Mr. Loverman

"Mr. Loverman"
Single by Shabba Ranks
from the album Rough & Ready Vol. 1 and Deep Cover OST
Released 1992
Format CD single, CD maxi, 7" single, 12" maxi
Recorded 1992
Genre R&B, reggae fusion,
dancehall, hip hop
Length 3:36
Label Epic
Writer(s) Shabba Ranks, Mikey Bennett, Hopeton Lindo
Producer(s) Clifton Dillon
Mikey Bennett
Shabba Ranks singles chronology
"Love Punaany Bad"
(1992)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1993)		 "Slow And Sexy"
(1992)
Shabba Ranks chronology
"I Was a King"
(1993)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1993)		 "Housecall"
(1993)

"Mr. Loverman" is the signature song of Jamaican ragga artist Shabba Ranks. The song was written by Hopeton Lindo, Rexton Gordon and Michael Bennett.[1][2] It was released in 1992 and 1993 as a single.

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 in the UK charts 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."

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

Chart (1992) Peak
position
Austrian Singles Chart[3] 22
German Singles Chart[4] 17
Swedish Singles Chart[3] 31
UK Singles Chart[5] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 40
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[6] 2
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[6] 2
Chart (1993) Peak
position
French SNEP Singles Chart[3] 19
Irish Singles Chart[7] 8
UK Singles Chart[8] 3

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 now sing this song, about their striker Peter Lovenkrands. The British TV show Total Wipeout used the song for a contestant named Shabba.

References

  1. ↑ Answers.com
  2. ↑ AllMusic Guide
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Mr. Loverman", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  4. ↑ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  5. ↑ UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved August 31, 2008)
  7. ↑ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  8. ↑ UK Singles Chart (1993 release) Chartstats.com (Retrieved August 31, 2008)