DJ Shadow spent his teenage years in Davis, California and was a DJ at the community radio station KDVS. During his time as a radio disc jockey, DJ Shadow was significant in developing the experimental instrumental hip-hop style associated with the California-based Solesides record label. His early singles for the label, including In/Flux and Lost and Found (S.F.L.), were genre-bending works of art merging elements of funk, rock, hip-hop, ambient, jazz, soul, and used-bin found records. DJ Shadow is often cited as a leading creator of trip-hop, though this is a label he strongly contests.
Although he previously released a couple of original works (during 1991-1992 for Hollywood Records) by the time Mo' Wax's James Lavelle contacted him about releasing In/Flux on the fledgling imprint, it wasn't until his distribution association with Mo' Wax that his sound began to mature and cohere.
Shadow's first full-length work, Endtroducing....., was released in late 1996 to immense critical acclaim. Following the success of this album, he acted as a shadow producer for Rage Against The Machine for their album, Evil Empire. It is said he influenced the solo on their song "Bulls On Parade". Endtroducing... made the Guinness World Records book for "First Completely Sampled Album" in 2001. Preemptive Strike, a compilation of early singles, followed in early 1998. Later that year, Shadow produced tracks for Psyence Fiction, the debut album by U.N.K.L.E., a long-time Mo' Wax production team that gained superstar guests including Thom Yorke (of Radiohead), Richard Ashcroft (of The Verve), Mike D (of the Beastie Boys) and others. His next project came in 1999, with the transformation of Solesides into a new label, Quannum Projects. Nearly six years after his debut production album, his second album, The Private Press, was released in June 2002. In the same year, the movie "Scratch" (2001, Doug Pray) was released to DVD with DJ Shadow appearing several times throughout the movie.
The documentary films "Dark Days" and "Wisconsin Death Trip" feature music of DJ Shadow while "Scratch" features an interview and more music.
DJ Shadow has also collaborated with fellow artist Cut Chemist. Together they have made two CDs entitled Brainfreeze and Product Placement. These albums fuse jazz, funk, and soul in the framework of a cohesive concept. The second of these (Product Placement) followed a very similar pattern to the first, but using remixes/other versions of the songs in roughly the same order.
In the year 2004, Shadow released his feature length DVD, In Tune and On Time. The DVD features a live performance in London, emphasizing intricate visuals.
In 2005, Shadow released a Deluxe Edition of his first album, Endtroducing.... and a new album, titled "The Outsider" in 2006.
While Shadow's earlier works, especially 'Endtroducing.....', are known for their innovation in genres such as hip-hop, ambient, and trip-hop, his fourth full length album, The Outsider, had several tracks dedicated to Hyphy. This decision has been controversial, leaving many fans feeling alienated. DJ Shadow addressed this point in an August, 2006 interview, in which stated, "Repeat Endtroducing over and over again? That was never, ever in the game plan. Fuck that. So I think it's time for certain fans to decide if they are fans of the album, or the artist."
Also in 2005, Brian Udelhofen began work on the Shadow Percussion Project, an attempt to adapt some of the tracks from Endtroducing... for a live performance group. The result was largely successful and well-received by DJ Shadow himself.
In 2007 DJ Shadow was contacted by the Hollywood Bowl to do a show featuring Freeze with Cut Chemist. However, not wanting to repeat old material DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist came up with a whole new routine entitled The Hard Sell. In 2007 and 2008 they went on The Hard Sell tour and were accompanied on stage by two large video screens with visuals created for the tour.
Discography
Solo Albums
* 1996 - Endtroducing.....
* 1998 - Preemptive Strike
* 2000 - Dark Days
* 2002 - The Private Press
* 2003 - The Private Repress (Japanese Remix Album)
* 2004 - In Tune and On Time
* 2005 - Endtroducing... (2xCD Deluxe Edition)
* 2006 - The Outsider
* 2007 - The 4-Track Era Vol.1 Best of the KMEL Mixes
* 2007 - The 4-Track Era Vol.2 Best of the Remixes and Megamixes (1990-1992)
* 2011 - The Less You Know, the Better
with Q Bert
* 1997 - Camel Bobsled Race (Q-Bert Mega Mix) CD-EP
with UNKLE
* 1998 - Psyence Fiction
with Cut Chemist
* 1999 - Brainfreeze
* 2001 - Product Placement
* 2004 - Product Placement on Tour
* 2005 - Freeze
* 2008 - The Hard Sell
with Dan The Automator
* 1998 - Bombay the Hard Way: Guns, Cars and Sitars
GDMFSOB
DJ Shadow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or what they might term a remix.
