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"Unbelievable" is a song written and performed by British band EMF, originally appearing on their debut album, Schubert Dip (1991). It was released as a single in the UK in October 1990 by Parlophone, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart on 1 December 1990. It was the 30th-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK, and a top-10 hit also in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. In the United States, "Unbelievable" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 in 1991. The song was produced by Ralph Jezzard, and contains samples of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay and performance poet Gylan Kain. Its accompanying music video was directed by Josh Taft, depicting the band performing onstage.
Background and release
Ian Dench, the band's guitarist and primary songwriter, has stated that the melody of the song came into his head as he was riding his bicycle while thinking of a recent girlfriend who had dumped him. Dench had learned to play classical guitar and also loved the blues. The guitar riff in the song goes from blues mode to flamenco mode, "like the two conflicting sides of his life", as he said in an interview with The Guardian. Singer James Atkins had suggested incorporating influences from Chicago house and Detroit techno, but Dench went for crossover indie/dance music.
The band made a four-track demo and were invited to London by the record labels. Instead the band suggested that label representatives witness the band perform live in the Forest of Dean. Staff from Virgin, Island and EMI wanted to sign them, and EMI won.
The "Oh!" sample comes from a recording of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay, released on Def Jam. The band therefore needed to speak to the Def Jam office in order to clear the sample. They were flown to Los Angeles for a meeting with EMI. During the trip, Dench happened to see Rick Rubin, founder of Def Jam, in a bar. Dench spoke to Rubin about clearing the sample, to which Rubin responded, “Fax my office in the morning.” He cleared the sample free.
Contrary to repeated claims, including from the band themselves in the liner notes and elsewhere, the chopped-up phrase, "What the... WAS that?" – featured prominently in the chorus and throughout – was not sampled from a Black Panther rally speech, but rather a syncopated section of the spoken word song "Silly Shit" by Gylan Kain from his 1970 album The Blue Guerrilla.
"Unbelievable" was released on 22 October 1990 as the first single from the band's debut album Schubert Dip.
The band drew inspiration from American hip-hop for their fashion style, using their first advance to buy puffer jackets like those worn by members of East 17.
File Hashes
HASH1: 87719E81BE452C8D
HASH2: C4C851128ADCB547 (FLAC)
Available in:
"Unbelievable" is a song written and performed by British band EMF, originally appearing on their debut album, Schubert Dip (1991). It was released as a single in the UK in October 1990 by Parlophone, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart on 1 December 1990. It was the 30th-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK, and a top-10 hit also in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. In the United States, "Unbelievable" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 in 1991. The song was produced by Ralph Jezzard, and contains samples of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay and performance poet Gylan Kain. Its accompanying music video was directed by Josh Taft, depicting the band performing onstage.
Background and release
Ian Dench, the band's guitarist and primary songwriter, has stated that the melody of the song came into his head as he was riding his bicycle while thinking of a recent girlfriend who had dumped him. Dench had learned to play classical guitar and also loved the blues. The guitar riff in the song goes from blues mode to flamenco mode, "like the two conflicting sides of his life", as he said in an interview with The Guardian. Singer James Atkins had suggested incorporating influences from Chicago house and Detroit techno, but Dench went for crossover indie/dance music.
The band made a four-track demo and were invited to London by the record labels. Instead the band suggested that label representatives witness the band perform live in the Forest of Dean. Staff from Virgin, Island and EMI wanted to sign them, and EMI won.
The "Oh!" sample comes from a recording of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay, released on Def Jam. The band therefore needed to speak to the Def Jam office in order to clear the sample. They were flown to Los Angeles for a meeting with EMI. During the trip, Dench happened to see Rick Rubin, founder of Def Jam, in a bar. Dench spoke to Rubin about clearing the sample, to which Rubin responded, “Fax my office in the morning.” He cleared the sample free.
Contrary to repeated claims, including from the band themselves in the liner notes and elsewhere, the chopped-up phrase, "What the... WAS that?" – featured prominently in the chorus and throughout – was not sampled from a Black Panther rally speech, but rather a syncopated section of the spoken word song "Silly Shit" by Gylan Kain from his 1970 album The Blue Guerrilla.
"Unbelievable" was released on 22 October 1990 as the first single from the band's debut album Schubert Dip.
The band drew inspiration from American hip-hop for their fashion style, using their first advance to buy puffer jackets like those worn by members of East 17.
File Hashes
HASH1: 87719E81BE452C8D HASH2: C4C851128ADCB547 (FLAC) Genre
Alternative Rock
Mood
Boisterous
Style
Electronic
Theme
---
Music Video
None
Video Director
Josh Taft
Video Production Company
None
Music Video Screenshots
Status
UnlockedData Complete
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