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.
Perfection
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Im not perfect but I try to
Still stuck on my mind you
Never gave me the time to
Be all that you wanted
But you broke trust
And you played me
Now you gotta see the fake me
If I'm not enough then replace me
Don't think about me wanna be free
Tired of waking up early
To do the thing that you want
Then it's being controlling
Or I'm doing way to much
This feels like an infection
That you always need protection
Not one thing without correction
Everything's perfection
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
You're looking for perfection babe
You know I just can't give it
Im a human not machine
Damn, you ain't gotta be so mean
Im trying my best
But I never pass your test
You never let me rest
In your perfect world
I am just stressed
My darling can't you see
What you mean to me
Im trying to take you out on trips
That's overseas with shopping sprees
But Im begging baby please
Just be patient give it time
But if you're rushing to be perfect
Just move on and let me be
Perfection I can't give you
Your looking that's your issue
Anyone who says it
Is just saying to get with you
You're messing with my head
Poisonous like lead
You got me skipping through my feelings
Got my heart through the celling
Wishing you were in my bed
What we got now is dead
We got hate now instead
Like I said I'm not perfect
But you wanted perfect things
You wanted perfect love
And also wanted no mistakes
But I made some and that pushed you away
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Looking for the wrong
Even if you know about it
You see what comes along
I don't think you care about it
You're looking for perfection
You know nobody is perfect
You're looking for perfection
And you know I just can't give it
Run-D.M.C.'s song "Perfection" is a declaration of their commitment to perfection in every aspect of their lives. The song is all about how they strive to be perfect and to live up to their potential. The lyrics are about their work ethic, their dedication to their craft in the music industry, and their desire to be the best versions of themselves.
The song begins with D declaring that perfection is essential to him, and he must live up to his potential. The lyrics go on to describe how he works hard all day and night, using his bass and tone to rock the funky rhyme on the microphone. He has a funky fresh car with a funky fresh bar, and he is up to par. He is down with Run and Jay, and everything is copacetic. He has prescription glasses, and he always selects perfection. He won't fail or flop and takes hard work to be like this because he's a perfectionist.
The song speaks to the importance of self-improvement and working hard to reach goals. The track tells us that it is not easy, but with dedication, we can all achieve our dreams. It is a song about never giving up and always striving for excellence.
Line by Line Meaning
Perfection to D, is quite essential
For D, perfection is crucial because he needs to live up to his potential
I work real hard all day and night
I put in a lot of effort throughout the day and night
I get to it and do it cause I want it right
I am determined to do it right because that’s what I really want
I got bass, (tone), I use, (y'know)
I have a great bass/tone and I use it in my music, you know
And then I rock (the funky) rhyme (on) the (microphone)
Then I perform my funky rhymes on the microphone
I got a funky fresh (car) with the funky fresh (bar)
I own a new, cool car with its own cool feature
I'm a funky fresh (star) and I'm up to (par)
I'm a new music star and I meet the expected standard
My name is D.M.(C!) down with run and (Jay)
I am DM(C!) and I work with Run and Jay
Is everything copacetic y'all? (kind of a-o-k)
Is everything good? Kind of okay
I got prescription glasses and my eyes are correct
I have the right eyeglasses prescription, so my eyesight is perfect
Two times every year I go to have them checked
I check my eyesight twice a year to make sure my glasses are still good enough
Per-fection's my selection, and I will select
I always choose perfection and nothing less
And if it's not (per-fect) I will perfect
If it's not perfect, I will improve it until it is perfect
Who me? you want me?
Are you looking for me?
I got a, credit (card) made out of (gold)
I have a credit card made out of gold
I get (pass) in a (class) and the story's told
If I pass a class, then everything is good
I got D.M.(C.), I got jm(j)
I work with DM(C!) and JM(J)
I got Jeff (he's def) and runny ray
I have Jeff who is amazing and Runny Ray
I got a dog (a cat) a mouse (a rat)
I own a dog, or a cat, a mouse, or even a rat
A fly (he won't die) and a little gnat
I even own a fly that can’t be killed and a small gnat
My name is DJ (run) and he's Darryl (mack)
My name is DJ(Run) and he’s Darryl(Mack)
Run-(D.M.C.), right and exact
Run, DM(C!), right and correct
I won't fail, I won't flop
I won't make mistakes or fail
Stall or stutter yes I won't stop
I won’t stop moving forward even if I hit a roadblock
It takes hard work, to be like this
Being successful like this requires hard work
(you should know) cause I'm a perfectionist
You should know because I’m someone who strives for perfection
Perfection
Perfection
Perfection (what we got?)
Perfection (what do we have?)
Perfection (most definitely)
Perfection (yes, without a doubt)
Perfection
Perfection
(yo DJ run what is it?)
Hey DJ Run, what's going on?
Perfection (perfectly speaking)
Perfection (speaking perfectly)
Perfection (p-p-p-perfect)
Perfection (perfectly)
Perfection (perfectly speaking)
Perfection (speaking perfectly)
Perfection (p-pu-p-pu, 100 percent)
Perfection (100 percent accurate)
Perfection (roll roll roll, c'mon c'mon c'mon)
Perfection (let's go, come on)
Perfection (word, there it is)
Perfection (perfectly said)
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Cameron Thompson, Jared Thompson, Justin Taveras, Melanie Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind