The baseball-capped, baggy-shorted EMF-- standing for either 'Epsom Mad Funkers' or, in the words of their eponymously titled song, 'Ecstasy Mother Fuckers' (the band could never quite make up their minds)-- made their first attack on the U.K. music scene in the autumn of 1990 with the Jesus Jones-influenced Top 10 single "Unbelievable." Sampling hard-hitting U.S. comic Andrew Dice Clay, the single was a catchy pop pile-up featuring fresh-faced vocalist James Atkin's sneery schoolboy vocals, band leader Ian Dench's swaggering rock guitar and a booming bassline, courtesy of Zac Foley. mischief-maker Derry Brownson (keyboards), and Mark Decloedt (drums).
The new social scene of 'Madchester' had exploded in 1990, and every previously no-hoper band with half an idea sold their souls to hitch a ride on the ensuing 'indie dance' bandwagon. EMF's ideas were better formed than most, despite the fact that they had been signed by a major label (EMI/Parlophone) after only a handful of gigs. Denounced as beered-up party animals by some and cider-drinking country bumpkins who'd struck lucky by others, the group cultivated a hedonistic young upstart image that ensured that they felt as at home on the cover of Smash Hits as they did the NME.
Steered through these giddy times by the older, somewhat Svengali-like figure of guitarist and songwriter Dench, who had already enjoyed previous limited success with the band Apple Mosaic, the quintet quickly dispatched identikit follow-up singles in "I Believe" and "Children," with little drop in quality or commercial impact. By this stage, "Unbelievable" was breaking the band in the U.S., but their debut single's worldwide success was to hang heavy on their shoulders in years to come. In May 1991, EMF released their debut album, titled 'Schubert Dip' ("If ever I'm short of a chord sequence, I nick one from Schubert", Dench was quoted as saying), which contained all the band's singles to date and already felt like a greatest hits collection. Similarly it topped the charts, although the fourth single, "Lies," like much of the rest of the album (with the possible exception of the slower tune "Girl of an Age"), paled in comparison with their initial batch of exuberant singles. It also drew attention from Yoko Ono's lawyers, who objected to the single's use of a sample of John Lennon lyrics recited by her husband's murderer, Mark Chapman.
With 'Schubert Dip' becoming a million-selling album, the group's members were international superstars, the album hitting #12 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. while tracks such as the aforementioned I Believe" and "Lies" being Top 40 American hits as well. The band then took to hanging out in L.A. with such luminaries as Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction, getting tattoos, getting high and talking big about making a 'real' rock record. When second album 'Stigma' appeared in late 1992, heralded by the noisy single "They're Here" and the 'Unexplained' EP (containing a rowdy cover of seminal proto-punk band the Stooges' "Search and Destroy"), it was interpreted by many as a deliberate attempt by EMF to distance themselves from their teenage fan base.
Though they may have won some respect from the critics by going for a harder, less straightforward sound, the album wasn't received as well as hoped, sliding quickly out of the charts and selling only a fifth of its predecessor's total. The limitations of Atkin's voice were also readily apparent against the crunchier guitar backing. Perhaps the band had been partying too hard and simply forgot to write some tunes; "Around the time of Stigma, I was pumping myself full of anything", bassist Foley would later admit. At any rate, listeners that had bought into the band's ethos of catchy pop meets indie-fueled dance music flocked to other groups, and the band's success had been crippled.
With the band either touring or doing nothing during 1993–94, there was a hiatus in the group's recording career, and many assumed that EMF had simply split up until the single "Perfect Day" appeared from nowhere in early 1995. Though it was the band's breeziest, grooviest single for a long while, it failed to recapture their previous fortunes. The album that followed, 'Cha Cha Cha'-- from which Massive Attack/Neneh Cherry producer Johnny Dollar had walked out during the sessions-- stubbornly refused to shift units. "Bleeding You Dry", the next single to be pulled from the album, seemed titled perversely appropriate.
The summer of 1995 saw the band abandoning promotion of 'Cha Cha Cha' and teaming up with comics Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer on a quirky cover of The Monkees' pop rock hit "I'm a Believer". Although this commercial move ensured the band appeared on Top of the Pops again-- wearing gaudy Mike Nesmith wigs and miming badly no less-- many critics smelled the stench of desperation. Their self-promoted follow-up, "Afro King", seen in some quarters as a return to their alternative dance origins, and in others as too little too late, failed to do as well. Though influencing many later British rock groups, said groups had very well eclipsed them completely. The band were subsequently dropped by their label and, with no other offers forthcoming, called it a day.
