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.
Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Fucking- Annoying
Sounds like a GTA radio station if they couldn’t get the rights to anything good. Favorite track: “Gangster Trippin”
Sounded like sitting through an hour long Toyota Aygo advert.
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.
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.
Very enjoyable. An exercise in repetition, and how that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
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.
This was rad to play tetris to.
(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.
Great for progressive load trainer rides.
solid music of the genre, but a genre I only want to listen to 1-2 songs from.
I want to like this but I think it's just too repetitive. Gangster Trippin is a forever banger though.
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
Mindless music to move to.
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.
You know the budget B movie when the protagonist has to enter the dive club to meet a contact. Perfect for that.
I know it shouldn't have 5 stars but when I enjoyed it that much what exactly are 5 stars for?
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.
Not one song I ever want to hear again.
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
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
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.
Even when I was a touch zoned put, I was still bobbing my head along. This is a great album.
why try harder?
Surprised by how good this was outside of the couple I already knew!
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.
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.
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.
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
This fucks, actually.
Great album. I've heard the funk soul brother tune but didn't know who it was. Funny things is, I thought Fatboy Slim was another 90's slacker rock artist like Uncle Cracker or Beck or G. Love, boy was I wrong. But anyway, I listened to this 5 or 6 times yesterday. Just outstanding. File this under albums that make you dance in your living room.
Right Here Right Now hits as hard in 2025 as it did in ‘98. Unbelievable album.
The sound of my late 90s
Länsimaiseen kulttuuriin viitaten ja länsimaalaisen näkökulmasta on vaikea ymmärtää, miten asiat ovat muuttuneet. Tämä aikakapseli tuo mieleen paljon ajatuksia, ja paljon on purettavaa, kuten poliisin/vallankäytön puute, muodin/tanssityylien heterogeenisuus. Yleisin mieleeni tuleva ajatus on, miten vapailta ihmiset näyttävät verrattuna nykyään näkemiimme robotteihin. Robotteja kaikki nykyään, robo-hobo meininki vaan. Kraftwerk type ihmiset vaan liikkuu sanattomana kuolaa kuolaa suusta ja pärähtää sulakkeet päässä aivan romuksi. Kaikki siis robotteja paitsi minä, (meikälläinen observatoorio, observer of others... just see truths and harsh realities of life) right ehre right now.
23/06/2025 I've never listened to the album before and I was pleasantly surprised with it.
Best electronic album I ever heard, really enjoyed the listening Fav song - Right Here, Right Now 5/5
Important album in transformative times.
Fantastic album, love it front to back
Listening to Praise You and feeling like a kid playing outside again.
As far as electronic music goes, this is near the top. Normally, redundancy in lyrics is of peak annoyance to me, but in this, the lyrics are used as an instrument, so the repetition makes sense. Besides, California is druggy druggy druggy. Points off for the third track, don’t care for it. But there are so many great tracks that I can just skip over that and hear a fantastic album.
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
I honestly loved this. Part of the reason I wanted to do this exercise it to broaden my taste in genres and I definitely want to give more big beat music a try. Is every song 20% longer than it needs to be? Sure but I had to stop myself from dancing along to all of them on my walk.
You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby is just a fun album, plain and simple. It’s not something I’d throw on for deep, focused listening, but as background music? It’s perfect. It keeps the energy up without getting in the way — great for driving, cleaning, or just vibing out. “Rockafeller Skank” is still a total banger and basically impossible not to nod along to. “Praise You” has that weird charm that sticks with you, and “Kalifornia” brings a nice groove with some grit. The whole album’s got that late-90s big beat thing going strong, and Fatboy Slim knows exactly what he’s doing behind the boards. Some of the tracks can blur together a bit, but honestly, that’s part of the charm; It’s not trying to be overly serious. Favorite song: Kalifornia
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.
“You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby”’s cover captures the era’s carelessly cruel zeitgeist perfectly; that Cook has tried and failed repeatedly over the decades to find and compensate the dude in the photo is also appropriate. Playful, fun, infuriating once past each song’s first two minutes, the repetition of vocal samples crushing as in a nightmare that takes you back inside a playground circle of the worst kids, and they’re chanting mockery at you, right here, right now… Banging if you’re drunk or a four-year old though.
My god, I forgot how pervasive this was through '98-'99; it's still pretty fun today although you can hear technology creaking a bit. For a brief period this sound was all the rage; fond memories of gatherings in our flat soundtracked to Howard's "Big Beat Elite Complete" compilation (shout out to Indian Ropeman's "Dog In The Piano" if you want some more). Even though I've heard "Praise You" one billion times (today likely being the first of my own volition) it's still quite welcome. I remember the very first time, on Radio 1 in the lab (naturally), turning to Mark and observing (in a comedy Northern accent for some reason) 'Ee's gone and done a ballad! Brilliant!'. Happy days..