A rethink, a rejiggle.
So who's that...
I see many lights before me?
Many lights!
Nice Unkles,
And a Rooty-toot Manuva.
Swell then!
A shizzle.
More bass.
Find me a space,
Find me a space on, on the beat, yeah!
Round chemist, menace,
Who that met off for this five whore,
Totally soft,
From jokey-jammin'
Now we plannin'
Now we mannin' that mission now,
Rediss and dismantle, my spambo,
Knockin' you down, come catch this sound,
Heavy weight now, takin' you there,
You made me take wow, wait now,
Walk to the light, that baptism,
Medicinal positionin'
Visit now we fishin' in my jin sin in acid,
See my dick's never flacid,
Tax machine,
Leanin' and mean,
Sweat 'til it hurts,
Splurt my bambino,
My Brian or my Eno,
Oops-my-daisy,
Can't see your face never faze me,
Love for day my oxi,
Sonny is he crazy?
Yes y'all, chicks in the bathroom,
They hippy high heels with the lippy,
Now we sick to the back tooth,
Uncouth, corner the room,
They'll cut root now,
Sonic yarp youth,
See the light, see the truth now.
You little piece of dick brained, horse shit, slime sucking son of a whore!
You live with a cocksucking mynx, you scumbag, you low-lifed motherfucker!
Badder boy, ship ahoy,
Ghosts how we do this,
We fucked up, we tucked up,
Leave me to thief police car,
Ride don't know me,
Won't you walk with me slowly?
Yes y'all, you don't got no time to be stood,
One doosh, one toosh,
Irrigation, colonic,
My trance for you, 'tronic,
We on it like a sonic,
We done it 'cos we dance from long time,
The prime,
Porky walky,
See the codes on my,
My walkie talkie,
(Breaker one nine, breaker ten to we stage)
True up to the faith,
'cause it just can't be replaced,
Put a poem on that dark place,
See it from that dump state,
Burn down that hate shootin'
Practiced in the state,
With that snake, that I sting you,
That statement stage will,
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch...
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch...
Most of the time we keep it all for real now.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goodamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
(Everybody move!)
More bass, bass, bass, bass...
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a...
(Everybody move!)
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goddamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goddamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
U.N.K.L.E.
UNKLE.
Shadow.
Roots Manuva.
Shwell then - Well then!
Yes y'all!
Shwell then - Well then!
Can you tell them?
'cause if you don't tell them, somebody will!
Goddaaaamn, motherfuckin', son of a biiiitch!
That's how we like it now.
The lyrics of DJ Shadow's song GDMFSOB introduce the concept of a remix, rethink or rejiggle, setting the pace for the fast-paced, energetic, and innovative song. The lyrics are mostly nonsensical, with various references to darkness, shadows, and entities like Unkles, Manuva, and a Rooty-toot. The tone is aggressive, with the repeated phrase "Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch" adding to the abrasive nature of the song.
The lyrics also contain references to sex, drugs, and rock and roll, with lines like "See my dick's never flacid," "Love for day my oxi," and "my trance for you, 'tronic." The song also talks about knocking down obstacles, dismantling structures, and burning down hate. The lyrics are mostly a stream of consciousness, filled with random thoughts and ideas that merge with the pounding beat and frenzied pace of the music.
Overall, DJ Shadow's GDMFSOB is a chaotic and wild ride that embodies the energy and rebellion of underground music. The song's lyrics are a nod to the remix culture, celebrating the idea of taking something old and making it new again.
Line by Line Meaning
Now this happens to be... what they might call,
Or what they might term a remix.
A rethink, a rejiggle.
Introducing a new version of the music that has been altered from the original, remixed for the listener's enjoyment.
So who's that...
I see many lights before me?
Many lights!
Looking out into the audience, seeing many attendees with flashing lights that signal excitement about the performance.
Dark shadows,
Nice Unkles,
And a Rooty-toot Manuva.
Swell then!
A shizzle.
Mentioning the artists present and indicating that the show is going to be awesome.
More bass.
Requesting the sound technician to increase the level of the bass in the music.
Find me a space,
Find me a space on, on the beat, yeah!
Asking for a gap in the beat to insert a new beat or instrument in the music.
Round chemist, menace,
Who that met off for this five whore,
Totally soft,
From jokey-jammin'
Now we plannin'
Now we mannin' that mission now,
Rediss and dismantle, my spambo,
Knockin' you down, come catch this sound,
Heavy weight now, takin' you there,
You made me take wow, wait now,
Walk to the light, that baptism,
Medicinal positionin',
Visit now we fishin' in my jin sin in acid,
See my dick's never flacid,
Tax machine,
Leanin' and mean,
Sweat 'til it hurts,
Splurt my bambino,
My Brian or my Eno,
Oops-my-daisy,
Can't see your face never faze me,
Love for day my oxi,
Sonny is he crazy?
