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.
In the House
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the house on the water
You stood there and watched it burn
By the hands of the monsters
Stand on the graves you break
Those souls have turned into pages
I scribble on when I see your face
When I see your face
Make it go away
Lightning to the darkest flames
Broken, used and thrown away
Torn by stupid hopes and games
Did you really have to be this way?
Tears falling down her face
Did you read everything she said?
Listen to what she poured in your head
All she needed was for you to be there
Be there
The opening lines of Run-D.M.C's "In the House" paint a vivid picture of a decaying home, with an "attic of ashes and dust" and the house situated "on the water." The singer watches as the house burns down, presumably set on fire by "monsters." The reference to "souls [turning] into pages" may suggest that the house was home to memories or perhaps a journal kept by someone living inside.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more personal, with the singer addressing someone directly: "I scribble on when I see your face / When I see your face / Make it go away / Make it go away." It's unclear who the singer is addressing, but the song seems to be about the aftermath of a destructive relationship. The metaphor of "lightning to the darkest flames" suggests intense passion and pain, and the lines "Torn by stupid hopes and games / Did you really have to be this way?" hint at betrayal or hurt inflicted by the other person.
The final lines of the song return to a more general message, with the singer addressing anyone who might be listening: "Did you read everything she said? / Listen to what she poured in your head / All she needed was for you to be there / Be there." The song seems to be about the importance of being there for others, of listening and offering support, and of the damage that can be caused when this support is lacking.
Line by Line Meaning
Attic of ashes and dust
The state of the home is in shambles and disarray
In the house on the water
The location of the home is on the water
You stood there and watched it burn
The singer is accusing someone of passively watching destruction occur
By the hands of the monsters
The cause of the destruction was by evil people
Stand on the graves you break
Those who cause destruction often face the consequences of their actions
Those souls have turned into pages
The memories of those who have passed away are preserved in written words
I scribble on when I see your face
The singer is often reminded of this person and feels the need to express their thoughts
When I see your face
The sight of this person causes emotional turmoil for the artist
Make it go away
The artist wants to forget and move on from their pain
Lightning to the darkest flames
The artist feels as though they have been struck by the most intense pain
Broken, used and thrown away
The singer feels cast aside and disposable
Torn by stupid hopes and games
The artist's heart was broken due to playing games and false hopes
Did you really have to be this way?
The singer is asking if the other person truly had to be cruel and hurtful
Tears falling down her face
The singer is describing a woman crying
Did you read everything she said?
The singer is questioning whether or not the other person has taken the time to listen and understand the woman's point of view
Listen to what she poured in your head
The woman was trying to communicate her feelings and thoughts to the other person
All she needed was for you to be there
The woman wanted emotional support from the other person
Be there
The singer is emphasizing the importance of emotional support from loved ones
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: sattviki rishi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dh5837
DMC'S delivery and his voice is the essence of Hip Hop.
@nekronbeast3981
Bro DMC killed this especially his first verse
@roaringsun4743
Wanna be down with the king
@whskymr
Reminds me of the power of treach from nbn
@chazwolfe220
Doc definitely killed his verse 💯
@shandajohnson8825
That’s what I’m saying.
@jusfadez5920
One of the greatest Hip-Hop groups of all time hands down.
@MrBmic
The Greatest.
@danw1374
Easily
@greatestone4eva
🏆