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.
Love Unlimited
Fun Lovin' Criminals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and if Barry White, saved your life
Or got you back with your ex-wife [Chorus 1]
Sing Barry White, Barry White It's alright.
Now I was watching Banachek, my mind's eye,
Right back when I was seed and learning my life.
At night they came together and gave me sight
Now when she came over, she brought the diskettes
On and on, she promised to kick this.
EWF, stole my breath,
When he finished, there was nothing left.
Over and over, 'til it's ready,
Sing about it low and fat, like J.P. Ghetti
We make it happen, ass slappin
Sitting on the point to where you never catch us napping
CO efino, he got the money grips,
No parking for Saturday night and the pips
The pips know the hymns, they singing along
Like knowing new verbs is gonna keep you from the twilight
(Do a little like that)
Barry White, Barry White
You know it's all right
Over and over, 'til it's ready,
Sing about it low and fat, like J.P. Ghetti
We make it happen, ass slappin
Sitting on the point to where you never catch us napping
CO efino, he got the money grips
No parking for Saturday night and the pips
The lyrics to Fun Lovin' Criminals' song "Love Unlimited" are a tribute to the late Barry White and how his music impacted the singer's life. The chorus proclaims "Barry White, saved my life," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for how his music gave the singer hope or helped them through a difficult time. The repetition of "Barry White, Barry White, it's alright" emphasizes the positivity and joy that White's music brings.
The lyrics continue with references to other musicians and their impact on the singer's life. Banachek, a mystic and illusionist, is mentioned as someone who helped the singer gain insight into their life. EWF, or Earth, Wind & Fire, is credited with stealing the singer's breath with their music. But through it all, it's Barry White who remains the most important figure in the singer's life.
The last verse of the song seems to suggest that the joy and positivity that White's music brings is something that the singer wants to share with others. They sing about making things happen and never "catch[ing] us napping." It's a call to action to live life to the fullest, with Barry White's music as the soundtrack.
Line by Line Meaning
Barry White, saved my life
Barry White's music helped me get through a tough time
and if Barry White, saved your life
If you also found solace in Barry White's music
Or got you back with your ex-wife
Or if his music played a role in reconciliation with an ex-spouse
Sing Barry White, Barry White It's alright.
Celebrate and enjoy the relief his music brought you
Now I was watching Banachek, my mind's eye,
As a child, I watched Banachek and imagined great things
Right back when I was seed and learning my life.
This was during my formative years
At night they came together and gave me sight
Through music and other artistic expression, they expanded my perspective
He said it's better doing this, than sucking on a pipe.
This creative outlet is a healthier form of release than destructive habits
Now when she came over, she brought the diskettes
When she came to visit, she brought music with her
On and on, she promised to kick this.
She promised to continue to provide great music
EWF, stole my breath,
Hearing Earth, Wind & Fire's music took my breath away
When he finished, there was nothing left.
The music was so powerful that it left me speechless
Over and over, 'til it's ready,
Repeating the process until the art is perfected
Sing about it low and fat, like J.P. Ghetti
Use a smooth and soulful delivery when making music, like J.P. Ghetti
We make it happen, ass slappin
We bring the energy and excitement to our performances
Sitting on the point to where you never catch us napping
We are always on our game and never caught off guard
CO efino, he got the money grips,
CO efino has the financial resources to help us produce quality music
No parking for Saturday night and the pips
It's going to be a busy night and there will be no parking available for the performers and their fans
The pips know the hymns, they singing along
The fans know the songs and are excitedly singing along
Like knowing new verbs is gonna keep you from the twilight
Their enthusiasm is a temporary escape from life's harsh realities
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN ANDREW LEISER, HUGH THOMAS MORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Jameson
This song is almost 30 years old... And it still has Love Unlimited ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Carlos Fuentes
23 largos años buscando esta canción....ya puedo morir en paz
Filipe Rosa
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
talboot01
Hahahaha ....Barry White, saved your life :D
Jurgen
Bought the CD when it came out, saw them perform a couple of times through the years (so much fun) and still listening in 2019. This is timeless!
Temisan Adoki
quite possibly one of the best fun lovin criminals tracks ever. In fact , this whole album is a gem.
Meg Oz
Ааааах, до мурашек......такие воспоминания нахлынули.... !!!!🔥
Squishy
Uwielbiałem ich. Kasety się powycierały od ciągłego słuchania. Ach ta muzyka w '90 tych.
Ignacio Herrera
Años de no escucharte y sigues extraordinariamente encantadora canción!!
Geronimo Lucas
Que banda más chingona por Dios!