The Beastie Boys were the first successful white rap group and one of the few acts from the early days of hip-hop that still enjoyed major success their whole career. Their rock and punk-influenced rap has had a significant impact on artists both in and outside the hip-hop scene. And they were the first rap group to gain a substantial following with alternative rock fans.
The Beastie Boys came together in 1979 as a punk band called The Young Aborigines. In 1981 MCA joined the group and from the suggestion of their guitarist John Berry, they changed their name to Beastie Boys. Their line up then consisted of Adam Yauch (aka MCA) on bass, drummer Kate Schellenbach (later of Luscious Jackson), guitarist John Berry (of Big Fat Love), and Mike Diamond (aka Mike D) on the mic. Beastie Boys' debut EP, the Pollywog Stew vinyl 7" was released in 1982.
The band's first foray into hip hop, the Cooky Puss 12", followed in 1983, with The Young and the Useless guitarist Adam Horovitz (aka Adrock) replacing John Berry. "Cooky Puss" would be the first B Boys record to receive play at NYC clubs like Danceteria as the band played its first shows outside the city.
The Mike D/MCA/Adrock Beastie Boys lineup debuted in 1984 with the "Rock Hard"/"Beastie Groove" 12." Produced by Rick Rubin, who went on to produce albums for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash and Audioslave. The "She's On It"/ "Slow And Low" 12" followed in 1985 and Beastie Boys went on Madonna's "Virgin Tour." as her opening act.
Licensed to Ill dropped in fall 1986 and became the first Beastie Boys album--and the first Rap album ever--to go #1. Fueled by Fight for Your Right and No Sleep Till Brooklyn it remained at #1 for seven weeks and simultaneously reached #2 on the urban chart, becoming the fastest selling debut to date for Columbia and the first hip hop record to break 5 million.
In 1989 Beastie Boys released their second album Paul’s Boutique produced by Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers. Paul's Boutique laid down the blueprint for a generation of emergent genres and went over the collective head of a nation. The likes of "Shake Your Rump," "Lookin' Down The Barrel Of A Gun," "Car Thief," Shadrach," and the hip hop "suite" "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" contained lyrical and musical references too plentiful and diverse for the average mind to compute in one sitting.
Check Your Head, released in 1992, heralded the return of live instrumentation into the B Boys mix. The album was produced by the band and Mario Caldato Jr. (who first worked with B Boys as engineer on Paul's Boutique), Check Your Head would yield a watershed of new B Boys staples, including So Whatcha' Want, Pass The Mic, "Gratitude" and "Jimmy James." With the assistance of Keyboard Money Mark, Eric Bobo and assorted percussionists, Beastie Boys returned to the touring circuit and Check Your Head hit double platinum.
In the summer of 1994, Ill Communication, also produced by the band and Mario Caldato Jr., entered the charts #1. The album featured such hits Sure Shot and Sabotage. Ill Communication was supported by Beastie Boys' first arena headline tour since the '80s. Following the tour's conclusion, Beastie Boys recorded and released Aglio e Olio consisting of eight songs clocking in at 11 minutes, the EP recalls the vintage hardcore punk of the band's infancy.
On July 14 1998, their fifth album titled Hello Nasty was released. Spurred by the monster success of the "Intergalactic" single and video, the record clocked first week sales of nearly 700,000 in the U.S. and went straight in at #1 in England, Germany, Australia, Holland, New Zealand and Sweden. Early in the tour, Beastie Boys made live tracks available for free download to fans unable to attend the shows-and were blindsided by their label pulling the tracks down.
Having closed 1998 by accepting the Video Vanguard lifetime achievement honor at the MTV Video Music Awards, Beastie Boys rang in 1999 with Artist, Band and/or Record of the Year accolades from the likes of Rolling Stone, SPIN, The New Yorker and Playboy, among others. A month later, at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, the now quadruple-platinum Hello Nasty took Best Alternative Music Performance, while "Intergalactic," nailed Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group--the first time an artist has ever won in both Rap and Alternative categories.1999 would also see "Intergalactic" take Best Hip Hop Video honors at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.
Beastie Boys' sixth studio album, To The 5 Boroughs, released in summer 2004, was the band's third consecutive #1 debut-and Rolling Stone magazine's only 5-star review of the year. To The 5 Boroughs was supported by world tour - traveling pageant - supported by Talib Kweli and Bob Moore's Amazing Mongrels (yes, a live dog show, hence the pageant appellation).
2006 saw the release of the film, Awesome, I Fuckin' Shot That!, a concert film made up of footage filmed by audience members, which debuted at Sundance in early 2006 and was released theatrically the same year.
