Funky Cold Medina


"Funky Cold Medina" is a hip hop song written by Young MC, Matt Dike and Michael Ross, and first performed by Tone Lōc. It was the second single from Lōc's debut album Lōc-ed After Dark. The single was released on March 18, 1989, and rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following month where it went platinum, selling over one million copies. It peaked on the UK Singles Chart at #13 in May of that year.
According to Flavor Flav, who is heard using the phrase "cold medina" a year earlier on It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, "cold medina" was one of his assertive affirmations throughout the 1980s and was adopted by labelmates Beastie Boys as a nickname for the cocktail Fuzzy navel; Flav allegedly later advised Tone Loc to use the catchphrase in a song.
After the song became popular, several different cocktails were introduced bearing the name "Funky Cold Medina".

Synopsis

The song tells the story of Tone Lōc's experiences with 'Funky Cold Medina', a potent aphrodisiac in liquid form. At the beginning of the song, Loc consults a fellow club-goer who appears to be having more success with women than Loc is. The unnamed stranger informs Loc that his success is the result of his use of 'Funky Cold Medina', a potion which makes anyone who drinks it irresistible to others.
Loc initially tests the formula on his dog who, upon drinking it, becomes uncharacteristically affectionate towards Loc and appears to attract the neighbourhood dogs to Loc's house. Loc then tries the formula on a potential love interest, who unexpectedly turns out to be a cross-dresser. His next effort involves him appearing on a dating show and a meeting a woman who immediately wants to marry him, which scares Loc away. Ultimately Loc concludes the formula is too much trouble, and resolves to discontinue using it.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Track listings

US vinyl, 12", promo
US promo