History
Formation and first albums: 1993–1999
The band was formed in 1993 by Huey Morgan, Brian "Fast" Leiser and Steve Borgovini after Leiser, who was already friends with Borgovini, met Morgan at the club where they both worked.[14] They started playing together and would provide the entertainment for the club when a booked act failed to show up. It was during one of these stand-in gigs that they came to the attention of EMI and they were offered a record deal.
Come Find Yourself, the band's first album, was released in the summer of 1996 by Chrysalis Records and followed their single "The Grave And The Constant" (UK No. 72), which was released a month earlier, into the UK charts. The album also featured the UK Top 40 hits, "Scooby Snacks" (UK No. 22), "The Fun Lovin' Criminal" (UK No. 26) and "King Of New York" (UK No. 28). The subject of latter touched on the imprisonment of Italian-American mafioso John Gotti, the wannabe gangsters emulating his style, and his fans and followers in his community that maintained his innocence. The biggest hit, "Scooby Snacks", features samples from films by Quentin Tarantino and a guitar sample from Tones On Tail song "Movement of Fear", interspersed with rap verses and a sung, anthemic, chorus. Come Find Yourself had a slow rise up the UK Albums Chart, finally peaking at No. 7 and spending well over a year in the chart, however it failed to make any impact in the US. The success of the album prompted the re-release of "Scooby Snacks" as a single, alongside a cover of the 10cc classic "I'm Not In Love", which this time reached UK No. 12.[14]
100% Colombian, released in August 1998 by Virgin Records,[14] had a far grittier sound to it tempered by three upbeat songs, and several downtempo tracks, including "Love Unlimited", a tribute to Barry White. "Korean Bodega", one of the aforementioned upbeat songs, was the biggest hit from the album, reaching No. 15, their second-highest placing single so far after the re-release of "Scooby Snacks".[14]
In June 1999 the band played at Glastonbury Festival on the Pyramid Stage. Their December 1999 album Mimosa, released by EMI was a compilation album consisting mostly of laid back lounge style covers and different versions of earlier released tracks. While making reasonable sales, the album was their weakest selling album yet and remained so for some years. It was around this time, in 1999, that Steve Borgovini left the band. He was replaced by Maxwell "Mackie" Jayson. A permanent replacement was found in 2003 in the form of Mark Reid (aka Frank Benbini) from Leicester, United Kingdom, who had previously worked with the band as Jayson's technician.
Mainstream success: 2000–2008
The band's third studio album, Loco, was released in early 2001. Back under EMI, the album had all new songs including the eponymous single which became their biggest hit yet, reaching No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart. It was the only single release from the album to reach the UK Top 40, and its success helped Loco to reach No. 5 in the UK Albums Chart.
Their final album under EMI was a "best of" compilation called Bag of Hits released in 2002. It was released in both one and two disc versions, with the second disc featuring remixes of Fun Lovin' Criminals songs by other artists. EMI released this album against the wishes of the band, who were not happy with the two disc version. However, despite their objections it reached No. 11 in the UK Albums Chart.
After parting company with EMI the band was picked up by Sanctuary Records in the UK, under which they released their fourth studio album Welcome to Poppy's (2003). While it received strong, but not fantastic, music reviews it failed to live up to the commercial success of any of the previous albums, peaking at No. 20 in the UK Albums Chart. The best-selling single from the album reached No. 61.
EMI continued to release the band's back catalog, as well as unreleased songs on two more albums. The Fun Lovin' Criminals made no further releases until 2005 album Livin' in the City, still under Sanctuary Records. This was very much a love letter to New York with many songs extolling the virtues of the city.
In June 2008 they made their second appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, this time on the Jazz World Stage.
2009–present
In April 2010 Classic Fantastic was released, kicking off a European tour which began in Manchester. Legal wranglings with their previous manager meant that this album was their first official output in five years, although they had played live during this period. Leiser and Benbini had produced much of the album in London, while Morgan recorded his parts in New York.
Classic Fantastic was the first album on Kilohertz, the band's own label, and signaled a new business model for the Fun Lovin' Criminals based on touring their live shows rather than relying on record sales alone. Singles from the album were the title track "Classic Fantastic" followed by "Mr Sun". The official video for "Mr Sun" was cancelled due to volcanic ash, and a montage of old home movies was used in its place.
The third single was the double A-side "We The Three" and "Keep On Yellin" featuring South London's Roots Manuva, released August 16, 2010. During July 2010 the band recorded a special series of songs with Roots Manuva. The project, dubbed "Criminal Manuvas", was recorded at Maida Vale studios for BBC Radio 6 Music; songs included a reggae version of "Scooby Snacks" and an alternative version of "Witness".
In September 2010 the band were touring, and they announced a live album: Fun, Live and Criminal via Pledge Music.
In March 2014 they released The Bong Remains The Same, a live concert video.
In February 2016, they released a deluxe, expanded edition of debut album "Come Find Yourself" to mark its 20th anniversary, and the band toured the album by performing it in full alongside some of their other tracks, throughout the UK and Europe, and at a number of festivals that Summer and into 2017. In January 2019, The band released the follow-up to their "Mimosa" compilation, titled "Another Mimosa", which features covers of some of their favourite songs. The band have also been working on their 7th studio album of new original material, expected in 2020.
