Their debut album, "Everything Sucks" (1995), was an underground hit and led to a deal with Mojo Records (see also Mojo), an indie label. "Turn the Radio Off" (1996) established the band in the underground music scene, and they began touring throughout the USA. After the single "Sell Out" began breaking into the mainstream, including MTV, the album made an appearance on the charts. The ska revival was short-lived, however, and "Why Do They Rock So Hard?" (1998) did not lead the group to the mainstream.
Reel Big Fish released "Cheer Up" (2002) which began a movement into harder rock and pop sounds, with much less ska than the previous albums. The song "Where Have You Been?" was aimed at a wider audience, trying to drop the less popular ska sound, but was met with little mainstream success, despite the video. Their second most recent studio album was "We're Not Happy Until You're Not Happy" (2005).
They recently released "Our Live Album is Better Than Your Live Album" (2006) which includes 2 discs worth or their own tunes and a few covers of popular songs along with a DVD. They have worked on the soundtrack to BASEketball, which included a cover of A-Ha's Take On Me.
In 2006, they split from Jive records, who produced a "Best of" album against the will of the band, who could not prevent the release. The band has made a campaign to try and stop people buying the album.
Their 7th album "Monkeys For Nothing and the Chimps For Free" (2007) includes some songs that were previously recorded and released on other albums. It was also the first album with the band's new label, Rock Ridge Records.
In 2009, they released "Fame, Fortune, and Fornication" an album composed of covers of older songs, including "Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty, and "Nothin' But a Good Time" by Poison.
In 2012, Reel Big Fish released "Candy Coated Fury", which is their second album on Rock Ridge Records. This album was met with heavy amounts of criticism from fans and reviewers alike. PunkNews.org gave the album a 2/10.
in 2014, they released "Happy Skalidays", a holiday themed EP.
Their current release is 2018's "Life Sucks... Let's Dance!", which gained generally positive reviews from fans and critics.
Current members:
Aaron Barrett - guitar, lead vocals (1992–present)
Dan Regan - trombone, backing vocals (1994–present)
John Christianson - trumpet, backing vocals (2004–present)
Ryland Steen - drums (2005–present)
Derek Gibbs - bass guitar (2007–present)
Past members:
Ben Guzman - vocals (1992–1994)
Zach Gilltrap - keyboards/synthesizers (1992–1994)
Lisa Smith - guitar (1992–1994)
Eric Vismantes - trumpet (1994)
Stephan Reed - saxophone (1994)
Robert Quimby - trombone (1994–1995)
Adam Polakoff - saxophone (1994–1995)
Grant Barry - trombone (1995–1998)
Andrew Gonzales - drums (1992–1998)
Tavis Werts - trumpet (1994–2001)
Carlos de la Garza - drums (1999–2003)
Tyler Jones - trumpet (2001–2004)
Justin Ferreira - drums (2003–2005)
Matt Wong - bass, backing vocals (1992–2007)
Scott Klopfenstein - trumpet, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–2011)
Boyfriend
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everybody in New York City
If they listen to that Alternative
If there fourteen and lookin' pretty
They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their boyfriend
I can take you any place you wanna go
I can be whatever you want me to be
I can be whatever you want me to be
All the girls in the back room
I won't miss 'em when there gone
Don't you know there ain't nobody
You're the only one that turns me on
Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
I can take you any place you wanna go
I can show you anything you wanna see
I can be whatever you want me to be
The Reel Big Fish's song, "Boyfriend," is an upbeat and catchy tune that is loved by many due to its mix of energetic punk rock music and its romantic lyrics that, on the surface, seem like an earnest love song. However, upon close examination of the lyrics, it becomes clear that the song is a sarcastic jab at the shallow nature of young girls and society's obsession with physical beauty.
The lyrics begin by referencing popular cities like London and New York, where teenagers who listen to alternative music and "look pretty" obsess over finding a boyfriend. The singer of the song acknowledges that he is highly desired by these young girls but also recognizes that they are all the same, interchangeable and replaceable. He lists some of the things he can do for them - take them anywhere, show them anything, and become whoever they want him to be - but his tone reveals that he's not interested in a true connection, only in satisfying their whims.
In the second verse, he sings about the other girls in the back room who won't be missed when they're gone. The singer hints at the loneliness and longing lurking beneath his brash exterior when he sings, "Don't you know there ain't nobody, you're the only one that turns me on." The final chorus of the song requests the listener's attention and asks, "Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?," but it's hard to tell whether it's a genuine request or a continuation of the sarcasm that dominates the entire song.
Overall, "Boyfriend" is a satirical take on dating and relationships in modern society, where physical appearance often trumps deeper connections and sincere emotions. Despite its somewhat bitter message, the song remains a crowd-pleaser thanks to its catchy melody and lively energy.
Line by Line Meaning
All the kids down in London
Referring to young people in London
And everybody in New York City
And all the people in New York City
If they listen to that Alternative
If they like alternative music
If they fourteen and lookin' pretty
If they are fourteen years old and attractive
They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their romantic partner
They want me to be their boyfriend
They want me to be their romantic partner
I can take you any place you wanna go
I can bring you to any location you desire
I can show you anything you wanna see
I can introduce you to anything you are curious about
I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires
I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires
All the girls in the back room
Referring to girls in a certain area of a venue
I won't miss 'em when there gone
I won't miss those girls when they leave
Don't you know there ain't nobody
Don't you know that there is nobody else
You're the only one that turns me on
You are the only person who arouses me sexually
Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your romantic partner?
Don't you want me to be your boyfriend?
Don't you want me to be your romantic partner?
I can take you any place you wanna go
I can bring you to any location you desire
I can show you anything you wanna see
I can introduce you to anything you are curious about
I can be whatever you want me to be
I can change my personality and behavior to fit your desires
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEVIN RAVENELL, NICOLE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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