Pump Me Up
The Sugarhill Gang Lyrics

Come on, I said come on, I said come on
Encouraging the listeners to engage.

Rappers might be willin but they ain't able
Other rappers may want to compete, but they lack the ability.

Cause I was their king straight from my cradle
Melle Mel claims to have always been superior and held royal status.

I screamed and hollered and shook my rattle
He expressed his power and dominance even as a child.

And dreamt of defeating them all in battle
Always had a desire to conquer his competition.

There was no food in my silver spoon
He grew up poor with no advantages.

So I grew up hard and I grew up soon
He grew up fast and developed a hard exterior.

I'm a righteous king but I'm hungry too
Although he has power, he still has desires and needs.

And I eat up chumps that rap like you
He's confident in his abilities and will easily defeat inferior rappers.

Then I met this shark and his name was Jaws
He encountered an adversary with the nickname Jaws.

He was biting my rhymes like y'all bite yours
Jaws imitated Melle Mel's rap style.

I starting writing my rhymes the shark grew and grew
He continued to improve his craft and outshine Jaws.

But I was writing more rhymes than the shark could chew
Melle Mel produced more rhymes than Jaws could copy.

The shark got sick and then he exploded
Jaws was unable to keep up and failed.

Cause he didn't realize that my rhymes was loaded
Jaws didn't expect Melle Mel's raps to be as good as they were.

They flew in the air and into the sea
Melle Mel's success spread everywhere, even underwater.

And the whole universe knew that the king was me
He became the biggest and most respected rapper in the world.

I'm not a laser beam or a diamond mine
He's not something flashy, but he has true worth and value.

Or a platinum watch or some vintage wine
He's not interested in fancy or expensive things.

Not a pocket full of pearls I'm a oil well
He's valuable and essential, like an oil well.

Like black gold baby I'm Melle Mel
He's as essential and valuable as black gold and identifies himself as Melle Mel.

And to all the fly girls I come off hard
He's irresistible to women and comes on strong.

The slightest wink or nod makes me your god
Women are easily swayed by his charm and power.

All my problems are small so my pockets are large
He has wealth and power, and problems don't affect him.

When I walk in the door Oh baby I'm in charge
He's confident, in control, and commands respect.

Treat ladies like jewels and diamond rings
He treats women like valuable and precious things.

On my fingers on my arms on everything
He adorns himself with valuable things.

On the streets oh my Jesus! I can't be beat
He's unbeatable and legendary in the streets.

So don't ask where's the beef baby here is the meat
He is the real deal and brings true substance.

I'm gonna give you some soap a towel and a cup
Insinuating that other rappers are dirty and need cleaning.

Cause the bum emcees are all washed up
Saying that other rappers are weak and irrelevant.

Put your women on the line with the rest of my crew
He'll prove his power by seducing his competitors' women.

So I can make love to her and annihilate you
He'll take their women and their fame at the same time.

Pump, pump ( me up!) me what? (me up!)
Asking the listeners to pump him up and get him hyped.

I'm like the genie in your lamp
He's willing to grant wishes and fulfill dreams like a genie.

A face on your stamp
He's famous and well-known.

The hip hop rocker
He's a cool and dynamic rapper.

The microphone champ
He's the best rapper on the microphone.

Got a knock out voice
His voice is powerful and commanding.

Like a Rolls Royce
His voice is smooth and sophisticated, like a luxury car.

Gotta rank as number one
He must be the best and most respected.

To be the people's choice
He wants to be popular and beloved by the people.

Cause you can hum a ding then you can hum a dong
A simple rap can easily be repeated and popularized.

Its just like the friendly game of ping pong
Rap is like a game, playful and enjoyable.

When you hitting the ball upside the paddle
Rap can be intense and competitive, like playing ping pong hard.

It's just like cowboy riding on a saddle
Rap can also be cool and stylish, like a cowboy riding a horse.

Up above your head is the flash of light
He creates a spectacle and is celebrated by fans above him.

Cause I can rock to the beat on any God given night
He can rap anytime, anywhere and sound great.

Like to rock like to roll like to entertain
He enjoys performing and being entertaining for his fans.

While my car's outside you're waiting for the train
He's living the good life, while his competitors aren't as fortunate.

The train to the bus the bus to whatever
His competitors use public transportation and have less money and power.

And I'm the type of MC to rock in any type of weather
He's always ready to perform and always on top of his game regardless of the time or conditions.

I'm the bow legged brother there'll never be another
He's one of a kind and very unique in the rap game.

I bought a mansion for my mother
He's successful and generous, wanted to give back to his family.