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/
Search and Destroy
EMF Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb
I am a world's forgotten boy
The one who searches and destroys
Honey gotta help me please
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby detonate for me
Look out honey, 'cause I'm using technology
Ain't got time to make no apology
Soul radiation in the dead of night
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Honey gotta strike me blind
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby penerate my mind
And I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
And honey I'm the world's forgotten boy
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
Forgotten boy, forgotten boy
Forgotten boy said hey forgotten boy
The opening line of EMF's song Search and Destroy compares the singer to a street walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm, indicating that he is dangerous, explosive, and unpredictable. The next line reveals that the singer is a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb, suggesting that he is a product of the Cold War era and the fear of nuclear destruction. The third line, "I am a world's forgotten boy," paints a picture of the singer as an outcast or rebel who may have been abandoned or ignored by society. Finally, the repeating line "The one who searches and destroys" reinforces the image of the singer as a destructive force, always on the lookout for something to destroy.
The singer pleads for help in the next verse, asking someone to "save my soul" and "detonate for me." The use of the word "detonate" continues the theme of explosive destruction, while the plea for someone to "save my soul" suggests that the singer may be dealing with issues of morality or spirituality.
The final verse features more references to technology and warfare, with the singer claiming to have "soul radiation in the dead of night" and "love in the middle of a fire fight." The final refrain reinforces the image of the singer as a forgotten boy who is always searching and destroying.
Overall, the lyrics of Search and Destroy paint a picture of a dangerous, rebellious figure who is looking for something to destroy. The use of imagery from the Cold War era and references to technology and warfare create a sense of tension and unease throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a street walking cheetah with a heart full of napalm
I am a wild and dangerous person with a burning desire for destruction.
I'm a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb
I am a product of a catastrophic event, constantly on the run and ready to explode.
I am a world's forgotten boy
I am someone who has been overlooked and abandoned by society.
The one who searches and destroys
I am on a constant mission to find and eliminate anything in my way.
Honey gotta help me please
I am in desperate need of assistance and guidance.
Somebody gotta save my soul
I am in danger of losing my essence and identity.
Baby detonate for me
I am asking someone to ignite a passion in me, even if it's destructive.
Look out honey, 'cause I'm using technology
I am utilizing advanced methods and tools to help me achieve my goals.
Ain't got time to make no apology
I am unapologetic for my actions and do not have time for regret or remorse.
Soul radiation in the dead of night
I exude a dangerous energy that is most potent in the darkness.
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Despite the chaos and danger around me, I am still seeking love and connection.
Honey gotta strike me blind
I am willing to sacrifice my sight to achieve my goals.
Somebody gotta save my soul
I am in dire need of spiritual or emotional salvation.
Baby penetrate my mind
I am asking someone to deeply influence and control my thoughts and desires.
And I'm the world's forgotten boy
I am repeating my position as someone who has been ignored and abandoned.
The one who's searchin', searchin' to destroy
I am always searching for my next target to destroy.
Forgotten boy, forgotten boy
I am emphasizing that I have been completely forgotten and ignored by society.
Forgotten boy said hey forgotten boy
I am acknowledging my own forgotten status and addressing myself as such.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: James Osterberg, James Williamson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr Nobody 101
EMF had such a new and vibrant influence on the punk scene with their blended elements of EDM and early hip hop/funk. They were quite easily responsible for so many future new genres of rock and electronic music, which is why I have so much respect for EMF, even in their early years.
Terry Borgad
Muito show banda foda demais 😍
Itoarazi official
Perhaps the best commercially available cover of this song. When I first heard this upon its release, I was blown away. I didn't know they had it in them.
Luc Piccard
Love this cover! Favorite track by The Stooges and EMF did a badass job covering this.
Nic & Andrea Hills
Best thing they ever released.... still got the CD single....
Alex rivera
stigma album is my favorite,, this come on a EP,, awesome too
The Last Guitar Hero
Always loved this version
johnnybsteelriff
Absolutely superb!!! That is rock'n'roll.....
kjs1968
Thank you for posting this! I had this on a vhs tape that finally turned to dust. I have been searching for years to see this version video. Made my day!
sco77yg
my favourite cover, it's inexplicably brilliant , shame the sound is so bad here.