Right Said Fred

Right Said Fred are a London-based English band formed by brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass in 1989. Their achievements include number 1 hits in 70 countries including one US number 1, one UK number 1, and a number 1 in Japan. They were the first band to reach the number one slot in the US with a debut single since The Beatles. They have performed for Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, Nelson Mandela and at the Filmfare Awards and subsequently released a track for Comic Relief.

Right Said Fred
Right Said Fred in March 2015 at the RPR1 '90s Festival in Mannheim, Germany
Background information
OriginEast Grinstead, England, United Kingdom
Genres
Years active1989–present
Labels
Websitewww.rightsaidfred.com
Members
  • Fred Fairbrass
  • Richard Fairbrass
Past members
Richard Fairbrass (March 2015)
Fred Fairbrass (March 2015)

As multi-platinum award winning artists and songwriters, their global sales total 30 million and over 100 million plays on Spotify. They have writing credits on Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" and Sofi Tukker's "Batshit", their music has been featured in over 50 films and TV shows (e.g. Angry Birds 2, The Odd Couple, The Simpsons, West Wing, Family Guy) and in excess of 100 commercials. The band has performed with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger and David Bowie; plus had plaudits from Madonna, Jay-Z, and Prince.

They won two consecutive BMI Awards in 2018 and 2019. In 1993 were nominated for Best British Group[1] at the prestigious Brit Awards. Fred and Richard are two of the few songwriters to have two songs included in the PRS Century of Song Book.

History

1989–1991: Formation

Prior to forming Right Said Fred, the Fairbrass brothers had been playing music since the mid 1970s: as part of a band called The Actors, the brothers had toured with Suicide and supported Joy Division at the Factory club in Manchester.[2]

The Fairbrass brothers formed the group in 1989, with Richard on lead vocals and bass and Fred on guitar. Prior to forming the group, Richard was employed as a session bassist for artists including Boy George, Mick Jagger[2] and David Bowie, and appears as the bass guitarist in Bowie's short film Jazzin' for Blue Jean.[3] In 1987, Fred appeared as a guitarist in the Bob Dylan vehicle Hearts of Fire.[2]

The group was named after the novelty song "Right Said Fred", which was a hit single for singer and actor Bernard Cribbins in 1962. The Fairbrass brothers were originally accompanied by drummer Ray Weston and guitarist Dan Kruse. Weston left in 1990 to join the progressive rock group Wishbone Ash and Kruse left the next year. Guitarist Rob Manzoli joined in 1990 and remained with the group until 1997.

1991–1992: I’m Too Sexy and Up

In July 1991, the group released its debut single and best-known song, "I'm Too Sexy", on the independent London-based record label Tug Records (which saw its only real success with Right Said Fred's releases). The Fairbrass brothers have stated that the song's lyrics are centered on certain users of the gym they owned in London, who they claimed had no shame. "A lot of models used our gym, so we thought it was time to start poking [fun] at them," Fred stated.[4]

It was a huge hit in the United Kingdom, spending six weeks at number two in the charts behind Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", and three months in the Top 10. The song also went to number one in 32 countries including the United States where it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[5] The song earned the band a nomination for an Ivor Novello award.[6] The single also went to number four on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.[7] "I'm Too Sexy" has been used in over 40 television shows and movies, including My Wife and Kids, The Simpsons, The West Wing, and EastEnders.[8]

Their second single, "Don't Talk Just Kiss", with background vocals by soul singer Jocelyn Brown, was released in October 1991. It made number 3 in the United Kingdom Christmas charts, entered the top five in many countries, and reached number eight in the United States dance chart.[7]

In February 1992, the band released its third single, "Deeply Dippy". This was number one in the United Kingdom for three weeks, and peaked at number nine in the United States dance chart.[7]

The success of the singles resulted in the band's multi-platinum debut album, Up, reaching number one in the United Kingdom album charts as well as charting worldwide. The album remained in the Top 40 for almost a year.[9]

In 1992, Heavenly Records released an EP that featured the label's acts covering Right Said Fred songs for charity. The Fred EP contains Saint Etienne (performing "I'm Too Sexy"), The Rockingbirds ("Deeply Dippy") and Flowered Up ("Don't Talk Just Kiss").[10]

1993–1994: Sex and Travel

Early in 1993 Fred, Richard and Rob wrote and recorded the Comic Relief single "Stick It Out", which was a top-five hit in the United Kingdom and in many European countries. In September 1993, Right Said Fred released its second album, Sex and Travel, to critical acclaim. Sex and Travel included the hit singles "Bumped" and "Hands Up (for Lovers)".[11]

The band received its second Ivor Novello award for "Deeply Dippy" in 1993.[6]

1995–1996: Smashing!