In 2001, EMF reformed and released a greatest hits album. They played a number of comeback shows in the UK, and even sold out the London Astoria in June of 2001. However, on January 3, 2002, Foley died due to an overdose of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, barbiturates and alcohol. He was aged 31. The remaining members of EMF played just four more gigs in late 2002, before deciding to split up for the final time. Still, sporadic reunions have taken place since then, although with the band's future still murky.
http://www.emf-theband.com/
Arizona
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've seen the sun rise over my head
It's something called the Sea of Sad
To feel what's on the inside out
And if we had these visions
To find our state of mind
The beauty of this and all it holds
And all the feelings we find
And the beauty of this
Is in the feelings you find
Here with our close friends
We haven't exchanged a word all night
But they'll come to be
With somebody who has also seen
And if we're on this mission
To find our state of mind
The beauty of this and all it holds
Is in every time we tried
[Chorus]
There are no demons here
Just a safe bright light
That's blazing in the distance
And starts our imaginations to fly
And if we're on commission
To find the times we find
The danger of this and all it holds
Is in all the fears we find
[Chorus: x2]
It's on the love we ride
In the feelings we find
On the love we ride
The lyrics to EMF's song Arizona speak to the idea of self-exploration and finding peace of mind. The song begins with the singer reflecting on their past experiences, particularly watching the sunrise, and feeling the emotions that come from introspection. They mention something called the "Sea of Sad," which could be seen as a metaphor for the deep, melancholic emotions one might experience while examining their inner self. The singer then speaks about having visions, possibly alluding to the idea that they have a creative or imaginative mind that can aid in their journey of self-discovery.
As the song progresses, the singer speaks about being surrounded by close friends, yet not needing to exchange words because they all understand the importance of the journey they are all on. The idea of finding one's "state of mind" appears throughout the song, highlighting the importance of understanding oneself and creating a healthy mental environment. The chorus repeats the idea of there being no demons present, only a bright light that ignites the imagination and allows one to explore themselves freely. However, as with any journey, there are also fears and dangers to be faced, as mentioned in one of the verses.
Overall, Arizona is a song that celebrates the importance of introspection and self-discovery, highlighting the beauty and positivity that comes from exploring one's inner self.
Line by Line Meaning
Most of our countdowns
We have experienced many significant moments in our lives
I've seen the sun rise over my head
We have personally witnessed the beginning of a new day
It's something called the Sea of Sad
There is a feeling of sadness within us that we cannot explain
To feel what's on the inside out
We want to express our innermost emotions and thoughts outwardly
And if we had these visions
If we have a clear idea of our goals and aspirations
To find our state of mind
We want to achieve mental clarity and inner peace
The beauty of this and all it holds
The awesomeness of this journey and all the experiences that come with it
And all the feelings we find
And all of the intense emotions we encounter
Love your state of mind
Cherish your mental state and take care of your emotional well-being
And the beauty of this
The magnificence of this journey
Is in the feelings you find
Can be discovered through the intense emotions that one experiences
Here with our close friends
We are in the company of people we trust and care about
We haven't exchanged a word all night
We have been together for a while, yet we do not feel the need to speak
But they'll come to be
The conversations with our friends will come in due time
With somebody who has also seen
Who has gone through a similar experience as ours
And if we're on this mission
If we have a clear goal that we want to achieve
The beauty of this and all it holds
The magnificence of this journey and everything that comes with it
Is in every time we tried
Can be found in the moments where we had to put forth effort
There are no demons here
There is nothing to fear or be anxious about
Just a safe bright light
There is only security and clarity
That's blazing in the distance
The clarity that we are seeking is nearby
And starts our imaginations to fly
And inspires us to dream and imagine
And if we're on commission
If we have a purpose and a goal that we want to accomplish
To find the times we find
To discover the moments in our lives that make us feel alive
The danger of this and all it holds
The risk that comes with every experience that we have in our lives
Is in all the fears we find
Can be found in all the things that we are afraid of
It's on the love we ride
We are journeying on because of our love and passion
In the feelings we find
In our intense emotions and moments of joy
On the love we ride
We are journeying on because of our love and passion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Derran Gene Brownson, Ian Dench, James Saul Atkin, Mark Simon De Cloedt, Zachary Sebastian Rex Foley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elisaolga1
Los 80 fueron muy buenos, pero en los 90 salieron muchos grupos de la Nueva Psicodelia, buenísimos. 80 y 90 lo mejor!!!!!!!
Xao Cha
Beautiful song from an great album that cost EMF their career. This was just too advanced for the mainstream audience
Loncco Ccala
@Aaron Nope people dont know what to say o make guilt an incredible song like unbelievable when back then was the fuc... grunge and nirvana with their commercial arm that killed everything else even stone temple pilots were a victim of them in those days mtv radios etc only got eyes for nirvana men...
Ejenplito Barces
EMF were (and still are) genuinely great. People are just too lazy to search for more than just "Unbelievable"
Aaron Nope
it's not this album that hurt EMF.. it was "unbelievable" that hurt them beyond repair.
Héctor López
Super track !! great band !!
Alex rivera
Too much talent those years!!!
Ailton Honorato
Q bom ouvir ésta banda stigma, tenho o LP em vinil.
Tedd Nenene
Best of the best band
John Seaton
Love your state of mind