- published: 16 Jan 2012
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Fine Young Cannibals were a British band formed in Birmingham, England in 1984, by bassist David Steele, guitarist Andy Cox (both formerly of The Beat), and singer Roland Gift (formerly of the Akrylykz). Their self-titled 1985 debut album contained "Johnny Come Home" and a cover of "Suspicious Minds", two songs that were top 40 hits in the UK, Canada, Australia and many European countries. Their 1989 album, The Raw & the Cooked, topped the UK and US album charts, and contained their two Billboard Hot 100 number ones: "She Drives Me Crazy" and "Good Thing".
In 1990 the band won two Brit Awards: Best British Group, and Best British Album (for The Raw & the Cooked). Their name came from the 1960 film All the Fine Young Cannibals starring Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood.
The group was formed in 1984 after the dissolution of The Beat, with whom Cox and Steele previously played. The duo of Steele and Cox spent eight months listening to over 500 cassettes of potential singers before settling on Gift. They had difficulty obtaining a record contract but when a video of their song "Johnny Come Home" appeared on British TV show The Tube, recording contract offers flowed in immediately. The band's eponymous debut album was released in 1985, spawning two UK hit singles, "Johnny Come Home" and a cover of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" featuring additional vocals by Jimmy Somerville. These two songs also became hits internationally, charting in the top 40 in Europe, Canada and Australia, although they failed to make a significant impact on the US charts.
When I'm in trouble or out of step
If my balance has been upset
Oh there's a feeling I can't accept
There's one thing that helps me to forget
Wonder what I'm thinking
Wonder why I'm drinking
But it's plain to see
I'm not the man I used to be
If life were easy and didn't ask,
didn't tease me or take things back
I'd just start to understand,
what makes me the man I am
Wonder what I'm thinking
Wonder why I'm drinking
But it's plain to see
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh it's plain and it's a shame
I'm not the man I used to be
I've lost dreams that won't come back
memories fading fast
I should save the ones I have
What's the use, most of them are bad
Wonder what I'm thinking
Wonder why I'm drinking
But it's plain to see
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh it's plain and it's a shame
I can't explain
But I'm not the man I used to be
Oh it's plain and it's a shame
I can't explain
But I'm not the man I used to be