Clavado en un Bar

On 24 June 1997, Maná confirmed that they were working on their fifth studio album, Sueños Líquidos (1997) with recording taking place at the Quinta Del Mar and the Puerta Azul-Mobile Studio, both located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Additional recordings took place at Classic Recording Rentals, Conway Recording Studios and Mad Hatter Studios all located in Hollywood, California. "Clavado en un Bar" was mixed at the A&M Studios in Hollywood, California.[1][2] Fher Olvera wrote the song for Sueños Líquidos and co-produced it with drummer Alex González and record producer Benny Faccone.[2][3]

"Clavado en un Bar" is a "punkish reggae rock song.[4] According to Gonzalez: "Fher wanted to write a heartbreak song, like how in many mariachi songs (the protagonist) usually ends up in a cantina, drinking and lamenting, 'why did she leave me!' — but in a rock version."[5] The San Antonio Express-News editor Ramiro Burr noted that Olvera "mixes pain and pride" as the artist sings in Spanish: "I'm here trying to alleviate my pain. It's not working. But I'm not leaving till you come rescue me."[6] Olvera also mentioned that "Clavado en un Bar" was inspired by José Alfredo Jiménez's songs.[7]

"Clavado en un Bar" was released as the album's lead single on 5 September 1997.[8] A music video for the song was filmed and features a drunk man on top of a building reminiscing his old love with scenes alternating with the band performing at the same spot.[9] A live version of the track was included on the album Arde el Cielo (2008).[10] Maná performed "Clavado en un Bar" live, along with "Labios Compartidos", at the Person of the Year gala in 2018 where they were honored with the accolade,[11] and again at the 19th Annual Latin Grammy Awards the following day.[12]

Ernesto Lechner of the Los Angeles Times commented that the "legions of fans will probably embrace the catchy rocker",[13] while Burr lauded its "feverish reggae rhythms".[6] Don Mayhew of The Fresno Bee stated that the track "comes on with all the swagger of The Rolling Stones" and praised Olvera's vocals as "pure Sting, appropriate since the song builds into a steady, soaring chorus worthy of The Police".[14] Similarly, the Newsday editor Richard Torres felt that the song is "reminiscent of the reggae power pop of The Police".[15] The Miami Herald reviewer Leila Cobo-Hanlon called it a "reggae-inspired hit".[16] An editor from Billboard called it the "perfect song" for "trying to forget someone"[17]

The track was recognized as one of the best-performing songs of the year on the Pop/Ballad field at the 1998 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Latin Awards.[18] In the United States, "Clavado en un Bar" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, making it the highest ranked Spanish-language rock song at the time.[6] The song also peaked number five on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.[19] Dominican Republic salsa singer José Alberto "El Canario" covered "Clavado en un Bar on his studio album Herido (1999).[20][21] His version peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart in the US.[22] The song was used on the American television series New Girl for the episode of the same name, where it was played at a jukebox on Clyde's Bar.[23][24]

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[27]

• Fher Olvera – co-production, vocals, songwriting
• Alex González – co-production
• Bennny Faccone – co-production