Isham was born in New York City. He studied classical music at an early age and played trumpet, piano and violin. The Isham family later moved to San Francisco, where Mark found work in several of the local orchestras. He also became actively involved in the Bay Area rock and roll scene of the 1960s, performing live with several of the local groups.
One of his early recordings "Group 87" was released as a demo LP to college radio stations. Few commercially available pressings of this first release are available > though several custom CD burns (CBS/Sony denies existence, but providing the label & issue number through their custom burn service known as [SONY MUSIC SPECIAL PRODUCTS] can be had)!> I believe this is "THE DEFINITIVE ISHAM" against all others will be judged! One other Group 87 album followed titled "A Career in Dada Processing", a reflection attesting to the learning curve associated with the emerging CD Format. It was released with very limited availability. Both albums in the "Group 87" moniker are a bit mechanical, utilizing heavy sampling, forceful sequencing, strong percussion and a progressive edginess as compared to the later Isham releases. Mark Isham next released his self-titled "Vapor Drawings", softening the stylings of the group, but with a emphasis on his trumpeting skills, that as they matured developed into the sound that would be identified as his own unique sound. He has a MYSPACE page currently, where all available recordings can be ordered.
His albums Castalia (1988) and Tibet (1989) were both Grammy-nominated. He won in 1990 with his album Mark Isham.
In 1992 he published his first orchestral work Five Stories for Trumpet and Orchestra. The same year he earned an Academy Award nomination for the soundtrack of the film A River Runs Through It. During the following years he became a prolific film score composer. Some of his film scores include: Save the Last Dance, Men of Honor, October Sky, Point Break, and the critically acclaimed Crash which won well over 30 awards worldwide, including the Oscar for Best Achievement in Editing, Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Writing/Original Screenplay, and many soundtrack awards.
In 1995 he released an album titled Blue Sun. This was his first album to follow a mainstream contemporary jazz format.
In 1999 he formed a group to interpret the music of Miles Davis's late 1960s through mid-1970s electric jazz fusion and released an album, Miles Remembered: The Silent Way Project, which was recorded live.
Yakety Yak
Mark Isham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or you don't get no spendin' cash
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Just finish cleanin' up your room
Let's see that dust fly with that broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Or you don't go out Friday night
Yakety yak (Don't talk back)
You just put on your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
And when you finish doin' that
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Yakety yak (Don't talk back)
Don't you give me no dirty looks
Your father's hip, he knows what cooks
Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
You ain't got time to take a ride
Yakety yak (Don't talk back)
Yakety yak, yakety yak
Yakety yak, yakety yak
Yakety yak, yakety yak...
The lyrics to Mark Isham's "Yakety Yak" are a humorous portrayal of a parent's demands on their child for household chores. The song emphasizes the need for the child to complete certain tasks before being allowed to participate in leisure activities. If the child does not adhere to these demands, they risk losing their spendin' cash or the ability to go out on a Friday night. The line, "You ain't gonna rock and roll no more," further emphasizes the importance of completing these chores.
The lyrics also touch on the power dynamic between the parent and the child. The child is not allowed to talk back or give dirty looks to their parent. This highlights the idea that the child's desires and opinions matter less than the parent’s. The line, "Your father's hip, he knows what cooks," reinforces the idea that the parent knows best and the child should not question their authority.
Line by Line Meaning
Take out the papers and the trash
Remove the worthless things and waste material
Or you don't get no spendin' cash
You won't receive any money to spend
If you don't scrub that kitchen floor
If you don't clean the kitchen floor
You ain't gonna rock and roll no more
You won't be able to enjoy yourself anymore
Yakety yak (don't talk back)
Stop complaining and just do what you're told
Just finish cleanin' up your room
Simply tidy up your living quarters
Let's see that dust fly with that broom
Make sure the dust is thoroughly removed with the broom
Get all that garbage out of sight
Remove all the trash from view
Or you don't go out Friday night
You won't be permitted to go out on Friday night
Yakety yak (Don't talk back)
Stop whining and complaining
You just put on your coat and hat
Simply wear your coat and hat
And walk yourself to the laundromat
Take a walk to the laundry facility
And when you finish doin' that
After you're done with that task
Bring in the dog and put out the cat
Bring the dog inside and put the cat outside
Yakety Yak (Don't talk back)
Stop complaining and do as you're told
Don't you give me no dirty looks
Don't give me an unkind glare
Your father's hip, he knows what cooks
Your father is cool and knows what's going on
Just tell your hoodlum friend outside
Inform your trouble-making friend outside
You ain't got time to take a ride
You don't have time to take a joyride
Yakety yak (Don't talk back)
Cease complaining and follow the command
Yakety yak, yakety yak
Etcetera, blah blah blah
Yakety yak, yakety yak
And so forth, et cetera
Yakety yak, yakety yak...
And on and on and on...
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Rauchett
One of the most underrated films ever and one of the most beautiful songs ever
Samuel Lee
Homer's dad is focusing on coal mining under ground but Homer is focusing on rockets that soar to the skies.
Jonathan Clemens
You said it.
Michael Rauchett
@Samuel Lee noooo really......
Katherine Herbison
SERIOUSLY! This movie and soundtrack make cry every time
Jonathan Clemens
@Katherine HerbisonMe also
Aditya
This is not just soundtrack. This is tune of hope , aspiration , dream , hardwork , success.
Everth Palomeque Jr
Absolutely right. This score evokes everything you just said. Thank you!
MAXwellchikenrice
You see, I'm a hardcore metalhead. But when I hear this, I can't help but cry like a baby. The cut into the space shuttle launch has to be one of the greatest moments ever in film. Masterpiece.
Beaverhound J
You happen to be Mrs. Kleiner? My teacher Mrs. Kleiner is a hard-core metal head and she loves this movie, haha