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)
Where Have You Been
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And said you missed me after all these years
But I've been waiting here so long
I've gotten over it since you've been gone
You called me late last night again
And said you're finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You showed up at my door today
And said my friend why do you push me away
Yeah, life with him was just so dull
But what we had was something wonderful
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
No way, you wish, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again?
Yeah right, as if, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again, again?
You called me late last night again
You said you've finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone
Well, you say you love me, love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
The song "Where Have You Been?" by Reel Big Fish is a tale of a scorned lover who has moved on from an old flame, only to be presented with the opportunity to take them back. The song begins with a call from the ex-lover in tears, saying that they miss the singer after all these years. However, the singer has waited so long that they have gotten over their ex-lover.
The song progresses with the same ex-lover calling again and saying that they have finished with their new boyfriend and want to come back home. However, the singer is not interested in rekindling the relationship and tells them to go to hell. The ex-lover then shows up at the singer's door, saying that their life with their new partner was just so dull, but what they had was something wonderful.
The lyrics explore the theme of moving on from a failed relationship and the difficulties of opening oneself up to the possibility of reconciliation. The singer has moved on and built a life without their ex-lover, but they are tempted to take them back. However, the singer realizes that they don't need the drama and hurt their ex-lover caused them and ultimately refuses to let them back into their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You called me up last night in tears
You contacted me last night crying
And said you missed me after all these years
You expressed that you missed me after a long time
But I've been waiting here so long
But I've been waiting for you for a long time
I've gotten over it since you've been gone
I've moved on since you left
Well, say you love me, you love me again
Express your love for me once again
But if you love me, where have you been?
But if you truly love me, why did you leave me?
You say you need me more than anyone else
You claim that you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
Well, go away if you have been away for so long
You asked if you could come back home
You requested to come back to me
So sorry that you left me all alone
You are apologizing for leaving me all alone
You showed up at my door today
You arrived at my doorstep today
And said my friend why do you push me away
And enquired why I am pushing you away
Yeah, life with him was just so dull
You admit that life with him was boring
But what we had was something wonderful
But our relationship was something special
No way, you wish, I don't need this
Absolutely not, you wish, I don't want this
What makes you think I'd ever want you again?
What makes you believe that I would want you back in my life?
You say you love me, love me again
You say you love me, once again
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you indeed love me, why were you not around?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: AARON BARRETT, MATT WONG, SCOTT ALLEN KLOPFENSTEIN, DAN REGAN, CARLOS F. GARZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JablesJ
I've always enjoyed that they have two trumpeters who get to stand and do nothing in this song but still hold their trumpets. Good work fellas.
Derek DiMeglio
One trumpet one trombone
Phil Futer
Dude... They did way more shit live (trumpet guys) sung. Dance. Hype men. It was great
weify
I Think ones a trombone
George Woodard
They definitely use the horns section on this song when I saw them live, so this is surprising
Roger Goza
Jack James it’s like when you get called up to give your presentation and the teacher has to yell at everyone to be quiet while you stand there awkwardly
Stevo
This is by far my favorite Ska band. Their bass lines are kick-ass
The Unknown
You say you love this song, but if you love it where have you been
Elia Di Gaetano
please inundate my left-eye bulb with your germinating liquid
Adam Ward
Right here 2018