You've Come a Long Way, Baby is the second studio album by Fatboy Slim, a project of English electronic music producer Norman Cook. It was first released on 19 October 1998 in the United Kingdom by Skint Records and a day later in the United States by Astralwerks. Cook recorded and produced the album at his home studio in Brighton, known as the House of Love, using an Atari ST computer, Creator software, and floppy disks. The photo on the album cover was originally taken at the 1983 Fat Peoples Festival in Danville, Virginia; for the North American release, the album cover was changed to an image of shelves stacked with records. You've Come a Long Way, Baby proved to be Cook's global breakthrough album, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number 34 on the US Billboard 200. Praised by critics for its sound and style, the album brought international attention to Cook, earning him a Brit Award in 1999, and was later certified four times platinum by the BPI and platinum by the RIAA. Four singles were released from the album: "The Rockafeller Skank", "Gangster Tripping", "Praise You", and "Right Here, Right Now", all of which peaked within the top ten on the UK Singles Chart. "Build It Up – Tear It Down" was also released as a promotional single.
Incredibly repetitive. Incredibly repetitive. Incredibly repetitive. Incredibly rep rep repetitive. Incredibly repetitive. Incredibly rep repetitive.
This album spans the generations. It managed to annoy me AND a carpool full of middle schoolers.
Sounded like sitting through an hour long Toyota Aygo advert.
Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Annoying
Oh man I forgot how much I loved The Rockafeller Skank when it came out. Really feelin it still. OH SHIT I never heard that last 2 minutes, that wasn't on the radio! I am remembering that my mom did not let me get this cd because of the parental advisory, which I understand now after hearing "In Heaven." Some of these songs are kind of stupid, but they are all fun. I really liked "Praise You" back in the day as well.
Sounds like a GTA radio station if they couldn’t get the rights to anything good. Favorite track: “Gangster Trippin”
Who'd have thought we all be sat here in 2022 listening to Fatboy Slim and actually enjoying it? We have come a long way, but also we've barely moved at all, baby. I did enjoy him at Glastonbury 2019 too, but there may have been other reasons for that. Get me to Ayia Napa.
Very enjoyable. An exercise in repetition, and how that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
This was rad to play tetris to.
Great for progressive load trainer rides.
This is an utter masterclass in infectious, compelling, completely fun electronic dance-pop. It's no wonder that Norman Cook is also a bass player. There's not much to say here (and that's coming from a guy who wrote 750 words about a Kid Rock album I found to be mediocre). You've Come A Long Way, Baby isn't terribly challenging (apart from the occasionally profuse cursing -- see In Heaven for a high-cadence string of F-bombs) is immediately accessible and never overstays its welcome. I'm not well-educated in this genre of music but this record connects directly to the reward centre of my brain and shuts off the part that knows I can't dance. One of the best things from the 90s.
I want to like this but I think it's just too repetitive. Gangster Trippin is a forever banger though.
solid music of the genre, but a genre I only want to listen to 1-2 songs from.
(I listened to the original album, not the anniversary edition). Good start, Right Here Right Now is a ridiculous classic. 5 star track. Same goes for the 2nd track, Rockerfeller Skank. Ridiculous. 😂. Gangster Tripping a classic too. And Praise You is such a classic. Absolutely frothing 😂 there doesn't seem any way that you wouldn't give this album 5 stars.
Mindless music to move to.
Apparently, John Terry was one of the co-writers on Rockafeller Skank. I plan on doing no further research to disabuse myself of the idea that this means the former Chelsea F.C. captain. While he had his ups and downs off the pitch, his career on it was first rate and remarkably consistent. Unlike this.
Couldn't bear to finish it. Had mild hope for You're Note From Brighton because the name is silly, but no. I imagine overdosing on a stimulant is a lot like listening to this album
I know it shouldn't have 5 stars but when I enjoyed it that much what exactly are 5 stars for?
I remember when this came out it was like a new drug had been introduced. People reacted differently to it of course, but many, myself included, found it very addictive. Such a punchy, high-contrast sound. Expert layering/structuring of samples that keeps the fun and excitement up throughout.
Not one song I ever want to hear again.
You know the budget B movie when the protagonist has to enter the dive club to meet a contact. Perfect for that.
