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)
Take On Me
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know what's left to say
I'm sayin' it anyway
Today's another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for your love o.k.?
Take on me, take me on
In a day or two
So needless to say
I'm odds and ends again
But it's me stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is o.k.
Say it after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry
Take on me,
Take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two
Things that you say
Yeah is it life or just to play my
Worries away
You're all the things I've got to remember
Shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway
Take on me,
Take me on
I'll be gone
in a day or two
Take on me,
Take me on
I'll be gone
in a day
or two
The song "Take On Me" by Reel Big Fish was originally released by a Norwegian new wave band called A-ha. The lyrics are about a man trying to convince a woman to take a chance on him and enter into a romantic relationship. The man is persistent despite the woman's initial hesitance, as he believes that they have a connection that is worth pursuing.
The first verse establishes the man's desire to pursue the relationship, even though he is unsure of what to say or how the woman will respond. He assures her that he will continue to pursue her, even if she is initially unwilling. The repeated refrain, "Take on me, take me on," is the man's plea for the woman to take a chance on him.
The second verse acknowledges that the man is flawed and has made mistakes in the past, but he is learning from his experiences and growing as a person. He tells the woman that it's important to take risks in life and not always play it safe.
Overall, the song is a hopeful depiction of a man who is willing to persevere in pursuit of love, and encourages the idea of taking risks in life rather than playing it safe.
Line by Line Meaning
We're talking away
We're having a conversation
I don't know what's left to say
I'm not sure what else we should talk about
I'm sayin' it anyway
I'll speak my mind regardless
Today's another day to find you
I have another opportunity to see you today
Shying away
You're avoiding me
I'll be coming for your love o.k.?
I'll chase after your love, is that alright?
Take on me, take me on
Challenge me, come at me
I'll be gone
I'll leave
In a day or two
I'll be leaving soon
So needless to say
It's obvious
I'm odds and ends again
I'm feeling uncertain and scattered again
But it's me stumbling away
But I am walking away clumsily
Slowly learning that life is o.k.
Gradually realizing that life is just fine
Say it after me
Repeat what I'm about to say
It's no better to be safe than sorry
It's better to take risks than to always play it safe
Things that you say
The things that you say to me
Yeah is it life or just to play my
Are you talking about life or are you just messing with me
Worries away
Trying to forget my worries
You're all the things I've got to remember
I need to remember all the things about you
Shying away
You're still avoiding me
I'll be coming for you anyway
I'll still come after you, regardless
Take on me
Challenge me
Take me on
Fight me
I'll be gone
I'll leave
in a day or two
Soon
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Pal Waaktaar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ab
These guys are so fucking good live, One of the best live ska band performers out there
BananaMasterRace
Damn straight, I've seen them twice and both times it was phenomenal experience for me, also first live band I saw.
Kevin
The first time I saw RBF was in Philly at the Electric Factory. They opened with this song. It was one of the greatest things I've ever seen live. They came out and went right into the song. The crowd went FUCKING. BALLISTIC.
I've been listening to them for 17 years now, and goddammit, I fucking love them as much as I did the first time I heard them.
Justice Democrat
I love ska songs it's just fking happy and uplifting.
Joey Baughn
I only have chills run down my spine when listening to this song when i see them live, except for this video. It's like i saw them live all over again, excellent job on the video :D
Matias Fierro
Que bien suenan en vivo 👏👏👌
Leonardo Brilhante de Sica
They are amazing live!
MagCynic
I can't imagine how an audience at an MTV Video Awards show would react to something like this. And put them on immediately after somebody like Drake.
trompetarturo
Excellent video, excellent tune and sound, you can hear very clear each instrument. Plus, this is the best band in the world!. Congratulations
Niesdi
they sound great!