In February 2007 the band released their first record, a two song vinyl with the song "That Boy That Girl", which gained mainstream popularity after the video, directed by friend Bob Harlow, made it onto MTV2. Shortly after the video, the band added bassist Chris Purcell. After releasing their 12-track mixtape "Not Here To Please You" on November 12, 2007 featuring originals and remixes, the band returned to the studio to complete their debut album Music for an Accelerated Culture. This featured nine new songs as well as the single "Liquid Lives" and was released on May 5th 2008. It achieved reasonable success reaching 12th in the UK album charts.
In mid-2009, the band recorded their second studio album, For the Masses, in Holland with drum and bass producers NOISIA. The band described the new album as being different, both lyrically and musically. The album was released on February 25th 2010 and did not have the same success as their debut album, receiving generally poor reviews from critics and reaching 19th in the UK album charts.
Songfacts reports that "Parasite" is the band's first single after signing with independent label Ministry of Sound. Zane Lowe premiered the song on April 12, 2012 during his BBC Radio 1 show.
On 27 December 2012, the band announced that their third studio album will be called 'Every Weekend' and will be released through their own label 'Surface Noise Recordings'. The group made an appearance in 2012 on Feed Me's "Trapdoor" and James provided vocals for KillSonik's song "Slaughterhouse" this year.
On 22 January 2013 Hadouken! released a follow up video to 'People Are Awesome', titled 'People Are Awesome 2013'. The video featured the track 'Levitate' taken from the album 'Every Weekend'. 'People Are Awesome 2013' was the number one most watched video on YouTube around the world, gaining 20 million views in its first week.
On November 10th 2014, Hadouken! announced their hiatus through Facebook.
The band’s name is a reference to a special move called "the Hadouken" (surge fist) from the Street Fighter video game franchise where the player throws a fireball at their opponent. The video game references extend into their music which includes sound effects from Nintendo Game Boy titles.
Current Members
James Smith (vocals)
Daniel 'Pilau' Rice (guitar, synths, backing vocals)
Nick Rice (drums, samples)
Alice Spooner (synths, keyboard)
Chris Purcell (bass, synths, backing vocals)
Related Links:
Official Website
Official Myspace
Official Facebook
Official Twitter
Mic check
Hadouken! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo
Yo
Mic check, yo
Yo
Yo
Yo
Block my check
I'ma gonna scream and shuffle this one
If you can't see that, put your specs on
If you can't hear, I've popped your ear drum
Check one, check two
Block my check
I'ma gonna lose it now, for this song
If you can't see that, put your specs on
If you can't hear, I've popped your ear drum
Oh
My
We're dropping this fun
All
Night
Like we're in the zone
Oh, we're bringing it on
Oh, I said we're bringing it on
For the masses, jumping up on the set
Check one, check two
Block my check
For the masses, yeah, its only respect
Check one, check two
Block my check
DJ!
Slap this raw on the deck
Check one, check two
Block my check
I'm gonna head to the back
Keep pumping noise
Check one, check two
Block my check
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Right to the core
Right to the bone
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Right to the core
Right to the bone
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Right to the core
Right to the bone
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Right to the core
Right to the bone
I wanna take your mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
I wanna take your mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
Mind and soul
For the masses, jumping up on the set
Check one, check two
Block my check
For the masses, yeah, its only respect
Check one, check two
Block my check
DJ!
Slap this raw on the deck
Check one, check two
Block my check
I'm gonna head to the back
Keep pumping noise
Check one, check two
Block my check
Oh
My
We're dropping this fun
All
Night
Like we're in the zone
Oh, we're bringing it on
Oh, I said we're bringing it on
Yo
Yo
Yo
Check one, Check Two
Block My Check
Yo
Yo
Yo
Check one, Check Two
Block My Check
Check one, Check Two
Block My Check
Check one, Check Two
Block My Check
The lyrics of Hadouken!'s "Mic Check" speak about the power of music to affect listeners, urging them to wear their glasses to see and protect their ears. The song is addressed to the masses, urging them to feel the music and lose themselves to it. The verses are repetitive, with the only variation being the number of times the words "Check one, check two" are repeated. However, while the repetition of the chorus may seem monotonous, it builds the intensity of the track, and makes it a perfect party anthem.
The song's title is a reference to the audio check conducted before performances, reminding the audience to pay attention to the sound quality. However, the lyrics go beyond audio checks, and address the emotional and mental impact of music. The verses urge the listener to let go of their inhibitions and fully immerse themselves in the music, while the chorus repeats the central message of the song: "I wanna take your mind and soul, right to the core, right to the bone." Overall, "Mic Check" can be viewed as an invitation to the listener to let go of their self-consciousness and revel in the infectious energy of the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo
Addressing the audience to grab their attention
Mic check, yo
Ensuring the microphone is working and alerting the audience of the performance
Check one, check two
Testing the sound system to make sure it is functioning properly
Block my check
Asking for the audience to pay attention and not interfere with the performance
I'ma gonna scream and shuffle this one
Expressing the singer's passion and energy for the song, ready to perform at a high level
If you can't see that, put your specs on
Encouraging the audience to pay closer attention if they are missing the performer's intensity
If you can't hear, I've popped your ear drum
Acknowledging the loudness of the performance and jokingly suggesting it could cause hearing damage
Oh
Expressing excitement and eagerness for the performance
My
An interjection used to signal the continuation of the song
We're dropping this fun
Asserting the performer's intention to create a lively and enjoyable performance
All
Implying a continuation of energy and enthusiasm from beginning to end of the performance
Night
The duration of the performance
Like we're in the zone
The performers are focused and in sync, allowing for the best possible show
Oh, we're bringing it on
Building anticipation for an exciting performance
For the masses, jumping up on the set
Performing for a large audience and getting them excited and moving
Yeah, its only respect
Expressing gratitude and humble appreciation for the opportunity to perform for a large crowd
DJ!
Getting the attention of the DJ to ensure a smooth performance
Slap this raw on the deck
Requesting a specific song to be played by the DJ
I'm gonna head to the back
Preparing to continue the performance from another location
Keep pumping noise
Encouraging the audience to keep up their energy and excitement
I wanna take your mind and soul
Expressing the performer's desire to connect with the audience and create a memorable experience
Right to the core
Wanting to create a deep and impactful connection with the audience
Right to the bone
Further emphasizing the desire for a strong and lasting connection with the audience
Yo
Addressing the audience to grab their attention
Yo
Addressing the audience to grab their attention
Check one, Check Two
Testing the sound system to make sure it is functioning properly
Check one, check two
Testing the sound system to make sure it is functioning properly
Block My Check
Asking for the audience to pay attention and not interfere with the performance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TOMMIE FORD, TINA MOORE, CHRISTOPHER PURCELL, DANIEL RICE, NICHOLAS RICE, NIK ROOS, JAMES SMITH, MARTIJN VAN SONDEREN, ALICE SPOONER, THIJS DE VLIEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind