One of the more promising late-era Merseybeat bands, the Masterminds never … Read Full Bio ↴One of the more promising late-era Merseybeat bands, the Masterminds never managed to translate their potential into serious record sales, although one of their members, Joey Molland, was destined for some international success less than a decade hence. Formed in Liverpool even as the big wave of Merseybeat sounds was cresting, the Masterminds consisted of Joey Molland on guitar and vocals, Chris Findley on keyboards, George Cassidy on bass and vocals, and Jay Rathbone on drums. For a time, Dougie Meakin played rhythm guitar and sang in the line-p as well. Molland, at 16, had already played with two earlier bands, the Assassins and the Profiles, when he joined the Masterminds. They had established a successful residency at a Liverpool club called the Blue Angel and lucked out one night when the Rolling Stones, with manager-producer Andrew Loog Oldham along, came to the club after playing a gig at the Empire Theatre and saw the Masterminds doing Bob Dylan songs.

This was in late 1964 when not a lot of British bands were covering Dylan's songs, much less doing it well. The fact that they were a Liverpool band made it even more startling because apart from the Searchers, the city wasn't known as a fertile field for folk-rock impulses to take root. The band was duly signed up to Oldham's fledgling Immediate Records label and they cut "She Belongs to Me," their one and only single, in the spring of 1965.

Despite getting an appearance miming to the single on the British rock & roll television showcase Ready! Steady! Go!, it sank without a trace along with the group's prospects for breaking out of Liverpool. (Curiously enough, the song itself would take on a life of its own at Immediate, as a focus of versions by the Nice and Joey Vine). The group broke up soon after, with Jay Rathbone jumping to the Almost Blues, while Molland, Findley, and Cassidy joined the Fruit Eating Bears, a Liverpool band that got its biggest exposure backing the Merseys, the harmony group formed by Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley -- who had been one half of the Merseybeats -- who enjoyed a huge hit with "Sorrow." Molland later jumped to the Iveys, replacing original lead guitarist Ron Griffiths, and enjoyed three years of international rock stardom in the early '70s after the latter group was re-christened Badfinger.~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide

Bring It Back
The Masterminds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus]
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap
Bringing back that old New York rap

Bringing back that old New York rap

When I show you how make it hot, little chickens flock
Butt naked buttocks make niggas act unorthodox
Not trying to get in please, half of ya'll got some sort of disease
Got and STD before your GED
Shaking, what your momma gave you back breaking
In one week got more strokes on your ass than cash them players be making
Smells like bacon in the room when you finished
Toxins in the air Mrs. laboratory chemist
Mixing poisons in your loins and
Letting boys in like they toys you bent over
Pick up my words like 4 leaf clovers
X-files false under your Skully like agent Mulder
Tarik Holder name written in government folders
Golden mind swollen multi-dimensional zoning
On a cosmic level boning making stars for the zodiac
At 10 years old known in my hood as a brainiac

[Chorus]

I jam like traffic so watch me rock your whole intersection
And have your crew running in 4 different directions
At 90 degrees angles that connect at no point
Til the missino is completed every sipher I anoint
With my whip appeal as I whoop your crew single handed
living proof that the universe expanded when I landed
On every continent island and water body existing
On any planet in any galaxy I enlist in
When I decide too be born into a form that is tangible
Only because I made it firm enough to handle you
Other than you be looking up in the sky waiting for mysteries
While I'm steady creating history
Picture me rolling like ome of these cats I'm aware of
Without certain bodily parts men have a pair of
Never happen, whether we rappin or we scrappin
My only duty to awake you rudely if you napping cause we

[Chorus]

We bring it back to back like Siamese
that's attached to the back of the knees
Most labels lacking the fee
To back a nigga like me one of the livest Mc's
Out of the NY, capital K see when I
Drop the semi-automatical, lyrically dramatical
Grammatically written to leave a niggas head splittin
Splittin rhymes to slice minds like enzymes in centrifuges
Busting mines then lay back like the luge
We upped the ante, bounced from the penthouse to shanty's
And now second coming got believers quickly running for the
Wax racks to pack stacks of black facts on fat tracks
On black wax in knapsacks
In back Ac's dipping with the volumen on 10
Down the Ave with my joint on your blend
See ya'll need to comprehend every time this brother pick up his pen
And thought you emerge many niggas get served now that's word
we got you

