bridge—in which the protagonist offers sexual favors from his sister in exchange for admittance across the border—was edited out of radio versions of the song, as well as from the music video version, with listeners considering it offensive.