Right Said Fred parted company with Tug Records and then released its third album, Smashing!, in 1996 on the band's own label Happy Valley Records. "Living on a Dream", "Big Time" and "Everybody Loves Me" were all European hits. The band went on the road and performed to sell-out shows all over Europe. In 1996, Richard presented the ground-breaking TV show Gaytime TV for the BBC.[12]

1997–2001: Manzoli leaves, You’re My Mate and Fredhead

Rob Manzoli left the band on friendly terms in 1997. At this point the Fairbrass brothers took some time out to gather their thoughts. Richard continued to present Gaytime TV for the BBC.[12]

In 1998 Fred and Richard set up their own recording studio in London and started writing and recording what became the album Fredhead.

In 2000, Right Said Fred signed to Kingsize/BMG Berlin in Germany, collaborating with Alex Christensen and award-winning songwriter and producer Clyde Ward for most of the material on Fredhead. The first single, "You're My Mate" (co-written with hard rock guitarist Myke Gray) was a United Kingdom hit, reached number four in Germany, and the Fredhead album entered the German charts at number two and achieved Gold status, remaining in the top 10 for most of 2000.

"You're My Mate" became a football stadium anthem and was also used as the official song of the South Africa national rugby union team in 2002. Other hit singles from Fredhead were "Mojive" (Ward) and "Love Song" (Agostino Carollo). "You’re My Mate" continues as a sports anthem all over the world and a line-dancing favourite in the US.

2002–2003: Stand Up

The second Kingsize/BMG album Stand Up went straight into the German top 10. The single "Stand Up (For the Champions)", composed by Clyde Ward and the Fairbrass brothers, was also a top 10 hit in Germany and reached number one in Japan. The track became a popular anthem for sport channels, such as SuperSport in South Africa and sports teams including The Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), Borussia Dortmund FC, Manchester United FC and Saracens RC, a top English rugby team. It also featured at the Super Bowl in the United States.

Jay-Z refers to Right Said Fred in his hit "The Ruler’s Back" in the line "I'm too sexy for jail like Right Said Fred".[13]

2004–2006: For Sale

Due to family ill-health, Fred and Richard took some time out from travelling to write and record the hit single "We Are the Freds" and the album For Sale for the Ministry of Sound.[14]

In late 2004, Right Said Fred toured extensively in Europe, playing festivals and arenas, and performed as special guests on German superstar Nena's tour. They performed at the 2006 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in front of 200,000 people at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and were special guests at The Bollywood Awards in Mumbai in front of a live TV audience of 200 million. Tom Hanks impersonated Right Said Fred on Saturday Night Live singing "don’t cut off my testicles".[15]

2007–2010: I'm a Celebrity

During 2007 and 2008, Fred and Richard collaborated with Clyde Ward to write and record their sixth album I'm a Celebrity. The album was produced by Ward, and for the United States release, Right Said Fred teamed up with David Levine at Promark Music.

Released in 2008, "I’m A Celebrity" was the first single from the album, and parodied celebrity culture. With remixes by DJ Reza and Raul Rincon, it became another United States Top 10 Club/Dance Chart hit. On the back of this success, Fred and Richard appeared in the United States on Good Morning America, as well as on shows on Fox TV, VH1, MTV and TMZ.

Germany 2009

In late July 2009, Right Said Fred released "Sexy Bum" in Germany, the first single from the band's HITS! album.[16]

In 2010, remixes by Klubjumpers and DJ Reza of "This Love" and "I am a Bachelor", both from the I’m a Celebrity album, were US Club/Dance hits.[17]

Fred and Richard took the band back on the road performing at summer European festivals. The band also staged acoustic shows in the United Kingdom, including one at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, where the Night of the Living Fred DVD was filmed.[18]

2011–2012: Sexaholic

Right Said Fred hooked up with Norwegian hit-machine Dsign Music to record "Sexaholic".[19] Remixes of the track by Klubjumpers and MajikBoys reached the top five on the US Dance/Club Charts and stayed there for six months.

