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 Paulβs 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."
Slow and Low
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
It's never old school, all brand new
So everybody catch, the bugaloo flu
Not like a fever, not like a cold
So don't see a doctor or see a nurse
Just listen to the music, first things first
First of all, get off the wall
It's time to party so have a ball
We slowed it on down, so get the hell up
Like a volcano I'll erupt
We got determination, bass and highs
White Castle fries only come in one size
What you see is what you get
And you ain't seen nothing yet
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
I do not sing but I make a Def song
You could live your whole life and I hope you live long
On the Gong Show we won't get gonged
We're the Beastie Boys, not Cheech and Chong
Strong as an ox, fresh out the box
The crowd is so live, they're coming in flocks
And when we go on, the crowd goes off
It's all hard rock there's nothing soft
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
We don't only rock the house but we'll house we rock
We don't stroll but we roll straight to the top
M.C.A., Adrock, Mike D. makes three
And we can do it like this in the place to be
When I'm recorded, you'll be rewarded
I know my song is Def 'cause you all applauded
Not P.C.P. or L.S.D. just me Mike D. in the place to be
This is not free, you must pay a fee
Cash on delivery like a C.O.D.
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
The beat is slow in order to dance
I want to hear I dos and no I can'ts
First you move your leg and then your arm
It's not fast and nervous, this dance is calm
It's truly stable and you ought to be able
To dance to the record when it's on the turntable
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
The lyrics to Beastie Boys' "Slow and Low" emphasize enjoying the moment and letting the rhythm take over. The song's title alone encourages listeners to move their bodies at a leisurely pace - the tempo is "slow and low" after all. The lyrics instruct listeners to let go of their hesitations and to allow the music to take them over. The song's narrator boasts about the Beastie Boys' musical prowess and their ability to make the crowd "go off" with their "hard rock." The lyrics also emphasize the importance of enjoying music on a simple, uncomplicated level. The song is "not P.C.P. or L.S.D." - it's just good old-fashioned fun.
In short, "Slow and Low" is an anthem to carefree partying and dancing. The song encourages listeners to let go of their worries and enjoy themselves to the fullest. The music and the beat are there to help guide listeners on a journey of rhythmic abandon, and the lyrics serve as a reminder to let the music take over and to revel in the simple joys of a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Let it flow, let yourself go
Don't hold back, relax and enjoy the music
Slow and low, that is the tempo
The beat is intentionally slow so you can groove to it
It's never old school, all brand new
This music is fresh and innovative
So everybody catch, the bugaloo flu
Everyone should join in and dance
Not like a fever, not like a cold
This music won't make you sick, but it will make you feel good
The beats are clear, the rhymes are bold
Both the music and lyrics are strong and powerful
So don't see a doctor or see a nurse
There's nothing wrong, just enjoy the music
Just listen to the music, first things first
Focus on the music before anything else
First of all, get off the wall
Stop being a wallflower and join the party
It's time to party so have a ball
Enjoy yourself and have fun
We slowed it on down, so get the hell up
The music might be slow, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't dance
Like a volcano I'll erupt
The energy is explosive and exciting
We got determination, bass and highs
The music is determined and rhythmically dynamic
White Castle fries only come in one size
There's no choice, what you see is what you get
What you see is what you get
There are no hidden surprises, it's all laid out for you
And you ain't seen nothing yet
There's more to come, be prepared
I do not sing but I make a Def song
Even though the artist is not a vocalist, they create great music
You could live your whole life and I hope you live long
The singer wishes the listener a long life
On the Gong Show we won't get gonged
They won't be rejected on a television show
We're the Beastie Boys, not Cheech and Chong
They're a unique group with their own identity and style
Strong as an ox, fresh out the box
They're powerful and new to the scene
The crowd is so live, they're coming in flocks
The audience is lively and enthusiastic
And when we go on, the crowd goes off
They inspire and excite the audience
It's all hard rock there's nothing soft
The music is intense and raw
We don't only rock the house but we'll house we rock
They not only perform, but they excel at it
We don't stroll but we roll straight to the top
They don't move slowly, they go straight to the top
M.C.A., Adrock, Mike D. makes three
The members of the group are named M.C.A., Adrock, and Mike D.
