Van Helden was born in Boston on February 17, 1970 to a Dutch-Indonesian father and a French-Lebanese mother, but travelled around the world as a child spending time in the Netherlands, Turkey and Italy, as his father was a member of the US Air Force. At the age of thirteen, he bought a drum machine and started DJing two years later.
He returned to Boston in 1988 but also moonlighted as a DJ in Boston clubs. He attended Boston University. He quit his legal review job in 1989 to work as a remixer/producer for Mega-Mixx Productions DJ Remix Service (co-founded by his long time manager, Neil Petricone) where he reworked and re-edited a number of club records for the DJ-only service, including Shawn Christopher's "Another Sleepless Night." He also took up an occupancy at 'The Loft', Boston's leading nightclub.
Mega-Mixx's success was short lived. Mismanagement brought the company to a halt in early 1991. Later that year, he and Petricone, along with founding A&R coordinator, Tony Zeoli, launched X-Mix Productions, a similar DJ Remix service, which still exists today (http://www.xmix.com). Catching the attention of legendary Strictly Rhythm and Nervous Records A&R guru, Glady Pizarro, in 1992 Van Helden released his first official single "Stay On My Mind" under the psuedonym Deep Creed, through Nervous Records.
He released "Move It To the Left" (credited to Sultans of Swing) in 1992 on the Strictly Rhythm label, which became a moderate club hit. His first track to make the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart was "Witch Doktor" which made the top 5 in 1994.
The success of "Witch Doktor" led to opportunities to remix acts such as The Real McCoy ("Another Night", New Order ("Bizarre Love Triangle"), Blondie ("Atomic), Capella ("U Got To Know"), Lightning Seeds ("Jackie Lucky"), Deep Forest ("Marta's Song"), Jimmy Somerville ("Heartbeat"), Deee-Lite ("Dewdrops In The Garden") and Faithless ("Insomnia"). However, it was the "Professional Widow" remix that established him and became a dance hit around the world as well as a number one hit in the UK. Unfortunately, Van Helden did not receive a penny for this mix as he presented it uncommissioned, and thus was not entitled to compensation. However, it led to work remixing The Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Puff Daddy as well as Daft Punk and the Sneaker Pimps, and adding to his reputation as one of the world's top house musicians.
Within dance music circles, Van Helden is widely credited for the introduction of the U.K. bred Speed Garage sound to the U.S. club scene with incredible set of remixes. The sound, identifiable by its deep bass subtones, long melodic breaks, and devestatingly hard hitting beats are exemplified in the following remixes beginning in 1995 with Jimmy Somerville "Heartbeat"; CJ Bolland's "Sugar Is Sweeter"; Faithless "Insomnia"; Tori Amos "Professional Widow"; Apollo 440 "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub"; and Sneaker Pimps "Spin, Spin, Sugar."
"Cha Cha" was another top ten dance hit from his first album Old School Junkies released in 1996, along with "The Funk Phenomena". A greatest hits album appeared the next year followed by a breakbeat album later in 1997. "U Don't Know Me," a collaboration with vocalist Duane Harden from the album, "2 Futur 4 U," was a number two hit on the Billboard dance chart, a Number one in the UK and a top 20 single on the pop charts in Australia and Canada.
In 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Armand Van Helden explained, "You Don't Know Me was a perfect example of putting 2 simple things together, the beats from Jaydee's Plastic Dreams and a disco loop from Carrie Lucas."
Van Helden released the Killing Puritans album in 2000 which contained the dance hit "Koochy". His single "Why Can't You Spend Some Time" made the number 34 in the UK in 2001. His New York: A Mix Odyssey album released in 2004 produced two hits:
* "Hear my Name" reached number 7 on the Billboard dance chart, was top 30 on world and internet charts, made number 34 in the UK, and reached the top 40 in Australia; and
* "My My My" reached number 4 on the world internet charts, number 5 in the Belgian and Dutch charts, number 6 in Australia, number 15 in the UK and top 30 in the world dance charts.
In 2010 Van Helden teamed with A-Trak to form the duo Duck Sauce. They had an international smash hit with "Barbra Streisand," which used an ingenious sample from Boney M.
Shake That Ass
Armand van Helden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Freak freak y'all
And you don't, don't stop
Keep on y'all
And you don't, don't stop
[X4]
Follow me like one time
Niggas just got off work
Time to unwind
Strobelight smokin thick (?)
