He was also an important figure in the careers of Eric B. & Rakim, as he engineered & mixed their first hits, "My Melody" and "Eric B Is President". Marley Marl was one of the pioneers of sampling in hip-hop. He debuted as an electro producer, but his records became more sample-heavy, as can be seen by comparing the MC Shan LPs Down By Law (1987) and Born to be Wild (1988). The rhythms became less electronic, with drum machines becoming less prominent. Marl started his career working for Tuff City records. He debuted with his own track called "DJ Cuttin" in 1985, released under the pseudonym NYC Cutter. In 1994, Marley Marl was referenced on Biggie Smalls' track "Juicy" as being one of his early influences.
Simon Says
Marley Marl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Okay, I'm loosin up now)
(Aw - there it is!)
(I've waited long enough)
Bust a move, let's play a little Simon Says
So take your places and listen to the rhymin as
I like display a new style that just may
Yeah, by now, so you're startin to
Get a little hype, but first get a partner
And proceed full speed right to the dance arena
I really doubt it, but maybe by chance you seen
another brother more inclined to play the part of Simon
Than the Master Ace who knows the art of rhymin
Like a shark knows the finer points of swimmin
Like Steady Pace know the cuts and the fly women
And so before we start this game
Simon says: get up, and yo, I do the same
(Let's play a little game)
Now Simon says: look deep into your partner's eyes
(Let's play a little game)
Look at your partner from head to toe
(Let's play a little game)
And all those good parts in between, you know
(Let's play a little game)
Simon says: it gets badder, and you never had a
Beat that can heat your feet, and still add a
Theme with so much steam, it makes sweat pour
From your faces, and the Ace is sure
Gonna do it, as you listen to it
See, I navigate ya straight to help through it
I'm Simon, rhymin, climbin on time, and
On a mission, that's the position that I'm in
Takin you there, makin you care
I'm achin to tear up the floor, but I don't dare
Leave the mic sittin, gettin cold without my hand on
Those that dance don't have a foot to stand on
And those that don't dance, yo, you oughta know
Simon says: wall flowers aren't allowed to grow
(Let's play a little game)
Now Simon says: close your eyes
And imagine your partner totally unclothed
(Let's play a little game)
Nude, in the butt, bare to the flesh
Now get as close as you can to your partner
And without touching him, move your body to the rhythm
(Let's play a little game)
Simon takes the stand, just as planned
And I display in a ray that's rather grand
Now I agree, there are many who said 'party's off'
But if one of them says, he drops arty soft
See to drop hard you must have the kind of mind
That's refined and artistically lined
Cause yo, it takes nack if you want to attack
Attract with such skill, and still fit the bill
Ace and Action, few can come harder
Than we come, uhm - here's some, but only part of
The gift that can lift the myth that is swift
Only boast the most, yo, Simon says
If your partner's face is in place with your taste
Then haste, you better push up, no time to waste
So if you're with it, you better get it, don't try to sit it
On a chair and stare like a square, brother, quit it
There's no time for nerds and geeks, only freaks
With the sexy cheeks, as the Master speaks
And for weeks and weeks you will dance and prance
To the rhythm I enhance with my chants
So here's a glance at a jam that'll nullify
And fry all the rest, bust the color
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, in the gold and violet
This jam is fly, and I'm the pilot
Flyin you straight to the end of the rainbow
Steady and I try to open your brain, so
You can accept what was carefully kept
Till the fun stops, then the party was pepped
Up, and if you stepped up, you couldn't hold your place in a chair
So hail Simon, the brother Master Ace in the rear
Simon says: yeah
(Let's play a little game)
Now Simon says: put your right hand on your partner's shoulder
And put your left hand on your partner's waist
(Let's play a little game)
Now move your hips rhythmatically
(Let's play a little game)
Now the climax
Simon says: touch your partner's body
Touch your partner's body
In every way imaginable
Yeah
Do the nasty
(Let's play a little game)
I want to say what's up to my DJ Steady Pace
Sha-Born the technician
Ray for real
Eye-see you Rock and the rest of the Action Posse
Special thanks to DJ Marley Marl
And Tim Westwood rockin things out in U.K.
(Okay, I'm loosin up now)
Peace, world
(Let's play a little game)
(Aw - there it is!)
