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)
song
Reel Big Fish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They like to get you in a compromising position
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They think, they're so cute when they got you in that condition
Well I think, its a total disgrace
And I say when I fight authority, authority always wins
I been doing it, since I was a young kid
And Ive come out grinning
When I fight authority, authority always wins
Well I call up my preacher
I say: gimme strength for round 5
He said: you don't need no strength, you need to grow up, son
I said: growing up leads to growing old and then to dying,
And dying to me don't sound like all that much fun
And I say when I fight authority, authority always wins
When I fight authority, authority always wins
I been doing it, since I was a young kid
And Ive come out grinning
When I fight authority, authority always wins
Oh no!
I fought the law, and the law one [Repeat: x4]
Hey!
When I fight authority, authority always wins
When I fight authority, authority always wins
I been doing it, since I was a young kid
And Ive come out grinning
When I fight authority, authority always wins
And I say, when I fight authority, authority always wins
When I fight authority, authority always wins
I been doing it, since I was a young kid
And Ive come out grinning
When I fight authority, authority always wins
Hey!
The song "Authority Song" by Reel Big Fish is a cover of John Mellencamp's song of the same name. In this song the lyrics depict a rebellious attitude towards authority figures. The verses talk about how those in authority try to catch you in a vulnerable position but it's a disgraceful thing to do. Then the chorus begins with the famous line "When I fight authority, authority always wins" and repeats it multiple times throughout the song. The singer of the song claims to have been fighting authority since he was young and always coming out victorious, despite the consequences. Even when he seeks advice from a preacher, the advice given is to grow up and be responsible, but he rejects this idea as it leads to dying and he does not see that as fun.
The song's message is about standing up for oneself and opposing those in power, despite the consequences. It also portrays the rebellious attitude of youth and their tendency to resist authority. The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes the central theme of the song and the confident tone in which it's sung, reflects the singer's resolve to fight authority. Overall, the song is a high-energy, ska version of Mellencamp's original and one that encourages listeners to question authority and stand up for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
They like to get you in a compromising position
People enjoy putting you in difficult situations
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They'll pretend to be friendly while doing it
They think, they're so cute when they got you in that condition
They find it amusing when you're struggling
Well I think, its a total disgrace
I find it completely unacceptable
And I say when I fight authority, authority always wins
I've learned that challenging those in power never works out in my favor
I been doing it, since I was a young kid
This has been a lifelong struggle
And Ive come out grinning
Despite my losses, I remain resilient
Well I call up my preacher
I turn to those I trust for guidance
I say: gimme strength for round 5
I ask for help in facing yet another challenge
He said: you don't need no strength, you need to grow up, son
He believes I need to mature and accept the way things are
I said: growing up leads to growing old and then to dying, And dying to me don't sound like all that much fun
I refuse to simply accept the status quo and live a mundane life
Oh no!
Expressing concern or dismay
I fought the law, and the law won
I challenged authority and suffered the consequences
When I fight authority, authority always wins
My attempts to resist those in power never succeed
Hey!
Exclamation of excitement or encouragement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Mellencamp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@metaoffdead
I saw a picture - of a wallet chain - it binds my mind today - I thought someone was making fun of someones secret shame - their ability to have a wallet = have a heart I thought...
I thought so hard bout it - I may have lost my own in the process - scraping and screaming for #change that won't fit in a wallet
My photographic memory
Walmart sized now.
Roll back and save on me... I'm g host of past picks - See me and say boo - I want to date you!
_Sweet kenny.
@canberkgurgen
We're talking away
I don't know what
I'm to say I'll say it anyway
Today's another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for your love, okay?
Take on me, (take on me)
Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day or two
So needless to say
I'm odds and ends
I'll be stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is OK
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry
Take on me, (take on me)
Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day or two
Oh the things that you say
Is it live or
Just to play my worries away
You're all the things I've got to remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway
Take on me, (take on me)
Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day
I'll be gone (take on me)
In a day (take me on, take on me)
(Take on me, take on me)
(Take me on, take on me)
(Take on me)
@werty1160
Bruce Green and Gwen Stefani sent me back to 1996-1997
@jonbaxter2254
And Darren Barrett!
@werty1160
@@jonbaxter2254 Actually searched for Darren Barrett at first! Damn Bruce introduced me to a dead genre.
@vile46
Thanks Funhaus!
@krumplesthe2nd
Think he owns a computer yet?
@werty1160
he probably needs a phone capable of connecting to the internet to see how famous he got for the past few days.
@jahviahcroft9723
"No one can steal my wallet! Because I have a wallet chain!"
"Or maybe because there's nothing in it"
@Hedge_witch
Let's all go to the deli...
@sonnyd4reel
“I got fingered in a mosh pot...”
@jallerlepine3596
Cultured people here