Mr. Loverman

"Mr. Loverman"
Single by Shabba Ranks
from the album Rough & Ready Vol. 1 and Deep Cover (soundtrack)
Released 1992
Format
Recorded 1992
Genre
Length 3:36
Label Epic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Clifton Dillon
  • Mikey Bennett
Shabba Ranks singles chronology
"Love Punaany Bad"
(1992)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1992)		 "Slow And Sexy"
(1992)

"Love Punaany Bad"
(1992)		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1993)		 "Slow And Sexy"
(1992)
Music video
"Mr. Loverman" on YouTube
Shabba Ranks singles chronology
"I Was a King"
(1993) I Was a King1993		 "Mr. Loverman"
(1993) Mr. Loverman1993		 "Housecall"
(1993) Housecall1993

"Mr. Loverman" is the signature song of Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks. The song was written by Deborah Glasgow, Shabba Ranks [1][2] It was released in 1992 and 1993 as a single.[3]

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."

Critical reception

Billboard wrote about the song: "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."[4]

Music & Media wrote: "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."[5]

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
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 22
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 33
Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] 21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[10] 21
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6] 31
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[11] 23
US Billboard Hot 100[12] 40
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[12] 2
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[12] 2
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 17
France (SNEP)[6] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 8
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 3

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions". Answers.com.
  2. ↑ AllMusic Guide
  3. ↑ "25 R&B Dancehall & Reggae Fusion Songs To Turn You On - Page 3 of 25". 1 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Billboard: Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard magazine. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
  5. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media (1992-09-05, page 11). Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  6. 1 2 3 "Mr. Loverman", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  7. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. ↑ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
  9. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Shabba Ranks" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  10. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Shabba Ranks – Mr. Loverman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  11. ↑ "Shabba Ranks - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Billboard Allmusic.com (Retrieved August 31, 2008)
  13. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media.
  14. ↑ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved April 4, 2008)
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