The band's history starts with a failed short solo career, Everlast teamed up with DJ Lethal and high school friend Danny Boy to form House of Pain. The group was signed to Tommy Boy Records, and their self-titled debut album (1992) went multi-platinum, spawning the successful DJ Muggs produced single Jump Around.
Fashioning themselves as rowdy Irish-American hooligans (Lethal is actually of Latvian heritage), they toured with various rap and alternative-rock bands after their breakthrough. They participated together with Helmet, along with several other rap acts, on the influential 1993 rock-rap collaborative Judgement Night movie soundtrack.
Sophomore album and decline in popularity
Their follow-up effort, 1994's Same As It Ever Was, went gold despite minimal airplay and no major hits. The first single, "On Point," is noted for taking a swipe at another American rapper with a strong Irish heritage, Mark Wahlberg ("Calvin Klein's no friend of mine/So I don't like Marky"). Like Cypress Hill, who, with House of Pain, were a part of the loosely-affiliated Soul Assassins posse, they found urban radio airplay an increasingly closed path, which affected album sales.
Third album
House of Pain abruptly broke up in 1996 after the release of their third album, Truth Crushed To Earth Shall Rise Again, which featured guest appearances by rappers Sadat X of Brand Nubian, Guru of Gang Starr, producer/rapper Divine Styler and reggae singjay Cockni O'Dire (credited as the Scheme Team). On the release date of the album, Everlast announced his departure from the group.
Split, solo and current affairs
From this point on, the status of the group would seem to be in the past tense, though the members would continue their careers separately. Danny Boy would found an art company, DJ Lethal became a member of nu metal band Limp Bizkit, and Everlast would finally get multi-platinum solo fame in 1998. In that year his acoustic rock/blues-inflected Whitey Ford Sings the Blues album hit the charts, together with the single "What It's Like". In 2000, a feud between Everlast and rapper Eminem coincided with the gold-selling Eat at Whitey's, which had minor hits like "Black Jesus" and "Black Coffee", and featured a collaboration with Carlos Santana. After the sale of the Tommy Boy Records catalogue of master tapes to Warner Bros. Music, Everlast signed with Island/Def Jam, and released the solo LP White Trash Beautiful in 2004.
Later the same year Rhino Records, a subdivision of Warner Music, has released a hit collection, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, with singles from Everlast's early solo days, the House of Pain and his post-group solo efforts. Prior to the release, Everlast announced on his official message board that he was not endorsing the compilation album.
Founded by Danny Boy in early 2006, La Coka Nostra is a new project that has reunited him, Everlast and DJ Lethal for the first time since House of Pain's split. Other group members include Ill Bill of Non Phixion, and newcomers Slaine and Big Left.
Members
* Everlast
* Danny Boy
* DJ Lethal
Albums
House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics)
* Released: July 21, 1992
* Billboard 200 chart position: #14
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #16
* Singles: "Jump Around" & "Shamrocks and Shenanigans"
Same As It Ever Was
* Released: June 28, 1994
* Billboard 200 chart position: #12
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #12
* Singles: "On Point", "Who's The Man?" & "Word Is Bond"
Truth Crushed To Earth Shall Rise Again
* Released: October 10, 1996
* Billboard 200 chart position: #47
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #31
* Singles: "Pass The Jinn" & "Fed Up"
Shamrocks & Shenanigans
* Released: February 10, 2004
* Billboard 200 chart position: #
* R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #
* Singles: -
Singles
* Jump Around / HOP Anthem (1992)
* Shamrocks & Shenanigans (US) (1992)
* Shamrocks & Shenanigans / Who's The Man (UK) (1992)
* Top O' The Morning To Ya (Remix) (1992)
* Who's The Man? (1993)
* Legend EP (US) (1994)
* On Point (1994)
* Over There (I Don't Care) (1994)
* It Ain't Crime / Word Is Bond (UK, CD 1/2) (1994)
* Legend / It Ain't A Crime (UK, CD 2/2) (1994)
* Word Is Bond / Legend 12" (1995)
* Pass The Jinn (1996)
* Fed Up / Heart Full Of Sorrow feat. Sadat X (1996)
* Fed Up (Remix feat. Guru) (1996)
Exclusive Soundtrack Contributions
* Judgment Night (1993) -- song with Helmet "Just Another Victim"
* Who's the Man (1993) -- song "Who's the Man"
* Eddie (1996) -- song "Punch Drunk"
* Jerky Boys (1996) -- song "Beef Jerky"
The Rhythm
House of Pain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rhythm is both the songs manicle
and it's demanicle charge...