This man is pretty fuckin' creative! I don't usually go in for electronic music, but the blend of real instruments and truly interesting sound effects and beats is pretty fun to hear. Incredible bangers on this album.
just was not feeling this today. its good but a full album was a bit much.
Definitive. This, to me, is what big beat should sound like, in sampling, production, tempo, tone, energy—everything. Even in length, as much as I don't think everything needed to be 5+ minutes. If there's anymore big beat albums on this list, I doubt I'll like them as much as I do this. I mean, you name me another album with "Fucking In Heaven"—y'can't.
The absolute genius of Fatboy Slim *chefs kiss*. What a seminal album with some amazing heavy-hitting all time bangers. I was relatively young when this record came out, but all of the singles released were EVERYWHERE, and inescapable. I'd argue that there wasn't a kid in the playground that hadn't at least heard of them - it was all over TV ads and throughout the radio. The Big Beat genre is a perfect mix of electronica, heavy drums, loops and impeccable use of sampling, and Fatboy Slim is one of its masters. Best: Right Here Right Now; Rockafeller Stank; Praise You Worst: Fucking in Heaven
Even when I was a touch zoned put, I was still bobbing my head along. This is a great album.
why try harder?
This album felt like a natural evolution of Homework by Daft Punk. It was still repetitive, catchy electronica but kept it fresher than Homework, in my opinion. Overall, sounded good the whole way though while still having quite a few standouts, with acid 8000 sounding like a Daft Punk song. Also the original album cover is way cooler than the American version. Fav songs: The Rockafeller Skank, Soul Surfing, Love Island
Surprised by how good this was outside of the couple I already knew!
Drags a little bit but its a stone cold classic.
Strong enough to really compete in a Eurovision semi final. Probably.
Funky music, meh lyrics. Ultra Funky and Ultra meh.
No. 219/1001 Right Here Right Now 4/5 Rockefeller Skank 4/5 Fucking In Heaven 2/5 Gangster Trippin 2/5 Build It Up, Tear It Down 2/5 Kalifornia 2/5 Soul Surfing 3/5 You're Not From Brighton 3/5 Praise You 4/5 Love Island 3/5 Acid 8000 2/5 Average: 2,82 Some iconic songs at the beginnig. Overall the repetitve elements aren't really my thing.
This album is a double-edged sword, bringing a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. On one hand, it was really nice to revisit because I have a strong connection to it on a nostalgic level. The memories of my teenage years, living a carefree life and adapting easily to things, come flooding back. The album has some really cool parts that were enjoyable and fun at the time. However, there’s a flipside. Some tracks feel kind of sloppy, as if Fatboy Slim was still honing his production skills. I noticed this even when it first came out, but I was more accepting back then. Now, if I disconnect from the nostalgia, I find that this album hasn’t aged well. As I’ve grown older and my musical tastes have evolved, the flaws that were once minor annoyances have become stumbling blocks, making it harder to appreciate the album for what it’s meant to be.
I’ve come a long long way since the time in my early college days when I found Fatboy Slim tolerable, or even enjoyable. And yet, I kind of dug this. Parts of it at least. Not just some songs but not others. Rather parts of songs. And not other parts of those same songs. To some extent, “Right Here, Right Now,” “Rockefeller Skank,” and “Praise You” all deserve the hype and airplay they got. But each is also a little too repetitive, wait a bit too long for the break, or promptly return right back to the repetition. I heard DJs use these songs, though, and they’re better when remixed and mixed quickly with other things. And I didn’t know why I knew “Gangster Trippin” until dmo pointed out that it was in the movie “Go,” and that took me back. But really, that says it all about Fatboy Slim - perfect for weird white wanna-be raver kids in search of drugs. Also, “In Heaven” is neither a good song nor something I want to listen to with a car full of middle schoolers.
Not really my type of music but enjoyed Praise You a ton
I owned this. I was so excited to see it on the list. But it’s awful, isn’t it? How did I ever endure it as a kid?
I've just loved fatbot slim for so long. I used to get pumped on the bus to speech and debate tournaments on songs from this very album. so. uh. let's fucking go.
I dont know why but I liked almost every second of it.
4.5* way better than i expected and really got me moving
So much love for this record. Just awesome.