Got my mind made up
All night I'ma stay up and fuck a lot
But nah, I ain't a playa
Girl I'll house you
You in my hut
Thinkin of a rhyme trying to hold my nut
Armand on the cut Com Sense MC
Baby put that ass in the air where I can see
Feel free feel good
You ain't in the club trying to find a real love
I spill dubs on Heiny's and tequila shots
Where studs and chicks pee in the same spot
It's hot as hell
Freakshow on the dance floor Is that you I smell?
I'ma give that ass room
Better yet, let's fuck in the bathroom
If we have room it's a full moon.
[Chorus:]
It's a full moon out tonight
Party people here just feel alright
The place is packed and the mood is right
Now have a good time y'all
A good time y'all
I know y'all niggas ain't come here to fight
Ain't nothin but love so don't be uptight
Black Latin Asian and White
[Repeat]
There's some hoes in this house
It's thick like them hoes from the south
Toothpick froze in my mouth
Y'all chicks don't know what I'm about
I did "Retropsect For Life"
They think I got a wife
But I got style to mine
So I dog 'em like Phife or Snoop.
Already boned 3 out the group with my crew I rock steady like the park
I hear foot steps in the dark
From them househeads
Dancin in the circle in the house like curfew
To work you to the bone
Old school cuts get me in a zone
In the line I get restless
I'm straight I'm on the guestlist
The red light specialist
Love is the message
From B-Boy to raver expressions
I get open like the bar at the rap sessions
Diggin in the crate with Armand
The phenomenon
Com think faster than a Muslim doing Ramadan
I'm a wand
In otherwords I'm wildin'
It's a full moon and peoples is howlin
[Chorus]
[X2]
Chicago rock the house and
New York rock the house and
DC rock the house and
London rock the house and
Australia rock the house and
Europe You gotta rock the house and
Party People rock the house and
Japan rock the house and
New York rock the house and
Chicago rock the house and
Atlanta rock the house and
Detroit rock the house and
Cali rock the house and
Texas rock the house and
Alabama rock the house and
Black man rock the house and
Go on
The song "Shake That Ass" by Armand Van Helden is a party anthem that embraces the wild and electrifying energy of nightlife. The intro sets the tone for the song, calling out to partygoers to keep up their energy and let loose. The lyrics paint a picture of a packed club with strobe lights and thick smoke, where people of all races and backgrounds come together to celebrate life and let go of their troubles. There is a sense of hedonism and sexual energy in the lyrics as well, with references to drinking, hooking up, and dancing sensually.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the unity and positivity of the club scene, with people coming together to have a good time and leave their differences behind. The lyrics call out specific cities and regions known for their vibrant music scenes, highlighting the global impact of the club culture. The verses feature references to other famous hip hop artists like Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, tying the song into a broader cultural movement. Overall, "Shake That Ass" is a party anthem that celebrates the wild and diverse community of clubgoers and gives them a platform to lose themselves in the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Freak freak y'all
Let loose and have a good time
And you don't, don't stop
Make sure to keep dancing and enjoying yourself
Keep on y'all
Don't slow down, keep going
Follow me like one time
Come with me and enjoy the party
Everybody love me like they do the sunshine
Everyone is having a great time with me around, like on a sunny day
Niggas just got off work
People have just finished work and are ready to unwind
Time to unwind
It's time to relax and let loose
Strobelight smokin thick (?)
There are thick clouds of smoke filling the air from the strobe lights
Got my mind made up
I know what I want and I'm determined to get it
All night I'ma stay up and fuck a lot
I plan on staying up all night and having a lot of sex
But nah, I ain't a playa
But I'm not playing games or trying to deceive anyone
Girl I'll house you
I'll take care of you and treat you right
You in my hut
You're with me and we're going to have a great time
Thinkin of a rhyme trying to hold my nut
I'm trying to come up with a good rhyme while also trying to hold back orgasm
Armand on the cut Com Sense MC
Armand Van Helden is on the turntables, while Com Sense is MCing
Baby put that ass in the air where I can see
I want to see your body moving and dancing
Feel free feel good
Relax and enjoy yourself, it's all good
You ain't in the club trying to find a real love
You're not here to find true love, just to have fun
I spill dubs on Heiny's and tequila shots
I'm drinking and having a good time, usually with $20 bills
Where studs and chicks pee in the same spot
The club is very crowded, so people have to share the same bathroom
It's hot as hell
It's very hot and sweaty inside the club
Freakshow on the dance floor Is that you I smell?