Describing the music style as chaotic and mentioning various techniques used to manipulate the sound in the music production.
Yes y'all, chicks in the bathroom,
They hippy high heels with the lippy,
Now we sick to the back tooth,
Uncouth, corner the room,
They'll cut root now,
Sonic yarp youth,
See the light, see the truth now.
Talking about the people socializing at the music event, including their attire and behavior.
You little piece of dick brained, horse shit, slime sucking son of a whore!
You live with a cocksucking mynx, you scumbag, you low-lifed motherfucker!
Inserted to express frustration and anger in the context of the music.
Badder boy, ship ahoy,
Ghosts how we do this,
We fucked up, we tucked up,
Leave me to thief police car,
Ride don't know me,
Won't you walk with me slowly?
Using slang and metaphors to describe the chaos brought by the music.
True up to the faith,
'cause it just can't be replaced,
Put a poem on that dark place,
See it from that dump state,
Burn down that hate shootin'
Practiced in the state,
With that snake, that I sting you,
That statement stage will,
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now
Employing a poem to express the performer's views on the importance of the music and the message that it carries.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch...
A scream expressing outrage or excitement in the context of the music.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goodamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
(Everybody move!)
More bass, bass, bass, bass...
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a...
A cathartic repetition of the lyrics for the audience to chant along and release their energy.
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch,
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goddamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
'cause most of the time we keep it all for real now.
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch! (Goddamn!)
G.D.M.F.S.O.B.
Goddamn motherfuckin' son of a bitch!
Concluding the performance with a chant of the lyrics to emphasize the message that the performers are authentic, and the music style is original.
UNKLE.
Shadow.
Roots Manuva.
Shwell then - Well then!
Yes y'all!
Shwell then - Well then!
Can you tell them?
'cause if you don't tell them, somebody will!
Acknowledging the performers and ensuring that everyone will know about the great performance.
That's how we like it now.
Concluding that the show was a success and that everyone enjoyed the performance.
Contributed by Adalyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tyler Aryu
Samples used: (Am I missing any sources?)
Dialogue by Joan Cusack - Nine Months 1:58
Dialogue by Bette Midler - Ruthless People 2:04
Goddamn? 3:08
Mountain - Long Red 3:08
Motherfucking? 3:09
Son of a bitch? (sounds like Samuel L. Jackson): 3:10
Goddamn? 3:22
Ice-T - Warning 3:24
Son of a bitch? 3:25
Beastie Boys - Body Movin' 3:25
Goddamn and Motherfucking? 4:34
Goddamn and Motherfucking? 4:36
Kyuss - Son of a Bitch 6:12
Motherfuckin'? (is this NWA?) 6:13
Tyler Aryu
Samples used: (Am I missing any sources?)
Dialogue by Joan Cusack - Nine Months 1:58
Dialogue by Bette Midler - Ruthless People 2:04
Goddamn? 3:08
Mountain - Long Red 3:08
Motherfucking? 3:09
Son of a bitch? (sounds like Samuel L. Jackson): 3:10
Goddamn? 3:22
Ice-T - Warning 3:24
Son of a bitch? 3:25
Beastie Boys - Body Movin' 3:25
Goddamn and Motherfucking? 4:34
Goddamn and Motherfucking? 4:36
Kyuss - Son of a Bitch 6:12
Motherfuckin'? (is this NWA?) 6:13
Greggers
There's definitely some Honey Bunny from Pulp Fiction in there that you're not citing.
Tyler Aryu
@Greggers At what time is the Pulp Fiction sample?
Greggers
@Tyler Aryu Hunh. I thought it was the last, more extended "Son of a biiiiiiiiiiitch!" in the chorus. To make sure, I reviewed the Honey Bunny scenes in Pulp Fiction, and it looks like I was wrong. Apologies.
emilie
@Greggers U may have been thinking of Scooby snacks by Fun lovin criminals - that’s got a pretty iconic honey bunny sample
quiesty99
The drum solo is from a Robin Trower live album.
Melody
When you're at a New Year's Eve party around 5AM and everyone is getting sleepy... put this track and they'll go nuts! PROVEN!
She's so heavy
That's what I'm talking about! 😜😜😜
BaehrGaming
hahahahah
Rubble
💯