Shimmy Shimmy Ya
Ol' Dirty Bastard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Oh baby I like it raw
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Off on a natural charge bon-voyageYeah from the home of the Dodger Brooklyn squad
Wu-Tang killer bees on a swarm
Rain on your college-ass disco dorm
For you to even touch my skill
You gotta put the one killer bee and he ain't gonna kill
Now chop that down, pass it all around
Lyrics get hard quick cement to the ground
For any emcee in any fifty two states
I get psycho, killer, Norman Bates
My producer slam, my flow is like bam
Jump on stage ah then I dip down
(I like the way you talk)
Oh baby I like it raw
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Oh baby I like it raw
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Oh baby I like it raw
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Oh baby I like it raw
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Off on a natural charge bon-voyageYeah from the home of the Dodger Brooklyn squad
Wu-Tang killer bees on a swarm
Rain on your college-ass disco dorm
For you to even touch my skill
You gotta put the one killer bee and he ain't gonna kill
Now chop that down, pass it all around
Lyrics get hard quick cement to the ground
For any emcee in any fifty two states
I get psycho, killer, Norman Bates
My producer slam my flow is like bam
Jump on stage ah then I dip down
Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya, ya
Sh-Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Sh-Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Sh-Sh-Shimmy, shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Sh-Shimmy, sh-sh-shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Shimmy shimmy ya
The start of the song "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" by Ol' Dirty Bastard is all about the rapper's love for rawness in life. He repeats the lines "Oh baby I like it raw, yeah baby I like it raw" throughout the song, which is a reference to his love for raw music and uncooked food. The word "raw" in this context represents a certain level of authenticity and grit that ODB values in his life and music.
The main verses of the song are centered on ODB's unique style of rapping and the way he stands out in the rap game. He talks about his skills and how other rappers can't compare to him. The lines "For you to even touch my skill, you gotta put the one killer bee and he ain't gonna kill" is a reference to ODB's group, the Wu-Tang Clan, and their killer bee logo. ODB compares himself to a killer bee, one of the Wu-Tang's finest rappers, and challenges other MCs to come to his level.
The rest of the lyrics are repeating the phrase "Shimmy shimmy ya," which is just a playful way of saying "move your hips" or "dance." ODB then commands to "give me the mic so I can take it away," showing his confidence and skill in performing. The song overall is representative of ODB's unique style, his love for rawness and authenticity, and his skills as a rapper.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby I like it raw
I prefer it in its natural, unrefined state
Yeah, baby I like it raw
Yes, I really do prefer it in its raw state
Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
A rhythmical chant to get the crowd involved
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Let me take control and perform
Off on a natural charge bon-voyage
Going on a natural high, ready for takeoff
Yeah from the home of the Dodger Brooklyn squad
Representing Brooklyn where the Dodgers baseball team played
Wu-Tang killer bees on a swarm
The Wu-Tang Clan (a rap group) is ready to attack and dominate
Rain on your college-ass disco dorm
Overwhelm you with my powerful lyrics and style
For you to even touch my skill
To reach my level of skill is impossible
You gotta put the one killer bee and he ain't gonna kill
Even if you try to compete with the best, you will still not succeed
Now chop that down, pass it all around
Spread the good vibes and energy
Lyrics get hard quick cement to the ground
My lyrics are stronger than cement and have a long-lasting impact
For any emcee in any fifty two states
No matter where you are from, I am still superior to you as a rapper
I get psycho, killer, Norman Bates
My rap style is intense and can be compared to a character from a horror movie
My producer slam, my flow is like bam
My music is produced to perfection and my rap flow is smooth, yet powerful
Jump on stage ah then I dip down
I perform with gusto and energy, then leave the stage abruptly
Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya, ya
A repetitive chant to get the audience to join in
Sh-Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Another chant designed to hype up the audience
Sh-Sh-Shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Another rhythmic chant to keep the crowd engaged
Sh-Sh-Shimmy, shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Yet another chant to keep the crowd involved
Sh-Shimmy, sh-sh-shimmy shimmy ya shimmy yam shimmy ya
Repetitive chanting to maintain the energy of the audience
Gimme the mic so I can take it away
Let me perform and show you what I'm capable of
Shimmy shimmy ya
A call to keep the energy up and get the crowd chanting along.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Russell Jones, Robert Diggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jasonpeters9716
Needs be a 3credit course on early-mid 1990s Rock n Roll/Alternative Revolution as well.
Plus early-mid 90s overall Pop Culture Revolution in general..
Style invented by GenX teens & 20 somethings fr 1991-95.
That is MORE RELEVANT than ever +30yrs later!
Lol..look at all teens today. Style fr head to toe.
Complete early-mid 90s ripoff.
By 1993? GenX had turned 60s, 70s & 80s style in Halloween costume party's. 😆 🤣 😂 😹
@killval849
His erratic, borderline psychotic, balls to the wall tone, rhythm, and flow were untouchable. Wu Tang was never the same after he died.
@maximillionbelafonte8905
Best comment ever.
@eriktarte2743
RIP ODB
@robertma5424
I think part of it was the fact he was shitfaced recording this album lol.
@simomilosic7345
@Killval they were like family and when one member is gone there is nothing like it was before.
@rodneywelch4203
If you notice wu tang sort of dwindled a little when dirty passed
@leebatt7964
ODB created his own genre of hip hop, it never went anywhere because literally nobody else could do it.
@pwlpc
Too Poetic of the Gravediggaz, had a similar style to ODB
@bethbloomer5951
Correct
@bethbloomer5951
PM Dawn did too :D