In 2007 Beastie Boys released The Mix-Up, first ever full length offering of all-new, all-original instrumental recordings.
On February 3rd, 2009, they digitally remastered and released Paul's Boutique on their website.
The band's next record, "Hot Sauce Committee Part 2" was released in the first quarter of 2011. It features the same tracklisting as the previously announced "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1", which was delayed indefinitely after Yauch was diagnosed with a tumor on his parotid gland (which was successfully removed).
Bassist and vocalist Adam Yauch died on May 4, 2012 of cancer.
In June 2014, Mike D stated that the Beastie Boys would not continue their careers as a group, as a promise to Adam Yauch. "We have not been able to tour since MCA, Adam Yauch, died," Diamond said. "We can't make new music."
Alive
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got rhyme selections in a wide array
J'ai des bons bons pour vous mangez
The party people scream oui oui, see'est vrai
'Cause I got a remote for my bidet
(Adrock)
A-d-are-o-see-k
Down with freckles from around the way
Peace to Bambata and Jazzy Jay
(MCA)
I rock on the mic from here to Bombay
I give it my best and say come what may
'Cause everybody's got their dues to pay
I'm looking side ways like my man Pele
(Mike D)
Getting on like Ali boom ba yay
So fed up with racism today
Time to speak up and not turn away
Make the sun shine when it's cloudy and gray
(chorus)
Dip dip dive so socialize
Open up your ears and clean out your eyes
If you learn to love your in for a surprise
It could be nice to be alive
(Adrock)
I'm taking doody rhymes to a brand new height
I shine on the mic like UltraBright
Created a monster with these rhymes I write
Goatee metal rap please say goodnight
(MCA)
Now here's a little something you may not like
My dj's name is Mix Master Mike
It's a real pity that you people got to bite
But I could understand because he sounds so nice
(Mike D)
Reading you the news cause I'm Country Mike
Use a microphone like Shazam uses tights
Try to keep clear of that hate and spite
So I keep my mind still like the still of night
(Adrock)
Now who in the world do you want to fight?
It's agianst the system we should unite
Homophobics ain't alright
If you learn to love then you might love life
(chorus)
(MCA)
Now you can shuffle numbers but facts is facts
So many billionares while so many lack
So before the poor decide to react
Come on party people and share up your stacks
(Mike D)
Now I'm a break it down to the brass tacks
Do the Biz Mark and the cabbage patch
You try to turn the key but then you broke the latch
Sneak into my files for some rhymes to snatch
(Adrock)
I'd like to have a say on the income tax
Don't want to help build bombs and that's the facts
No money for health care so what's the catch?
The man got you locked with the keys to the latch
(MCA)
Mike and Adam have got my back
You bring the mics and we'll bring the raps
Turn on the P.A. and rock your shack
Don't smoke cheeba can't stand crack
(chorus)
The Beastie Boys's song "Alive" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world and the need for social change. The three members of the group - Mike D, Adrock, and MCA - each take a verse to share their thoughts on various issues, from racism to poverty to homophobia. The catchy chorus encourages people to socialize, open their minds, and love life.
Mike D's verse touches on the wide range of rhymes available to him and the party atmosphere he's creating. He also throws in a reference to his bidet remote, which seems to be a departure from the political theme of the rest of the song. Adrock's verse compares his use of the microphone to the way Picasso used clay, highlighting the creativity and artistic value of their rap. He also gives a shoutout to hip-hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay. MCA's verse references both his global travels (from Bombay to Pele) and the idea that everyone has "dues to pay" in life.
The chorus encourages listeners to "dip dip dive" and socialize, to be open-minded and surprised by love. Adrock's second verse continues the theme of pushing boundaries with his "doody rhymes" and "goatee metal rap." He also introduces Mix Master Mike, the group's DJ, whose scratching and beatmaking would help define their sound.