The lyrics to Marley Marl's song Simon says can almost be considered a spoken game, with the instructions laid out for the listener to follow. The game is meant to be a lighthearted dance battle, with Simon instructing the participants on what moves to make. The lyrics are rapped with confidence and boastful swagger, as Simon asserts his dominance on the dance floor. He even dares suckers to run for the door in total dismay at the new style he is about to display. As the song progresses, the instructions become more provocative and sexual, with Simon encouraging participants to imagine their partner fully unclothed and touch their bodies in every way imaginable.
What makes Simon says so iconic is not just the lyrics and the message behind the song but also the intricate beats and sampling used throughout. Marley Marl was known for his innovative production techniques and put these to great use on this track, creating a unique sound that was both funky and undeniably cool. He used samples from a diverse range of sources, including old jazz records and classic funk hits, to create a layered and complex sound that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.
Line by Line Meaning
Bust a move, let's play a little Simon Says
Let's play a fun game of Simon Says.
So take your places and listen to the rhymin as
I like display a new style that just may
Leave suckers runnin for the door in total dismay
I'm going to showcase my new style of rap that might scare some people away.
Yeah, by now, so you're startin to
Get a little hype, but first get a partner
And proceed full speed right to the dance arena
Now that you're getting into it, find a partner and head to the dance floor.
Simon says: get up, and yo, I do the same
Simon is commanding everyone to stand up and he's doing it too.
Simon says: look deep into your partner's eyes
Look at your partner from head to toe
And all those good parts in between, you know
Simon is instructing everyone to look at their partner intently, appreciating all their features.
Simon says: it gets badder, and you never had a
Beat that can heat your feet, and still add a
Theme with so much steam, it makes sweat pour
From your faces, and the Ace is sure
Gonna do it, as you listen to it
See, I navigate ya straight to help through it
I'm Simon, rhymin, climbin on time, and
On a mission, that's the position that I'm in
Takin you there, makin you care
Simon promises the music will get more exciting and intense, and he'll be guiding everyone through it.
Simon says: wall flowers aren't allowed to grow
Simon is encouraging people to not be shy and join in the fun.
Now Simon says: close your eyes
And imagine your partner totally unclothed
Nude, in the butt, bare to the flesh
Now get as close as you can to your partner
And without touching him, move your body to the rhythm
Simon is telling everyone to imagine their partner naked and to dance close to them without touching.
Simon takes the stand, just as planned
And I display in a ray that's rather grand
Simon is ready to showcase his rapping skills and put on a great performance.
Ace and Action, few can come harder
Than we come, uhm - here's some, but only part of
The gift that can lift the myth that is swift
Only boast the most, yo, Simon says
Simon believes that he and his crew are among the best, and he's only showing a small part of their talents.
So if you're with it, you better get it, don't try to sit it
On a chair and stare like a square, brother, quit it
There's no time for nerds and geeks, only freaks
With the sexy cheeks, as the Master speaks
Simon is urging people to participate instead of sitting around, and he's only interested in those who want to have fun and dance.
And for weeks and weeks you will dance and prance
To the rhythm I enhance with my chants
Simon promises that his music will keep the party going for weeks with his skilled chanting and beats.
Steady and I try to open your brain, so
You can accept what was carefully kept
Till the fun stops, then the party was pepped
Up, and if you stepped up, you couldn't hold your place in a chair
Simon and his crew are trying to get people to let loose and have fun, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone.
Simon says: yeah
Simon is acknowledging that everyone is having a good time.
Simon says: put your right hand on your partner's shoulder
And put your left hand on your partner's waist
Now move your hips rhythmatically
Now the climax
Simon instructs everyone to hold their partner and move to the beat, building up to the climax of the song.
Simon says: touch your partner's body
Touch your partner's body
In every way imaginable
Yeah
Do the nasty
Simon is encouraging people to get intimate with their partner, leading up to a sexual climax.
I want to say what's up to my DJ Steady Pace
Sha-Born the technician
Ray for real
Eye-see you Rock and the rest of the Action Posse
Special thanks to DJ Marley Marl
And Tim Westwood rockin things out in U.K.
Peace, world
Simon is giving shoutouts to his crew and thanking his DJ's and others involved in the music industry.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind