It's Like That (Run-D.M.C. song)
"It's Like That" is the debut single by American hip hop group Run-DMC, released in 1983 by Profile Records. The song was remixed by house DJ Jason Nevins in 1997. His version was originally released in 1997 on 10" vinyl in the U.S., and became a sleeper hit in 1998. It sold around five million copies worldwide, placing it amongst the biggest selling singles of all time.
"It's Like That" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Run-DMC | ||||
from the album Run-D.M.C. | ||||
B-side | "Sucker M.C.'s" | |||
Released | August 10, 1983 | |||
Recorded | 1983 | |||
Genre | New school hip hop | |||
Length |
| |||
Label | Profile Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Run-DMC singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Alternative release | ||||
![]() 12-inch US retail vinyl release |
In 2008, it was ranked number 40 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.[1]
Run-D.M.C. version
It was first released in 1983 backed with the track "Sucker M.C.'s". The release marked the start of Run-DMC's career and is widely regarded as ushering in a new school of hip hop artists with a street image and an abrasive, minimalist sound that marked them out from their predecessors. Both tracks were collected on the trio's eponymous debut album in 1984. "It's Like That" is about life in the area where the group lives (unemployment, prices, death, etc.). Despite protesting those social and political problems, the song takes on a hopeful message encouraging listeners to abandon prejudice and to believe in themselves. In 2001, parts of the song was sampled in Jagged Edge's "Let's Get Married (Remix)" featuring Run-DMC. The single was an international success.
The song would be named by fans one of Run-D.M.C.'s signature songs.[2]
In the re-release of the album in 2004, a booklet was included, and a reviewer, Angus Batey, wrote the background information about the album. When he wrote about "It's like That", he stated:
[Larry] Smith had created one particularly stark backing track that would provide a perfect setting for rap. He was aware of Run's prowess as a writer, having previously paid the teenager $100 for a set of lyrics with the intention of [Kurtis] Blow recording them. One evening, in Smith's home studio in Queens, Run and D persuaded Larry and Russell [Simmons] to let them have a chance to make a demo. Russell agreed; taking Run's $100 rap and extensive additional lines penned by the prolific DMC, Russell doled it out line by line between the two vocalists, who sprayed their lyrics over the stark beat onto tape. 'It's Like That' became the band's debut single, stridently announcing that a new era began.
The song was mixed by Kurtis Blow and Elai Tubo.
Track listing
All tracks written by Darryl McDaniels, Joe Simmons and Larry Smith.
12-inch Profile – PRO-7019 (US)
- "It's Like That" – 7:25
- "Sucker M.C.'s (Krush Groove 1)" – 3:15
- "It's Like That" (Instrumental) – 7:10
- "Sucker M.C.'s (Krush Groove 1)" (Instrumental) – 3:05
Charts
Chart (1983) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[3] | 15 |
Jason Nevins version
"It's Like That" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins | ||||
Released | July 10, 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1997 | |||
Genre | Hip house[4] | |||
Length | 4:10 | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Run-DMC vs. Jason Nevins singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"It's Like That" on YouTube |
In 1997, a new version by American producer Jason Nevins was released. The Nevins version topped the singles charts in 12 countries, including the United Kingdom, where it stayed at the top for six weeks and became Britain's third biggest-selling single of 1998. In the UK, the Nevins remix gained notoriety for breaking the Spice Girls' run of consecutive number-one hits on the UK Singles Chart, keeping their song "Stop" from claiming the top spot.[5][6]
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The lines dividing rap and dance music are momentarily blurred on this revision of a Run-D.M.C. chestnut. Their rhymes are sewn into a forceful, house-inflected groove by underground club dynamo Nevins, who displays a palpable talent for combining hard-edged flavor with ear-grabbing hooks. Club DJs have already turned this into a dancefloor staple, with crossover radio mix-show programmers also banging it like crazy. It won't be long before folks can hear it during morning-drive hours."[7] A writer from Daily Record stated that this version is "brilliant".[8]
Music video
The music video for the remix featured male vs. female breakdance crews battling each other. The video was shot in downtown LA in 1998 after the song became a hit in Europe.[9] Jason is in the beginning of the video wearing his 'well known yellow tinted glasses' and holding a boom box.
