Davoli, Semplici, and Limoni had previously formed a group called Groove Groove Melody, producing dance music under names such as Starlight (who had a UK Top 10 hit in August 1989 with "Numero Uno") and Wood Allen. They went on to record music under many other aliases, most notably Mixmaster, which scored a UK #9 hit in November 1989 with the song "Grand Piano".
In 1989, the trio teamed up with French Caribbean model Katrin Quinol (b. Catherine Quinol) and formed the group Black Box. Quinol did not contribute musically to any of the tracks on the album, was considered the group's "image", lip-syncing the songs in TV performances and music videos.
The first single "Ride On Time" was an international hit, making Top 10 in many countries and No. 1 in the UK, soon becoming the UK's best-selling single of 1989. The song heavily sampled "Love Sensation" by Loleatta Holloway, a 1980 disco hit. The Black Box title is derived from the lyrics "Cause you're right on time".
Dan Hartman, writer and producer of "Love Sensation", was not sought for permission to sample his song, and soon after the international success of "Ride On Time," questions arose as to the true vocalist on the song. Legal proceedings ruled that Loleatta Holloway was the actual singer on "Ride On Time" (albeit by means of the "Love Sensation" vocal samples) and Black Box surrendered a large percentage of the royalties from the song to Hartman and Holloway. A new version of the track with uncredited vocals by Heather Small appeared solely as a single.
The group enlisted Martha Wash to perform vocals on a number of tracks which, Wash was apparently told, were for club consumption and were not for mass-release. The album Dreamland was released in May 1990, and featured six songs sung by Wash, including the singles "Everybody Everybody", "I Don't Know Anybody Else", and "Strike It Up", which became major hits worldwide. Dreamland earned a gold disc in both the UK and the US and achieved double-platinum status in Canada. In Australia it spent three weeks at #1, achieved platinum accreditation and was ranked the country's 16th highest selling album of 1991. Along the way, it also spawned six hit singles, both on the mainstream charts and in the clubs.
Martha Wash was uncredited on the album and singles, with Katrin Quinol lip-synching to the songs in public appearances. Wash sued Black Box, RCA Records and then C+C Music Factory for not receiving due credit. RCA and Wash settled out of court in 1990, with Wash receiving financial compensation and a record deal with RCA.[7] Wash received full vocal credit upon the single release of "Strike It Up", but the music video still featured Katrin Quinol lip-synching the lyrics.
In 1993, the group returned with the single "Rockin' To The Music", dismissing Quinol as the group's image and using American singer Charvoni Woodson as lead vocalist and image, but failed to emulate their previous success. The group recorded their second album Positive Vibration, with Woodson. The album was released around Europe and Asia in different independent labels from 1995 to 1997. The album spawned four singles, including a cover of Odyssey's disco hit "Native New Yorker" which became minor hits in Europe.
In America, they are best remembered for their early '90s singles, "Everybody Everybody", "I Don't Know Anybody Else", and "Strike It Up", their biggest hit in the United States, where all three of their hits are still heard on rhythmic radio and in clubs on a fairly regular basis to this day. Black Box remain one of the few piano-house groups to achieve mainstream success in the USA.
Official website : http://www.blackboxhouse.eu/
Katrin Quinol official website : http://katrinquinol.fr/
Strike It Up
Black Box Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance, dance
Yeah
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance
Strike it up, this band is gonna play my tune
Strike it up, nobody's gonna stop my sound
Strike it up, you know how lonely one can feel
If I have the line and you have the bass
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Line after line going straight to your mind
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
Cast your doubts about house music
You've got the body, so why don't you use it?
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
'Cause that's how we pump the dancefloor for the strong
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Yeah
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance, dance
Yeah
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance
Strike it up, your hand is tapping on my skin
Strike it up, and keep me, and keep me standing on
Strike it up, nobody's gonna let you down
Strike it up, you know how lovely one can be
If I have the line and you have the bass
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Line after line going straight to your mind
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
Cast your doubts about house music
You've got the body, so why don't you use it?
