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/
Girl Of An Age
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holding us together this way
The only things real to us are the words
We know we can have it all
Upon the heads of our youthful charms
But as far as I can see, all you see
Emotions flooding you to me
I call, but we never seem to reach that far
Each time we fall, I call
You're a girl of an age
Who isn't touched by anyone
Out of reach, out of disbelief
You're a girl of an age
It's a plentiful day
Holding us together this way
The only things real to us are the words
Words are fine, each one we say
At the time we fall, to each others arms
But as far as I can see, all you see
Emotions flooding you to me
We belong to an age of love
The song "Girl Of An Age" by EMF speaks about the power of youthful love and how it can be fleeting and hard to grasp. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and a struggle to connect, as the singer yearns for the attention of a girl who seems unreachable. The opening line, "It's a plentiful day, holding us together this way," suggests that the singer and the girl are drawn together by the intensity of their emotions, which are symbolized by the weather. However, the singer notes that the only things that feel real between them are the words they exchange. These words are shown to be important as they offer them an escape from harsh reality and hope for a bright future.
The second half of the song focuses on the singer’s inability to connect with the girl, and he begs to hold her, even if is just for a moment. These lines signify the singer’s deep desire to connect and points to how difficult that can be. The chorus is a key part of the song as it points out the girl’s age and innocence, which adds to the overall sense of longing expressed in the lyrics. The line, "You're a girl of an age who isn't touched by anyone," illustrates the girl’s inexperience and how it might be distancing her from the singer.
Overall, the song "Girl Of An Age" describes the complexities of youthful love, how it can be intense, fleeting, and hard to grasp. It also touches the theme of the age difference between the two lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a plentiful day
A day filled with abundance
Holding us together this way
Keeping us united in this manner
The only things real to us are the words
The only meaningful things to us are the things we say
We know we can have it all
We believe we can achieve everything we want
Upon the heads of our youthful charms
Using our youthfulness to our advantage
But as far as I can see, all you see
From my perspective, all you focus on is
Emotions flooding you to me
Your emotions directed towards me are overwhelming
I touch, you're never there
I try to connect but you're not present
I call, but we never seem to reach that far
I reach out, but we can't seem to get closer
Each time we fall, I call
When we fail, I reach out for help
You're a girl of an age
You're a young woman
Who isn't touched by anyone
Who hasn't been emotionally moved by someone
Out of reach, out of disbelief
Far away, unable to believe
You're a girl of an age
You're a young woman
Words are fine, each one we say
Talking is good, every word counts
At the time we fall, to each other's arms
In times of failure or difficulty, we seek comfort in each other
But as far as I can see, all you see
From my perspective, all you focus on is
Emotions flooding you to me
Your emotions directed towards me are overwhelming
We belong to an age of love
We're in a phase of life where love is important
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DERRAN GENE BROWNSON, IAN ALEC HARVEY DENCH, JAMES SAUL ATKIN, MARK SIMON DECLOEDT, ZACHARY SEBASTIAN REX JAMES FOLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Riches
the most underrated band ever. I saw them three times and they were amazing every time. stigma is still one of my favourite albums. I was 14 when it came out. pure class.
Carlos Codinha
Paul Riches very underated, awesome band i was also 14.
Ejenplito Barces
I like all of their albums, I'm a new fan but anyway, great band
Adam Miraglia
I have just started listening to EMF for almost a week so far and I’ve been loving Shubert Dip! I really think EMF should’ve got much more fame back in the 90s and even to this day, however there so underrated. There so good! I’m a 16 YO American and I really like a lot of there songs, so it’s interesting that I’m American and I listen to this 90s underrated British music, that I really like.
Jay Munbodh
I loved this song and album at 16 - 31 years ago! Three years after your comment, hopefully you are still playing it!
The nineties were a good time for music, but there’s plenty of great new music still to be had now.
Robert Senecal
Heck yes! I'm 46 and I haven't been able to take Stigma out of my car for three months. Check it out; it's amazing.
Ejenplito Barces
I'm a 17-year-old Chilean who got into EMF because I was discovering the grebo movement last year and some similar bands (PWEI, Jesus Jones, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, etc). I just have to say I agree with you, EMF are really underrated, they had a lot of great material more than just "Unbelievable"
Gary Harrison
Very under rated in my opinion, I can still listen to every track on the album, cant say that about many bands.
Matthew
One of the best tracks off Schubert Dip
Paul Riches
my best friend who is no longer with us loved this album just as much as me. rip Dr banner.