There are a lot of strange people on the dance floor, and I smell something unusual
I'ma give that ass room
I'm going to make enough space for people to dance and move around
Better yet, let's fuck in the bathroom
Let's have sex in the bathroom if we can find the space for it
If we have room it's a full moon.
If there's enough space, everyone will go crazy and wild
It's a full moon out tonight
The party is going to be wild and crazy, just like a full moon
Party people here just feel alright
Everyone feels good and is ready to have a good time
Now have a good time y'all
Enjoy the party, everyone
I know y'all niggas ain't come here to fight
I know that nobody came here to start a fight
Ain't nothin but love so don't be uptight
There's nothing but good vibes and love here, so don't be nervous or tense
Black Latin Asian and White
There are people from all different ethnic and racial backgrounds here
There's some hoes in this house
There are some promiscuous women in the club
It's thick like them hoes from the south
The club is very crowded, like southern strip clubs
Toothpick froze in my mouth
I have a toothpick in my mouth, which is a common accessory at clubs
Y'all chicks don't know what I'm about
The women in the club don't know what kind of person I am or what I value
I did 'Retrospect For Life'
I made a song called 'Retrospect For Life', which is a slower, more thoughtful track
They think I got a wife
People think that I have a wife or am in a committed relationship
But I got style to mine
I have my own personal style and preferences
So I dog 'em like Phife or Snoop.
I treat the women I'm interested in like rappers Phife Dawg or Snoop Dogg would
Already boned 3 out the group with my crew I rock steady like the park
I've already had sex with three women who were with a group of friends, while my crew helps me out and makes me solid like a rock
I hear foot steps in the dark
I can hear people walking around somewhere dark or secluded
From them househeads
From people who love house music
Dancin in the circle in the house like curfew
People are dancing in a circle formation to house music, like they would in a curfew/lockdown situation
To work you to the bone
The music and dancing are so intense that they will wear you out
Old school cuts get me in a zone
Hearing older, classic songs gets me in the mood and lost in the music
In the line I get restless
I get anxious and impatient while waiting in line
I'm straight I'm on the guestlist
I am not worried about getting into the club, I am already on the guest list
The red light specialist
Someone who is very skilled at getting things done in a fast, efficient manner, like a traffic light turning red
Love is the message
The main message of the music and party is love
From B-Boy to raver expressions
From hip-hop breakdancers to electronic dance music enthusiasts, everyone is expressing themselves through dance and music
I get open like the bar at the rap sessions
I'm open and ready to have a good time, just like the bar at hip-hop rap sessions
Diggin in the crate with Armand
Searching through records and music with Armand Van Helden
The phenomenon
Referring to Armand Van Helden's talent and influence
Com think faster than a Muslim doing Ramadan
Com Sense thinks very quickly and cleverly, like a Muslim during the fasting month of Ramadan
I'm a wand
I'm magical or special in some way
In other words I'm wildin'
In other words, I'm going nuts and having a great time
It's a full moon and peoples is howlin
People are getting wild and crazy, just like on a full moon
Chicago rock the house and
Chicago is making the party great
New York rock the house and
New York is making the party great
DC rock the house and
Washington DC is making the party great
London rock the house and
London is making the party great
Australia rock the house and
Australia is making the party great
Europe You gotta rock the house and
All of Europe needs to keep the party going strong
Party People rock the house and
The party people themselves are also responsible for making the night amazing
Japan rock the house and
Japan is making the party great
Atlanta rock the house and
Atlanta is making the party great
Detroit rock the house and
Detroit is making the party great
Cali rock the house and
California is making the party great
Texas rock the house and
Texas is making the party great
Alabama rock the house and
Alabama is making the party great
Black man rock the house and
Black men are making the party great
Go on
Keep going! Keep dancing! Let's keep this party going!
Writer(s): Alden Nusser, Thomas Kotler, C. Johnson, Joshua Ostrovsky, Armand van Helden
Contributed by Alyssa F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.