Fred and Richard, along with Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Sting, made special guest appearances on Ricky Gervais' TV series Life’s Too Short.[20] The brothers also appeared in cameo roles in the Universal Pictures UK movie Gridiron UK.[21]

2013–present: Raise Your Hands

"Raise Your Hands" was Right Said Fred's first 2013 single and had remixes from DJ Kash, DJ Sphank and The Majikboys.[22] It was the group's sixth consecutive U.S. Club and Dance Chart Top 10 hit.

Richard spoke at an Oxford Union debate.[23] TV appearances included an acoustic performance on the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother TV show.[24]

RSF began writing and recording new tracks with Paul Statham (Dido, Jim Kerr, Kylie Minogue, The Saturdays).[25]

The duo made a return to prominence in June 2014, when they appeared on the satirical news show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver[26] where they performed a rendition of their song "I'm Too Sexy" with changed lyrics aimed at insulting Bashar al-Assad, who reportedly purchased music by the group from the iTunes Store two years earlier.[27] United Kingdom TV appearances included Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway[28] and Pointless Celebrities.

Fred and Richard teamed up with jazz legend Tim Garland to write and record music for the British independent movie Meet Pursuit Delange, scheduled for release Summer 2015, written and directed by Howard Webster, starring Colin Salmon, Peter Bowles, Hannah Waddingham and Jason Flemyng plus a cameo from Right Said Fred.[29]

They feature on 2776, a charity record conceived by Rob Kutner, Stephen and Joel Levinson starring Reggie Watts, Aimee Mann, Ed Helms and Mayim Bialik.[30] The double CD was selected for the Grammy Ballot Box. Shows planned for 201415 included acoustic performances at The Cannes Film Festival, The American Film Market,[31] various European festivals and a World Cup Festival in front of 500,000 people at the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin.

The Performing Right Society's book A Century of Song, published in 2015, includes two songs co-written by Fred and Richard.

The band released the single "Sweet Treats" in January 2017 from the album Exactly![32]

In August 2017, Right Said Fred's members Richard Fairbrass and Fred Fairbrass, were credited as songwriters alongside Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff on the Swift single "Look What You Made Me Do". The song's chorus is a reworking of the famous chorus from "I'm Too Sexy".[33]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
UK
[34]
AUS
[35]
AUT
[36]
GER
[37]
NL
[38]
NZ
[39]
SWE
[40]
SWI
[41]
US
[42]
Up
  • Release date: 16 March 1992
  • Label: Tug
  • Formats: Vinyl, CD, cassette
13918923162246
Sex and Travel
  • Release date: 1 November 1993
  • Label: EMI
  • Formats: CD, cassette
35358891
Smashing!
  • Release date: 1996
  • Label: Happy Valley
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Fredhead
  • Release date: 23 October 2001
  • Label: Sony BMG
  • Formats: CD, cassette
4275
Stand Up
  • Release date: 26 August 2002
  • Label: Kingsize
  • Formats: CD, cassette
299
For Sale 61
I'm a Celebrity
  • Release date: 14 October 2008
  • Label: Promark Music
  • Formats: CD, music download
Stop the World
  • Release date: 1 May 2011
  • Label: Luv
  • Formats: CD, music download
Exactly!
  • Release date: 24 February 2017
  • Label: PMI Digital
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, music download
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Compilation albums

Title Details
Greatest Hits
  • Release date: 23 December 2003
  • Label: Hansa
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Introducing...
  • Release date: 17 August 2004
  • Label: Empire Music Group
  • Formats: CD, music download

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)
Album
UK
[34]
AUS
[35]
AUT
[46]
BEL
(FLA)

