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.
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Perfect Day
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If he could recall
The last 24 hours and the tv on the floor
Shopping with bricks
In the name of fun I'd take it back officer
But I don't know what I've done
I've had it all like raindrops in the ocean
Like shadows in the night
It's a perfect day
So we turned it on, tuned it in
Got ourselves a beer
Sat down, began to watch
Everythings clear
Things degenerated we began to sing
Bart simpson says to us "elvis was king"
I've had it all been swimming in emotion
Been swallowed by the night
The devils in my head are here to stay
It's a perfect day
In a sort of pathetic way
I always run away from the things I cannot see
But when you see double, which one do you believe?
I tried to get some help, I called for my man
He popped up on the tv in a baked been can
I've had it all, like drowning in devotion
Like waiting for the night
The devils in my head have gone away
It's a perfect day
In a sort of pathetic kind of way
But fuck it
It's a perfect day
In a sort of pathetic kind of way
The lyrics of EMF's song Perfect Day describe a rather surreal experience, as the singer reflects on the events of the last 24 hours. He asks his friend if he can remember what happened, and all they seem to recollect is the image of a television on the floor and shopping done with bricks. The singer is unsure of what he has done, but feels that he has had it all like raindrops in the ocean or shadows in the night. He hopes that the devils in his head have gone away, making it a perfect day.
Later on, the singer and his friend turn on the television and start drinking beer while watching TV. However, things degenerate and they start singing, with Bart Simpson telling them that Elvis was king. The singer agrees that he has had it all and has been swallowed by emotion, with the devil in his head looming. He realizes that he always runs away from things he cannot see, and reflects on the difficulty of knowing which reality to believe when he sees double. He even turns to his friend for help, but his friend appears only on the television in a baked been can. The devils in his head go away, but it is only in a sort of pathetic kind of way that it is a perfect day.
Overall, the lyrics of the song Perfect Day are rather abstract and chaotic, with the singer reflecting on a series of unfathomable events. The chorus in particular repeats the idea of having it all, but with the caveat that the experience is somehow not perfect. It is possible that the song is about the difficulty of understanding one's own mind and experiences, or the elusiveness of happiness and contentment.
Line by Line Meaning
I asked my friend i.d.
I asked my friend if he remembered what happened.
If he could recall
If he could remember the events accurately.
The last 24 hours and the tv on the floor
The past day and the mess that's been made.
Shopping with bricks
Going on a vandalism spree for fun.
In the name of fun I'd take it back officer
I regret my actions and apologize to the authority.
But I don't know what I've done
I am so out of control that I can't recall my actions.
I've had it all like raindrops in the ocean
I have experienced everything to the point where it feels insignificant.
Like shadows in the night
My experiences have been fleeting and elusive.
The devils in my head have gone away
I have found solace and my inner demons have quieted down.
It's a perfect day
Despite everything, it is a good day.
So we turned it on, tuned it in
We started watching TV for entertainment.
Got ourselves a beer
We drank beer to enhance our experience.
Sat down, began to watch
We settled down and started to enjoy the show.
Everythings clear
Everything feels simple and understandable.
Things degenerated we began to sing
Things quickly took a turn for the worse and we started acting foolishly.
Bart simpson says to us "elvis was king"
We started making random connections and drawing absurd conclusions.
I've had it all been swimming in emotion
I have felt everything deeply and intensely.
Been swallowed by the night
I have been consumed by darkness and negativity.
The devils in my head are here to stay
My inner demons have returned and will remain with me.
In a sort of pathetic way
My situation is pitiful and sad.
I always run away from the things I cannot see
I avoid confronting my fears and insecurities.
But when you see double, which one do you believe?
When you're confused, it's difficult to know what's real and what's not.
I tried to get some help, I called for my man
I attempted to reach out to someone for assistance.
He popped up on the tv in a baked been can
My friend appeared on the TV in an absurd, nonsensical way.
Like drowning in devotion
I am consumed by my passions and emotions.
Like waiting for the night
I am in a state of suspense and anticipation.
In a sort of pathetic kind of way
My situation is undeniably pathetic and depressing.
But fuck it
Despite all of this, I am still content.
It's a perfect day
Under the circumstances, today is still a good day.
In a sort of pathetic kind of way
Despite everything, my happiness is still tinged with sadness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: COLIN WILLIAM TOWNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
EMFtheband
✅ Listen to EMF on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/39oSLGo3HkaeYXzUEGgAGQ
odinmp5
this was their best album. sadly no one was paying attention by then.
Piotr B
I was.
Alberto Téllez
The Schubert Dip album was very good too
sco77yg
Stigma was the best imo.
Cyanurex
i love this song!!
Terry
25 years later and i'm still listening to this song. If only i could return to life before mobile phones and snowflake kids.
TK W
Your riding my wave completely man. The tide is drawing us in.
Suzanne Stoke-Sanders
Amen...
panocasabe
I love EMF but I dont get why everyone is so impressed that they were ahead of their time, you can spot the primus, faith no more influence, those were the bands ahead of its time