The rhythm (20x),
I'm Everlast born to be a caucassion
but it makes no difference what persuasion you are
As long as you know how to get up on the floor
To a musical measure that makes you move
as soon as the needle drops into the groove
So get up and dance to the gift I'm giving,
forget about your troubles get into the rhythm
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
Yo, yo, you know what the world needs?
Rhythm!
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
You linger for the rap singer,
when Donald D brings the party to the deal
my presence is felt world wide
You don't dance to this it's suicide
Put your hands into the air on, the M.C. cop,
the girlies are pipen' hot
Natorious Lama is how I'm livin'
don't step to me step to the rhythm
Step to the rhythm
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
You make me feel so hot like I said before we need rhythm,
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (5x)...
All we need is rhythm...
Listen to the tracks that rolls,
watch the mic as it glows
The lethal weapon got you trapped in this dance mode
Ice-T's throwin' words at you like dodge ball y'all
You gotta move get hit, if you get hit, you fall,
no jokin', no boastin' and no bragging
Grip the mic like a .44 magnum,
dust you off if you suck 'cause I ain't
You want me to write soft rhyme's,
Sorry, I can't,
I write the rhythm
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
We need rhythm for the world to have peace and unity
We must first have...
BOOM!
The House of Pain's song The Rhythm is all about the power of music to move people physically and emotionally. The opening voice sets the tone for the song, describing how the rhythm can be both the song's controller and the driver of its energy. The first verse by Everlast highlights that regardless of race or background, what is important is being able to get up and move to the beat. The needle-drop on vinyl represents the start of the groove, the trigger that unleashes the power of the rhythm. Dancing to the music is like receiving a gift, something that can help people forget their troubles and lose themselves in the moment.
The next verse, delivered by Donald D, emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the rhythm. He asserts that his presence is felt worldwide and that to not dance to his music is suicide. He commands the audience to step to him, to feel the rhythm, to let it take over, and to dance. The dance is emphasized as a form of escapism, a way to forget one's troubles and step out of reality. The final verse by Ice-T describes the power dynamics of the music industry, positioning himself as a lethal weapon with a microphone. His words are like bullets that can hit or miss, and there's no room for mediocrity. The power of the music lies in its ability to move people both physically and mentally, leading to peace and unity, another indication of the song's message of celebrating the strength that comes from the rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
The rhythm is both the songs manicle
and it's demanicle charge...
The rhythm is both the force that binds the song and the power that propels it forward.
The rhythm (20x),
Repeating that this song is all about rhythm.
I'm Everlast born to be a caucassion
but it makes no difference what persuasion you are
As long as you know how to get up on the floor
and start workin' a sweat
To a musical measure that makes you move
as soon as the needle drops into the groove
So get up and dance to the gift I'm giving,
forget about your troubles get into the rhythm
Everlast is saying that your race or background doesn't matter when it comes to dancing to the rhythm. As long as you're moving to the beat, it's all good. He encourages listeners to forget their problems and just focus on the music as it's a gift he's giving them.
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
Repeating the focus of the song, which is the rhythm.
Yo, yo, you know what the world needs?
Rhythm!
Everlast poses a rhetorical question to emphasize the importance of rhythm for the world.
You linger for the rap singer,
when Donald D brings the party to the deal
my presence is felt world wide
You don't dance to this it's suicide
Put your hands into the air on, the M.C. cop,
the girlies are pipen' hot
Natorious Lama is how I'm livin'
don't step to me step to the rhythm
Step to the rhythm
Everlast talks about the importance of dancing to the rhythm and not just standing around. He mentions Donald D as an example of someone who knows how to bring the party to life. The rapper's presence is felt everywhere, and not moving to his music is just asking for trouble. His name is Natorious Lama, and he lives by the rhythm. He tells listeners to step to the rhythm rather than approach him.
