Perhaps the best way to begin Backsells is to explain my role at the radio station. Many freshmen started as I did, serving as a newsreader, for which I appeared three mornings a week.
The then faculty advisor had allowed "morning shows" to air this semester, which did not work. Even I could see this at the time. It was evident for one glaring reason: five days with five different hosts. Each day it was a different set of co-hosts that sounded and acted different than anyone else and if listeners tried to find a favorite they had to wait a week for a second helping. I was there Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and had to work with six different people and styles, never finding a favorite.
The morning show format was usually an eclectic mix of "anything goes," usually steeped in the rock tradition. The Monday crew (Hodge-Podge and Bandito) was fond of Diver Down-era Van Halen and had a classic rock sound. The Thursday duo (Mike and James) was more geared toward your 80s-alternative rock tracks. I have no idea what happened Wednesday or Friday.
Tuesday mornings were probably the worst because two seniors hosted (something like John and tha Big Dawg), and they didn't care what I, a lowly freshman, was doing. Their other tradition, other than ignoring me, was playing Cuban Pete, an obnoxious excuse of a song from The Mask soundtrack at least once a week. I never could figure out if someone called in to request this or if it was an inside joke of the DJ. It was their anthem, tradition, and it quickly got old.
I was under the impression the song was requested because one Tuseday morning toward the end of the semester both John and Big Dawg were away, leaving Mike (from Thursday) to substitute by himself. As usual, Cuban Pete popped up in rotation and I know the Thursday crew wouldn't dare touch it on their own. Mike wasn't sure about it at first but honored the request and let it play for about thirty seconds before stopping the disc and saying, on the air, mind you, that no one needed to hear such rubbish.
I don't know whatever happened to the CD, but it vanished soon afterward. Thankfully, much like those "morning shows."
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Cuban Pete
(Dezi Arnaz)
Jim Carrey
from the album The Mask Original Soundtrack
1994
Hit it!
They call me Cuban Pete
I'm the king of the Rumba beat
When I play the maracas I go
Chic-chic-ky-boom
Chic-chic-ky-boom
Yes sir, I'm Cuban Pete
I'm the craze of my native street
When I start to dance everything goes
Chic-chic-ky-boom
Chic-chic-ky-boom
The senioritas they sing
And they swing with "terampero"
It's very nice! So full of spice!
And when they dance in they bring
A happy ring that "era keros"
Are singing a song
All the day long
So if you like the beat Take a lesson from Cuban Pete
And I'll teach you to
Chic-chic-ky-boom
Chic-chic-ky-boom
Chic-chic-ky-boom
He's a really modest guy
Although he's the hottest guy
In Havana, in Havana
Si, seniorita I know
That you would like a Chic-ky-boom-chick
It's very nice - so full of spice
I'll place my hand on your hip
And if you will just give me your hand
Then we shall try
Just you and I
"Iy-yi-yi!"
"Shake your booty, daddy, wow! See ya'!"