Track listings
US 12-inch vinyl[10]
- A1. "It's Like That" (Drop the Break) – 8:20
- A2. "It's Like That" (Battle Beat Dub) – 4:48
- B1. "It's Like That" (Jason's Battle Blaster) – 8:21
- B2. "It's Like That" (Acapella Break) – 1:28
- B3. "It's Like That" (Bonus Beat Break) – 8:20
CD maxi, Australian CD single[11]
- "It's Like That" (Drop the Break – radio edit) – 4:09
- "It's Like That" (Jason's Battle Blaster) – 8:21
- "It's Like That" (Drop the Break) – 8:20
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
Certifications
|
References
- VH1′s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs - Stereogum. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
- Simmons, Joseph; Taylor, Curtis L. (2000). "Chapter 2: 'Run's House'". It's Like That: A Spiritual Memoir. New York City: St. Martin's Press. p. 9. ISBN 0-312-20467-1. LCCN 00-029685.
- "Run D-M-C Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- Lorenz, Christian (April 18, 1998). "Epic puts 'hip-house' on the map" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 16. p. 8. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- Myers, Justin (March 16, 2017). "This week in 1998: Stop ends Spice Girls' run of consecutive Number 1s". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
- @BBCSounds (March 15, 2018). "20 years ago today: The Spice Girls' 'Stop' charted at number two on the UK Singles Chart behind "It's Like That" by Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins, ending their streak of consecutive number-one singles. Several fan-lead campaigns to get 'Stop to the top' have as yet failed" (Tweet). Retrieved September 5, 2019 – via Twitter. |date= mismatches calculated date from |number= by two or more days (help)
- Flick, Larry (September 13, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 75. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- "Chart Slot; TOP 10 SINGLES CHART". Daily Record. April 17, 1998. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- "Mix Master Jason Nevins Puts Stamp On RUN D.M.C. Tune". MTV.com. February 18, 1998. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- It's Like That (US 12-inch vinyl disc). Jason Nevins. Sm:)e Records. 1997. SM-9069-0.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "Australian-charts.com – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Austriancharts.at – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Ultratop.be – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Ultratop.be – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Ultratop Dance 15/11/1997" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- "Run-D.M.C. Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on May 15, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- "Hits of the World". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 110 (10): 47. March 7, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Hits of the World". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 110 (5): 66. January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "run dmc vs. jason nevins: it's like that" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- "Lescharts.com – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 23. June 6, 1998. p. 16. Retrieved June 8, 2020. See LW column.
- "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 15. April 11, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (2.4. – 9.4. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). April 3, 1998. p. 30. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – It's Like That". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Hits of the World". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 109 (50): 50. December 13, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Charts.nz – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". VG-lista. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". Singles Top 100. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Swisscharts.com – Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins – It's Like That". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Run-D.M.C. Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
- "1998 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- "Jahreshitparade Singles 1998" (in German). Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Rapports annuels 1998" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1998" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15 no. 51. December 19, 1998. p. 8. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
- "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1998" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1998" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- "Íslenski Listinn Topp 100 – Vinsælustu Lögin '98". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1999. p. 34. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "Top 40 – Jaargang 34, 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1998" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "Årslista Singlar, 1998" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "1990s Singles Chart Archive". everyHit. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
- "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Austrian single certifications – Run DMC/J.Nevins – It's Like That" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Run DMC vs Jason Nevins" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "French single certifications – Run DMC vs Jason Nevins – It's Like That" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Run D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins; 'It's Like That')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "Dutch single certifications – Run DMC – It's Like That" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved September 2, 2018. Enter It's Like That in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- "New Zealand single certifications – Run DMC vs Jason Nevins – It's Like That". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
- "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Run D.M.C.; 'It's Like That')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "British single certifications – Run DMC vs Jason Nevins – It's Like That". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
- Sedghi, Ami (November 4, 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". Guardian. Retrieved November 4, 2012.