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
Repeating the focus of the song, which is the rhythm.
You make me feel so hot like I said before we need rhythm,
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (5x)...
All we need is rhythm...
The rhythm makes Everlast feel powerful and passionate. He repeats the focus of the song, which is rhythm and emphasizes its importance for everything.
Listen to the tracks that rolls,
watch the mic as it glows
The lethal weapon got you trapped in this dance mode
Ice-T's throwin' words at you like dodge ball y'all
You gotta move get hit, if you get hit, you fall,
no jokin', no boastin' and no bragging
Grip the mic like a .44 magnum,
dust you off if you suck 'cause I ain't
You want me to write soft rhymes,
Sorry, I can't,
I write the rhythm
Everlast emphasizes the power of the rhythm and how it can trap you in dance mode. The lethal weapon refers to the music, and Ice-T throws words like a dodgeball, forcing you to move to avoid them. There's no room for jokes, boasts, or bragging. Everlast further emphasizes that he writes to the rhythm and not to any other style.
The rhythm (Talking about the rhythm) (10x)...
Repeating the focus of the song, which is the rhythm.
We need rhythm for the world to have peace and unity
We must first have...
BOOM!
Everlast makes a bold statement that the world needs rhythm for peace and unity. He emphasizes this point by ending the song with a loud BOOM!
Contributed by Ella N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thenafislaksono6647
I'm a wood peckin' peckerwood
Take me out, ya never could
Act up in my neighbourhood
You better not, my aim is good
The House Of Pain is not a gang
Just a funky Irish name
A Celtic savage makin' cabbage
With corn beef on the side
Irish pride is what I got
I got alot so don't dispute it
Constantly I'm suited
If ya got a gun then shoot it
Pick any beat I rock it
I'm always in the pocket
You try to ill, I grab my gat
And now you see my cock it
Next I pull the trigger
I don't care if you're bigger
You try to con yourself you're bulletproof
But how ya figure?
The caps that I'll be poppin'
They'll have your body droppin'
You thought you knew the deal
But now you feel your heartbeat stoppin'
I'm moppin' up the comp
That's short for compitition
I write my lyrics like
The Irish mob in Hell's Kitchen
The House Of Pain in effect, y'all
I say the House Of Pain is in effect
You know the House Of Pain is in effect y'all
And anyone that steps up in gettin' wrecked
I'm a beer drinkin' fighter
The bike in Easy Rider
I only roll my spliffs
With the extra easy whiters
Papers to vapors
Is what you'll all be catchin'
Meanwhile I'll be snatchin'
Up your hoes and all your dough
The styles that I'll be kickin'
You know they're finger lickin'
Good, the peckerwood never could play the victim
Only the offender
I go out on a bender
Drink a case of brew
And then disgrace the crew
But only if it's mickeys
I never wear no dickeys
Only wear the Levi's
My whole family cries
@bigtimfish01
Damn this beat... Always one of my favorites
@godssonraymond8877
Lethal was in God Mode
@antrite08
They don't make hip hop like they use to. This sounds so good years later.
@virgilrose1273
its real irish music
@godssonraymond8877
Lethal is so underrated
@mikewood8361
Love this song, never gets old even though i do.
@konversion
Heh, the older we get, the doper this tune gets, though, IMO :)
@HeatherMarieDriscoll
I run my lyrics like the Irish Mob in Hell's Kitchen ....
Still loving this in 2019 ! #HouseofPain #Everlast
@michaelolson5554
Saw ur comment as the song played with it...lol nice!
@HeatherMarieDriscoll
@@michaelolson5554 Haha that is awesome !!!!🎶🎶🎶🎛🎤🎧 Thanks for giving me the motivation and inspiration to comment on things more my friend .. #HOUSEOfPain #Everlast