Unbelievable (EMF song)


Unbelievable is a song written by 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.

Background and composition

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. The track was produced by Ralph Jezzard.

Records

The song's opening and chorus features a sample of a Black Panther Party member shouting "What the fuck?", which appears in the lyrics in the CD booklet, and was never edited. The song has been used unedited in pre-watershed television adverts.
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. Rolling Stone listed "Unbelievable" at number 12 in their "20 Biggest Songs of the Summer: The 1990s" list in July 2014.

Critical reception

Bill Lamb from About.com said that the song "mixed intoxicating rhythms, sweet high vocals from lead singer James Atkin, and rousing shouts to storm to the top of the pop charts." AllMusic editor Alex Henderson described it as "so insanely infectious" in his review of the Schubert Dip album. He also noted its "dizzying infectiousness". Larry Flick from Billboard noted it as "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." Australian music channel Max placed the song at number 547 in their list of "1000 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2011. Annette Petruso from The Michigan Daily said that "the boys from the Forest of Dean, Great Britain have created an undeniably perfect pop single with the ultra-simple, ultra-catchy and ultra-overplayed "Unbeliveable"."

Formats and track listings

UK CD
  1. "Unbelievable" – 3:30
  2. "Unbelievable" – 5:14
  3. "EMF" – 3:53
UK 7"
  1. "Unbelievable" – 3:30
  2. "EMF" – 3:53
US CD
  1. "Unbelievable" – 3:30
  2. "Unbelievable" – 5:14
  3. "Unbelievable" – 6:20
  4. "Unbelievable" – 4:26
  5. "Unbelievable" – 4:10
  6. "EMF" – 3:53

    Charts and sales

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

All-time charts

Certifications