Mike D's bridge references his Country Mike alter-ego and his desire to steer clear of negativity. Adrock's second bridge calls for unity and standing up against homophobia. MCA's final verse criticizes the wealth gap between billionaires and the poor, and urges those with wealth to share it. The song concludes with a call to action: rock your shack and avoid drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
We got rhyme selections in a wide array
We have a great variety of rhymes to choose from
J'ai des bons bons pour vous mangez
I have some candies for you to eat
The party people scream oui oui, see'est vrai
People at the party shout yes yes, it's true
'Cause I got a remote for my bidet
Because I have a remote control for my bidet
A-d-are-o-see-k
A-D-R-O-C-K spelled out in a rap manner
I use the microphone like Picasso used clay
I use the microphone as an artist expresses with clay
Down with freckles from around the way
I support people from the neighborhood who have freckles
Peace to Bambata and Jazzy Jay
I send my regards to Bambata and Jazzy Jay
I rock on the mic from here to Bombay
I perform on the microphone from here to Bombay
I give it my best and say come what may
I do my best and face whatever comes up
'Cause everybody's got their dues to pay
Because everyone has to face the consequences of their actions
I'm looking side ways like my man Pele
I'm observing from the side like Pele did in soccer
Getting on like Ali boom ba yay
Going on with energy like Ali booming
So fed up with racism today
I'm tired of racism happening today
Time to speak up and not turn away
It's time to speak up and not ignore it
Make the sun shine when it's cloudy and gray
Bring positivity even in hard times
Dip dip dive so socialize
Experience life to the fullest and socialize
Open up your ears and clean out your eyes
Be receptive and clear-headed
If you learn to love your in for a surprise
You'll be surprised if you learn to love
It could be nice to be alive
Life could be enjoyable
I'm taking doody rhymes to a brand new height
I'm elevating simple rhymes to a new level
I shine on the mic like UltraBright
I'm brilliant with the microphone like UltraBright
Created a monster with these rhymes I write
I have created something wild with my rhymes
Goatee metal rap please say goodnight
I'm ending the rap with a goodbye message
Now here's a little something you may not like
Here's something you may not appreciate
My dj's name is Mix Master Mike
I have a DJ named Mix Master Mike
It's a real pity that you people got to bite
It's unfortunate that people have to copy
But I could understand because he sounds so nice
I get it because he sounds great
Reading you the news cause I'm Country Mike
I'm Country Mike and I'll read you the news
Use a microphone like Shazam uses tights
I use the microphone intensely like Shazam uses his tights
Try to keep clear of that hate and spite
I try to avoid hate and negativity
So I keep my mind still like the still of night
I keep my mind tranquil like a still night
Now who in the world do you want to fight?
Who do you want to confront?
It's agianst the system we should unite
We should unite against the system
Homophobics ain't alright
Homophobia is not acceptable
If you learn to love then you might love life
Loving life is possible if you learn to love
Now you can shuffle numbers but facts is facts
You can manipulate statistics, but the truth is the truth
So many billionares while so many lack
There's an imbalance between the rich and poor
So before the poor decide to react
Before the marginalized take action
Come on party people and share up your stacks
Come on everyone, share your wealth
Now I'm a break it down to the brass tacks
I'll explain it clearly
Do the Biz Mark and the cabbage patch
Do the dance moves Biz Mark and the Cabbage Patch
You try to turn the key but then you broke the latch
You tried to access, but you ruined it
Sneak into my files for some rhymes to snatch
Stealing my rhymes clandestinely
I'd like to have a say on the income tax
I'd like to express my opinion about income tax
Don't want to help build bombs and that's the facts
I don't want to support creating bombs
No money for health care so what's the catch?
What's the reason for the lack of support to health care?
The man got you locked with the keys to the latch
The system has trapped you
Mike and Adam have got my back
Mike and Adam support me
You bring the mics and we'll bring the raps
Bring microphones, and we'll perform rhymes
Turn on the P.A. and rock your shack
Turn on speakers and enjoy the music
Don't smoke cheeba can't stand crack
I won't smoke marijuana and hate cocaine
If you learn to love your in for a surprise
You'll be surprised if you learn to love
It could be nice to be alive
Life could be enjoyable
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Alan Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SunDevil1984
Probably the Beastie Boys' most underrated song IMO.
"If you learn to love you're in for a surprise. It could be nice to be alive"
Riot Grrrl
Yes, so beautiful. I read about their whole evolution lately and am really touched by that.
Lucas M
Yeah probably it's under rated because it wasn't on a proper album, it was released as a stand alone single with their anthology album
impossibleq
Over rated is nothing
Baby Wilson
i agree
The Mix Curator
The remixes on the Beastie Boy Anthology DVD are really good as well. One of the first DVDs you could select which audio track went to the video. Think each track had at least 3 remixes. If they didn't have that, you could watch Shake Your Rump on any of the cameras they shot the video on 🙌
Dave Van Vlerah
RIP Adam Yauch. So hard to believe that one of my heroes died so young.
Ji Koi Parts
Love this...the Honda ct70s 😍😍
tarheels 23
Ji Koi , One or two of them are Honda monkies (50cc)
John Celcius
The music makes him eternal Brother.