The group debuted for TVT Records in 1995 with the single for Unified Rebelution. Their acclaimed position in the 1990s alternative hip-hop movement, alongside artists including Company Flow, Black Star and Kool Keith, was confirmed when the Jurassic 5 EP was released in December 1997.
The EP was later repackaged with additional tracks and released in December 1998 as the band's full-length debut album, entitled Jurassic 5 LP.
The tracks harked back to the old school attitude of New York's Native Tongues Posse, the seminal late 1980s coalition of artists who reaffirmed rap's social agenda, which included De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest. This was evident on the song Concrete Schoolyard ("Let's take it back to the concrete streets/Original beats from real live MCs"), and the album even provided the troupe with a surprise UK Top 40 single when it reached number 35 in November 1998. The other stand-out track, Jayou, was built around a hypnotic flute loop from Pleasure Web's Music Man Part 1 (Music Man Part 1).
In 1999, Jurassic 5 signed to Interscope Records, who re-released the Jurassic 5 EP. This was followed by their second album (their first on a major label), Quality Control.
In 2002, they released their third album, Power In Numbers, which was followed by touring with the newly-revived Lollapalooza festival in the summer of 2003.
Their latest album, Feedback, was released on July 25, 2006.
Swing Set
Jurassic 5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So
Hot!
This is the sound of the 30's!
1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Gather round all you ruggytutters,
cause we're going to show you what Swing is all about!
Oh yeah?
Yeah!
Yeah?
Yeah!
These great sounds should not be left to gather dust.
You might dig out that old 78.
Doodeedoot n' doodeetdoot n' doodeedoot n' ah ha ha ha!
Hi Ex-Swinger, don't be a wimpy, go way out!
Do you wanna dance?!
Yeah!
Swing.
All hands on deck!
Love that! Yeah! oh!
OK everybody on the swings.
Ah oh!
The sound of the Swing era
kind of scratchy after all these years.
If only it sounded like this
[Bebopin' & Scattin']
What you probably remember was more like this
Oh oh oh oh
So
Hot!
And will fill me up!
oh yeah! Swing time in the ol' corral.
The lyrics to Jurassic 5's "Swing Set" is a nostalgic tribute to the Swing era of the 30s. The song starts off with the chanting of "So Hot!" then a declaration that this is the sound of the 30s. With the counting of 1,2,1,2,3,4, the group invites all to gather round and witness what Swing is all about, reiterating with a series of inquisitive yeahs. The lyrics emphasize that Swing should not be left to gather dust, and that one should dig out that old 78 because these great sounds should be enjoyed.
The lyrics then transition to a fast-paced bebop and scattin' that captures the essence of what was the Swing era. The group laments that the sound of the era is scratchy after all these years, and wishes that it sounded like their interpretation. The song ends on a high note, with an invitation to join in the Swing dance and enjoy the nostalgia.
Line by Line Meaning
So hot!
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm about the upcoming Swing music performance.
So
Hot!
Repeating the earlier expression with more emphasis and gusto.
This is the sound of the 30's!
Announcing that the Swing music being played is from the 1930s, and implying the listeners should appreciate its cultural significance.
1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Counting in the music to establish the rhythm for the audience.
Gather round all you ruggytutters,
cause we're going to show you what Swing is all about!
Oh yeah?
Yeah!
Yeah?
Yeah!
Welcoming and inviting the audience to join in and participate in the Swing experience with enthusiasm and confidence.
These great sounds should not be left to gather dust.
You might dig out that old 78.
Asserting that the music should not be forgotten or ignored, and encouraging the audience to find old recordings of Swing music.
Doodeedoot n' doodeetdoot n' doodeedoot n' ah ha ha ha!
Using nonsensical scatting to create a lighthearted and playful atmosphere while continuing to establish the rhythm of the music.
Hi Ex-Swinger, don't be a wimpy, go way out!
Addressing someone who used to enjoy Swing music and encouraging them to join in again with enthusiasm and confidence.
Do you wanna dance?!
Yeah!
Asking the audience if they want to dance and receiving an affirmative response.
Swing.
Summing up the entire essence and focus of the song in a single word - Swing.
All hands on deck!
Encouraging everyone to get up, be involved, and contribute to the fun Swing atmosphere.
Love that! Yeah! oh!
Expressing appreciation for Swing music and its energy and fun, with emphasis and excitement.
OK everybody on the swings.
Directing everyone to come and dance on the swings, referencing the playground equipment of a 'swing set'.
Ah oh!
Expressing a unique emotional reaction to the sounds of the Swing music.
The sound of the Swing era
kind of scratchy after all these years.
If only it sounded like this
Reflecting on how the old Swing music from the past is now hard to listen to because of the poor recording quality, but expressing a wish that it sounded as good as the live performance happening now.
[Bebopin' & Scattin']
What you probably remember was more like this
Oh oh oh oh
So
Hot!
Using more scatting to compare the authentic sound of their Swing music with the popular but less true-to-form versions that people may remember from the past, ultimately emphasizing the superior quality of the former.
And will fill me up!
Implying that the Swing music is invigorating and gives the listener a sense of satisfaction and fullness.
oh yeah! Swing time in the ol' corral.
Expressing excitement and joy about the experience of Swing music, and metaphorically describing it as a communal gathering place like an old western corral.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY BAUDUC, BOB HAGGART, BOB CROSBY, GIL RODIN, CHARLES STUART, MARC STUART, DANTE GIVENS, COURTNAY HENDERSON, LUCAS MCFADDEN, MARC POTSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind