The band signed a record deal with Profile Records in 1983, and Run's older brother, Russell "Rush" Simmons, signed Run-D.M.C. to his newly formed management company Rush Productions that same year. On their first major United States tour, the group set new fads by performing dressed in baggy black clothing, Adidas Sneakers (always with shoelaces removed), and Fedora hats.
Their mainstream success continued as the group performed at the famous Live Aid concert in 1985, and their 1986 album ''Raising Hell'' became the highest-selling rap album in history (this record was later broken as rap gained more popularity with artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Eminem), reaching number 3 on the ''Billboard magazine'' album charts and selling over 3 million copies. The album featured the famous cover version of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way", a rap-rock collaboration performed with Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. The song was the first hip-hop track to make the Top 10 on Billboard's singles charts.
Run-D.M.C. were renowned for breaking new ground in rap music. "It's Like That" and "Sucker MC's" (1983) were the first hip hop tracks that relied on electronic beats and nothing else. "Peter Piper" (1986) was the first rap record in which the DJ cut up a record (in this case, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by jazz musician Bob James. Run-D.M.C. became the first rap act with a platinum album and multi-platinum album, as well as the first rappers to appear on the cover of ''Rolling Stone'' magazine, to receive a Grammy nomination and to appear on Saturday Night Live] and American Bandstand.
After a period of lackluster commercial success after the ''Raising Hell'' album, the group made a comeback in 1993 with their album ''Down With the King'', which made Billboard's Top 10 for album and the Pete Rock assisted single "Down With the King".
Jam-Master Jay was shot and killed in October 2002, leading Run-D.M.C. to announce their retirement.
For a complete biography and the most up-to-date information on Run DMC, visit www.RunDMC.com.
Christmas Is
Run–D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And people get their equal, hit the full one, one for growin'
Ya knowin, we're flowin in the ghetto, they get nothing
No toys for little boys, no curls for girls and turkey stuffing
They laugh, they know that half the presents ain't thick
You might just wanna ask, "yo, where's my presents, Saint Nick?"
So think a little 'bout the people minus money
And when you get your dough, why don't you show some kindness, honey?
Give what you can afford just like The Lord from up above
A quote, a note, and one you won't believe
It's better to give than to receive
(Yo) It's Christmas, no dissin', listen all you listeners
Think of all the prisoners that's in prison during Christmas
Not tryin' to bring you down, but tryin' to put you up on
Landed it on the table so you're able to put your cup on
No snow, not a flurry, so hurry don't you miss it
Not dissin' you, but wishin' you a very merry Christmas
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough on Christmas, yo (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough, here we go, here we go
I'm from the ghetto, now this mean I get
No toys or presents beneath my tree
I wrote my list, I made my wish
Is this what Christmas means to me?
No snowflakes droppin', can't go shoppin'
Rhymes I'm a-poppin', to keep the hip-hoppin'
Why can't a Santa pause for the cause?
I'm gettin' mines, you gettin' yours
That's how Christmas is supposed to be
A very merry Christmas for everybody
Fight poverty, give to the needy
Don't be like The Grinch 'cause The Grinch is greedy
Deck, the malls with bows of holly
'Tis the season to be jolly
No presents for my tree yet
And I don't even know if any gifts I'm gonna get
Happy holidays not like a lotta days
A few here, a few there, the new year
Season greetings are the reasons for the cheer
If Santa Claus is coming to town
Hope it's my chimney he's coming down
On Christmas, because Christmas is
On Christmas, because Christmas is
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough on Christmas, yo (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough, here we go, here we go (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough on Christmas, yo (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough, here we go, here we go (merry)
(Here we go, flow)
Ha-have a very merry, merry, and hurry
And if you need a leader, Run'll be there for your blurry
Blurry sight, and write a rhyme for the night
Christmas is the time for giving not for the type
So open, your pockets, your heart, unlock it
Dollars train from Hollis, I give it like I clock it
Cold as the weather, minus the humidity
Don't mistake, humbleness and kindness for timidity
Christmas, this must be the time of year
Leggo of your Eggo, rather ego, me go there
And here, my dear, so give a kid a beer
'Cause every time you give, it's coming back, let's get it clear
I'll be scopin', and hopin', brothers lend a ear
So have a merry Christmas and a happy new year (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough on Christmas, yo (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough, here we go, here we go (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough on Christmas, yo (merry Christmas)
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Give up the dough, here we go, here we go
Yeah, that's right, give up the dough
I want my Ninja Turtles, I want my bike
I want my Sega Genesis, I want my Nintendo
And turn my mommy lights back on (word up)
The lyrics to Run-D.M.C.'s song "Christmas Is" draw attention to the struggles of those living in poverty during the holiday season. The lyrics mention the lack of gifts for children in the ghetto and the difficulty of prisoners spending Christmas behind bars. The song emphasizes the importance of giving and kindness during the season, reminding the listener that it is better to give than to receive. However, the song also acknowledges the excitement of receiving gifts, as the final lines mention the desired presents of the rapper, such as Ninja Turtles, a bike, and video games.
The lyrics of "Christmas Is" reflect the overall ethos of Run-D.M.C., which was to bring attention to the struggles of the marginalized in society. Additionally, the song was created as a way to raise money for charity, with Run-D.M.C. donating the proceeds to the Special Olympics in New York.
Line by Line Meaning
Ho ho ho'n, when you think on Christmas it be snowin'
It's time for joy when Christmas rolls around, and we associate it with snowfall.
And people get their equal, hit the full one, one for growin'
Gift giving is a common practice during Christmas, as people receive equal amounts of presents, both little and large.
