Shut 'Em Down
Public Enemy
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I testified My mama cried Black people died When the other man lied See the TV listen to me double trouble I overhaul and I'm comin' From the lower level I'm takin' tabs Sho nuff stuff to grab Like shirts it hurts With a neck to wreck Took a poll 'cause our soul Took a toll From the education Of a TV station But look around Hear go the sound of the wreckin' ball Boom and Pound When I Shut 'em down One two three four five Six seven eight nine What I use in the battle for the mind I hit it hard Like it supposed Pullin' no blows to the nose Like uncle L said I'm rippin' up shows Then what it is Only 5 percent of the biz I'm addin' woes That's how da way it goes Then you think I rank never drank, point blank I own loans Suckers got me runnin' from the bank Civil liberty I can't see to pay a fee I never saw a way to pay a sap To read the law Then become a victim of a lawyer Don't know ya, never saw ya Tape cued Gettin' me sued Playin' games wit' my head What the judge said put me in the red Got me thinkin' 'bout a trigger to the lead No no My education mind say Suckers gonna pay Anyway There gonna be a day 'Cause the troop they roll in To posse up Whole from the ground Ready to go Throw another round Sick of the ride It's suicide For the other side of town When I find a way to shut 'em down Who count the money In da neighborhood But we spendin' money To no end lookin' for a friend In a war to the core Rippin' up the poor in da stores Till they get a brother Kickin' down doors Then I figure I kick it bigger Look 'em dead in the eye And they wince Defense is pressurized They don't want it to be Another racial attack In disguise so give some money back I like Nike but wait a minute The neighborhood supports so put some Money in it Corporations owe Dey gotta give up the dough To da town Or else We gotta shut 'em down
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Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Gary Rinaldo, Hank Shocklee, James Henry Boxley Iii
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Authorship"Shut 'Em Down" was written by Chuck D, who is one of the founding members of Public Enemy, a group known for its politically charged lyrics.
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AlbumThis song is part of the "Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black" album, which was released in 1991.
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Sampling"Shut 'Em Down" samples drums from Mountain's "Long Red," a song often used in hip hop music for its distinctive drum break.
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Chart PerformanceUpon its release, "Shut 'Em Down" reached No. 26 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts and No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Music VideoThe accompanying music video for the song is widely recognized and features the members of Public Enemy in various urban settings.
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RemixThe song was remixed by Pete Rock, who added verses from other Public Enemy songs to create a new version.
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Political MessageThe lyrics of "Shut 'Em Down" speak against big corporations using the black community for profit, reflecting Public Enemy's outspoken political stance.
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Legacy"Shut 'Em Down" remains one of Public Enemy's most popular and influential songs, resonating with listeners due to its potent social commentary.
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Vinyl RecordsIn 2014, to celebrate its legacy, a 12" vinyl special edition of "Shut 'Em Down" was released.
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Use in Other MediaThe song is included in the video game soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD, a 2012 release across various platforms.
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Cultural Impact"Shut 'Em Down" was a key part of the soundtrack for the "Black Lives Matter" protests, further underlining its cultural significance.
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Citation
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"Shut 'Em Down Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/14251732/Public+Enemy/Shut+%27Em+Down>.
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