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.
Take The Money And Run
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love is like no other couldn't get in between her
Always stayed fly man I wished that you seen her
Said they had a scheme but nobody believed her
No real job cause she stay in the streets
Gina did nails but her love made beats
When they want to eat they just walked in the store
They took what they wanted man the illest you saw
Butter like(?) the jeans and Gina said "The rings are nice"
Next thing you know they want to pull off a heist
Shook took a look and shot the jeweler twice
Diamonds all shinin' as they flew in the air
Butter actin' up and grabbin' stuff by the pair
Gina at the door cause she good with the gun
They both grabbed the money and run
[Chorus]
See'mon, take the money and run (*v/ scratched: "Run"*}
See'mon, take the money and run {*v/ scratched: "Run"*} hey, hey, hey
See'mon, take the money and run {*v/ scratched: "Run"*}
See'mon, take the money and run {*v/ scratched: "Run.."*} hey, hey, hey
Spoonie was a rookie that was new on the scene
Used to be a thug now he's doin' it clean
Ironic he was coppin' and they gave him the spot
Knew Butter back from Hollis used to chill on the block
Seen Butter round the way with a brand new Benz
Gina lookin' pretty in the city with friends
Spoonie's sayin' yo I gotta get these ends
And these are the two I gotta apprehend
A big boy from Hollis promised not to tell
And lead these cops on a long long trail
Spoonie saw Gina and the chick turned pale
Runnin' sayin' somethin' like she don't got bail
Butter said promise me I won't see jail
Spoonie want a watch and a brand new cell
Butter and Gina moved to Pensacola
Spoonie got a Roley and a Motorola
[Chorus]
All I can say is about the story
Is livin' like Butter Love is not for me
Let me show you how we get the money legit
Jack B. Nimble was nimble, and he was quick
Rev. Run, D.M.C. is the 'Kings of Rock'
Rolled to the top and then we never did drop
You still here to jam me in two thousand and one
Then me and D'll take the money and run
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, that's what I say
The lyrics to Run-D.M.C.'s song "Take The Money And Run" tells the story of two criminals, Gina and Butter, who rob a jewelry store. Gina is described as an attractive woman with street smarts and musical talent, while Butter is portrayed as more impulsive and violent. The lyrics suggest that their criminal behavior was motivated by a desire for material possessions and a comfortable lifestyle, rather than any particular political or social agenda.
The chorus of the song ("See'mon, take the money and run") reinforces the idea that the characters are driven purely by greed and the thrill of getting away with a crime. The verses also include references to other characters, such as Spoonie, who used to be a thug but has now gone straight, and Jack B. Nimble, who is praised for his ability to make legitimate money quickly.
Overall, "Take The Money And Run" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of living a life of crime. It suggests that while the rewards may be tempting, the consequences can be severe.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you bout what I love in Gina
I'm going to tell you about Gina, who I am in love with
Love is like no other couldn't get in between her
Our love is unique and nothing comes between us
Always stayed fly man I wished that you seen her
Gina always looked good, and I wish you could have seen her
Said they had a scheme but nobody believed her
Gina had a scheme, but no one believed her
No real job cause she stay in the streets
Gina didn't have a real job because she stayed on the streets
Gina did nails but her love made beats
Despite doing nails, it was her love for music that really drove her
When they want to eat they just walked in the store
When they were hungry, they would just walk into the store
They took what they wanted man the illest you saw
They took whatever they wanted, and it was impressive
Til one day they went up kindin' fiendin' with ice
One day, they went up high, craving the high of drugs
Butter like(?) the jeans and Gina said "The rings are nice"
Butter was checking out the jeans, and Gina spotted some nice rings
Next thing you know they want to pull off a heist
After seeing the rings in the store, they decided to plan a heist
Shook took a look and shot the jeweler twice
Shook, excited and nervous about the heist, took one look and shot the jeweler twice
Diamonds all shinin' as they flew in the air
As they fled, diamonds were shining in the air
Butter actin' up and grabbin' stuff by the pair
Butter was grabbing large amounts of jewelry as they left the store
Gina at the door cause she good with the gun
Gina was positioned at the door because she knew how to handle a gun
They both grabbed the money and run
Finally, they both grabbed the money and ran away
Spoonie was a rookie that was new on the scene
Spoonie was a newbie in the scene
Used to be a thug now he's doin' it clean
Spoonie used to be in the game but is now living a more legitimate life
Ironic he was coppin' and they gave him the spot
Ironically, Spoonie was a cop placed in the spot where he used to cop illegally
Knew Butter back from Hollis used to chill on the block
Spoonie knew Butter from Hollis and used to hang out with him on the block
Seen Butter round the way with a brand new Benz
Spoonie saw Butter around the area with a brand new Benz
Gina lookin' pretty in the city with friends
Gina was looking gorgeous, surrounded by friends in the city
Spoonie's sayin' yo I gotta get these ends
Spoonie decided he needed to put an end to this situation
And these are the two I gotta apprehend
He knew that Butter and Gina were the ones he needed to bring to justice
A big boy from Hollis promised not to tell
Someone from Hollis decided not to be a snitch
And lead these cops on a long long trail
That person instead helped Butter and Gina throw the cops off their trail
Spoonie saw Gina and the chick turned pale
When Spoonie saw Gina, she went pale with fear
Runnin' sayin' somethin' like she don't got bail
Gina was running, saying that she didn't have bail
Butter said promise me I won't see jail
Butter needed Spoonie to promise that he wouldn't go to jail
Spoonie want a watch and a brand new cell
Spoonie wanted a watch and a brand new cell phone
Butter and Gina moved to Pensacola
Butter and Gina relocated to Pensacola
Spoonie got a Roley and a Motorola
Spoonie was able to acquire a Rolex and a new phone
All I can say is about the story
All I can say is that this is the story I'm telling
Is livin' like Butter Love is not for me
I don't want to live like Butter, even if he has love
Let me show you how we get the money legit
I want to show you how we earn our money legally
Jack B. Nimble was nimble, and he was quick
Jack B. Nimble was quick and agile
Rev. Run, D.M.C. is the 'Kings of Rock'
Rev. Run and D.M.C. are the kings of rock music
Rolled to the top and then we never did drop
We rose to the top and never fell back down
You still here to jam me in two thousand and one
You're still here listening to me in the year 2001
Then me and D'll take the money and run
If we ever need to, me and D will take the money and run
Chorus
Repeat of chorus
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, that's what I say
Hey, hey, hey, that's what I say
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind