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 1993β94, 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/
I Believe
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I believe sometimes I touch
I believe, love
I deserve
I deserve, much more than this
I deserve, love
This is hopeless now
Sometimes I don`t mind at all
Particularly the times with you
O.K. that`s fine as long as you believe
The only things moving don`t mean a thing
Can you believe it, it`s getting blue
Straight through, line for line, trash
Don`t touch this
The lyrics of EMF's "I Believe" are about hope and the belief in love. The repetition of "I believe" at the beginning of the song suggests a firm conviction of the singer in his beliefs. The lyrics make it clear that the singer has a strong sense of self-worth and deserves to be loved, emphasizing the importance of self-love in romantic relationships. Despite the difficulties and challenges the singer faces, he remains hopeful and believes that love can conquer all.
Although the song's lyrics are somewhat ambiguous and open to interpretation, listeners can relate to the singer's message about self-worth and the importance of believing in oneself. The singer's hope and belief in love can serve as an inspiration for those struggling to maintain a positive attitude in their own lives, especially during difficult times.
Overall, the song captures the optimism and hope that people often cling to, especially when faced with adversity. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the song's melody is infectious and catchy.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe
I trust in something greater than myself
I believe sometimes I touch
I have moments of feeling connected and in tune with the world
I believe, love
I have faith in the power of love
I deserve
I am worthy of good things in life
I deserve, much more than this
I am entitled to better treatment and more opportunities than what I currently have
I deserve, love
I am worthy of being loved and giving love in return
This is hopeless now
The situation seems beyond repair or improvement
As the minute stall
Time seems to stand still and progress is not being made
Sometimes I don`t mind at all
Occasionally, I am content with the lack of progress and enjoy the moment as it is
Particularly the times with you
I cherish the moments spent with you and find solace in your presence
O.K. that`s fine as long as you believe
It's acceptable to hold onto hope and faith as long as it brings comfort and peace
The only things moving don`t mean a thing
The superficial things in life hold little significance and value without deeper meaning and purpose
Can you believe it, it`s getting blue
The situation is becoming more depressing and bleak
Straight through, line for line, trash
The current state of affairs is a complete mess and not worth paying attention to
Don`t touch this
Leave this situation alone, as it is not worth getting involved in or trying to fix
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 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
EMFtheband
β Listen to EMF on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/39oSLGo3HkaeYXzUEGgAGQ
Arbab mir
EMF were way out one of the best bands of the 1990's.
Uk1975
Very early 90s
Eric Smith
Spent many car rides blasting this stuff and singing along... Still holds up...
Fabio Quadrio
ππ
Imaginary Dreamers 4 U
Bought the vinyl single straight away when this came out early 90's. Love it still. Great track! Killer production!
Mika Miettinen
Me and my cousin heard this song when this was released somewhere 90's. We both think this is the MOST BEST SONG EVER created. This is so good that nobody EVER could make better song than this is!
I know there are better songs now, but man this is still AWESOME!
Criss
Amaba esta banda
andyindub
So great - always loved this song!!!
Bianzig
eternal love to this song!!!!!! π