Shaft

Isaac Hayes

About Shaft

"Theme from Shaft", written and recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1971, is the soul and funk-styled theme song to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film Shaft. The theme was released as a single (shortened and edited from the longer album version) two months after the movie's soundtrack by Stax Records' Enterprise label. "Theme from Shaft" went to number two on the Billboard Soul Singles chart (behind "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" by Marvin Gaye) and to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in November 1971. The song was also well received by adult audiences, reaching number six on Billboard's Easy Listening chart. The song is considered by some to be one of the first disco songs. The following year, "Theme from Shaft" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with Hayes becoming the first African American to win that honor – or any Academy Award in a non-acting category – as well as the first recipient of the award to both write and perform the winning song. Since then, the song has appeared in numerous television shows, commercials, and other movies, including the 2000 sequel Shaft, for which Hayes re-recorded the song. In 2004 the original finished at #38 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top songs in American cinema. 


Year:
2006
3:15
72 
#1

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Who's the black private dick
That's a sex machine to all the chicks?
Shaft, ya, damn right

Who is the man that would risk his neck
For his brother man?
Shaft, can you dig it?

Who's the cat that won't cop out
When there's danger all about?
Shaft, right on

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother
Shut your mouth
But I'm talkin' 'bout Shaft
Then we can dig it

He's a complicated man
But no one understands him but his woman
John Shaft

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Isaac Hayes

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American songwriter, musician, singer, actor, and voice actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the mid-1960s. Hayes, Porter, Bill Withers, the Sherman Brothers, Steve Cropper, and John Fogerty were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of writing scores of notable songs for themselves, the duo Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, and others. more »

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Written by: ISAAC HAYES

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Creation
"Shaft" is theme song for the film "Shaft." Isaac Hayes wrote and recorded this song specifically for the film in 1971.
Record Label
"Shaft" was released under the Enterprise division of Stax Records, a label known for producing soul music.
Awards
This song earned Isaac Hayes an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1972. This made him the first African-American to win this award.
Chart Rankings
Despite its length of over seven minutes, "Shaft" managed to peak at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also reached number two on the billboard Soul Singles chart.
Game-changing Impact
The theme song was groundbreaking due to its inclusion of orchestral elements along with the traditional rhythm and blues. It set a new trend for future theme songs of similar films.
Album Success
The "Shaft" soundtrack album, which also included other songs performed by Isaac Hayes, went on to top the Billboard 200 chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Original Score.
Notable Lyrics
One of the most well-known lines from the song, "Who's the black private dick that's a sex machine to all the chicks? Shaft…Damn right," has become a pop culture catchphrase.
The Baritone Voice
The infamous baritone voice of Isaac Hayes is heard in spoken-word form rather than singing throughout most of the song. This distinctive style added to the uniqueness of the song.
Influence
"Shaft" has greatly influenced other works of music with its blend of orchestral elements and funk-inspired sound. It is often considered one of the defining works of the funk genre.
Multiple Covers and References
Many artists, including Sammy Davis Jr and Eddy and the Soulband, have covered "Shaft". The song has also been referenced and sampled by numerous musicians and TV shows over the decades.
Legacy
The song "Shaft" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, recognizing its historical, artistic, and significant value.
Relevance Today
"Shaft" continues to be popular and relevant decades after its release. In 2019, a new movie in the "Shaft" series used a cover of the iconic song in its soundtrack.

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