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.
Loco
Fun Lovin' Criminals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All over town
But I get no play
My man says you gotta be crazy
I talk of things
That might be to her
And a voice that makes
Yeah I can tell
Wepa loco
Haremo'si
Nena, haremo'si
I watch her dance man
You know you gotta be crazy
Wepa loco
Man you gotta be crazy
Wepa loco
Her novio might rollover yo
So I gotta go slow
Yeah I can tell, I can tell
He had a love, but he had to leave it
I know of love man
And you just can't beat it
Wepa loco
Now I just know baby, I'm not bad to love
So why the face girl?
Why the face girl?
Wepa loco
You gotta be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You gotta be crazy
Wepa loco
You gotta be crazy
Oye'te sta loco
Porque tu'ta loco
Porque tu'ere loco
Oye'te sta loco
Porque tu'ta loco
(Yo there she comes man)
You gotta watch her walk
Down that street
Yeah, you gotta watch her walk
Down that street
Like she owns it (yeah)
With a boom, boom
And a boom, boom
Just like she owns the motherfucker
Wepa loco
You gotta be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
You got to be crazy
Wepa loco
I can tell (I can tell)
Oye'te sta loco
Porque tu'ta loco
Porque tu'ere loco
Oye'te sta loco
Porque tu'ta loco
The song "Loco" by Fun Lovin' Criminals tells a story of a man who is infatuated with a woman he sees around town but has no luck with her. His friend warns him that he must be crazy to think he has a chance with her because she already has a boyfriend who might retaliate if he tries to pursue her too quickly. Despite his friend's warning, the man watches the woman dance and continues to pine after her. The chorus, "Wepa loco" is a term used in Puerto Rico, often used to express enthusiasm, excitement, or encouragement in a celebratory setting. The song ends with the man questioning why the woman is not interested in him, implying that he is not a bad person to love.
One interpretation of the lyrics could suggest that it is about unrequited love and the challenges of trying to win the affection of someone who is already taken. The use of the Spanish phrase "Wepa loco" adds a layer of cultural significance to the song, perhaps referencing the roots of Latin music in New York, where the band is from. The tone of the song is upbeat and playful, reflecting the excitement and longing of the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
I see her out (shit)
I see this woman all around town, but I can't seem to get her attention.
All over town
This woman is constantly out and about in different parts of the city.
But I get no play
Despite my efforts, this woman is not interested in me romantically.
My man says you gotta be crazy
My friend thinks I'm insane for continuing to pursue a woman who is clearly not interested.
I talk of things
I try to engage the woman in conversation by bringing up various topics.
That might be to her
I try to find common ground and discuss things that she might be interested in.
And a voice that makes
I use my charm and my way with words to capture her attention.
A pulse rush
I can tell that she is intrigued and maybe even a little bit turned on by my words.
Yeah I can tell
I can sense that there is some level of interest from her.
Wepa loco
An exclamation of excitement or approval.
Haremo'si Nena, haremo'si
A nonsense phrase used to convey excitement or enthusiasm.
I watch her dance man
I observe the woman as she dances, trying to get a better sense of her and her interests.
You know you gotta be crazy
My friend once again thinks I am foolish for pinning my hopes on a woman who is clearly not interested.
Her novio might rollover yo
Her boyfriend might come after me if he thinks I am trying to steal his girlfriend.
So I gotta go slow
I need to be cautious in my pursuit of this woman, so as not to give her boyfriend any reason to be suspicious or angry.
He had a love, but he had to leave it
I see the woman's boyfriend as a rival for her affections, but I also acknowledge that he has his own history and reasons for being with her.
I know of love man
I understand the joys and pitfalls of being in a romantic relationship.
And you just can't beat it
Love is a powerful force that is difficult to resist or overcome.
Now I just know baby, I'm not bad to love
I believe that I would make a good partner and that this woman would be lucky to be with me.
So why the face girl?
I am confused and frustrated by the woman's lack of interest in me and wonder if there is something about myself that is turning her off.
Oye'te sta loco
Another phrase used to express enthusiasm or excitement.
Porque tu'ta loco
A variation of the same phrase, used to emphasize the artist's excitement or disbelief.
Porque tu'ere loco
Yet another variation of the same phrase, used to express a sense of amazement or excitement.
You gotta watch her walk
The woman has a captivating way of moving that draws attention and admiration.
Down that street
I am specifically observing her as she walks down a particular street.
Like she owns it (yeah)
The woman exudes confidence and self-assurance, as if the street or the world belongs to her.
With a boom, boom, And a boom, boom
The rhythm of the woman's walk or the music in the background has a noticeable beat or cadence.
Just like she owns the motherfucker
The woman exerts a powerful and commanding presence over everything and everyone around her.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BEEB BIRTLES, DAVID JOHN BRIGGS, HUGH MORGAN, BRIAN LEISER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
3Xcollasso
I see her out, yeah...
All over town
But I get no play
My man says 'you gotta be crazy'
I talk of things
That might be to her
In a voice that makes her pulse rush...
Yeah, I can tell
Remose Namaremose
Watch her dance man
You know you gotta be crazy
...
Man, you gotta be crazy
...
I knowvio might role over you
So I gotta go slow
Yeah I can tell...
He had her love
But he had to leave it
I know of love man
And you just can't beat it
...
Now I just know Baby
I'm not bad to love
So why the face girl?
Why the face girl...
...
You've gotta be crazy
...
You gotta be crazy
...
You got to be crazy
...
You gotta be crazy
Her she comes now
You gotta watch her walk
Down that street
Yeah, you gotta watch her walk
Down that street
Like she owns it, yeah
With a boom-boom
And a boom-boom
Just like she owns the motherfucker
andreablsph
Still the best music video in history
NeilJ
Nah, Call On Me
Dilligaf?
Pepper by Butthole Surfers, Frontier Psychiatry by The Avalanches and Sabotage by Beastie Boys should be watched before making such a bold statement.
VinMan
Beastie boys: Hold my beer....
Short Fuse
wait till you find out 'bout this thing called "porn" ....
Vasili Krez
Absolutely!
RENZO CORTEZ
Love these cool dudes ...Just amazing music & band !
Jon Dingle
Awesome band, music and of course the gorgeous co stars in the video!
CEN TRAL
This is my jam I play after my shift is over
Tomasz Radziszewski
Ależ to jest zajebiste 👍🏽👏👏😀💥💥👌🤩🥳