The CD and cassette maxi single (with a total of 7 tracks) features three remixes of the title track, by Large Professor, Mike Nardone and Dred Scott, and the Prunes, respectively.
It also features 3 new songs, "Mullet Head" (a punk-rock-style song whose title references the much-ridiculed mullet hair-style), "Son of Neckbone" (an instrumental track) and "The Vibes", a more traditional rap song akin to "Sure Shot". "Mullet Head" was also featured on the 1994 EP "Pretzel Nugget".
In the 2010 film Shrek Forever After, the Pied Piper, played by jazz flautist Jeremy Steig whose song "Howlin' For Judy" provides the track’s primary sample, briefly plays the song with his flute. Steig’s father William wrote the children’s book Shrek!, which the film series was based on.
The song also appears in the 2011 film 30 Minutes or Less and in the 2016 video game Forza Horizon 3. It is also used as the opening theme of Season 2 of the TV series Patriot.
Directed by Spike Jonze, the music video for the single features the group, along with DJ Hurricane, singing, skating, and wearing suits while attending a party.
Sure Shot
Beastie Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mike D, come and rock the sure shot
I've got the brand new doo-doo, Guaranteed like Yoo-hoo
I'm on like Dr. John, yeah, Mr. Zu Zu
I'm a newlywed, not a divorcee (yeah)
Well it's the taking of the Pelham 1, 2, 3
If you want a doody rhyme, then come see me
I've got the savior faire with the unique rhymin'
I keep it on and on, it's never quitting time and
Strictly handheld is the style I go
Never rock the mic with the pantyhose
I strap on my ear goggles and I'm ready to go
'Cause at the boards is the man, they call the Mario
You pull up at the function and you know I Kojak
To all the party people that are on my Bozac
I've got more action than my man, John Woo
And I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew (yeah)
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
You know you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Adrock, come and rock the sure shot (Hurra-, Hurra-)
Cane will cross fade on your ass and bust your eardrums
Listen everybody 'cause I'm shifting gears
I'm fresh like Dougie when I get my specs
And on the microphone, I come correct
Timing like a clock when I rock the hip-hop
Top notch is my stock on the soapbox
I've got more rhymes than I've got gray hairs
And that's a lot because I've got my share (oohh, weee)
I've got a hole in my head and there's no one to fix it
I gotta straighten my thoughts
I'm thinking too much (yeah) sick shit
Everyone just takes and takes, takes, takes, takes
I'll have to step back, I gotta contemplate
Well, I'm like Lee Perry, I'm very on
Rock the microphone, and then I'm gone
I'm like Vaughn Bode, I'm a Cheech Wizard
Never quittin', so won't you listen
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, yes, indeed, it's fun time
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mca, come and rock the sure shot
I want to say a little something that's long overdue
The disrespect to women has got to be through
To all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends
I want to offer my love and respect to the end
Well, you say I'm twenty-something
And I should be slacking
But I'm working harder than ever
And you could call it macking
So I'm supposed to sit upon my couch just watching my TV
I'm still listening to wax
I'm not using the CD!
Well, I'm that kid in the corner
All fucked up and I wanna
So I'm gonna (yeah)
Take a piece of the pie
Why not, I'm not quittin'
Think I'm-a change up my style just to fit in
I keep my underwear up with a piece of elastic
I use a bullshit mic that's made out of plastic
To send my rhymes out to all the nations Like Ma Bell
I got the ill communication
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Keep on and rockin' the sure shot
B-boys
B-girls
Tick-tock, tick-tick, tock-tock
The lyrics of "Sure Shot" by the Beastie Boys are a journey through various thoughts and influences that the band members had at the time. The chorus repeats the lines, "Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop" which suggest that the Beastie Boys will keep going and won't be stopped by anyone. The repetition of this phrase further emphasizes the idea of resilience and determination to keep moving forward despite any obstacles one may face.