And on the day that daft punk breaks up
There's some absolute bangers here, like "Right here, right now", "The Rockafeller Skank", "Fucking in Heavens", "Gangster Trippin" and, finally, "Praise you". The other songs felt more as an interlude and I was not as intrigued. Still, just the titles above mean that's a solid 7/10.
This was such a fun listen, and I don’t typically love electronic music. My booty was movin for sure. That said, it felt like the heaviest hitters all came right at the front. The back half lagged just a tiny bit.
Fresh sound at the time where techno meets rock & alternative blended with unique samples. Knocking one star off because a couple tracks have some annoying (ear pain) sounds which detract from an otherwise great album.
Not a fan of the Heaven song but the rest are pretty good, if sometimes repetitive.
This is pretty fun
I think in a parallel universe this might be my favourite record. However, in this one it gets a four.
What a fat fuck that kid on the cover is. Grotesque, obese, ugly motherfucker. Can you imagine giving birth to such a beast? His mother must feel physically and mentally ill.
Got me tapping my feet and nodding along
Some great tracks but they all start to blend into one. Very repetitive, but somehow still, mostly, enjoyable.
Funky hip hop instrumentals. Very bouncy. They’re nice, and this album is not bad at all, it’s just not my kinda music. Standouts: The Rockafeller Skank and Praise You.
Not a bad listen at all I love this site I get to hear albums I wouldn’t normally gravitate to a solid 3/4
Would listen to in the background while playing games.
Again - every song starts out interesting and then runs itself into the ground. I'm not into it.
One of the worst listening experiences I've ever had. So repetitive and monotonous.
I only gave this album one star because zero stars was not an option
Fun to finally sit down for a full record from a big name. Great even though it kind of sounds monotonous, it shines in that monotony. Awesome energy.
Iconic
This is why I follow this list. This album is awesome! And even though I’m familiar with a few songs idk if I ever would’ve listened to the full album in its entirety. And this album is amazing, it’s fun and silly and really creative. Honestly this album is just a no skip experience. Go listen to it.
This is one of my most favorite dance albums of all time! I remember hearing it the first time I did in highschool or middle school and I was just blown away and also Right Here, Right Now, The Rockefeller Skank, Praise you?! Classics! 5 or if 5 album
Totally forgot about this album. Super fun
Loved it. From the album cover to the music. I should put him in my rotation more.
FATBOY SLIM IS FUCKING IN HEAVEN. FATBOY SLIM IS FUCKING IN HEAVEN. FATBOY SLIM IS FUCKING IN HEAVEN. FUCKING IN, FUCKING IN, FUCKING IN HEAVEN. Masterpiece. 10/10.
Great album. I haven't listened to it in a while.
Another one that comes my youth! I love this album and will never forget seeing Fat Boy Slim at Red Rocks.
Who cannot fail to like these well known Anthems. Brilliant
An absolute banger of an album
one of the best & most unstoppably energetic records of all time. i'll leave it at that with the confidence that more eloquent ppl have put better words to why this is the case. i'm glad to belong to a species that produced this combination of sounds
One of those records where I thought I’d never heard a single song off of it, but it turns out I’ve heard every song off of it, just completely out of context. If you find this repetitive, you just don’t enjoy electronic music, I don’t know what to tell you. Fatboy Slim strikes the perfect balance between vibe curation and intricate clockwork. It never feels as complex as it is, and you never lose the groove. I don’t think any single moment on here hits the peak of Big Beat, but as a collective, You’ve Come a Long Way Baby is so quintessentially Big Beat that it might as well be seen as Best in Show™️. And that’s not to deny how absolutely great “The Rockafeller Skank,” “Fucking in Heaven,” and “Praise You” are, and those are far from my favorite moments when compared to “Gangster Tripper” and “Right Here, Right Now.” Really, really impressed by this record. I think I’m just a ‘90s club kid born way too late.
