Would it surprise you to learn that the original title was "Unbelievable"? The writer, Irving Gordon, penned it as a way of thanking us for retrieving some stolen sheet music. We suggested tweaking it and turning it into a love song. He did, and it came to the attention of one Nat King Cole. The rest, as they say, is history.
One time we were hanging out for a little R'n'R in the town of Epsom in Surrey, UK. While we were quaffing some ales in an Epsom pub a funky band was playing, and getting quite a good reception. We couldn't help but think, though, that the band's name, Evil Monster Fist, was not really in keeping with their sound. That was more of a heavy metal name.
After their set we bought the lads a pint and sat down and discussed the name.
"We think your name might be holding you back," we said. "People will get confused when they think they're coming to listen to some doom-laden rock anthems but end up with perfect slices of funky pop music."
"Well," they replied, "our previous name was Eat My Farts and before that we were Electromagnetic Fields. Those any good?"
"Boy, you really like that E-M-F combination, don't you? Why not try this - we're in Epsom, you guys are funky and a bit mad - how about Epsom Mad Funkers?"
They loved it. Brilliant choice, they said. They hit the road under that monicker for a while, and then got signed to a record label, who shortened it to EMF, which the A&R guy said was punchier.
As a way of thanking us for helping them on the road to stardom, their first single was the following tune...
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