Big Beat classics that are as subtle as bricks. Great as singles, tiring as an album.
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.
I’ve seen Fatboy Slim live at Soho House festival aka Valhalla for Patagonia picante pricks. I’d been drinking hard seltzer like water and eating with gluttonous indulgence like a jarl in a silk shirt. I was eating rotisserie chicken, the weather was brilliant and I could expense a taxi home. That was the intended listening experience. Here’s my summary based on hearing it driving kids to Saturday school and not being one bite away from gout in a Gunnersbury Park. • if bootcut jeans and brown shoes were music • every song is 2 minutes too long • most tracks are a never ending intro • Advert music for divorced dads • I can hear the shell necklace It may be seminal and further show how iconic the British music scene is that a lad from a rock band in Hull can be a 90s big beat superstar DJ. I was 11 when this came out, it felt rebellious and you went with it. Nostalgia of a simpler time makes me want to like it but I’m old now, and I don’t like this.
Since I’m not currently tripping balls at a horribly mismanaged rave at Woodstock ‘99, this album of DJ recordings serves no purpose for me.
Again - every song starts out interesting and then runs itself into the ground. I'm not into it.
This album works like post-nut clarity
Long electronic albums from the 90s are hurdles I continue to encounter here. I'm doing this list to broaden my taste and deepen my understanding of popular music (catch-all term there) and its evolution, so I'm trying not to whine about it. That being said, I feel like at this point I can safely say this isn't a genre for me. Then again, Aphex Twin knocked me on my ass, so what sauce does he have that isn't here? Well, I don't hear a sense of adventure, it's not very dynamic, and I would not say it conveys atmosphere. I thought it would make good music for working, but it annoyed me too often. The use of spoken samples, spliced and repetitive and self-satisfied, particularly bothered me. "Check it out now, funk soul brother!" Oh please. "Gangster Trippin"? You were raised in Surrey, man. Get outta here. This is the first album where I've truly been tempted to not finish 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
It is pretty solid early techno stuff
Best DJ to come out of the 90s. His music is definitely great to work out to. High energy and fun, highly recommend.
hehe yeeeeeah
honestly loved this album it was funny it was well written ad just a down right vibe.
A classic
9/10 Favorite: In Heaven
Solid album, few saves would revisit. 4.6
Sure, songs are repetitive to the point of absurd, but with almost every one of them being unforgettable even decades later, this is a definition of a 5.
Loved it.
One of the best electronic albums ever conceived.
It really is iconic. The most repetitive songs ever written, maybe, but great lol.
very nice
How many absolute bangers are on this one album is incredible. I'm not even a die hard fan, but Fatboy Slim is an icon, without question
Straight my the roots of my heart. Can be repetitive sometimes, but whatevs
90s banger, not my normal music taste but a lot of nostalgia
Gangster trippin It is the definition of feel good Veo como inspiro la música electrónica después de el
have some of the best songs
I can understand people not getting this. But if you've been in a field or tent as a teenager at one of his shows then it'll become clear. Rhythmic, pounding, heartbeat-altering, bowel-bass-rumbling tunes that you will be drenched in sweat after.