And we can do it like this in the place to be
They can perform in any environment and still succeed
When I'm recorded, you'll be rewarded
Their music is worth listening to and will benefit the listener
I know my song is Def 'cause you all applauded
The audience's approval confirms the quality of their music
Not P.C.P. or L.S.D. just me Mike D. in the place to be
They don't need drugs to create great music
This is not free, you must pay a fee
They won't give their music away for free, it has value
Cash on delivery like a C.O.D.
Payment is required before receiving their music, just like a package delivery
The beat is slow in order to dance
The music is intentionally slow so that dancing is easier and more fluid
I want to hear I dos and no I can'ts
The singer wants the listener to be positive and open-minded
First you move your leg and then your arm
There's a specific dance pattern to follow
It's not fast and nervous, this dance is calm
The dance is designed to be relaxing and easy
It's truly stable and you ought to be able
The dance is predictable and easy to follow
To dance to the record when it's on the turntable
The music is perfect for dancing and enjoying
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Louis Diamond, Daniel Richard Hayden, Adam Keefe Horovitz, Darryl Matthews Mcdaniels, Rick Rubin, Joseph Ward Simmons, Adam Nathaniel Yauch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rebecca Nicole
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
It's never old school, all brand new
So everybody catch, the bugaloo flu
Not like a fever, not like a cold
The beats are clear, the rhymes are bold
So don't see a doctor or see a nurse
Just listen to the music, first things first
First of all, get off the wall
It's time to party so have a ball
We slowed it on down, so get the hell up
Like a volcano I'll erupt
We got determination, bass and highs
White Castle fries only come in one size
What you see is what you get
And you ain't seen nothing yet
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
I do not sing but I make a Def song
You could live your whole life and I hope you live long
On the Gong Show we won't get gonged
We're the Beastie Boys, not Cheech and Chong
Strong as an ox, fresh out the box
The crowd is so live, they're coming in flocks
And when we go on, the crowd goes off
It's all hard rock there's nothing soft
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
We don't only rock the house but we'll house we rock
We don't stroll but we roll straight to the top
M.C.A., Adrock, Mike D. makes three
And we can do it like this in the place to be
When I'm recorded, you'll be rewarded
I know my song is Def 'cause you all applauded
Not P.C.P. or L.S.D. just me Mike D. in the place to be
This is not free, you must pay a fee
Cash on delivery like a C.O.D.
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
The beat is slow in order to dance
I want to hear I dos and no I can'ts
First you move your leg and then your arm
It's not fast and nervous, this dance is calm
It's truly stable and you ought to be able
To dance to the record when it's on the turntable
So let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Let it flow, let yourself go
Slow and low, that is the tempo
Banito Blake
Love these dudes! They didn't try to act black, didn't bite anybody's style, they were some straight up white boys that we love because they were dope! Man, the bass was so heavy on this album, I used to lay under my 15" speakers and be in la la land. This album is a kick ass classic. πππ€β¨
Rickphilly
They did actually try to act black.
Scrotal Butter
@Rickphilly how do you act black?
tdaltonutube
They did their own thing is what I hope you meant but you can't deny influences and they'd be the first to tell you that. They started one way and evolved based on many things including all the other music being put out by whoever. Larry Bird was called the great white hope and he never acknowledged it because he didn't see color like that. Cheers.
scott hoskins
@Scrotal Butter
As a rapper easy. Do that one thing with your hands and say
"Know what I'm saying"
In every sentence
Steve Armstrong
One of the greatest rap group of all time
scoot mcgoot
Im here because this wonderful tune entered my mind randomly just now. I absolutely warped about 5 cassette tapes of this album as a kid!
Dan Gard
Scoot, the young folks that I work with just stare at me when I tell them I wore out about 5 cassette tapes of this album as a kid, through my teens, and early 20's. They're the ones that missed out.
Jeremy Stark
This was always my favorite track on this album. Such a classic beat and tempo..
Tommy Swan
THIS IS MY LIFE'S THEME SONG >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > : O