Fun Lovin’ Criminals proved that never was there a moment in pop history when New York City was not cool and envied by the rest of the world. Prominently representing their city and blending styles daringly and pleasantly, the trio became one of the most important alternative bands of the ’90s.
Time has not been particularly kind on the band’s legacy. That’s a shame and an error that needs correcting. Here are the 10 best songs by Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
Greatest 10 Songs by Fun Lovin’ Criminals
10. “I Can’t Get with That”
Martin Scorsese didn’t direct many comedies during the 1990s. But if he’d somehow been roped into doing a sitcom not unlike the Monkees, set in NYC, and tasked with retaining some mobster cool, he would’ve found no better subjects than Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
The band’s music is nearly always cartoonish and fun. Still, Huey Morgan, Brian “Fast” Leiser, and Steve Bongovini wanted to assure listeners of their debut that they were tough guys with solid principles. “I Can’t Get with That” has “90s music” stamped all over it, but it’s a delightful throwback.
9. “Sugar”
Fun Lovin’ Criminals either made fun hip-hop songs about stick-em-ups, or smooth late-night jams. For a while, both were just the kind of material that cool radio DJs wanted to play.
This tune was meant to serve as a nostalgic look back at childhood. “Sugar” is one more episode in what would’ve been a great animated series. I know I’m pitching this a few decades too late, but it might still fly today with the right alterations.
8. “Loco”
Frankly, the members of FLC have never struck anyone as furnaces of ambition. And that’s why, perhaps, 2001’s “Loco” album sounded like the group running low on ideas.
And while the title song may rehash old themes with a tropical new spin, it’s still a mighty fun single. I can’t see you getting away from this without chanting the chorus for the next week.
7. “Korean Bodega”
It’s funny how quickly bands can go from being cutting edge to being passe. “Korean Bodega” is a very fun song for anyone looking to plant themselves back into the 1990s.
It’s a mix of hip-hop and rap that, currently, apart from Kid Rock, few dare tackle. But in 1998, few did it better than Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
6. “Smoke ‘Em”
“Come Find Yourself,” the debut album by Fun Lovin’ Criminals, is a soundtrack to the life and times of petty New York Criminals, and an alternative to the hardcore rap of the period.
It’s also an interesting mix of jazz, alt-rock and hip-hop beats. The laid-back “Smoke ‘Em” is one of the band’s best tunes, and one that, unlike most other hip-hop acts, they could perform live, as a trio, on the stages of rock festivals.
5. “Love Unlimited”
DJ culture embraced the ’90s Fun Lovin’ Criminals. Like the cut-and-paste DJs of the period, the group liked to blend hip-hop beats with a variety of different styles.
Smooth soul is the genre soaked up for “Love Unlimited,” a tune that further helped establish Barry White’s cult-hero legacy, and one that benefited from another eye-catching music video.
4. “Bump”
Huey of FLC was a tough guy. Supposedly, he’d ended up in the Marines after being busted for dealing coke. At least, that’s what he liked to tell audiences.
But as years went on, he was eager to show that he was also a romantic. “Bump” is a song about meeting the girl of his life at the Gay Night of the bar where he was working. Check out the video. It’ll show you that the group members had charisma to spare.
3. “The Fun Lovin’ Criminal”
It’s no wonder that MTV loved early Fun Lovin’ Criminals so much. They were a party band from the cool part of town.
The group rarely searches for depth, but never sounds clueless while they look for the next pop hook.
“The Fun Lovin’ Criminal” is the group’s mission statement. They were there to try and rob banks and pull pranks. And, audiences, for a good while, cheered them on.
2. “King of New York”
Every city has its heroes. And, among the rock stars and pro athletes, criminals are also among those beloved by the crowds.
Snce, besides Southern Italy, no other place in New York is more famous for its mobsters, of course, a song dedicated to the jailed John Gotti had to exist.
“King of New York” is funky, pleasant, and it might’ve been controversial too, were this not the work of some of the 9’90s’ best cartoon superheroes – Huey, Fast and Steve.
1. “Scooby Snacks”
“Scooby Snacks” is the biggest band that Fun Lovin’ Criminals ever had. The song started out by quoting pop culture references and ended up becoming one.
And, years later, if it sounds like the group echoes The Beastie Boys, Beck, as well as the alt-rock groups at the time, you’d be perfectly right. Morgan was DJ’ing and working the door at NYC club The Limelight. He got the band early gigs there. This experience was invaluable in learning what worked in front of crowds and what didn’t.
With its Tarantino film quotes, hip hop lyrics about robbing banks and a fantastic hook, “Scooby Snacks” is one of the best alternative songs of the 90s and shining moment of Fun Lovin’ Criminals’ career.