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
'Cause that's how we pump the dancefloor for the strong
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance, dance
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Dance, dance, dance, dance
Strike it up, strike it up
Strike it up, strike it up
Strike it up, strike it up
Strike it up, strike it up
Strike it up, strike it up
Strike it up, strike it up
The lyrics of "Strike It Up" by Black Box are all about dancing to house music. The song features a vibrant dance beat and DJ Daniele Davoli's signature production style. The lyrics talk about hitting the dance floor, moving your body, and feeling the groove. The singer encourages the listener to let go of their doubts about this genre of music and embrace the beat. The chorus consists of repetitions of "Strike it up!" That's an invitation from the singer to get the rhythm and dance.
The verses of the song expand on the theme of the chorus. The lyrics talk about the elements of dance music that make it a prime motivator for dancing, such as the combination of line and bass. The instrumental break in the middle of the song showcases the beats and melody that come together to create a driving beat. The lyrics encourage the listener to let their body move to the beat and forget their doubts. Listening to the song's lyrics will inspire anyone to move their body and let go of their inhibitions.
Line by Line Meaning
Strike it up, this band is gonna play my tune
Let's get this party started because the band is going to play my favorite song
Strike it up, I wanna, I wanna tell you so
I want to express how excited I am and tell you to get ready to dance
Strike it up, nobody's gonna stop my sound
My music can't be silenced by anyone because it's time to dance
Strike it up, you know how lonely one can feel
Dancing is a great way to connect with others and combat loneliness
If I have the line and you have the bass
If I have the melody and you have the rhythm, we can create the perfect dance music
Then strike it up and you'll find the rhythm's on time
Let's start the music and the rhythm will be perfectly in sync
Line after line going straight to your mind
The music is so catchy it takes over your thoughts
'Cause hyping the place is what we're all about
Our goal is to get everyone excited and dancing
Moving your waist to the bass is no doubt
The rhythm is so good, you can't help but move your body to the beat
Roll up the groove, melody is essential
The music needs to be upbeat and catchy to keep everyone dancing
Drop the knowledge on this instrumental
We have the skills to make amazing dance music and we want everyone to know it
Cast your doubts about house music
Don't be skeptical about this type of music, it's perfect for dancing
You've got the body, so why don't you use it?
Don't be self-conscious, everyone can dance and enjoy the music
Naturally swinging your thing to the song
Let your body flow and naturally move to the music
'Cause that's how we pump the dancefloor for the strong
This is how we energize the dance floor and get everyone moving to the beat
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
I'm eagerly anticipating the start of the dance party
Waiting on my feelings, feelings
I can't wait to let loose and dance to the music
Waiting on my feelings, yeah-heah
I'm excited and ready for this dance party to start
Strike it up, your hand is tapping on my skin
The beat is so infectious, even your touch can't resist dancing
Strike it up, and keep me, and keep me standing on
The music keeps me going and energizes me to keep dancing
Strike it up, nobody's gonna let you down
This music won't disappoint, it's going to keep everyone dancing
Strike it up, you know how lovely one can be
Dancing is a beautiful thing and brings people together in a special way
Lyrics © CTM Publishing, PFIVE Entertainment Mexico, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniele Davoli, Lee Bennett Thompson, Mirko Limoni, Valerio Semplici
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandromir4nda140
Anyone else listening in 2024?
@HAIZZUL
Yes
@Rickky007
🔊 🔊🔊🔊🎼🎼
@colettecamo2844
Who's cranking it in 2023? Woooohoooo
@juanchacon7556
LO MEJOR...!!!🥹🥹🙏♥️🥰🥰
@yslslimerichy7674
Me
@cherasparkle6372
ME babeeeeee!
@brianvincentdoucet4273
I remember hearing this during my early college days when I was in my early 20s. I'm over 50 now, and this song still thrills me. And earlier on, I thought it was called "crank it up"! Silly me.
@lauracline8865
Me that's who 😘😘
@JoshBHassall
Still pumping this in 2024, because it’s a timeless classic! Who feels the same?