Funky Cold Medina

Album: Loc'ed After Dark (1988)
Charted: 13 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like Loc's other hit "Wild Thing," this was written by Marvin Young, who recorded as Young MC. Both songs have a similar sound and comical lyrics. "Wild Thing" was the first ever Platinum-certified rap single; "Medina" was the second.
  • In 1959, The Clovers recorded Love Potion #9, and took almost 30 more years before another song about a powerful aphrodisiac became a big hit. In this song, Loc's love potion is the Funky Cold Medina, which is so powerful it even works on dogs. Loc makes it clear that you have to be very careful with the Medina, or it could have unintended consequences, like marriage.
  • This song contains a soup of samples. The drum break is from "Get Off Your Ass and Jam" by Funkadelic, and the main guitar riff is from "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner. Other samples are "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones (when this song is mentioned), "Christine Sixteen" by KISS, "All Right Now" by Free, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • The dogs mentioned in the lyrics were spokesdogs of the '80s. Spuds McKenzie shilled for Budweiser and Alex sold Strohs.
  • Tone Loc is the stage name of Anthony Terrell Smith. His stage name comes from "Antonio Loco" ("Crazy Antonio"), a nickname his friends gave him.
  • Tome Loc's gravelly, hoarse voice was the result of a childhood tea-drinking accident that left his throat scalded.

Comments: 2

  • Joe from FloridaThought to "of" referred to? Have.
  • Ben from Dallas, TxTon Loc has been thought to of referred to "Funky Cold Medina" as a cold medicine, or cough syrup which contains a narcotic ingredient.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Zac Hanson

Zac HansonSongwriter Interviews

Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.