‘Unbelievable’ is a song written and recorded 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, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart on 1 December 1990. It was the 32nd-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK, and a top 10 hit also in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. In the United States, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. The song was produced by Ralph Jezzard, and contains samples of US comedian Andrew Dice Clay and a Black Panther Party member shouting "What the f***?"
Guitarist and principal songwriter of the band, Ian Dench, has stated that the melody to the song came into his head as he was riding on his bike. Still obsessed by his girlfriend who had dumped him, the idea came to him while on his way home. 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 told in an interview with The Guardian.
‘Unbelievable’ was very successful on the charts across several continents. In Europe, the song entered the top 10 in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. In the latter, it peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in its fifth week, on November 25, 1990. The song spent two weeks at the number two position before dropping to number six, seven and ten the following weeks. The single was also a top 10 hit on the Eurochart Hot 100, peaking at number eight in December 1990.
Outside Europe, ‘Unbelievable’ was a top 20 hit in New Zealand, while entering the top 10 also in Australia. In the US, the song achieved huge success, charting on four different Billboard charts; number one on the Hot 100, number nine on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, number five on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and number three on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also hit number one on the Cash Box Top 100. In Canada, ‘Unbelievable’ reached number four on the RPM Top Singles chart and number three on the RPM Dance/Urban chart. The single earned a gold record in Australia, Canada and the United States, and a silver record in the United Kingdom.
Labels – Parlophone (UK), EMI (US)
Songwriters – EMF
Producer – Ralph Jezzard
SONG LYRICS
(Oh!)(What the)
(What the, was that?)
[Verse 1]
You burden me with your questions
You'd have me tell no lies
You're always asking what it's all about
But don't listen to my replies
You say to me I don't talk enough
But when I do I'm a fool
These times I've spent, I've realized
I'm going to shoot through
And leave you
[Chorus]
The things, you say
Your purple prose just give you away
The things, you say
You're Unbelievable
(Oh!)
(What the)
(What the, was that?)
[Verse 2]
You burden me with your problems
By telling me more than mine
I'm always so concerned
With the way you say
You always have to stop
To think of us being one
Is more than I ever know
But this time, I realize
I'm going to shoot through
And leave you
[Chorus]
The things, you say
Your purple prose just give you away
The things, you say
You're Unbelievable
(Woah! What the, was that?)
Seemingly lastless, don't mean
You can ask us
Pushing down the relative
Bringing out your higher self
Think of the fine times, pushing
Down the better few, instead of
Bringing out the clues, to what the
World and everything anger to, brace
Yourself with the grace of ease
I know this world ain't what it seems
(What the, was that?)
It's unbelievable
[Verse 1]
You burden me with your questions
You'd have me tell no lies
You're always asking what it's all about
But don't listen to my replies
You say to me I don't talk enough
But when I do I'm a fool
These times I've spent, I've realized
I'm going to shoot through
And leave you
[Chorus]
The things, you say
Your purple prose just gives you away
The things, you say
Before I love you more
The things, you say
Your purple prose just gives you away
The things you say
You're unbelievable
(What the, was that?)
[Refrain]
You're so unbelievable! (what the)
You're unbelievable
[Guitar Solo]
[Outro]
It's unbelievable
(What the, was that?)
You’re Unbelievable