Side projects
Huey Morgan is a radio personality on BBC.[11][15]Morgan has appeared on Jack Osbourne's Adrenaline Junkie, a boy racer show Slips, sat in for Jonathan Ross and Dermot O'Leary on BBC Radio 2, appeared in Soulboy (film) as a Dick Van Dyke accented London record shop owner, voiced a character in the Scarface: The World Is Yours video game, and most bizarrely appeared with Liza Tarbuck on Liza & Huey's Pet Nation on prime-time SKY TV.
All three band members have released side-projects. Benbini's band Uncle Frank has released an album, as has Leiser, albeit some of his previous 'unreleased' work. Both Leiser and Benbini have collaborated on myriad remixes as well as a full remix album in a reggae-dub style under the moniker Radio Riddler. Morgan has released an album Say it to my Face and toured with several acquaintances, including Benbini, as Huey and the New Yorkers, raising money for veterans as he did so.
Classic Fantastic
Fun Lovin' Criminals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bubbly gettin' cold pop the cork
We gonna take this party straight cross town
Show 'em how the Criminals get down
Yo Fist
Yo you got it where you knot it put the crack pipe down
It's been a while since I been around town
Hey yeah I reloaded ok?
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
So sway with the love that you've got in the heart
And apart from being light to the spark
It's dark, and the bad men will play games
Talkin' tough droppin' name games
Player that's a shame
Then the other day punk tried to
Blow up the spot but he was stopped
Like show 'em whatcha got stopped
Take it easy yeah this ain't China, how are ya?
I got Frank like Oscar Mayer, inspire ya
Make you jump and shout, yes it's out
The Criminals don't let you down
Poop scoopin', Mott the Hooplin'
I take the hip hop back to school and put the blues in
Now we cruisin', body movin,
Yeah we provin' the only sue I know is Susan
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Now don't over play your hand, lay in the cut
Mix it up, stay tough, actin' hard aint enough
You use your head, diversify your bonds
Sing it like a song, hit it like a bong
Gone are the days but the dawn is on its way
And if you stay in the game nothin' gets in your way
Tenacity, guts or what have you
Do they give you 'nuff respect up on the avenue?
Do they speak your name out?, what?
Stuck in a rut, but
I'm the one that knows what you about
Yes you radiate heat; you put the boom in the beat
You're the dream I wanna dream when I'm asleep, yeah
Far no chicken, no chicken no way
Shuffle in your pizzle, repeat all day
Some say the underdogs are on their way
Man we're here and y'all pressed play
The times need us, they come between us
Proppin' up Judas like Jesus to please us, please
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
When I think of you, the moon is in my eyes
And it's no surprise, that my love is true
And just the thought of you
Brings the sun at night
And the stars are bright like I shine for you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
The lyrics of Fun Lovin' Criminals’ song “Classic Fantastic” are about the band’s love for their fans and their rebellious attitude towards authority figures. The song starts with the band announcing they are live from the studio in New York and popping a bottle of bubbly to celebrate. They then proceed to take the party across town, showing everyone how the “Criminals” get down. The band members address each other by their stage names, with “Yo Fist” telling “Yo you got it where you knot it” to put the crack pipe down. The band refers to their hiatus from being around town, stating that “Y’all gettin' fat since Carlito went away” before announcing that they have reloaded alright.
The lyrics also talk about the importance of staying true to oneself and not compromising for what anyone else may want, using the metaphor of radiating heat and putting the “boom in the beat”. The lyrics encourage the listener to not overplay their hand but to diversify and stay tough. The song ends by repeating the chorus phrase, “Thinkin’ of you, and all the things that you do, Yeah I’m thinkin’ of you, Hell yeah that’s true”, conveying the band’s love and appreciation for their fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Live from the studio here in New York
The band is performing live from their studio in New York City.
Bubbly gettin' cold pop the cork
They are opening a bottle of bubbly and getting ready to party.
We gonna take this party straight cross town
They are going to bring the party to the other side of town.
Show 'em how the Criminals get down
They want to show everyone how they party and have a good time.
Yo Fist
Fist is a nickname for one of the band members.
Yo you got it where you knot it put the crack pipe down
This line is telling someone who is addicted to drugs to put the crack pipe down.
It's been a while since I been around town
The singer has been away from town for a while.
Y'all gettin' fat since Carlito went away
The people in town have gained weight since a person named Carlito left the town.
Hey yeah I reloaded ok?
The singer has reloaded or replenished his energy and is ready to party.
Thinkin' of you
The singer is thinking of someone special.
And all the things that you do
They are thinking of all the things that the special person does that they appreciate.
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
The singer is definitely thinking of the special person.
Hell yeah that's true
And they are acknowledging that their feelings are true.
So sway with the love that you've got in the heart
This line is encouraging people to dance and enjoy the love they have in their hearts.
And apart from being light to the spark
The love in their hearts can make everything seem brighter and happier.