[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The chorus of The Masterminds' song Bring It Back sets the tone for the song's overarching message: to bring back the sound and style of old-school New York rap. The repetition of the line "bringing back that old New York rap" is an exhortation to both the listener and the group themselves to revive this genre. The opening lines of the song encapsulate the raunchier and hedonistic aspects of rap, with lines such as "Butt naked buttocks make niggas act unorthodox," and "Got an STD before your GED." This juxtaposition of the gritty and the glamorous is emblematic of the New York rap scene's persona, which is notorious for combining wealth and fame with darker underground elements. The lyrics move on to discuss the physicality of sex, lamenting the potential "toxins" released during intercourse. The singer portrays themselves as a figure of cosmic importance, alluding to the X-Files and government documents to suggest a level of authority and knowledge beyond what is publicly known. The singer also takes on the role of a teacher or mentor figure, providing wisdom in the lines "Pick up my words like four-leaf clovers" and "My only duty to awake you rudely if you napping."

The second verse follows the pattern established in the first verse, with the singer emphasizing their mastery over the genre and their ability to make crowds go wild. There is an element of bravado here, with lines like "living proof that the universe expanded when I landed" and "Picture me rolling like one of these cats I'm aware of." However, the singer balances this with humility and self-awareness, acknowledging the necessity of hard work and focus in order to achieve their goals. They also take on a spiritual dimension, alluding to the idea of reincarnation and the creation of a legacy for future generations. The last verse brings together the singer's previous themes, transitioning smoothly from boasting to the need for representation and visibility of Black musicians. They discuss the unequal power dynamics in the music industry, lamenting the lack of support for artists who are not traditionally marketable, but still determined to create and perform. The emphasis on the Black experience and the fight for recognition in a discriminatory society is a common theme in New York rap, and is exemplified in this verse.

Line by Line Meaning

Bringing back that old New York rap
The Masterminds are resurrecting the classic style of rap that was popular in New York City back in the day.

When I show you how make it hot, little chickens flock
The Masterminds are so talented and charismatic that people flock to them when they start performing.

Butt naked buttocks make niggas act unorthodox
The sight of a woman's naked butt can cause men to act in strange or unpredictable ways.

Not trying to get in please, half of ya'll got some sort of disease
The Masterminds are not interested in having sex with random people, especially given how many people they suspect have some sort of STD.

Got an STD before your GED
Some people are getting sexually transmitted diseases before they even finish high school and go on to get their general equivalency degree.

Shaking, what your momma gave you back breaking
When women dance or shake their body, it can be very alluring or arousing to men.

In one week got more strokes on your ass than cash them players be making
Some women are having sex with multiple partners in a short period of time and getting more action in a week than some professional athletes are getting paid for.

Smells like bacon in the room when you finished
There can be a distinct odor left behind after sex, especially if things got really heated and sweaty.

Toxins in the air Mrs. laboratory chemist
Metaphorically, the air can be filled with dangerous and harmful substances after having sex with certain people.

Mixing poisons in your loins and letting boys in like they toys you bent over
Some people are exposing themselves to harmful diseases and potentially damaging emotional experiences when they engage in casual sex.

Pick up my words like 4 leaf clovers
The Masterminds are confident in their lyrical abilities and believe that people will remember their words like they remember finding a rare four-leaf clover.

X-files false under your Skully like agent Mulder
The Masterminds' rhymes and ideas are like hidden or mysterious truths that are concealed under someone's hat, like Agent Mulder from the popular TV show The X-Files.

Tarik Holder name written in government folders
The Masterminds are on the authorities' radar and their name is likely written in government files somewhere.

Golden mind swollen multi-dimensional zoning
The Masterminds' minds are creative, expansive, and almost celestial in nature.

On a cosmic level boning making stars for the zodiac
The Masterminds are capable of creating art and music that transcends earthly boundaries and resonates with people on a cosmic level.

At 10 years old known in my hood as a brainiac
From a young age, the Masterminds were known for being academically gifted and intelligent.

I jam like traffic so watch me rock your whole intersection
The Masterminds can create such a buzz and attention that they'll be like a traffic jam that catches everyone's attention.

And have your crew running in 4 different directions
The Masterminds can be disruptive and cause those around them to scatter or flee in different directions.