Way Good
Groovy sixties
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9/10 I agree that the album might be considered repetitive. But as a counter argument, that is what makes most house/electronic music so good. Furthermore, older electronic dance music tracks are simply just longer than more recent ones. Like it or not, it just cannot be denied how influential Fatboy Slim is for dance music. Samples which can still be recognized 25 years after the release of the album. Maybe the closest we've been to such an influential album is 10 years ago with the release of Settled by Disclosure. Personally Fatboy Slim remains to be an artist which I'd love to see perform live someday. Favourite tracks: Right Here, Right Now Rockafeller Skank In Heaven Gangster Trippin Praise you Acid 8000 Least favourite tracks: Kalifornia
Great
Made me feel like I was in high school again.
Surprised how into this I was!
Right here, right now... Right here, right now... Yep, yep, labs albums!
Amazing album. I remember when it came it, how massive it was. Listening today. It still blows the roof . 5/5
One of the coolest albums i know. When i was in highschool i was trying to become a deejay and got a gig in a bar, I had recently discovered this album and ended up playing the whole thing cuz I thought it was perfect and everyone was having a good time. So why try harder??? 🤷❤️
this guy kicks ass
You can put forward a very strong argument that Big Beat was as important a part of British music culture of the 90s as Britpop was. Fatboy Slim was instrumental in bringing it to the mainstream; this album was pretty ubiquitous for about a decade, between Rockefeller Skank and Praise You being big hits and Right Here, Right Now popping up in all sorts of places. And even now with more mature ears, it’s still a really consistent album that encapsulates his style and the whole movement perfectly. I thought my opinion of it might have cooled over time but I just don’t think I can justify not giving this a full 5 stars. I love it.
It's barely believable that this album is almost 30 years old. It was one of the first albums of it's kind. There are multiple tracks on here that absolutely became anthems, and several others that were overshadowed by these through no fault of their own. If you don't like, or at least appreciate, this album you should check your pulse.
Classic nostalgia fest. We don't get enough dance music in this list, although a solid ninety minutes of dance hits is hard to achieve.
I only found out recently that the "Right Here, Right Now" sample quote is Angela Bassett in "Strange Days". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmL5uWrvUUM Overhyped, overplayed, yup, but there's way too much nostalgia with this album that I couldn't give it anything less than a 5.
the biggest and phattest beats from the undisputed king of big beat. plenty of tracks, both ones you've heard on the radio at least a thousand times and more underground beats that are worth a deep dive into. quentin cook has truly mastered the big beatmaking process, every single flip from who knows what vinyl is done in a way so effectively, every loud thump of the drums and every repeating vocal chop is infectious. it's electronic genres like these that dominated the culture and style of the 1990s, and to this day it has a fresh sound unlike any other. fatboy slim is fucking in heaven.
Timeless classic took me back to my youth
einfach fast alles mega nice songs
Catchy as heck. Totally mainstream and this was everywhere back in the day. My wife says it was one of her favourite albums and enjoyed listening to it on our Christmas shopping trip today. It’s not high art but Norman really knows what he’s doing with music like this. Somewhere between a 4 and a 5. It can be a 5 just to piss anyone off who hates it - at least it isn’t fucking Rumours for the 576th time.
Proper tunes!
Incredibly consistent album song-quality wise
Funk soul brotheeeeeeer
I mean, I was born in England in 1991, bangers bang, what am I supposed to say. It feels a little overstuffed at points, and I think it'd be like a 4.5 if we had more granular scoring available, but we're rounding up for just how high the highs are.
"If this don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead!" As an elder millennial, I grew up hearing loads of these songs absolutely everywhere - and unlike many elder millennials, I still bloody love them! This album is not necessarily going to win any awards for lyrics, but you can't help but dance to it - the star rating is just for the personal party I have each and every time I listen to this, even twenty years after its release. Faves: Build Em Up, Break Em Down; Praise You; Right Here Right Now
Right about now-the funk soul brother! I love this album. Instrumentally it’s perfection. Lyrically it’s just random phrases and words and they somehow make perfect sense. Quentin is a genius- his work with the Beasties, Tribe, even the incredible David Byrne should be a bio of its own.
So nice, I listened twice! Fatboy Slim is top notch. 'Right Here, Right Now' wins my fave, though I love the album as a whole.
Breakbeat samples delivered like a chocolate box: a sugary technicolor acid funk explosion.
Excellent stuff.
Fatboy Slim sure knows how to make a repetitive beat interesting all throughout. Nice build-up, nice production, banger tracks. That IS how you do an electronic album.
Yes
Amazing