Kool Moe Dee and L.A Sunshine (Lamar Hill) grew up in the same neighbourhood and they met DJ Easy Lee (Theodore Moy'e) in elementary school. Kool Moe Dee and Easy Lee both went to Norman Thomas high school where they met Special K (Kevin Keaton). DJ Easy Lee met Spoonie G through playing basketball and through his sister who knew Spoonie G. When Spoonie G left the group, Kool Moe Dee replaced him with Special K. Although he technically had left the group Spoonie G was still affiliated. Spoonie G released a single called Spoonin Rap with the record label Sound of New York, after his relationship broke down with the label he got a deal with Enjoy records which was owned by his uncle Bobby Robinson. He managed to persuade his uncle to led the Treacherous Three to do a song on the B side of his first single with Enjoy which was called Love Rap and the B side was the song New Rap Language, which was released in 1980. New Rap Language was popular and made the group famous for the fast rapping style they used (dubbed speed rapping), which would be what they were originally known for. After this Enjoy gave the group a single deal.
In the same year they released Body Rock which, contrary to popular opinion was the first record to mix Hip Hop and Rock and Roll. They also released At the Party, Put the Boogie In Your Body and Feel the Heartbeat, the latter of which was very popular at the time. The group approached Bobby Robinson to express their unhappiness with the money they were making at the time, the group received $3,000 each for each record they made. Even when (according L.A Sunshine) Love Rap went double platinum.
In 1981, they moved to Sugar Hill Records along with another Enjoy act Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Their first single at Sugarhill was Whip It which featured Phillippe Wynne which was very popular at the time. They then released song Yes We Can-Can which followed on from the political trend that was set by the Furious Five's single "The Message." In 1982-3 they released Action, Turning you on, Get Up. In 1984 they released, Xmas Rap and Santa's Rap with Doug E. Fresh. By 1985 the group was being overshadowed by other groups such as Run-D.M.C. and L.A Sunshine was getting increasingly frustrated with their financial situation at Sugarhill and eventually became disillusioned with making records. During this time many of the groups signed to Sugarhill Records were put on suspension and Special K and L.A Sunshine didn't want to make any more records for Sylvia Robinson (the co-owner of Sugarhill). Kool Moe Dee was the only MC in the group that was still actively working for Sugarhill, writing for the Sugarhill Gang. In 1985 Kool Moe Dee managed to persuade Speacial K and L.A Sunshine to go back into the studio to record Gotta Rock. When it came to recording the B side to Gotta Rock, Turn it Up L.A Sunshine did not turn up to the recording session and Special K did not stay for the full session. Kool Moe Dee felt that Special K's rhymes were not up to his usual standards and therefore left them out. This would lead to the rise to Kool Moe Dee's solo career and the break up of the group.
Yes We Can-Can
The Treacherous Three Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
to get together with one another.
We got to iron out our problems
and iron out our quarrels
and try to live as brothers.
And try to find a piece of land
without stepping on one another.
And do respect the women of the world.
We got to make this land a better land
than the world in which we live.
And we got to help each man be a better man
with the kindness that we give.
I know we can make it.
I know darn well we can work it out.
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
Yes we can can, why can't we?
If we wanna get together we can work it out.
And we gotta take care of all the children,
the little children of the world.
'cause they're our strongest hope for the future,
the little bitty boys and girls.
We got to make this land a better land
than the world in which we live.
And we got to help each man be a better man
with the kindness that we give.
I know we can make it.
I know darn well we can work it out.
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
yes we can can, why can't we?
If we wanna, yes we can can.
The Treacherous Three's song "Yes We Can-Can" is a call for unity and brotherhood in the face of social and political problems. The song urges all good men to come together to iron out their problems and live as brothers. The lyrics suggest that by respecting and caring for each other, we can make the world a better place. The message is particularly poignant in light of the social and economic upheavals of the 1970s, when the song was first released.
The first verse of the song focuses on the importance of resolving conflicts and treating each other with respect. The lyrics emphasize the need to find common ground and avoid stepping on each other's toes. The verse also acknowledges the important role that women play in the world and calls for their recognition and respect.
The second verse of the song shifts the focus to children, who are described as "our strongest hope for the future". The lyrics suggest that by nurturing and caring for children, we can create a better world for them to inherit. The verse also reiterates the need for kindness and brotherhood in order to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Now's the time for all good men
It's time for all men to come together
to get together with one another.
To unite for a common cause
We got to iron out our problems
We need to resolve our issues
and iron out our quarrels
Settle our disagreements
and try to live as brothers.
To live in harmony like family
And try to find a piece of land
Discover a place everyone can share
without stepping on one another.
Without harming or oppressing others
And do respect the women of the world.
Treat women with honor and dignity
Remember you all have mothers.
Think of how you would want your mother to be treated
We got to make this land a better land
Improve the world we live in
than the world in which we live.
Make the world a better place
And we got to help each man be a better man
Encourage personal growth and development
with the kindness that we give.
By showing compassion and understanding
I know we can make it.
We have the ability to succeed
I know darn well we can work it out.
We can solve our problems if we make an effort
Oh yes we can, I know we can can
We can achieve our goals together
Yes we can can, why can't we?
There's no reason we can't work together
If we wanna get together we can work it out.
If we're willing to cooperate, we can find a solution
And we gotta take care of all the children,
We must protect and nurture the young
the little children of the world.
All children, regardless of nationality or background
'cause they're our strongest hope for the future,
They represent the potential for a better tomorrow
the little bitty boys and girls.
All children, regardless of gender or age
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@missy4335
When Hip hop was fun and never mentioned disrespectful words towards women, drugs or violence. Music like this needs to make a comeback
@dimitrijackson5765
Indeed. Queen!!!!
@oh10brwngrl
Yes ma'am!! Back when it was for the love of the art form. Before the commercial BS
@aaroniic
Moe Dee rocks a beat so smooth and effortlessly. He was ahead of his time for sure.
@grega1972
I ain't even gonna lie , I took 2 of Moe Dees rhymes from this rap song and tore this dude up . This was in 83' Good thing nobody was hip to the treacherous 3 in my hood ......lol
@dimitrijackson5765
You did the damn thing!!!! You wasn't biting; All you did was pay homage too Mo'Dee!!!!
@ivalinapasse2469
Yes We Can Pointer Sisters That's Dope!!!!
@herbertbruna
Great cover from the best album ever of the Pointer Sisters!
@ShaniKeys
Same here. Was watching the 'Made in America' documentary and was sent here...
@CodyCole80
DMC brought me here. He talked about this song in an interview.