"Mala Vida" is the second single[1] by French rock group Mano Negra, appearing on their 1988 debut album Patchanka.
Written by lead singer Manu Chao, the song also appeared on a 1984 demo tape of the same name by Hot Pants, a predecessor to Mano Negra.
"Mala Vida" was an early hit for Mano Negra[2] and became a staple of the band's live shows[3] and has been covered by several artists.
Boucherie Productions, who published Patchanka, financed a music video for the song, which received airplay on national radio stations and TV channels in France.
[4] Mano Negra's success with the release of "Mala Vida" led the band to a contract with Virgin.