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.
Them Girls
Run-D.M.C. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahh, yo.. yo, why-yo yo
Yo yo, why-yo yo, yo
why-yo..
Seen this girl on the block by the boondock
On the spot she was down for the boot knock
Drop top, she was rockin the 2Pac
D said, "She's a vivrant thang..
vivrant thang, vivrant thang"
[Fred Durst]
Seen a girl so crystal clean, I mean
Since I been on the scene I dream of girls
in tube tops, pools on rooftops
Now this girl, who cruises to Tupac
Get this girl in my bathtub, give her a backrub
My bathroom's like a nightclub
A few ladies in my den, fondlin
A few ladies in the den, so bring some Jello in
And a mighty fine fellow in like myself
to organize the panties on the shelf
[Chorus: Fred Durst + Run]
Them girls, them girls, them girls I do adore
I like 'em sweet or fine, a genuine divine
All kinds I love 'em all
Them girls, them girls, them girls around the way
A like a lemon to a lime, the women so fine
Sometimes they make me say
[Run]
Had a fly girl cold called her honey
Went in spent up all my money
Fred went to bed with a girl from college (what?)
D told me she was lookin for dollars (dollar)
I be the MC that don't get played (played)
Girls come check in but the don't get paid (paid)
They might get naked but they don't get laid (laid)
Been schoolin these girls since I made first grade
[Fred Durst]
Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh
I like the small girls, I like the tall girls
I like all the girls, bustin dirty call girls
So Run let's bring them girls in
and their girlfriends, but don't let the squirrels in
As for their boyfriends, they'll find joy when
their girlfriends come home and bring Limp Bizkit toys in
I like to rate shit when I'm in the snakepit
but no silicon cause I don't like the fake shit
[Chorus]
[Fred] Them girls (16X)
[Run]
Yo yo
Girls delight line, girls galore (ore)
Girls I never even seen before (ore)
The way they swayed and make me smile (smile)
But Run get the dimes on the top of the pile (pile)
[Fred]
Girls are freakin, things are good
The girls can fill up my neighborhood
But don't take my sunshine, I'll be okay
As long as them girlies, are here to stay
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Fred] Them girls [Repeat: x 16]
The song "Them Girls" by Run-D.M.C. features the group's signature rap style and is about various girls that they encounter. The song begins with Run describing a girl he saw on the block who was down for a "boot knock" and wearing a 2Pac shirt. He goes on to say that his partner D describes her as a "vivrant thang". Fred Durst later appears in the song, talking about a girl that he dreams about who wears tube tops and cruises to Tupac. He wants to invite her over to his place and give her a backrub in his nightclub-like bathroom while other women are in the den. Run then jumps back in, describing a girl he called honey who he spent all his money on. Fred counters with a story about a girl he slept with from college and how he likes all types of girls.
The song seems mostly to be about the different types of girls that the rappers encounter, and despite some misogynistic themes, it also has a humorous tone that adds to its overall appeal. The lyrics often reference popular culture, such as with mentions of Tupac and Limp Bizkit, which would have made the song resonate with younger listeners. The chorus features a catchy repetition of "them girls, them girls, them girls I do adore", which would have made it easy to remember and sing along to. Overall, the song showcases the humorous and catchy style that made Run-D.M.C. one of the most popular rap groups of their time.
Line by Line Meaning
Seen this girl on the block by the boondock
I saw this girl in a low-income neighborhood
On the spot she was down for the boot knock
She was ready to have sex right then and there
Drop top, she was rockin the 2Pac
She was riding with the top down listening to 2Pac
Said, "Yo D, not me, whatchu got?"
He asked D what he thought about the girl
D said, "She's a vivrant thang..
D said she's an exciting and lively person
Seen a girl so crystal clean, I mean
Saw a very attractive and clean girl
Since I been on the scene I dream of girls
I've been thinking about girls ever since I became famous
in tube tops, pools on rooftops
Girls in swimsuits on rooftops
Now this girl, who cruises to Tupac
This girl listens to Tupac while cruising
Get this girl in my bathtub, give her a backrub
I want to seduce this girl by giving her a back massage in my bathtub
My bathroom's like a nightclub
My bathroom is a luxurious place to be
A few ladies in my den, fondlin
There are few women in my room, touching each other
A few ladies in the den, so bring some Jello in
Bring in some Jello for the girls to play with
And a mighty fine fellow in like myself
I'm a good-looking guy, similar to the girls in my room
to organize the panties on the shelf
I'll organize the girls' underwear, since they've taken them off
Them girls, them girls, them girls I do adore
I love all kinds of girls
I like 'em sweet or fine, a genuine divine
I like them pretty, authentic, and high-quality
Them girls, them girls, them girls around the way
Girls who live nearby
A like a lemon to a lime, the women so fine
I like all kinds of girls because they are all beautiful
Sometimes they make me say
Girls can influence me
Had a fly girl cold called her honey
I had a good-looking girl approach me
Went in spent up all my money
I spent all my money on her
D told me she was lookin for dollars (dollar)
D told me she was only interested in money
I be the MC that don't get played (played)
I'm a famous rapper who doesn't get used by girls
Girls come check in but the don't get paid (paid)
Girls come to see me but they don't get paid
They might get naked but they don't get laid (laid)
Girls may take their clothes off but they won't have sex with me
Been schoolin these girls since I made first grade
I've been teaching these girls since I was very young
I like the small girls, I like the tall girls
I like all sizes of girls
I like all the girls, bustin dirty call girls
I'm attracted to all girls, including prostitutes
Let's bring them girls in and their girlfriends, but don't let the squirrels in
Let's invite the girls and their friends, but keep out the unwanted guests
As for their boyfriends, they'll find joy when their girlfriends come home and bring Limp Bizkit toys in
The girls' boyfriends will be happy when the girls bring home Limp Bizkit merchandise
I like to rate shit when I'm in the snakepit
I like to judge things when I'm in a rough environment
but no silicon cause I don't like the fake shit
But I don't like fake bodies with silicone implants
Girls delight line, girls galore (ore)
There are lots of girls to choose from
Girls I never even seen before (ore)
There are some girls I've never seen before
The way they swayed and make me smile (smile)
Girls make me happy by the way they move
But Run get the dimes on the top of the pile (pile)
But get the most attractive/valuable girls first
Girls are freakin, things are good
Girls are amazing, everything is good
The girls can fill up my neighborhood
There are so many girls around
But don't take my sunshine, I'll be okay
Don't take away my happiness
As long as them girlies, are here to stay
As long as there are girls, I'll be happy
Them girls (16X)
Girls are amazing
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER DAVIS, DARRYL MATTHEWS MC DANIELS, JASON WILLIAM MIZELL, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS, FRED DURST, LETHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind