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/
It's You
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the thought of you
Your hot ways still chill
I'm closing in on you
Temptation never leaves me
But leaves me every once and a while
And it's you, it's you
That leaves me dry every time
And I only need to take it so far
Before all these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
It's you, it's you
That leaves me dry every time
Torch my soul and leave the core
You take it all, you take it all
And you can take this and more
Just before you shut the door
All these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
We gotta go down south
Just about as far as you gotta go
Across the border
You know the way it goes
The lyrics of EMF's song "It's You" depict the singer's feelings of being torn apart by his desire for someone that is not good for him. He feels like the world has gone crazy at the thought of this person, and even though their hot ways still chill him, he keeps closing in on them. The temptation never leaves him, but it fades every once in a while. However, every time he succumbs to the temptation, he is left dry and empty. He reaches a breaking point and realizes that he cannot take it anymore before all his tears leave their smears, and he must let go of the thoughts of this person. The singer describes how this person takes everything from him, even his soul, and he knows that they will soon shut the door on him, but he cannot resist them.
The lyrics of "It's You" show the universal struggle of trying to resist something that is not good for us, but our desires and impulses can compel us to act against our better judgment. The singer is aware of the consequences of his actions, but he cannot help himself. The lyrics create a mood of tension and conflict, and the repetition of the lines "It's you, it's you that leaves me dry every time" emphasizes the power that this person has over the singer. The song's chorus is an affirmation of the singer's realization that he has to let go of this person to move on and find someone who will treat him better.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel like a world gone crazed
I am overwhelmed by my emotions for you, which makes me feel like everything around me is chaotic.
At the thought of you
Merely thinking about you makes me feel this way.
Your hot ways still chill
Although you feel passionate, it still intimidates me.
I'm closing in on you
I am getting closer to you physically or emotionally.
Temptation never leaves me
I am constantly being lured by desires for you.
But leaves me every once and a while
Sometimes, the temptation fades away momentarily.
And it's you, it's you
You are the root cause of my emotions.
That leaves me dry every time
My hopes are crushed whenever I try to pursue you.
And I only need to take it so far
I am aware that there is a limit to how much pain and suffering I can endure.
Before all these tears leave their smears
Soon, my sorrow will manifest through my tears, leaving an indelible mark.
It's you, it's you
You are the reason for my despair.
That leaves me dry every time
Again, my attempts to reach you end up in disappointment.
Torch my soul and leave the core
You thoroughly burn and destroy my innermost being.
You take it all, you take it all
You have complete control over me.
And you can take this and more
I am willing to give everything to you, even if it means suffering.
Just before you shut the door
But in the end, you will abandon me.
All these tears leave their smears
Once again, my tears will leave a permanent reminder of my pain.
And the thoughts of you disappear
Eventually, I will be able to let go of my feelings for you.
We gotta go down south
Moving on from you requires me to go far away.
Just about as far as you gotta go
It will match the distance you put between us.
Across the border
I have to leave everything behind and start anew.
You know the way it goes
It's a common experience to leave someone you can't be with.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WINFRED LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
I feel like a world gone crazed
At the thought of you
Your hot ways still chill
I’m closing in on you
Temptation never leaves me
But leaves me every once and a while
And it’s you, it’s you
That leaves me dry every time
And I only need to take it so far
Before all these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
It’s you, it’s you
That leaves me dry every time
Torch my soul and leaves the core
You take it all, you take it all
And you can take this & more
Just before you shut the door
All these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
We gotta go down south
Just about as far as you gotta go
Across the border
You know the way it goes
Devin Svennson
I was only 7 when this came out, though it feels like a time I was still part of in my mind. Good, eclectic stuff like this just doesn't exist anymore. 90s had the perfect mix of guitar, electronics, and rhythm. Analog production kept the human feel to it, just right. Just an incredible tune, and band.
Not you
Check out the Orbital remix of this, also everything by Bentley Rhythm Ace.
Patrick Stocks
I feel like a world gone crazed
At the thought of you
Your hot ways still chill
I’m closing in on you
Temptation never leaves me
But leaves me every once and a while
And it’s you, it’s you
That leaves me dry every time
And I only need to take it so far
Before all these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
It’s you, it’s you
That leaves me dry every time
Torch my soul and leaves the core
You take it all, you take it all
And you can take this & more
Just before you shut the door
All these tears leave their smears
And the thoughts of you disappear
We gotta go down south
Just about as far as you gotta go
Across the border
You know the way it goes
sco77yg
Sad how this is a forgotten song, it’s brilliant.
James mitchell
A timeless tune, great video, it has a emotional feel to it. It should be number one.
Parag Kakati
I was a kid during those days. Thats a fantastic song
ALAN MINARI
The bass line is🔝
Jenna
Indeed.
SuperPissflaps
STIGMA WAS WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY BEYOND ITS TIME
Max Jovanotti
No todo era children ni unbelievable. Habían temazos de verdad que fueron poco valorados.