At 90 degrees angles that connect at no point
The Masterminds' influence and impact can be felt in different ways that seem to have no connection or overlap.

Til the mission is completed every cipher I anoint
The Masterminds will keep going until they achieve their goals and they will energize and inspire others to join them and make things happen along the way.

With my whip appeal as I whoop your crew single handed
The Masterminds are both stylish and powerful enough to take on and defeat large groups of people on their own.

Living proof that the universe expanded when I landed
The Masterminds are so talented and influential that they've caused a ripple effect that reverberates throughout the entire universe.

On every continent island and water body existing
The Masterminds are affecting people and cultures all around the world, from the biggest continents to the smallest islands and bodies of water.

On any planet in any galaxy I enlist in
If there is intelligent life on other planets or galaxies, the Masterminds would be able to reach them with their music and spread their message.

When I decide too be born into a form that is tangible
The Masterminds believe that they have volition and control over their own existence, even down to the form they are taking on at any given moment.

Only because I made it firm enough to handle you
The Masterminds aren't afraid of any challenges or obstacles because they have made themselves strong and resilient enough to handle anything that comes their way.

Other than you be looking up in the sky waiting for mysteries
The Masterminds aren't content with just waiting around for answers or magical solutions to appear in their lives. They take action and make things happen for themselves.

While I'm steady creating history
The Masterminds are actively shaping the cultural and historical landscape with their music and their words.

Picture me rolling like one of these cats I'm aware of
The Masterminds are confident and smooth like some of the cool cats they admire in the music world.

Without certain bodily parts men have a pair of
The Masterminds are saying that it's not just about having physical assets or body parts; it's about how you use your mind and your talents to make an impact.

Never happen, whether we rappin or we scrappin
The Masterminds have complete confidence in themselves and their abilities, whether they are creating music or engaging in physical altercations.

My only duty to awake you rudely if you napping cause we
The Masterminds feel a sense of responsibility to shake people out of their complacency and make them realize the important things in life.

We bring it back to back like Siamese that's attached to the back of the knees
The Masterminds are bringing the old school New York rap sound back in a way that is seamless and connected, like a pair of Siamese twins that are joined at the knees.

Most labels lacking the fee to back a nigga like me
The Masterminds are saying that most record labels don't have the resources or the vision to fully support and represent artists like them.

One of the livest Mc's out of the NY, capital K see when I
The Masterminds believe that they are some of the most talented and engaging MC's in the game, hailing from the capital of Hip Hop, New York City.

Drop the semi-automatical, lyrically dramatical
The Masterminds are using compelling and powerful lyrics to create a sense of drama and intensity when they perform.

Grammatically written to leave a niggas head splittin
The Masterminds are carefully crafting their rhymes to leave a big impact on their listeners, making their heads spin with inspiration or amazement.

Splittin rhymes to slice minds like enzymes in centrifuges
The Masterminds' rhymes are powerful and sharp, able to cut through the noise and the distractions of everyday life like a centrifuge separates out different components of a mixture.

Busting mines then lay back like the luge
The Masterminds are saying they will expend intense energy and creativity in their performances, but then they will be able to relax and coast like a luge racer sliding downhill.

We upped the ante, bounced from the penthouse to shanty's
The Masterminds have elevated their game and expanded their horizons, moving from the realm of the elite and wealthy to the gritty and challenging world of the poor and disadvantaged.

And now second coming got believers quickly running for the wax racks to pack stacks of black facts on fat tracks
The Masterminds' newfound popularity and success have caused many fans to rush out and buy their music in droves, eagerly seeking out their powerful and thought-provoking lyrics.

In black wax in knapsacks, in back Ac's dipping with the volume on 10
The Masterminds' music is being experienced and enjoyed in a variety of different settings and situations, from backpacks filled with vinyl records to luxury cars cruising down the street.

Down the Ave with my joint on your blend
The Masterminds are proud of their music and want to spread it far and wide, even if it means simply having it play on someone else's portable speakers as they walk down the avenue.

See ya'll need to comprehend every time this brother pick up his pen
The Masterminds want their audience to appreciate the time, effort, and craftsmanship that goes into creating their music and their lyrics.

And thought you emerge many niggas get served now that's word we got you
The Masterminds are promising their fans that they will continue to create powerful and engaging music that will inspire and uplift them, always keeping them on their toes.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: THORSTEN ADLER, TOM WAX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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