Ya knowin, we're flowin in the ghetto, they get nothing
In the lower income areas, not everyone has the privilege to receive gifts and presents.
No toys for little boys, no curls for girls and turkey stuffing
Children from low income families can't expect toys, dolls, or any special Christmas meal.
They laugh, they know that half the presents ain't thick
Many children in poverty-stricken areas know that they might not receive many presents to cherish during the festive season.
You might just wanna ask, "yo, where's my presents, Saint Nick?"
It's not unusual for children to feel entitled to gifts, as they associate it with Santa Claus and Christmas.
So think a little 'bout the people minus money
We must always show concern towards people who are financially disadvantaged and unable to indulge in the holiday spirit of Christmas.
And when you get your dough, why don't you show some kindness, honey?
It's essential to showcase kindness and generosity, especially during Christmas celebrations.
Go 'head, get fed, and spread a little love
Enjoy the festive season's food and cheer, while spreading love, happiness and kindness.
Give what you can afford just like The Lord from up above
Be like the Lord, who always forgives us and shows mercy, and donate what you can afford to those less fortunate.
It's better to give than to receive
We should understand the essence of giving, as it's a more fulfilling experience than receiving gifts for ourselves.
(Yo) It's Christmas, no dissin', listen all you listeners
Hey, it's Christmas time, stop the negativity, and listen to this message of love and hope!
Think of all the prisoners that's in prison during Christmas
Let's also remember the people who are incarcerated and away from their families, especially during the holiday season.
Not tryin' to bring you down, but tryin' to put you up on
I'm not trying to dampen your spirits, but I want to bring some awareness to an important issue.
Landed it on the table so you're able to put your cup on
This is a serious issue that needs our attention, and I'm presenting it to you, so you can take some action.
No snow, not a flurry, so hurry, don't you miss it
Even without snowfall, the festive season of Christmas is still here, so let's not miss out on it and celebrate with joy.
Not dissin' you, but wishin' you a very merry Christmas
I'm not trying to criticize anyone, but hoping that they have a happy and joyful Christmas.
(Here we go, flow)
Let's switch gears and get into the Christmas flow!
Ha-have a very merry, merry, and hurry
Wishing everyone a speedy and joyful festive season!
And if you need a leader, Run'll be there for your blurry
If any of you need guidance during this blurry time, I'll be around to offer my support.
Blurry sight, and write a rhyme for the night
If anyone is feeling lost or unclear, they can write a rap and enjoy the festive season with enthusiasm.
Christmas is the time for giving not for the type
Christmas is all about spreading love, kindness, and generosity, not about flaunting our wealth or status.
So open, your pockets, your heart, unlock it
Let's all be generous and share our blessings, money, and love, and unlock our hearts this season.
Dollars train from Hollis, I give it like I clock it
I've got a train full of dollars, and I'm giving it away generously like clockwork.
Cold as the weather, minus the humidity
The weather might be cold during Christmas, but our hearts should be warm and welcoming, free from any violence or negativity.
Don't mistake, humbleness and kindness for timidity
Don't confuse being modest and humble with being afraid or timid. It's important to be both humble and brave when spreading love and kindness.
Fight poverty, give to the needy
Let's fight poverty by helping the vulnerable and needy sections of society, by donating generously.
Don't be like The Grinch 'cause The Grinch is greedy
Avoid being greedy and hoarding your Christmas goodies, and instead, try to be like Santa Claus, who shares love and joy with everyone.
Deck, the malls with bows of holly
The malls are decked in hollies and ribbons, as everyone is geared up for the festive sale season!
'Tis the season to be jolly
It's Christmas, a season to be happy, cheerful, and receive lots of gifts and presents from loved ones and family!
No presents for my tree yet, and I don't even know if any gifts I'm gonna get
I haven't received any presents for my Christmas tree yet, and I don't know if I'll get any at all.
Happy holidays not like a lotta days
The holiday season is unique and special and is unlike any other regular day.
A few here, a few there, the new year
We might receive only a few gifts here and there during Christmas, but the new year holds the promise of even more!
Season greetings are the reasons for the cheer
Offering greetings and spreading festive cheer is the reason why people look forward to the Christmas season.
If Santa Claus is coming to town, hope it's my chimney he's coming down
Santa Claus is coming to all our houses, and we're eagerly waiting to see who he'll visit first!
On Christmas, because Christmas is
On Christmas day, because it's the most wonderful and magical day of the year!
Give up the dough, give up the dough
Let go of your money and donate generously during the season of Christmas.
I'm from the ghetto, now this mean I get
I'm from the lower-income parts of the city, which usually means lesser chances of receiving presents and gifts.
No toys or presents beneath my tree
Like many children of the ghetto, I don't have any toys or gifts beneath my Christmas tree.
I wrote my list, I made my wish
Despite the odds, every child from the ghetto still writes a list of gifts and presents they hope to receive.
Is this what Christmas means to me?
I'm questioning whether Christmas should be all about gifts, as I have none to show for it.
Not dissin' you, but wishin' you a very merry Christmas
I'm not trying to criticize anyone, but wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas, regardless of their social status.
Yeah, that's right, give up the dough
Yes, that's right, be generous and give up your money during Christmas.
I want my Ninja Turtles, I want my bike
Like any child, I have my own list of desired presents, such as getting my Ninja Turtles or a new bike this Christmas.
I want my Sega Genesis, I want my Nintendo
All children love their gaming consoles, and I'm no exception, hoping to receive my own Sega Genesis or Nintendo this festive season.
And turn my mommy lights back on (word up)
Finally, I also wish for a big light switch to get turned on, so that we can light up our homes and make some holiday cheer!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joseph Simmons, Darryl Mcdaniels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind