Shadrach
| Title | Shadrach |
|---|---|
| Artist | Beastie Boys |
| Album | Paul’s Boutique |
| Release Date | 1989-07-25 |
| Description | The type of song Genius was invented for — a pop culture reference-heavy number from (arguably) the group’s best album that ranks among their greatest songs… “Shadrach” is Track 13 on Paul’s Boutique, released 7.25.1989 on Capitol Records. Beastie Boys & Dust Brothers share writing and production credits. Engineered by Mario Caldato, Jr. and assisted by Allen Abrahamson, “Shadrach” was recorded at Mario G’s and mixed at Record Plant. It was released as the second and final single from the album, but did not chart. Samples include: “Do Your Dance“ by Rose Royce, from Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom (1977) “Loose Booty“ by Sly & the Family Stone, from the album, Small Talk (1974) “Hot and Nasty“ by Black Oak Arkansas, from the album, Black Oak Arkansas (1971) “Never Let ‘Em Say“ by Ballin’ Jack, from the album, Ballin’ Jack (1970) “King Tim III (Personality Jock)“ by the Fatback Band, from the album, XII (1979) “That’s the Joint“ by Funky Four Plus One (1980) “Good to Go“ by Trouble Funk (1986) “Say What” by Trouble Funk (1983) “Funky Drummer“ by James Brown (1969) “Sugarhill Groove“ by The Sugarhill Gang, from the album, Sugarhill Gang (1980) “Shadrach“ was performed in 30 known concerts… 1st Known Performance: 1.27.1990 — Hollywood, CA, US Last Known Performance: 5.5.1999 — National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, England |
| Lyrics | [Intro: Rose Stewart] Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey [Verse 1: MCA, Mike D, Ad Rock, All] Riddle me this, my brother, can you handle it? Your style to my style, you can't hold a candle to it Equinox symmetry and the balance is right Smokin' and drinkin' on a Tuesday night It's not how you play the game, it's how you win it I cheat and steal and sin, and I'm a cynic For those about to rock, we salute you The dirty thoughts for dirty minds we contribute to I once was lost, but now I'm found The music washes over, and you're one with the sound Well, who shall inherit the earth? The meek shall And, yo, I think I'm starting to peak now, Al And then the man upstairs, well, I hope that he cares If I had a penny for my thoughts, I'd be a millionaire We're just three emcees, and we're on the go Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego! [Chorus: Sly Stone, Rose Stewart] Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shad— Hey, hey Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-yeah, hmm [Verse 2: MCA, Mike D, Ad Rock, All] Only twenty-four hours in a day Only twelve notes, well, a man can play Music for all, but not just one people And now we're gonna bust with the Putney Swope sequel More Adidas sneakers than a plumber's got pliers Got more suits than Jacoby & Meyers (Wow) If not for my vices, and my bugged-out desires My year would be good just like Goodyear's tires 'Cause I'm out picking pockets at the Atlantic Antic And nobody wants to hear you 'cause your rhymes are damn frantic I mix business and pleasure way too much You know, wine and women and song and such I don't get blue, I got a mean red streak You don't pay the band, your friends, yo, that's weak Get even like Steven (Even) like pulling a Rambo Well, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego! (You know) You might also like[Chorus: Sly Stone, Rose Stewart, (Ad-Rock)] Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (-no) Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shad— Hey, hey Hey-hey-hey-hey-hey-yeah, hmm [Verse 3: MCA, Mike D, Ad Rock, All] Steal from the rich, and I'm out robbing banks Givin' to the poor, and I always give thanks Because I've got more stories than J.D.'s got Salinger I hold the title, and you are the challenger I've got money like Charles Dickens I've got the girlies in the Coupe like the Colonel's got the chickens And I'm always going out dapper like Harry S. Truman I'm madder than Mad's Alfred E. Newman (Newman) [Break: Sly Stone, Ballin' Jack] (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) (Shad—) (Oh, never gonna let 'em say that I don't love you) (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) [Verse 4 MCA, Mike D, Ad Rock, All, (Sample)] Well, my noggin is hoggin' all kinds of thoughts And Adam Yoggin is Yauch, and he's rockin' of course, wow Smoke the holy chalice, got my own religion Rally round the stage and check the funky dope musicians Like Jerry Lee Swaggart or Jerry Lee Falwell You love Mario Andretti cause he always drives his car well Vicious circle of reality since the day you were born And we love the hot butter (Say what?) The popcorn Sippin' on wine and mackin' Rockin' on the stage with all the hands clappin', yeah Ride the wave of fate, it don't ride me, Homes (Being very proud of bein' emcees) And then the man upstairs, well, I hope that he cares If I had a penny for my thoughts, I'd be a millionaire Amps and crossovers under my rear hood Because the bass is bumping from the back of my Fleetwood They tell us what to do? Hell no! Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego! [Chorus: Sly Stone, (Ad-Rock)] Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (-no) Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Shad— [Outro: Rose Stewart] Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey Ah-ha-yeah-hey |