The group released their self-titled first album in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.
On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering about finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.
By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album was more similar to their debut album than their previous release.
Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the group, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, the release of "Electric Mile" was followed by extensive touring.
By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.
Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs.
In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.
G. Love's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted.
G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.
Fatman
G. Love & Special Sauce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got some business in the front room
Dude wants to buy a ride
Is that right?
Tell him I said I'm eating a sandwich
What's it gonna be
Me or my ham and swiss
Your gonna miss the sale fatman
I bet your face has pocks
Like chicken croquettes
Your knees are gonna knock
To stand on them pork chops
Stop eating for a second cause I got the money
Stop eating for a second cause I got the money
Want to buy fan van
From a fat fat man
He said see the tears in my eyes
See the tears in my eyes
See the tears in my eyes
Mean mean old man
Mean mean old mind
Fatman I'm customer
Come on and play nice
Gots to make an offer now
Or you're gonna pay the price
Bet your day would be great
If I brought you some
Steak and potatoes
Your jowells are like
Rotten red tomatoes
Sold me the car you could at least make some dough
You're dough boy you're rude
I don't like that attitude
Treat me like that
I'll have to bust a hit
In graffitit on your wall
Should've taken my call
See the tears in my eyes
See the tears in my eyes
See the tears in my eyes
Mean mean old man
Mean mean old mind
Fat Man
Fat Man
Fat Man
Gaal
The lyrics of G. Love & Special Sauce's song Fatman can be interpreted in multiple ways. The first interpretation is that the song is about a man trying to buy a car from the Fatman, but the Fatman is more interested in eating a sandwich than making a sale. The potential buyer tries to coax the Fatman into selling him the car by appealing to his emotions, stating that he can make the Fatman's day great by bringing him steak and potatoes. However, the Fatman continues to be rude and dismissive, causing the potential buyer to become frustrated and even threaten him with graffiti on his wall.
Another interpretation of the lyrics is that the Fatman represents a symbol of greed and consumerism. The potential buyer represents the everyday person who is willing to participate in this system, to a certain extent, but ultimately becomes disillusioned by the Fatman's lack of empathy and humanity. The Fatman's focus on his sandwich could represent the frivolous material possessions that distract him from the important things in life.
Overall, the song Fatman speaks to the tensions between commerce and empathy, as well as the consequences of prioritizing one over the other.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo fatman
Addressing the person named 'Fatman'
You got some business in the front room
You have someone who wants to talk to you in the front room
Dude wants to buy a ride
Someone wants to buy a vehicle from you
Is that right?
Asking for confirmation
Tell him I said I'm eating a sandwich
Informing the buyer that you're currently eating
What's it gonna be
Me or my ham and swiss
Asking the buyer to choose between the seller or the sandwich
Your gonna miss the sale fatman
Your gonna miss your sale you fat whale
Threatening to leave without making a sale and insulting the seller's weight
I bet your face has pocks
Like chicken croquettes
Insulting the seller's complexion
Your knees are gonna knock
To stand on them pork chops
Insulting the seller's weight and physical ability
Stop eating for a second cause I got the money
Asking the seller to stop eating and pay attention because the buyer has money
Want to buy fan van
From a fat fat man
Expressing interest in buying a van from a larger man
He said see the tears in my eyes
Mean mean old man
Mean mean old mind
Describing the seller as mean and implying he's crying because of his own behavior
Fatman I'm customer
Come on and play nice
Reminding the seller that the buyer is a potential customer and asking to be treated fairly
Gots to make an offer now
Or you're gonna pay the price
Urging the seller to give a price or face consequences
Bet your day would be great
If I brought you some
Steak and potatoes
Imagining that the seller would be happier if he had better food
Your jowells are like
Rotten red tomatoes
Insulting the seller's facial features
Sold me the car you could at least make some dough
You're dough boy you're rude
I don't like that attitude
Complaining that the seller didn't give a good deal and insulting his weight again
Treat me like that
I'll have to bust a hit
In graffitit on your wall
Should've taken my call
Threatening to vandalize the seller's property and blaming him for not answering the phone
See the tears in my eyes
Mean mean old man
Mean mean old mind
Repeating previous imagery and insults
Fat Man
Fat Man
Fat Man
Repeating the title of the song as a conclusion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind