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.
Bounce
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
抗うのが生きる証 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるだろさ hey
Bounce back! (帳) bounce back! (帳)
パワーとクレバー 無敵の二人 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるはずだ hey
そこのけそこのけ そこの坊や やら弱そな市民 凡人!
残星! 残閻! だぜっ! 帳兄弟参上!
感情は愉快が優先じゃ! Hey
兄者は世界一 照れるじゃねーか
ボクらがいる限り 悪の天下! Hey
Bounce back! (帳) bounce back! (帳)
抗うのが生きる証 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるだろさ hey
Bounce back! (帳) bounce back! (帳)
パワーとクレバー 無敵の二人 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるはずだ hey
高鳴る野望 欲望 邪魔する奴ら
手段無限大! ボッコ確定だぜっ! Hey
Does it! 奈落のリストはまだまだまだまだ空いてますよ! Hey
帳は世界一 当たり前だろ
ボクらがいる限り 悪は永遠に! Hey
Bounce back! (帳) bounce back! (帳)
抗うのが生きる証 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるだろさ hey
Bounce back! (帳) bounce back! (帳)
パワーとクレバー 無敵の二人 hey
Bounce back! (残星) bounce back! (残閻)
無茶してみればわかるはずだ hey
Bounce back!
The lyrics of Run-D.M.C.'s song Bounce are a mixture of English and Japanese, telling the story of the group's connection to the Asakusa area in Tokyo, Japan. The first verse of the song is in Japanese, and it talks about how the Asakusa represents them, being the home of the Onigawara Bombers, a group of friends and associates that they have forged a strong bond with. They also mention the phrase "Seya Soya," which is a reference to a traditional Japanese cheer often used at festivals and celebrations.
The second verse is in English, and it talks about the culture of fighting and camaraderie that exists in the Asakusa area. They talk about how the people there are quick to fight but also have a strong sense of loyalty and brotherhood, which they have also found with their own group of friends. They also mention how the language itself is like a spark that ignites quickly, much like the people and the energy of the area.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Seya Soya Asakusa" several times, reinforcing the idea that this area and the people that inhabit it hold a special place in the hearts of Run-D.M.C.
Line by Line Meaning
セイヤ
Chanting a phrase of encouragement
ソイヤ
Chanting a phrase of encouragement
これが レペゼン アサクサ
Here representing Asakusa (the neighborhood)
鬼瓦ボンバーズ (ソイヤ)
A declaration of their gang: Onigawara BOMBERS
セイヤ ソイヤ アサクサ
Chanting a phrase of encouragement for Asakusa
鬼瓦 鬼瓦
Onigawara, Onigawara (ornamental roof tiles on traditional Japanese buildings)
火事と喧嘩は江戸の華
Saying that both fires and fighting add character to the city of Edo (the old name for Tokyo)
お涙頂戴なメロドラマにゃ
Referring to sappy melodramas that are not worth shedding tears over
めっぽう弱い男のサガ
The sorry tale of a hopelessly weak man
だが熱く燃え上がる 言の葉だ
But his words burst with passion
すぐに火が付く導火線
A fuse that ignites easily
宵越しの銭なんてノーマネー
Money that one doesn't expect to last until the next day
喧嘩っ早いが人情に厚い
Quick-tempered, but with a warm-hearted sense of kindness
派手にぶち上げるぜ 三社祭
Going all out for the Sanja Festival
俺たちゃ いつでも 一緒の兄弟
We are always together like brothers
この絆ずっと一生涯
This bond lasts a lifetime
たとえ血の繋がりなかったとしても
Even if we are not blood-related
この街にいりゃ 家族同然
If you are in this town you are family
酒を囲めば お前も兄弟
Drinking together makes you family too
俺らとなら心配ない 将来
You don't have to worry about the future if you are with us
遠慮しないで ちゃんとついてこい
Don't hold back, keep up with us
泥舟に乗ったつもりでな
Don't think of us as just a ragtag group
それをいうなら「大船」
If you're going to use a metaphor, use a grand one like a huge ship
俺たちにゃついてんだ大黒天
We are blessed by Daikokuten (the god of wealth)
おい! 何笑ってんだ アサクサ バカにしちゃ
Hey! Why are you laughing? Don't make Asakusa look bad
地獄見せてやんぞこのやろう
We'll send you to hell, you bastard
雇われ仕事でもちゃんとやれる
Even if it is just a job, we'll do it properly
店長の合間にバースも蹴る
Even while working as managers, we'll kick some bars
一見さんにも神対応
We provide god-like customer service to everyone
レペゼン雷門 ガキ大将
Representing the spirit of Thunder Gate (a gate in Asakusa), we are the leaders of the children here
祭囃子が子守唄 さぁ
The festival music is like a lullaby
以後 お見知り置き よろしくな
From now on, watch your tongue and show some respect
駆けつけ三杯 456杯
Drinking three cups or 456 cups if you're in the mood
まだ足んないからもう一杯
One more cup is not enough
俺たちゃいつでも スタンバイ中
We are always ready for anything
イカサマ 小細工ならノーサンキュー
We don't approve of cheating or other dirty tricks
正々堂々 真っ向勝負
Fight fair and square
アサクサ 鬼瓦ボンバーズ
Asakusa's Onigawara BOMBERS
さぁおっ始める祭りだ祭り
Now, let the festival begin
オメーものっかんな祭り囃子に
Join us in this festive song
血の繋がりより濃い兄弟
Our bond is thicker than blood
三位一体でおりなす商売
Our business is a collaboration of three groups
アクアラインより吾妻橋
More important than the Aqua Line is the Azuma Bridge
浅草寺でパパッと 厄払い
Quickly clear away bad luck at Asakusa Temple
ほら邪魔だそこどきな雑魚ラッパー
Get out of the way, you insignificant rapper
俺たちのバックには観音様
We have Kannon-sama (the goddess of mercy) watching our backs
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: m.c.A T
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jordan
These lyrics, the rhymes and the flow are crazy man. This track gotta be one of the most underrated tracks of all time
Solomon_Is_God
exactly!!
Mackaygolf
I concur
904 Jagzsuck
100%
Phoenix's World
My mum actually put me on RunDMC as a kid trying to play an example of music she didn't like haha. The "bounce" chorus later became a running thing to quote between my friends, usually when bouncing on something. I don't know if they ever listened to it like I did but I still like RunDMC to this day and was my introduction to some of the first rap I ever listened to as I got access to discovering my own music around 2014-2015.
Jason Bauer
I heard this on my big brother's friend's system (4 12" kickers) the bass was an instant hook. I was 12. I had a full system for my ride before I even had a learners permit! Ever since that time I always had an insane system. Won a few db drags and two state titles. Best days of my life! I still build systems now. At 40 I still always have a big place in my heart for what artists started the bass revolution! Long live Run!
Edward Johnston
I've been listening to DMC since I was a kid this is by far one of the greatest
Robbery
Use to blast this so hard I'm still watching that rear view window shake 18 years later aaaaaahh BOUNCE!
Jim Van Quathem
DMC owned it! One the best verses he ever done
Wolf 708
Dope track, I dnt see how someone could dislike this,