Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
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 product...
[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)
[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
Shadrach was written by Ad-Rock & MCA & Mike D & Mario Caldato Jr..
Shadrach was produced by Beastie Boys & Dust Brothers.
Beastie Boys released Shadrach on Tue Jul 25 1989.
According to Mike D (in Beastie Boys Book):
“Allegedly, a very long time ago, there were these three Jewish dudes who would not bow down to a golden idol in the image of Nebuchadnezzar, the new king of Babylon. He was super pissed, and a lot of people got jealous of the three dudes, so the king thr...