Volume 19, Track 10

Posted on | August 16, 2010 | No Comments

“Egg Man” by Beastie Boys (1989)

In the wrong hands, using Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly” as a sampled beat could fall into the realm of blasphemy. But by choosing to use this sample minus the horns (but still keeping a solid, funky beat while also including lyrics about hitting bigots and racists with eggs) the Beastie Boys more than make up for adventuring into territory that could have easily bitten them in the ass. In addition to “Superfly,” you have samples from the scores of Psycho and Jaws, a sample of Chuck D from the classic Public Enemy track “Bring The Noise,” as well as samples from Elvis Costello and Sly & The Family Stone (and even a reference to Dolemite). “Egg Man” was never released as a single, but revisionist history would probably have dictated that this be the first single from Paul’s Boutique over “Hey Ladies.” This is one of the best overlooked songs of the ’80′s.

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Category: Volume 19
Tags: Beastie Boys > Focus on Beastie Boys

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A series of 14-track (and sometimes 29-track) volumes that consist of songs that either time forgot about or are overshadowed by the artists' other work. Some of these volumes are artist-specific while others are simply eclectic; either way, they would make for good mixed tapes.