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.
The Power
Snap! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pristupila k proizvodstvu computrov 'Personalny Sputnik
I've got the power
I've got the power
Hey, yeah
Front to back, in this thing called rap
Dig it like a shovel, rhyme devil on a heavenly level
Bang the bass, turn up the treble
Radical mind, day and night all the time
Seven, fourteen wise divine
Maniac brainiac, winning the game
I'm the lyrical Jesse James
Quality I possess, some say I'm fresh
When my voice goes through the mesh
Of the microphone, that I am holding
Copy written lyrics, so they can't be stolen
If they are Snap, don't need the police
To try to save them, your voice will cease
So please, stay off my back
Or I will attack and you don't want that
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
Quality I possess, some say I'm fresh
When my voice goes through the mesh
Of the microphone, that I am holding
Copy written lyrics, so they can't be stolen
If they are Snap, don't need the police
To try to save them, your voice will cease
So please, stay off my back
Or I will attack and you don't want that
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
I've got the power
The opening lines of the song, "Amerikanskaja firma Tranceptor Technology, Pristupila k proizvodstvu computrov 'Personalny Sputnik'", are actually in Russian and translate to "The American company Tranceptor Technology has begun production of personal computers 'Personal Satellite'." This was likely included as a reference to the rising popularity and accessibility of personal computers in the 1990s when the song was released.
The main body of the song sees the artist asserting their dominance and power through their mastery of the rap genre. The repetition of the line "I've got the power" serves to reinforce this message. The lyrics also include boastful claims about the quality of the artist's lyrics and the uniqueness of their voice. The threat of violence towards those who attempt to steal their lyrics or challenge their authority is another way in which the artist asserts their dominance.
The song also touches on the chaotic and hectic nature of the world, which is reflected in the repeated refrain of "It's getting kinda hectic". This could be interpreted as a nod to the uncertainty and turmoil of the 1990s, which saw significant political and social upheaval around the world.
Overall, "The Power" is a song that celebrates the power and influence of rap music and asserts the dominance of the artist over their competition.
Line by Line Meaning
Amerikanskaja firma Tranceptor Technology
The American company Tranceptor Technology
Pristupila k proizvodstvu computrov 'Personalny Sputnik
Has joined the production of computers called 'Personal Satellite'
I've got the power
I am in control and have authority
Hey, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or excitement
Like the crack of the whip, I Snap attack
My rap is quick and impactful
Front to back, in this thing called rap
I am skilled in all aspects of hip-hop
Dig it like a shovel, rhyme devil on a heavenly level
I am digging deep and expressing my artistry with ease
Bang the bass, turn up the treble
My music is loud and booming, with clear highs and lows
Radical mind, day and night all the time
I am constantly revolutionary and innovative with my thoughts
Seven, fourteen wise divine
I am knowledgeable and wise beyond my years
Maniac brainiac, winning the game
I am passionate and intelligent, dominating in my craft
I'm the lyrical Jesse James
I am a clever and cunning artist, known for my wordplay
Quality I possess, some say I'm fresh
I have a unique style and strong artistic ability
When my voice goes through the mesh
My voice is crisp and clear through the microphone
Of the microphone, that I am holding
I am in full control of my performance
Copy written lyrics, so they can't be stolen
My lyrics are protected and cannot be taken without permission
If they are Snap, don't need the police
If someone tries to steal from me, I will handle it myself
To try to save them, your voice will cease
My opponents will lose their voice if they try to steal from me
So please, stay off my back
I don't want any trouble from those who try to harm me
Or I will attack and you don't want that
I am not afraid to retaliate to protect myself and my work
It's getting, it's getting, it's getting kinda hectic
Things are becoming overwhelming and chaotic
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benito Benites, John Virgo Garrett III, Antoinette Colandreo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind