Mr. Loverman

"Mr. Loverman" is a song released in 1991 by Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks. The song was written by Ranks, Mikey Bennett and Hopeton Lindon.[1][2] It was released in 1992 and 1993 as a single,[3] reaching number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK Singles Chart, as well as the top 20 in France, Germany and Ireland. In 2003, Q Magazine ranked "Mr. Loverman" at number 866 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".[4]

"Mr. Loverman"
Single by Shabba Ranks
from the album Rough & Ready Vol. 1 and Deep Cover (soundtrack)
Released1991
Recorded1991
Genre
Length3:36
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Clifton Dillon
  • Mikey Bennett
Shabba Ranks singles chronology
"Love Punaany Bad"
(1991)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1991)		 "Slow And Sexy"
(1991)
Music video
"Mr. Loverman" on YouTube
Shabba Ranks singles chronology
"I Was a King"
(1991)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1991)		 "Housecall"
(1991)

Origin of song

The song first appeared as "Champion Lover" by Deborahe Glasgow. Ranks then versioned "Champion Lover" under the new title "Mr. Lover Man", with Deborahe Glasgow the featured female lead. This version appeared on his Rappin' With the Ladies album in 1988. Glasgow's illness and subsequent early death led to the song being re-recorded for release as a single, this time with Chevelle Franklyn as the featured singer.

The version featuring Chevelle Franklyn was originally released in 1992 with the David Morales remix promoted as the main version, when it charted in a modest position on the UK Singles Chart, but after being re-released in 1993, when dancehall music was starting to enjoy mainstream popularity, the track rose to number three on the UK Singles Chart and remains his biggest hit single to date.

This track also features the first time he used his trademark cry "Shabba!", using the sampled vocals of Maxi Priest from the track "Housecall" on Ranks' 1991 album As Raw As Ever.

Critical reception

In his review of Rough & Ready Vol. 1, AllMusic editor Ron Wynn said that Shabba Ranks "kept the slack dancehall" and noted "his thick, patois-laced delivery" on the song. He added that it "basically defined" the album.[5] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote that "the Shabba Ranks success story will have yet another glowing chapter added once radio programmers get their hands on this deliciously sexy R&B/dancehall gem. A languid, shuffling groove is enhanced by easygoing toasting and sultry femme backing vocals. Yummmm."[6] John Martinucci from Gavin Report stated that "Mr. Loverman" "has hit written all over it".[7] Music & Media commented that "the top man in the ranks of raggamuffin artists knows the tricks to break a relatively unknown musical genre. He keeps it simple and accessible with a very high sing-along factor."[8] James Hamilton from Record Mirror described the song as a "huskily ragga rapped swayer".[9]

Track listings

CD maxi

  1. "Mr. Loverman" (radio mix) — 3:36
  2. "Mr. Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) — 6:05
  3. "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) — 4:05
  4. "Mr. Loverman" (raggamental mix) — 4:24
  5. "Ca'an Dunn" — 5:23
  6. "The Jam" (back to the bridge) — 4:30

CD maxi - Remixes

  1. "Mr Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) — 6:05
  2. "Mr Loverman" (radio mix) — 3:36
  3. "Mr Loverman" (twin city crew mix) — 4:05
  4. "Mr Loverman" (new world mix) — 4:22
  5. "Mr Loverman" (raggamental mix) — 4:24

7" single

  1. "Mr. Loverman" (radio mix) — 3:36
  2. "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) — 4:05

12" maxi

  1. "Mr. Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) — 6:05
  2. "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) — 4:05
  3. "Mr. Loverman" (new world mix) — 4:22
  4. "Mr. Loverman" (raggamental mix) — 4:24

Charts

The song was used briefly in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It was also featured in the soundtrack of 1992's motion-picture Deep Cover. The song was parodied in an episode of In Living Color titled "Mr. Ugly Man", where it was performed by actor/comedian Marlon Wayans. English football club Birmingham City used to sing this song about their striker Peter Lovenkrands until his retirement in November 2014. The British TV show Total Wipeout used the song for a contestant named Shabba.

References
  1. "Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions". Answers.com.
  2. AllMusic Guide
  3. "25 R&B Dancehall & Reggae Fusion Songs To Turn You On - Page 3 of 25". 1 August 2016.
  4. "Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)".
  5. "Shabba Ranks - Rough & Ready, Vol. 1". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  6. "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  7. Martinucci, John (8 May 1992). "Urban: New Releases" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 42. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  8. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 5 September 1992. p. 11. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. "DJ Directory: Out On Monday" (PDF). Record Mirror. 1 August 1992. p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  10. "Austriancharts.at – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 36. 5 September 1992. p. 21. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  13. "Offiziellecharts.de – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  14. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Shabba Ranks" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  15. "Dutchcharts.nl – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  16. "Swedishcharts.com – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  18. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 22 August 1992. p. 20. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  19. "Shabba Ranks Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  20. "Shabba Ranks Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  21. "Shabba Ranks Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  22. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 10 no. 14. 3 April 1993. p. 19. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  23. "Lescharts.com – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  24. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mr. Loverman". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  26. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1992" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  27. "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week. 15 January 1994. p. 24.
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