Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti formed Snap! in 1989 under the aliases Benito Benites and John "Virgo" Garrett III, as they thought that the public had negative preconceived ideas of German music. Their first hit "The Power", a combination of house and hip hop elements, contained a number of unauthorised samples, taking the drum loop from "King of the Beats" by Mantronix, the rap from "Let the Words Flow" by Chill Rob G and the classic line "I've got the power" from "Love's Gonna Get You" by Jocelyn Brown. It was initially released in the United States through Wild Pitch Records, but after Chill Rob G threatened legal action, the rap was re-recorded by Turbo B (born Durron Maurice Butler, April 30, 1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and additional vocals were recorded by Penny Ford (though the woman in the video is Jackie Harris), Jocelyn Brown's vocals still remain on the record. The single rocketed to number 2 in Germany in March 1990, and spent two weeks at number 1 in the United Kingdom, becoming the first rap single to top the chart. It later reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum.
Jackie left the group shortly afterwards and Penny became its full-time lead singer, recording the second single "Ooops Up", a re-working of "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)", a 1980 hit by The Gap Band, with which Penny was a former backing singer. With drum samples from "Paid in Full" by Eric B & Rakim, it was another number 2 hit in Germany and charted at number 5 in the UK. Further hits followed with the oriental-sounding "Cult of Snap", which charted at number 8 in the UK and number 3 in Germany, and "Mary Had a Little Boy", which also charted at number 8 in the UK, and reached number 4 in Germany. It was based on the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb". Their first album World Power reached #10 in the UK where it was certified platinum, #30 in the U.S. where it was also certified platinum, sold in excess of 7 million copies worldwide, and to this day remains one of the best-selling dance albums of all time.
In 1991, Thea Austin joined the line-up and helped to write "Rhythm Is a Dancer", which was planned to be the lead single from the second album. However, Turbo B hated the track (particularly the famous line "I'm as serious as cancer when I say rhythm is a dancer") and protested that "Colour Of Love" should be the first single cut from the album.[4] He got his way and it was released in December 1991. It appeared to get lost in the Christmas rush, limping to number 54 in the UK, though it did fare better in Germany, climbing to number 9, as well as making it to number 6 in France and Sweden. The two producers insisted that they now go with "Rhythm Is a Dancer" and it was released as the second single in July 1992. With a backing-track inspired by "Automan" by early-80s electronic hip-hop band Newcleus, it went on to become their biggest hit yet, spending six weeks at number 1 in the UK, also topping the charts in France, Germany, Netherlands and Italy, and peaking at number 5 in the U.S. in early 1993.
The second album The Madman's Return was another multi-million seller but Turbo B, who, continued to argue with the act's producers decided to leave the group shortly after its release to pursue a solo career. Both Penny Ford and Thea Austin followed suit, but Snap! was far from over. The third single "Exterminate!", with vocals by Michigan-born Niki Haris, formerly a backing singer for Madonna, soared to number 2 in the UK in January 1993, and "Do You See the Light (Looking For)" reached number 10 in June.
Now that all former members of the group had moved on, Münzing and Anzilotti recruited Washington DC-born singer Summer to front the act for the third album. Born Paula Brown, she had previously worked as a dancer in the TV series Fame and the Spike Lee movie School Daze.[5] Snap! moved towards a progressive house sound and a new single called "Welcome to Tomorrow (Are You Ready?)" was released in September 1994. After a slow start, it peaked at number 6 in the UK and was followed by the album, also titled Welcome to Tomorrow. The second single "The First The Last Eternity (Till The End)" was a moderate hit but "World in My Hands" and "Rame" (featuring Rukmani and performed in Hindi) struggled to attract airplay due to their less commercial sound.
On New Years Day 1994, Snap! performed the first of 3 essential mixes for UK's BBC Radio 1.
In 1996 the group was officially disbanded, with a greatest hits compilation called Snap! Attack: The Best of Snap! released, preceded by a new version of their first hit "The Power". However they made a surprise return in 2000 with "Gimme A Thrill", complete with a rap from Turbo B and vocal from the band's newest addition Maxayn. However, it failed to chart and a proposed album called One Day on Earth was never released.
A new version of "Do You See the Light" remixed by Plaything was released in 2002, peaking at number 14 in the UK. The following year, a new remix album called The Cult of Snap! was released and further singles were issued, updating them for a new generation of clubbers. "Rhythm Is a Dancer" was another UK top 20 hit with a new mix by CJ Stone, a new bhangra mix by Motivo of "The Power" also sold well, and a collaboration of Swedish girlgroup NG3 on "Ooops Up" rounded the project up at the end of 2003. "The Power", which had already been used in countless commercials and movie soundtracks over the years, was also introduced into trailers and the soundtrack of the Jim Carrey film "Bruce Almighty" in this year.
Buoyed by the success of the remixes, Münzing and Anzilotti went back into the studio with male singer Damien Behanan, also known as Loc, and released the single "Beauty Queen" in September 2005 through Luma Music, but once again it failed to make the charts. "Excited" and "We Want Your Soul" were both released on vinyl in July 2006.
