Paul Revere
| Title | Paul Revere |
|---|---|
| Artist | Beastie Boys |
| Album | Licensed to Ill |
| Release Date | 1986-11-15 |
| Description | Released in 1986 on Licensed to Ill, this song helped make the Beastie Boys–it’s the tale of how they got acquainted. The title is a little misleading, as it has nothing to do with the American figure, Paul Revere; that’s just the name of Adrock’s horse, a reference to the song “Fugue for Tinhorns,“ the opening number of Guys and Dolls: I got the horse right here The name is Paul Revere And here’s a guy that says if the weather’s clear Can do, can do, this guy says the horse can do Reportedly, the inspiration for this song came when the Beastie Boys were waiting outside a recording studio for Run-DMC, and Joseph Simmons, aka Run, came booking down the street, screaming incoherently. When he reached the Beastie Boys, he said, “Here’s a little story I got to tell…” And from there, the two groups collaborated on the lyrics. It’s produced by Rick Rubin, and is remarkable for the 808 drumbeat played in reverse. “That backwards 808? If I think right, it was actually Joe, Run, from Run-DMC. It was his idea to flip the tape up. He was there, like, ‘Hey, y'all should flip the tape around so that shit’s backwards.’ Either that, or we had it on backwards and he heard it, he bugged out, and that’s when he said, ‘Y'all have to do a story rhyme over the shit.’ And he came in started writing the shit with us.” –Michael Diamond, 1995 The track was co-produced by Beastie Boys, engineered by Steve Ett, and mastered by Howie Weinberg. Beastiemania reports that “Paul Revere” has been performed in 105 known concerts. 1st Known Performance: 12.26.1986 — Ritz, The, New York, US https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AFpDcMajiLc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU28ltrv-tU&feature=player_embedded Last Known Performance: 6.12.2009 — Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, US Check Jay-Z’s rendition of “No Sleep till Brooklyn” at the All Points West music festival, Jersey City, NJ in Summer 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i04MN0oD6co And Here’s The Roots from Picnic 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA7piQDWoi4 RG would like to give props to Sweet Juniper!… …the creators of A Horse Named Paul Revere — illustrated for all the little Beastie girls and boys out there. |
| Lyrics | [Produced by Rick Rubin and Beastie Boys] [Verse 1: Ad-Rock, MCA, (Mike D)] Now here's a little story I've got to tell About three bad brothers you know so well It started way back in history With Ad-Rock, MCA, (and me) Mike D Been had a little horsey named Paul Revere Just me and my horsey and a quart of beer Riding across the land, kicking up sand Sheriff's posse's on my tail 'cause I'm in demand One lonely Beastie I be All by myself without nobody The sun is beating down on my baseball hat The air is getting hot, the beer is getting flat Looking for a girl, I ran into a guy His name was MCA, I said, "Howdy," he said, "Hi" [Verse 2: Ad-Rock, MCA] He told a little story that sounded well-rehearsed Four days on the run and that he's dying of thirst The brew was in my hand, and he was on my tip His voice was hoarse, his throat was dry, he asked me for a sip He said, "Can I get some?", I said, "You can't get none!" Had a chance to run, pulled out his shotgun Quick on the draw, I thought I'd be dead He put the gun to my head, and this is what he said: "Now my name is MCA, I've got a license to kill (yeah) I think you know what time it is, it's time to get ill (yeah) Now what do we have here, an outlaw and his beer? (uh huh) I run this land, you understand? I've made myself clear?" We stepped into the wind, he had a gun, I had a grin You think this story's over, but it's ready to begin [Verse 3: Ad-Rock, MCA, (Mike D)] Now I got the gun, you got the brew You got two choices of what you can do It's not a tough decision, as you can see I can blow you away or you can ride with me I said, "I'll ride with you if you can get me to the border The sheriff's after me for what I did to his daughter" I did it like this, I did it like that I did it with a wiffleball bat So I'm on the run, the cop got my gun And right about now it's time to have some fun The King Ad-Rock, that is my name And I know the fly spot where they got the champagne We rode for 6 hours, then we hit the spot The beat was a-bumping, and the girlies was hot This dude was staring like he knows who we are We took the empty spot next to him at the bar MCA said, "Yippie Yo, you know this kid?" I said I didn't, but I know he did The kid said, ("Get ready, 'cause this ain't funny My name's Mike D, and I'm about to get money" Pulled out the jammy, I aimed it at the sky) He yelled ("Stick 'em up!") and let two fly Hands went up, and people hit the floor He wasted two kids that ran for the door ("I'm Mike D, and I get respect Your cash and your jewelry is what I expect") MCA was with it, and he's my ace So I grabbed the piano player, and I punched him in the face Piano player's out, the music stopped His boy had beef, and he got dropped Mike D grabbed the money (MCA snatched the gold) I grabbed two girlies and a beer that's coldYou might also like |