[47]
GER
[48]
IRE
[49]
NL
[50]
NZ
[51]
US
[52]
US
Dance

[53]
1991 "I'm Too Sexy" 211314119114 Up
"Don't Talk Just Kiss" 31851128316768
1992 "Deeply Dippy" 1386141519119
"Those Simple Things/Daydream" 292927482123
1993 "Stick It Out" 425
"Bumped" 328825543729 Sex and Travel
"Hands Up (4 Lovers)" 6082
1994 "Wonderman" 5550
1995 "Living on a Dream" 911766 Smashing!
1996 "Everybody Loves Me" 74
"Big Time" 7753
2001 "Mojive" 3546 Fredhead
"You're My Mate" 184643
2002 "Love Song" 21
"Stand Up (For the Champions)" 14 Stand Up
"I Love You (But I Don't Like You)" 61
2003 "We Are the Freds" 68
"We Are the Champs" 92
2004 "The Wizard"
(vs. Doris Dubinski)
52 Der Wixxer OST
2006 "Where Do You Go to My Lovely?" 4036 For Sale
2007 "I'm Too Sexy" (re-release) 56
2008 "I'm a Celebrity" I'm a Celebrity
2009 "Sexy Bum" Hits
"Right on the Kisser"
2010 "Viva Südafrika"
(Höhner featuring Right Said Fred)
54
2017 "Sweet Treats" Exactly!
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Director
"I'm Too Sexy" 1991 James Lebon
"Don't Talk Just Kiss" 1991 James Lebon
"Deeply Dippy" 1992 Frank Sacramento
"Those Simple Things" 1992 N/A
"What A Day for a Daydream" 1992 James Lebon
"Love for All Seasons" 1992 James Lebon
"Bumped" 1993 Marcus Nispel
"Hands Up (4 Lovers)" 1993 Paul Boyd
"Wonderman" 1994 N/A
"Living on a Dream" 1995 James Lebon
"Everybody Loves Me" 1996 N/A
"Mojive" 2001 David Incorvaia
"You're My Mate" 2001 N/A
"Love Song" 2001 Bernard Wedig
"Stand Up (For the Champions)" 2002 N/A
"I Love You" 2002 Wolf Gresenz
"We Are the Freds" 2004 Bernd Possardt & Jeff Lisk
"Where Do You Go to My Lovely?" 2006 N/A
"I'm a Celebrity" 2008 Robert Madrid

References

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  2. Simpson, Dave (4 April 2017). "How we made Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  3. Official David Bowie video on YouTube showing Richard Fairbrass playing bass.
  4. "POP MUSIC : Right Said Fred: A Model Trio". Los Angeles Times. 9 February 1992. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  5. Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of #1 Hits, 5th Edition (Billboard Publications)
  6. "The Ivors". Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco 1974–2003, (Record Research Inc.)
  8. "Right Said Fred's IMDb page". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  9. "RIGHT SAID FRED". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  10. "Flowered Up, St Etienne*, Rockingbirds, The – The Fred EP". Discogs.com. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  11. "Apple iTunes". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  12. "BBC 2: Gaytime TV". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  13. ""The Ruler's Back" by Jay-Z, lyrics". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  14. "For Sale on Amazon". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  15. "Clip from Saturday Night Live". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  16. "HITS! on Amazon". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  17. "This Love (DJ Reza Midnite Meltdown)". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  18. "Night of the Living Fred". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  19. "Dsign – Right Said Fred". Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  20. "Appearance on BBC's 'Life's too short'". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  21. "Gridiron UK on IMDb". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  22. "iTunes: 'Raise Your Hands' Remixes". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  23. "Oxford Times: Right Said Fred star to debate gay adoption". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  24. "IMDb: Big Brother's Bit on the Side - 10". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  25. "Amazon: Don't Make Me Laugh (Paul Statham), Right Said Fred". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  26. "Mother Jones: Right Said Fred Discuss Their Anti-Assad Version of "I'm Too Sexy"". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  27. Hann, Michael; Taylor, Matthew. "Assad's iTunes emails show music taste from Chris Brown to Right Said Fred". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  28. "ITV: Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  29. "IMDb: Meet Pursuit Delange". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  30. "2776 The Album". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  31. "IMDb: Right Said Fred eyes film projects". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  32. "Sweet Treats" Archived 9 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine, RSF Official website
  33. Grow, Cory (25 August 2017). "Right Said Fred on Taylor Swift's 'Cynical' 'Look What You Made Me Do'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  34. UK chart peaks:
  35. Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
  36. "austriancharts.at – Austria Top 40". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
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  39. "charts.nz – New Zealand charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  40. "swedishcharts.com – Swedish charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  41. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  42. "Right Said Fred Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
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  44. "Gold & Platinum Search – Music Canada – Right Said Fred – Albums". Music Canada. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  45. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – March 18, 2011: Up certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  46. "austriancharts.at – Austria Top 40". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  47. "Flanders peak". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
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  49. "Search for Irish peaks". Irishcharts.oie. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
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  51. "charts.nz – New Zealand charts portal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
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  53. "Right Said Fred Chart History – Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  54. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
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  56. "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – March 17, 2011: "I'm Too Sexy" certified awards". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
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