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Mr. Loverman
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Mr. Loverman
| cover = Mr_Loverman.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Shabba Ranks
| album = Rough & Ready Vol. 1 and Deep Cover (soundtrack)
| released = 1991
| recorded = 1991
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = *R&B
*reggae fusion
*dancehall
| length = 3:36
| label = Epic
| writer = *Shabba Ranks
*Mikey Bennett
*Hopeton Lindo
| producer = *Clifton Dillon
*Mikey Bennett
| prev_title = Love Punaany Bad
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Slow And Sexy
| next_year = 1991
| misc =
}}
"'Mr. Loverman'" is a song released in 1991 by Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks. It was written by Ranks, Mikey Bennett and Hopeton Lindon.[ AllMusic Guide] The song was released in 1992 and 1993 as a single, 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".
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
AllMusic editor Ron Wynn said that Shabba Ranks "kept the slack dancehall", noting "his thick, patois-laced delivery" on the song, that "basically defined" the album. 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." John Martinucci from the 'Gavin Report' stated that "["Mr. Loverman"] has hit written all over it".
Music writer James Masterton deemed it "a strong contender for No.1", and "a far cry from the days when he was merely the added novelty on Scritti Politti's version of the Beatles' She's A Woman which represented his first ever chart appearance in this country." A reviewer from '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." James Hamilton from 'Music Week's 'RM' Dance Update described the song as a "huskily ragga rapped swayer."
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by American visual artist, filmmaker, and hip hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy.
Track listings
* '7" single'
# "Mr. Loverman" (radio mix) 3:36
# "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) 4:05
* '12" maxi'
# "Mr. Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) 6:05
# "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) 4:05
# "Mr. Loverman" (new world mix) 4:22
# "Mr. Loverman" (raggamental mix) 4:24
* 'CD maxi'
# "Mr. Loverman" (radio mix) 3:36
# "Mr. Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) 6:05
# "Mr. Loverman" (twin city crew mix) 4:05
# "Mr. Loverman" (raggamental mix) 4:24
# "Ca'an Dunn" 5:23
# "The Jam" (back to the bridge) 4:30
* 'CD maxi - Remixes'
# "Mr Loverman" (D.M. ragga hop mix) 6:05
# "Mr Loverman" (radio mix) 3:36
# "Mr Loverman" (twin city crew mix) 4:05
# "Mr Loverman" (new world mix) 4:22
# "Mr Loverman" (raggamental mix) 4:24
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
In popular culture
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.
Samples and covers
The drum pattern was sampled by Alanis Morissette on "You Learn" from her multiplatinum album 'Jagged Little Pill' (1995).
References
Category:1992 singles
Category:1993 singles
Category:Shabba Ranks songs
Category:1991 songs
Category:Epic Records singles
Category:Reggae fusion songs
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