Unbelievable is a song written and recorded by British band EMF, originally appearing on their debut album Schubert Dip. It was released as a single in the UK in 1990, peaking in the UK Singles Chart at number three on 1 December 1990. It was the 32nd-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK. In the United States, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.[1]

Content of the song [ edit ]

The song contains samples of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay throughout the track, including the loud exclamation of "oh!" at the start of each chorus along with the words "it's unbelievable" spoken during the bridge.[2] The track was produced by Ralph Jezzard.

In the UK (where the band hailed from), the B-side of the single was a track called "EMF" which included the refrain: "E! Ecstasy! M! Motherfucker, motherfucker! F! From us to you...."[citation needed]

"Unbelievable" also samples the word "One" that comes in the refrain "Ya Kid K is the one", from the song "Spin That Wheel" by Eurodance act Hi-Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K. Hi-Tek 3 is a side project from the successful dance act Technotronic.[citation needed]

Records [ edit ]

The song's opening and chorus features a sample of a Black Panther Party member shouting "What the fuck?",[3] which appears in the lyrics in the CD booklet, and was never edited. The song has been used unedited in pre-watershed television adverts.[citation needed]

The song was ranked no. 31 on VH1's 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders in 2002 and no. 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s in 2007.[4] Rolling Stone listed "Unbelievable" at number 12 in their "20 Biggest Songs of the Summer: The 1990s" list in July 2014.[5]

Reception [ edit ]

Billboard wrote about the song: "U.K. act has already stormed European charts with this insinuating, Manchester-influenced rave. Scratchy, neopsychedelic guitar riffs nicely contrast track's hip-hop groove, promising extensive exposure here at both club and radio levels."[6]

Formats and track listings [ edit ]

UK CD (CDR 6273)

"Unbelievable" – 3:30 "Unbelievable (The Cin City Sex Mix)" – 5:14 "EMF (live at The Bilson)" – 3:53

UK 7" (R 6273)

"Unbelievable" – 3:30 "EMF (live at The Bilson)" – 3:53

US CD (E2-56210)

"Unbelievable (single version)" – 3:30 "Unbelievable (Cin City Sex Mix)" – 5:14 "Unbelievable (Boot Lane Mix)" – 6:20 "Unbelievable (House Mix)" – 4:26 "Unbelievable (Hip Hop Mix)" – 4:10 "EMF (live at The Bilson)" – 3:53

Charts and sales [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]