Search - Fun Boy Three :: Waiting

From the 19th Century to 1983, this disc is fun... boy!

Thomas Baldwin | Upland, California 90210 | 06/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I went out on a limb and purchased this CD on the strength of "Our Lips Are Sealed". Written by Terry Hall and Jane Wiedlin during a torrid love affair, it was a surprise hit for the Go-Go's in 1981... the Fun Boy Three version is even better. The arrangement is stunning, highly synthesized with operatic female backing vocals and a subtle, highly detailed rhythm section. The version on Waiting is a slight remix, with a cool 40 second drum/rhythm break at the end. This one song is worth the money alone... ...and though nothing else on the CD sounds even remotely similar to it, I was plesently surprised.Since Amazon is only displaying one title from the LP (and its #7 not #1!) I'll give you the rundown.Track 1 is a meticulously flawless instrumental called "Murder She Said", very late 1800s/early 1900s, reminds me of Disneyland for some reason. Great to drive to, singing at the top of your lungs to lyrics you've just created in your head."Murder She Said" bleeds nicely into "The More That I See (The Less I Believe)", the first single released from Waiting in December 1982. This is very atypical of pop music in 1982/83, or anytime I can think of. Very stunning, it makes you want to dance.Track 3 is a laid back, almost ska/raegae tune called "Going Home", this sounds like the next logical step from The Specials "Ghost Town", I love it (I bet you wish I had something negative to say).Number 4 is probably my favorite... "We're Having All The Fun", This makes up for "Faith And Hope And Charity" from the Fun Boys 1982 self titled debut. The closest Terry has ever gotten to rap, the lyrics are hilarious. Trivia: This song is linked to Terry Halls next band (The Colourfield)... Listen to this song, then "Take" from the Colourfields debut.Track 5 is the pot anthem "Farm Yard Connection", which could almost be a Specials song as well. Terry sounds like a deranged punk in the bridge of this, almost like Johnny Rotten! This would've been a huge hit is if it was a single. 6 is the second single "Tunnel Of Love", another amazing song... 7 I already mentioned.8 is my least favorite "The Pressure Of Life Takes Weight Off The Body", not to say its bad, far from it, it's just the weakest track on here. I don't skip it when I listen to the CD, there are really no bad songs on this.9 is the slowest track called "Things We Do", I am running out of things to say now! I like this though.10 is the creepiest... "Well Fancy That", Terrys tale of molestation at the hands of one his teachers. Brilliant is an understatement, this song is a masterpiece both musically and lyrically. It still makes my skin crawl!This is Terry Halls best work... no wait, his haircut is, but this is a close second! I listen to this constantly, its an incredible piece of work, light years ahead of the FB3 debut, or even the best of The Specials. This is the best album of 1983. It hasn't aged a day."

Nice mellow grooves from some "special" guys

sbull@ccpl.carr.lib.md.us | Maryland | 07/05/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One of the most over-looked gems of 1983. Formed out of remnants of The Specials, Fun Boy 3 create a cool mix of ska, reggae, soul, and jazz. The opening song of Waiting, "Our lips are sealed" (which is much hipper than the Go-go's version), says it all. Way laid-back cool, much cooler than their previous hit, "It ain't what you do" with Banarama (for you young kids, a kind of slaggier '80's Spice Girls. no check that, the Spice Girls are way slaggier). Anyway, wait for a hot summer evening, move the CD player to the porch, grind up some daiquiri's, put up your flip-flops, and let the Boys take you there. Mmmmmm."

Fun Boy Four (Stars)

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 01/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What a flood of summertime memories for me with this one. I was 13 when Waiting was released in 1983.The only other memorable stateside song or hit Fun Boy Three had was The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum).That was an eerie yet partying track for the Halloween season. Waiting was produced by Talking Heads member David Byrne. Therefore, there are some strong Byrne influences a la "Burning Down the House" on a few tracks. Our Lips Are Sealed is an exceptional rendition of the song made famous by the Go-Gos.Fun Boy Three puts a more "serious" sounding twist to Our Lips truly making it a guy's version versus the sweet infectious pop sound by the Go-Gos...Fun Boy Three may also recall the likes of Oingo Boingo and a hint of OMD. FB3 was definitley an 80's synth pop-new wave band not to be taken so lightly and mistaken for a kitsch act..."