In May 2008, Brains from the programme Thunderbirds appeared in a TV commercial in the UK for Drench spring water. He is shown dancing around a room to "Rhythm Is a Dancer". Its regular TV airings prompted thousands of downloads of the original album mix of the song, and it has so far peaked at number 23 in the official UK singles chart. A brand new version of the song with added vocals from Loc was released as a CD single in the UK on June 16, 2008.
In August 2008, they released a new single called "Jumping". Recently the group have signed to Hard2Beat records.
On Sunday 27 June 2010 Snap! performed at Glastonbury Festival, UK, in the WOW! tent. Original lead vocalist Penny Ford was joined by rapper Benjamin Lowe to do a 30mins Live PA show. Festival-goers flocked to see Snap! and numbers far outstretched the tent's capacity. Some were left disappointed when the famous rap 'I'm serious as cancer when I say rhythm is a dancer' was omitted from the track.
Don't Be Shy
Snap! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C'mon... Ah Ah
See you in the club, watching me, feeling me, wanting me.
How about a little ... with me, I'll be your fantasy.
Put your drink down come to me, do you really wanna get with me?
You know you really wanna come to me; I can't take it no more.
Feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
I just wanna feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
Feel your eyes undressing me, temptations calling me.
I can tell this is destiny, cos it feels like it's meant to be. One chance I'll make you see, no other girls as good as me.
Say yes take my hand, so we can fly away.
I just wanna...
Feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
I just wanna feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
I just wanna, dance with you boy, don't you put me down Hold my waist and dance with me until the end of time.
I just wanna feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
Feel my body Feel my body Feel my body Feel my body Don't be shy my honey.
Snap!'s song Don't Be Shy is an upbeat and energetic club anthem that details a seductive encounter between two individuals in a crowded club. The song is about instant attraction and chemistry between two people on the dance floor. The singer describes how she can feel the other person's longing gaze and is intrigued by their interest in her. She encourages him to forget about his inhibitions and make a move to dance with her, promising to be his fantasy.
The chorus of the song, "I just wanna feel your body, touch my body, don't be shy, my honey, feel my body," reinforces the sensual nature of the song and captures the singer's desire to be physically close to the other person. She wants him to be more confident and not be shy about making a move on her, encouraging him to take her hand and whisk her away from the crowded club.
The lyrics of the song and the catchy beat blend together perfectly to create a high-energy track that encourages listeners to dance and revel in the moment. Don't Be Shy is a classic '90s club hit that is still played in clubs and at parties today, and it is a testament to the talent of Snap! as producers and musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
See you in the club, watching me, feeling me, wanting me.
I notice you observing me in the club, sensing my presence and desiring me.
How about a little ... with me, I'll be your fantasy.
Perhaps you'd like to engage in a romantic encounter with me, where I can fulfill all of your wildest desires.
Put your drink down come to me, do you really wanna get with me?
Forget about your beverage for a moment and approach me; are you sincerely interested in being with me?
You know you really wanna come to me; I can't take it no more.
You're well aware that you desire me, and I can no longer contain my eagerness to be with you.
Feel your eyes undressing me, temptations calling me.
I sense your eyes disrobing me and an irresistible temptation arising within me.
I can tell this is destiny, cos it feels like it's meant to be.
It seems evident to me that this is fate, as it feels like something that was meant to occur.
One chance I'll make you see, no other girls as good as me.
If you give me an opportunity, I'll prove to you that no other women can compare to me.
Say yes take my hand, so we can fly away.
Agree to come with me, and together we can escape to another place and enjoy each other's company.
I just wanna feel your body Touch my body Don't be shy my honey Feel my body
All I want is to have a physical connection with you, to touch one another and not be timid about it.
I just wanna, dance with you boy, don't you put me down Hold my waist and dance with me until the end of time.
I crave dancing with you, don't reject me; hold me close and sway with me until the end of eternity.
Feel my body Feel my body Feel my body Feel my body Don't be shy my honey.
Savor my physical form, every inch of it; don't be bashful my sweetie.
Writer(s): Michael Muenzing, Benito Benites, Luca Anzilotti, John Virgo Garrett Iii, Durron Maurice Butler
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shacks29
This is an Amazing Album no fillers.....I wish Snap would work again with Penny & Thea as co writers and both as vocalists and create new a retro 90s style Album like this.
@hundun5604
By now, they must be in their 60s! 🤨
@user-xc9eo8mx7q
Somebody have lyrics to this song?
@aimenelosta7275
I am here 2023
@mackengasaidy4599
Snap is a king of the word
@ivang.grajalesmelian7150
This should be released as a single, love this trax!!
@marcinchmielewski5637
Snap -Don't Be Shy in de best hits
@user-io2qe1mx6l
Комментарий в поддержку видео, SNAP! The best!
@nfnjosh7673
We're going to be on Top of the MUSIC INDUSTRY FAM🔥🌏‼️📈
@pulemosese3758
This on then Radio Bop or Radio Setswana, on a friday in the afternoon, from school... the damn 90s man...😭