Cover is funny asf, also the name gave me the vibe of a hip-hop album, but it's apparently electronica, low-key cooler hmm not sure, I think I'm gonna like this I usually fuck with albums that have a different take on music, rather than just folksing around, anyway we'll see.. First song, ambient start, and probably it'll continue that way, but more upbeat, big beat stuff as I heard in the preview. The violin is sick here mmm. Great track for a starting song, actually feels like an album's intro. Dammm the beat drop was amazing, this deffo a walking song too. Feels like she's rapping, but just repeating same stuff constantly. At one point in the middle best stopped, she's still repeating the words, and beat is slowly coming in. There's talking at the end, headphone play, and self praising ahah. daaam it's a transition to the Second song, the voice also became clear too, Yum. Tasty production, especially after it starts to build up. I can see that this can be seen as repetitive, but I mean, feel everything else not just words man. Guitar is soloing everything rn. Another walksy song too, I think so anyways, I might not keep up with it. back to the basics I hear. It's getting slower and reverbed AND AAAAAAA WHAT'S THIS SOUND, HEADPHONES HELPED ME A LOT RN AHH GOOD. Conceptually different production, but same lyrics. His voice is the most clear, now he's just repeating smth robotically, it's fine tho I am not bothered by such things. The transition to the Third song doesn't exist, the lyrics are fun tho yumm. Lol I think I'll remember this phrases for a long time idk AaA. Slim fucked around a lot in the literal sense m m m, anyway. Not a bad one you getting that nas waiting for that one jnjqkddhk *I was asleep writing that, I'm not sure what I mean lol*. 4th song, mm one quote is being repeated, and jazz is around kinda. I fw this yea, it's fun. Heavy drum play gotta say. Headphone play is also in action. Oo it's building, stopped aaaaand rap sound increased and continued with a different beat mmm. It seems repetitive but not for me, so much happened already, I'm satisfied with this. 5th song, daam it transitioned into this too. Too fucking good, I walked, fast walked with this shit, so fucking good. 6th song, good as the last one, best shit for walking y'all, also production is amazing too of course, can't even write anything, this too fun to waste. 7th song, hard to walk with, he says tropical in a mm funny way ig. This is a grower, I like it now, but compared to others it's a weaker one. 8th song, great start already mm. Lyrics were delivered too well, liked them too, unironically speaking. One of the best ones here tbh. 9th song, after so much beat on beat, this start is a fresh to my ears.. now it's stuck tho, better start walking. One of the best ones this too, the sample was too good to not mention, plus the build up beat drops were top notch. 10th song, I'm 1/4 into the song and it's already done some wtf moments, the beat iny right ear, the overall vibe, the buildup, walking calls me. This is my favorite song of the album for sure, I heard some reggaeton here, love that shit. Everything was perfect and not overdone, fuck I didn't expect this to go this hard. 11th song, the name says it all, it's good shit, I didn't know I fucked with this as much as I apparently do. Definitely want more from this guy, he's a producer too so, dream has been realifyed. The end part did feel like the album wrapped up, love when that happens. I didn't realize when I started this, but this is a definitely 5/5 album, no questions, I think I'll listen to these tracks if they ever come up and of course because of my will too. I can see how many wouldn't see anything in this, but for me, especially today I'm surprised how good this turned out to be. There is a big time gap after lie 4th song, because I got busy with stuff, so I don't remember what happens up up there, but even so the album gave me something I didn't know I lacked.
I'm not a big electronica fan, but I bought this back in the day. I loved it then and still do. Yeah, it's very repetitive, and that would normally annoy me, so I have no idea what kind of magic is woven into this album to entice me like it does. Favorite tunes: Right Here, Right Now, Kalifornia and Praise You
This album got heavy rotation in the car back in the day. The single CD changer=I rocked this for a week or two of commutes before changing.
This is the 184th album I’m rating. I listened to Better Living Through Chemistry and it was awful. Adding to my Playlist - Right Here, Right Now, The Rockafeller Skank, Fucking in Heaven, Gangster Tripping, Build It Up – Tear It Down, Kalifornia, Soul Surfing, You're not from Brighton, Praise You, and Love Island. Not Adding to my Playlist - Acid 8000. Right Here, Right Now - I guess Fatboy Slim needed a couple years to actually get good. Praise You - This song is weirdly familiar. I wonder where I heard it before. Maybe I just heard the song that it samples. I just remembered where I heard it from. It was a YouTuber. Acid 8000 - This reminds me too much of the last album I listened to. All in all I liked 10/11 songs. This version of Fatboy Slim is much better. The last album was very boring and made me hate big beat. However, this album is much much better even though it does have one song that is a bit too much like Better Living Through Chemistry.
"Right Here Right Now" opens this album up... and what a song to do the job! Norman Quentin Cook is about my age... and he knows what it takes to get a booty shakin'!!! Before he became this monster DJ, he was the bassist for The Housemartins... that explains his ability to groove... Trip Hop... Nu Funk... indeed... as anyone knows, i'm a real instruments, real vocals, no frills kind of guy... but, i love good music... whether it be jazz, soul, or classical... and this is good music... how do i know? i feel it... "Right Here Right Now" GETS THE PARTY STARTED! "Rockefellar Skank" is next... right about now... the funk soul bruver... lol... if you don't like this cut, you don't like groceries... fat boy slim is fucking in heaven!! lolol... "In Heaven" is next... bad ass groove again... the use of cameo vocal snips, and jazzy breakdowns, and flat out dead air for a second, are some of the delights of this album... "Gangster Trippin'" keeps it goin'... every cut is cool... for example "Soul Surfing" into "You're Not From Brighton" into... the blissful "Praise You"... which turns a simple piano riff and bass pattern into an uplifting experience... if you are not dancing to this you must be injured... the way the piano and bass change into a Beatle-esque extravaganza and back again is just PURE... is every song a homerun? no... but... it gest Five big Stars from me...