It's dark, and the bad men will play games
In the darkness, there are people who will try to cause trouble or harm.
Talkin' tough droppin' name games
These people will talk tough and try to intimidate others by using name-calling or insults.
Player that's a shame
The fact that people act this way is a shame.
Then the other day punk tried to
Recently, someone tried to do something foolish or dangerous.
Blow up the spot but he was stopped
However, they were stopped by someone else before they could cause any damage.
Take it easy yeah this ain't China, how are ya?
This line is meant to tell people to relax because they are not in a stressful situation like someone living in China.
I got Frank like Oscar Mayer, inspire ya
The singer is saying that they have something special, like the way Oscar Mayer has something special with their hot dogs. They want to inspire others with what they have to offer.
Make you jump and shout, yes it's out
Their music will make people want to dance and shout with joy.
The Criminals don't let you down
The band is reliable and will always deliver good music and a good time.
Poop scoopin', Mott the Hooplin'
These are likely made-up phrases or references that don't have a specific meaning.
I take the hip hop back to school and put the blues in
The band is taking hip hop music back to its roots and adding a bluesy twist to it.
Now we cruisin', body movin,
They are cruising, or driving around, and their bodies are moving to the music.
Yeah we provin' the only sue I know is Susan
They are proving themselves and the only person they know with the name Sue is named Susan.
Now don't over play your hand, lay in the cut
This line is saying to not overdo things or try too hard, but to take it easy and not make a scene.
Mix it up, stay tough, actin' hard aint enough
To succeed in life, you need to be flexible and adaptable, not just try to act tough all the time.
You use your head, diversify your bonds
Be smart and strategic in your life choices, including your financial investments.
Sing it like a song, hit it like a bong
This line is telling people to enjoy life and go for it, like you would sing a song or hit a bong.
Gone are the days but the dawn is on its way
The past is over, but a new beginning is on the horizon.
And if you stay in the game nothin' gets in your way
If you stay focused and committed to your goals, nothing can stop you from success.
Tenacity, guts or what have you
Having determination and courage are important qualities for success, among other things.
Do they give you 'nuff respect up on the avenue?
This line is asking if you are respected by others on the street (avenue).
Stuck in a rut, but
Sometimes you might feel stuck in a negative situation, but...
I'm the one that knows what you about
...they are the one who understands what you are going through.
Yes you radiate heat; you put the boom in the beat
This line is paying a compliment, saying that the person they are singing to is full of energy and adds excitement to the music.
You're the dream I wanna dream when I'm asleep, yeah
The person the singer is thinking of is someone they dream about even when they are asleep.
Far no chicken, no chicken no way
This line is expressing that they are not easily frightened or intimidated.
Shuffle in your pizzle, repeat all day
This line likely doesn't have a specific meaning and may just be a mix of words for rhythm and rhyme.
Some say the underdogs are on their way
People are saying that the unlikely winners are going to succeed.
Man we're here and y'all pressed play
The band is here and ready to perform, and people have started listening.
The times need us, they come between us
This line may be saying that challenging times can come between people and create division.
Proppin' up Judas like Jesus to please us, please
This line is likely criticizing people for betraying others in order to gain attention or power, like Judas did to Jesus.
When I think of you, the moon is in my eyes
This line is expressing how deeply the singer feels for the person they are thinking of.
And it's no surprise, that my love is true
Their love for the person is unwavering and genuine.
And just the thought of you
Even just thinking about the special person brings joy to the singer.
Brings the sun at night
Just thinking about that person can make the darkness seem brighter and more hopeful.
And the stars are bright like I shine for you
The love the singer has for the person is so strong that it feels like they are shining like the stars to them.
Thinkin' of you
The song ends with the repetitive phrase of thinking of the special person.
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Thinkin' of you
And all the things that you do
Yeah I'm thinkin' of you
Hell yeah that's true
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Thinkin' of you
Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Zero the painter
THE FLC been sick fly smooth since the beginning. It was cool to watch them grow as artist .
Richard 77
makes me want to break my drum kit out, love it love it love it, coolest band in the world, i remember the first time i heard FLC back in college damn 15 years ago lol, i would expect them to have a whole new wave of fans on the back of this new album, they've come full circle without ever changing their style respect to that
bvdscheur
Finally the Criminals return! Of course I've been checking out Huey's Show on BBC 6 for these last years, but oh it's good to know these guys are back and kicking it! This song's a killer, it couldn't have had a better fitting title!
SouthernSky
New album is awesome! Great job FLC !!!
fortheloveoftunes
These guys got class, always so groovy-cool!
Lena Eldståhl
Love it!
Beardedbobber
another great show at glasgow the other nite!!! great show..no side show, just constant CLASS... well done FLC!!! Thanks
CitySkin09
The FLC will always remain my musical heroes...
darayavahush1
Kolesie trzymają poziom - muza dobra na wszystko :)
Oceloteater
I seen these guys at oxegen 09 (Ireland) and Huey pointed out to the crowd his new sneakers, the very shoes i was wearing! I felt very cool! =P Awesome band - underrated as hell!