The verses themselves are a mix of personal anecdotes and cultural references. They mention brand new "doo-doo" (a reference to new music), Dr. John and Mr. Zu Zu (both 70s funk musicians), being a newlywed and funky (a personal anecdote), and the taking of the Pelham 1,2,3 (a reference to a 1970s crime thriller movie). They discuss their unique style of rapping, which is "strictly handheld" and involves wearing "ear goggles" to focus on their craft. They also reference various pop culture icons, such as Kojak, John Woo, and Rod Carew, to highlight their influence and popularity.
Towards the end of the song, the band members touch on more serious topics, such as the disrespect towards women and the need for love and respect towards mothers, sisters, wives, and friends. They also express their desire to keep working hard and staying true to their roots, rather than succumbing to societal expectations to "sit upon my couch just watching my TV".
Overall, "Sure Shot" is a mix of personal anecdotes, cultural references, and deeper reflections on societal issues. It showcases the Beastie Boys' unique style of rapping and highlights their resilience and determination to keep going despite any obstacles they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
I won't stop doing what I am doing no matter what.
I've got the brand new doo-doo, Guaranteed like Yoo-hoo
I have something new and impressive that's guaranteed to succeed.
Well it's the taking of the Pelham 1, 2, 3
This is a nod to a classic movie and a reference to how cool the singer thinks he is.
Strictly handheld is the style I go
I prefer to keep things simple and do everything myself.
You pull up at the function and you know I Kojak
I am always on the lookout for the coolest things and ready to pounce.
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Again, I am not ever going to stop doing what I am doing.
Cane will cross fade on your ass and bust your eardrums
I am so amazing that I will blow your mind with my music.
I've got more rhymes than I've got gray hairs
I have a lot of creativity and talent to offer.
I want to say a little something that's long overdue
I have something important to say that needs to be heard (in this case, a message about respecting women).
Well, you say I'm twenty-something
Some people might think I'm too old or too young to do what I'm doing, but they are wrong.
So I'm supposed to sit upon my couch just watching my TV
Some people think I should be lazy and watch TV, but I am too driven for that.
Well, I'm that kid in the corner
I am that person who stands out and doesn't fit in, but that's okay.
I keep my underwear up with a piece of elastic
I use simple tools and methods to get things done.
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
I really mean it, I am not stopping any time soon.
B-boys
A shout-out to all the cool guys listening to the music.
B-girls
A shout-out to all the cool girls listening to the music.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEREMY STEIG, WENDELL T FITE, MARIO CALDATO, MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND, ADAM KEEFE HOROVITZ, ADAM NATHANIEL YAUCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alex_harnar_618
There were 4 samples in the song: ‘Sure Shot’ by the Beastie Boys (1994)
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1. ‘Howling For Judy’ - Jeremy Steig (1969) (Which is the flute riff looped throughout the song along with the double bass riff in the background.)
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2, ‘The Funny Sides of Moms Mabley (Side 1)’ - Moms Mabley (1963) (Which is the record being scratched in the bridge of the song and the vocal sample saying: “Aww yes, indeed it’s fun times” at 1:56)
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3. ‘Rock The House’ - Run D.M.C (1985) (Which are the drum sounds used on top of the Jeremy Steig sample in the outro of the song and the vocal sample saying the lines: “B-Boys! B-Girls” at 3:05)
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4. 'That's Impossible' - Little Caesar’s TV Commercial (1993) (Which is the dog barking sound effect used right when the song starts.)
@Minamotosa
Fun fact: the guy on the flute is Jeremy Steig, who played as the Paid Piper in Shrek 4. His father was William Steig, writer of the first Shrek novel, later adapted into an animated movie.
@dlxmarks
The flute riff came from Jeremy Steig's 1970 song Howlin' For Judy then it was sampled in 1994 by the Beasties then in 2010 Steig played the flute parts in the movie. A 40 year saga.
@petephelp971
Fun fact this is their trippiest music video
@andrewwright3503
Rod Carew
@unfathomable3434
Wasnt this flute song played in the film
@nicomendez5280
❤
@proximityeffect1603
these guys were and still are the definition of cool
@richard7645
Too cool for school
@AShoegazer
I couldn't agree more. Cheers from Brazil.
@proximityeffect1603
0:50 I mean the muth fucking coolness