Nilo24's Full Review: I'm Too Sexy [Single] by Right Said Fred
I’M TOO SEXY by the British trio RIGHT SAID FRED was one of the biggest dance hits of the 1990’s. In 1992, the song hit number one in 26 countries, including the United States, making RIGHT SAID FRED the first British band since THE BEATLES to have their debut single reach number one on the US charts. Needless to say, this is hardly bad company to be in.
RIGHT SAID FRED seemed to appear out of nowhere, but the three members all had experience as back-up musicians to big name recording artists. Front man and vocalist RICHARD FAIRBASS is an accomplished bass player who had played with DAVID BOWIE, BOY GEORGE and MICK JAGGER, while his younger brother FRED FAIRRASS once toured with BOB DYLAN. The shaved headed brothers recruited long haired ROB MANZOLI as their third member. MANZOLI had performed on European tours with ZZ TOP, MUDDY WATERS and THE PLATTERS.
The muscular Fairbass brothers were out of work musicians working at an upscale London gym when they penned the lyrics to I’M TOO SEXY. The lyrics were inspired by the arrogant runway models who frequented the gym in order to maintain their rail thin physiques. The brothers borrowed 1,500 £ from a bank for an ostensible car loan, figuring no bank would front the money for them to produce a dance single. As luck would have it, a savvy record company executive went for the song, and the band put together a low budget video. Following the video’s appearance on BBC1, the single took off like wildfire in the UK, and the band hastily threw together a full length album in 6 weeks.
The success of I’M TOO SEXY is no doubt due to its catchy bass line, piano and horns. People also just love the narcissism mocking lyrics delivered by RICHARD in a deep voiced monotone manner typical of Euro-dance pop of the time. "I'm too sexy" soon became a humourous catch phrase the world over. People from all walks of life and musical tastes were drawn to this song. For example, even my friend Derick, a fan of guitar driven hard rock and hater of dance pop, digs I’M TOO SEXY.
No RIGHT SAID FRED review would be complete without mentioning the band’s fashion. A stylist at the BBC’s TOP OF THE POPS created the band’s style before the band’s appearance on the programme, and it worked so well they’ve stuck with it ever since. The shaved heads, leather and lycra trousers, hoop earrings and mesh shirts were all synonymous with 1990’s urban, gay, hipsterism. RIGHT SAID FRED may not be credited with creating this look, but they certainly were instrumental in popularizing it among the gay dance club scenesters of the world.
Surprisingly enough, RICHARD had not come out of the closet to his parents until I’M TOO SEXY suddenly broke big. With all the media attention, and the band’s gay as THE VILLAGE PEOPLE image, RICHARD figured it would be better to tell his parents than have them hear it from the media. Not long after coming out, a reporter asked RICHARD if he was aware MADONNA stated she wanted to do him, to which he wittily replied he’d rather do FRANK SINATRA.
It may be surprising to those who dismiss RIGHT SAID FRED as a one-hit-wonder to learn the band is currently touring the European dance club circuit. Their new album was recently released on a German label and the single I’M YOUR MATE is number 10 on the German charts as of the posting of this review. Also, DR. LOLIPOP should be delighted to know the band is considering releasing a remix of I’M TOO SEXY. It’s been rumoured that former GUNS AND ROSES guitarist SLASH (a.k.a. Saul Hudson) may play guitar for the remix.
A future 90’s retro party without I’M TOO SEXY will be like a 70’s party without DANCING QUEEN, YMCA or I Will SURVIVE. I’M TOO SEXY was “high camp” even when released and its camp value will only grow with time.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![I'm Too Sexy [Single] by Right Said Fred](http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/77/54/83/84/2002027396.JPG)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.