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)
Nothing But a Good Time
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not a dime, I can't pay my rent
I can barely make it through the week
Saturday night I'd like to make my girl
But right now I can't make ends meet
I'm always workin' slavin' every day
Gotta get a break from that same OL' same OL'
If you could hear me think this is what I'd say
[Chorus]
Don't need nothin' but a good time
How can I resist
Ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time
And it don't get better than this
They say I spend my money on women and wine
But I couldn't tell you where I spent last night
I'm really sorry about the shape I'm in
I just like my fun every now and then
I'm always workin' slavin' every day
Gotta get away from that same old same old
I need a chance just to get away
If you could hear me think this is what I'd say
[Chorus]
You see I raise a toast to all of us
Who are breakin' our backs every day
If wantin' the good life is such a crime
Lord, then put me away
Here's to ya
[Chorus: x3]
The song "Nothing But a Good Time" by Reel Big Fish is all about the desire to let loose and have some fun regardless of any financial hardships. The lyrics include the singer expressing his current financial struggle in not being able to pay rent or even take his girl out on a date. He feels like he's stuck in the same routine of working and struggling just to get by. However, despite his financial troubles, he doesn't need anything but a good time to make him happy.
The chorus illustrates the simplicity of his desires, which revolve around just having a good time with no expectations or pressure. He wants to escape the monotony of his daily life, which consists of working all day, every day, with no break. The song suggests the need for people to tolerate some stress and hardship, but ultimately, they look forward to the joy that comes from breaking away from their routines and having a good time.
To summarize, the song is all about how people need a break from their constant daily grind and to let loose and have some fun, even if it means living a little dangerously. It portrays the importance of finding joy and happiness in the simplest things, and how one can get through the hardships of life with a positive outlook on things.
Line by Line Meaning
Now listen
Pay attention to what I'm about to say
Not a dime, I can't pay my rent
I don't have any money and can't afford my rent
I can barely make it through the week
I struggle to get by during the workweek
Saturday night I'd like to make my girl
On Saturday nights, I want to spend time with my girlfriend
But right now I can't make ends meet
But at the moment, I can't afford to do so
I'm always workin' slavin' every day
I work hard every day
Gotta get a break from that same OL' same OL'
I need a break from the usual monotonous routine
I need a chance just to get away
I need an opportunity to escape
If you could hear me think this is what I'd say
If you knew what I was thinking, this is what I would say
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus
Don't need nothin' but a good time
I don't need anything more than to enjoy myself
How can I resist
It's hard to say no to a good time
Ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time
I'm not looking for anything else except to have fun
And it don't get better than this
There's nothing better than this
They say I spend my money on women and wine
People accuse me of spending my money on women and alcohol
But I couldn't tell you where I spent last night
But I don't remember where I spent the previous night
I'm really sorry about the shape I'm in
I apologize for my current state
I just like my fun every now and then
I enjoy having fun occasionally
You see I raise a toast to all of us
I propose a toast to everyone
Who are breakin' our backs every day
Who work hard every day
If wantin' the good life is such a crime
If it's a crime to desire a good life
Lord, then put me away
Then punish me, God
Here's to ya
Cheers!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOBBY DALL, BRET MICHAELS, BRUCE ANTHONY JOHANNESSON, RIKKI ROCKET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Krish Shanmugam
on Everyone Else is an Asshole
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