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/
Getting Through
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I first looked in I was young and cared
These are the ways of getting through
I left my trust on the tail of youth
We were so unsure of the things we`d seen
These are the ways of getting through
And ask me and ask me
I'll be there too
I never learned to ask what's fair
It's just the words we use take us there
I never touch fortune
I never regret
It's just a simple task
To touch your depths
I never touch fortune
I never regret
It's just a simple task
To touch your depths
And I'm always too honest when I'm scared
When I first looked in I was young and cared
The lyrics of EMF's song Getting Through express vulnerability and honesty in the face of fear. The singer acknowledges that when they are scared, they tend to be too honest, which may reveal a lack of trust or confidence. However, the song emphasizes that there are ways of "getting through" difficult times, by leaving behind the naivete of youth and relying on the support of others. The singer pledges to do whatever it takes for their loved one, and emphasizes the importance of being there for each other.
The lines "I never touch fortune, I never regret, It's just a simple task, To touch your depths" suggest that the singer is not concerned with material success or worldly possessions. Instead, they value emotional connection and intimacy, which they see as simple but profound. The line "I never learned to ask what's fair, It's just the words we use take us there" may imply a certain resignation to the arbitrary nature of life's circumstances, but also indicates that words are powerful enough to shape our reality.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm too honest when I'm scared
When I'm afraid, I tend to speak my truth unreservedly.
When I first looked in I was young and cared
Inexperienced and caring, I discovered something for the first time.
These are the ways of getting through
These are the methods of persevering and overcoming obstacles.
I left my trust on the tail of youth
My youthful optimism instilled a sense of trust in me which I now cling to.
We were so unsure of the things we`d seen
The things we witnessed left us feeling uncertain and perplexed.
These are the things I'd do for you
I would go to great lengths to help you succeed.
And ask me and ask me
Feel free to inquire and request my aid.
I never learned to ask what's fair
I never grasped the concept of fairness or justice.
It's just the words we use take us there
We can reach our goals by communicating and choosing the right words.
I never touch fortune
I don't rely on luck or chance.
I never regret
I don't dwell on past mistakes or shortcomings.
It's just a simple task
It's effortless and straightforward.
To touch your depths
To connect with your innermost being.
And I'm always too honest when I'm scared
I can never deceive when I'm frightened or worried.
When I first looked in I was young and cared
My initial encounter was filled with youthful concern and sensitivity.
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
Prizzy
One of my fave songs from EMF. And to me Stigma is their best album.
Zac Zac
just seeing the EP art cover still makes me feel excited like I was a 15 year old . LONG LIVE THE NEW FLESH !
F James
The Stigma album always puts me into another time and place.
Ciro Di Dato
It is a bit underrated.
Jolene Vanwieren
So influential for me anyways. I love this song and all that it entails <3
Tero Hannuksela
What ever got published on 1992 has been forgotten decades ago, except this one.. Pure perfection..
sco77yg
Stigma was a great album buried by the critical snobs at the NME and Melody Maker back in the day, glad they're basically finished now, shame it didn't happen twenty years ago.
Derran Brownson
grunge!!! killed us!! haha
rhebe1
I love this song ...half naked men high on drugs...reminds me when I was 18 so many years ago...so sad that Zac is no longer with us on this earth.
Steve Hammond
Love this tune