The song became a top-five hit in Denmark, Italy, New Zealand and Switzerland. In Austria, the song reached number one for 10 weeks, received a platinum certification from IFPI, and was the highest-selling single of 1998. The song also peaked at number 31 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100; it stayed on the latter chart for 27 weeks without entering the top 40.[1] As of August 2003, the single had sold 800,000 copies worldwide.[2] Unlike the band's following releases, "No Tengo Dinero" enjoyed chart success, thus Los Umbrellos were named a one hit wonder.
Background
In 1995, Jan Elhøj and Anders Hansen, of rap-comedy duo Angry Ass, made a song called "Frikadeller og krebinetter" (Danish for "Meatballs and pork patties") which incorporated the theme of 1960 filmNever on Sunday, composed by Manos Hadjidakis.[3][4] The song was presented to Kenneth Bager, owner of FLEX Records, who immediately saw its potential.[2] Bager sought to find the right people to work on the track. He enlisted Ugandan rapper Al Agami to write the rap lyrics, while songwriters Richie and Jay Balmorian wrote the Spanish and English chorus.[4] Danish singer Shirley arranged the backing vocals for the chorus. Finally, Kenneth Bager, Jan Elhøj, and Michael Pfundheller produced the track.[2] Bager then presented "No Tengo Dinero" to FLEX Records' parent label, EMI, but they were not interested in the song. It was then re-produced by the Danish producers Cutfather and Joe Belmaati (of Cutfather & Joe), and finally EMI agreed to release the song.[2] Before the release of the song, Kenneth Bager wanted to find two female backing singers for the Los Umbrellos project. Michael Pfundheller personally knew dancer Grith Højfeldt, while Mai-Britt Vingsøe was contacted through modelling agency Scandinavian Models.[2][3] All three members of Los Umbrellos finally met at the cover shooting for the single.[3]
^ abcdefghijPoulsen, Mikkel Rytter (22 August 2003). "Bag om et sommerhit 9: Flæskesteg og frikadeller – og en Bager" [Behind a summer hit 9: Roast pork and meatballs – and a Bager]. Politiken (in Danish). Copenhagen: JP/Politikens Hus A/S.
^No Tengo Dinero (European CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records. 1997. EMI 8682362.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (Japanese CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. EMI Music Japan. 1997. TOCP-40046.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ abNo Tengo Dinero (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. Virgin Records, FLEX Records. 1998. VUSCD 135, 7243 8 85353 2 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (UK CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, Virgin Records. 1998. VUSCD 139, 7243 8 95320 2 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (UK cassette single sleeve). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, Virgin Records. 1998. VUSC 139, 7243 8 95320 4 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, EMI Records. 1997. V25H-38619, 7243 8 38619 2 7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (US CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, EMI Records. 1997. E25D-58663, 7243 8 58663 2 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (US cassette single sleeve). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, EMI Records. 1997. 4KM-58663, 7243-8-58663-4-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Los Umbrellos. FLEX Records, EMI Records. 1997. S7-724381973172.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^No Tengo Dinero (Australian CD single liner notes). Los Umbrellos. EMI Music Australia. 1997. 7243 8 85428 2 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)