In 1989, something bizarre and wonderful happened in Sweden. A comedian known for his outrageous stunts and a self-deprecating persona, Micke Dubois, teamed up with a rising hard rock band, Electric Boys. The result was a 7-inch single that was crass, catchy, and strangely brilliant. It was called “För Fet,” which translates to “Too Fat for a F**k”. More than just a song, it was a cultural phenomenon that blurred the lines between music, comedy, and performance art, creating a lasting legacy that still resonates today.
The story begins with Micke Dubois, the man behind the persona of Svullo. Dubois wasn’t your typical musician. He started his career as “Sweden’s only professional air bassist” in an air guitar competition, a quirky stunt that foreshadowed his future in shock comedy. The character of Svullo, a Swedish taunt name for obese people, was born in 1988 and directly embraced Dubois’s large physique. His humor was transgressive and anti-establishment, from car-wrecking antics to using self-deprecation to challenge societal norms. It was this rebellious spirit that made him a favorite in Sweden.
Meanwhile, Electric Boys were making waves with their “funk-o-metal” sound, a unique blend of rock and funk that had already gained them a following across Europe. Their involvement in “För Fet” wasn’t a simple collaboration; it was a genuine creative partnership. The band’s lead singer, Conny Bloom, co-wrote the song with Dubois, providing the musical backbone that elevated the track beyond a mere novelty. The collaboration was a perfect marketing synergy: Svullo gained musical credibility, and Electric Boys got massive exposure to a wider audience through Svullo‘s popularity.
“Mitt liv det styrs av en elak klausul / Skit i allt, lev fort å dö ful!”
The song itself was a masterful blend of genres, categorized as Hip Hop, Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Rap, and Pop Rock. The production was handled by BomKrash, but a crucial element came from the scratches provided by the renowned Swedish DJ duo Rob ‘N’ Raz. Their involvement was significant; it wasn’t just a rock song with a rap vocal. It was a genuine attempt at genre fusion with credible hip-hop credentials, a forward-thinking approach that predated the global nu-metal explosion by years. This deliberate fusion made “För Fet” a significant piece of Swedish genre-blending music, drawing comparisons to the iconic Run-DMC and Aerosmith track “Walk This Way”.
The song’s title, “Too Fat for a F**k,” and its lyrics, which included lines like “can’t see down to the ground because the stomach’s in the way,” were undeniably provocative. Yet, contemporary reviews found the song to be “not as offensive” but rather “fun”. This was the magic of Svullo’s persona: he reclaimed the taunt and weaponized it for humor, turning a potential vulnerability into a source of entertainment. The humor resonated because it came from a place of self-awareness, an act of comedic empowerment that inadvertently challenged conventional beauty standards through satire.
This irreverent spirit extended to every detail of the release. The vinyl itself bore a hidden message in its runout grooves. Side A was etched with “LIVE FAST AND DIE UGLY!” , and Side B with “SVULLO HITS HARD”. These were more than technical details; they were micro-narratives that encapsulated the rebellious and darkly humorous tone of Svullo‘s brand. The album art for the free instrumental single also featured the “frequent use of backwards ‘s’ letters” , a quirky stylistic choice that reinforced the project’s unconventional identity.
The song’s immense commercial success proved that the Swedish public was ready to embrace this unconventional content. Despite its title, “För Fet” reached number two nationally and was certified platinum. It spent six weeks on the popular radio chart “Trackslistan” in 1989, peaking at number seven and ranking eighty-third on the year-end list. The song’s enduring legacy is also reflected in the collector’s market, where it’s a widely owned and fondly remembered item that continues to be traded at accessible prices, signifying its status as a cult classic rather than a fleeting novelty.
“För Fet” was a perfect storm of comedic daring and musical innovation. It was a song that captured a moment of creative fearlessness in Sweden, showcasing how a blend of humor, provocation, and solid rock-and-hip-hop fusion could create a lasting cultural artifact.
My copy: 7″, 45 RPM, Sweden, 1989, Mercury, Polygram
Trackslistan (Swedish radio chart): 4 weeks, peaked at #3, #43 on year-end list 1989
