Shadrach (Beastie Boys song)

"Shadrach" is a song by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, the 13th track on their second studio album Paul's Boutique (1989). It was released as the album's second single on October 30, 1989, as a 7-inch vinyl backed with the non-album track "And What You Give Is What You Get". Both songs appear on the EP An Exciting Evening at Home with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (1989).

"Shadrach"
Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Paul's Boutique
B-side"And What You Give Is What You Get"
ReleasedOctober 30, 1989
Recorded1988
Genre
Length4:08
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Beastie Boys singles chronology
"Hey Ladies"
(1989)		 "Shadrach"
(1989)		 "Pass the Mic"
(1992)
Music video
"Shadrach" on YouTube

Composition

The song refers to the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel. However, the lyrics "Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego" in the track are used and sampled from Sly Stone's "Loose Booty", where they are repeated and spoken rhythmically throughout the track in an almost rap-like form.[1] In verse two, the lyric, So I'm out pickin' pockets at the Atlantic Antic, refers to an annual Brooklyn street festival of that name. Also in the song is a reference to the AC/DC album For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), in the lyrics "For those about to rock we salute you".

The drum beat is a loop from the song "Hot & Nasty" by Black Oak Arkansas and played by drummer Tommy Aldridge.

Music video

The video released to promote the Beastie Boys' song was directed by Adam Yauch under his pseudonym Nathaniel Hörnblowér. Utilizing an abstract impressionist style, each frame of the video was hand-painted by animators working for Los Angeles-based animation studio Klasky Csupo.[2] It was later included in the 22nd International Tournée of Animation. The video can be seen on the Beastie Boys Video Anthology DVD compilation released by The Criterion Collection.[3]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Shadrach"4:07
2."And What You Give Is What You Get"3:42

Personnel

Samples

The sources of the song's samples can be found on WhoSampled.[4]

References
  1. "Sly And The Family Stone - Loose Booty Lyrics and Info". Sly And The Family Stone Dot Net.
  2. Melis, Matt (April 22, 2020). "The Genius of the Beastie Boys in 10 Music Videos". Consequence. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  3. "Beastie Boys Video Anthology (2000)". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  4. Beastie Boys at WhoSampled
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