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Production Credits:
I'm Down Click for Lyrics
First Appearance: not commercially released
Written by: Beastie Boys
Performed by: Beastie Boys
Production Notes: Produced by Rick Rubin, co-produced by Beastie Boys
Behind the Beats and Lyrics...
Samples:
- "I'm Down" by the Beatles - Past Masters-Vol. 1 by the Beatles
References:
- Brooklyn - a borough of New York City, on W Long Island
- Bronx - borough of New York City
- Queens - borough of New York City on the western portion of Long Island
- Manhattan - an island borough of New York City
- Gucci - upscale fashion clothing and accessories
- Fila - manufacturer of sports apparel and equipment
- Steve Ett - head engineer on the Beasties 1986 LP Licensed to Ill
Sample & Reference Breakdown:
- "How can you laugh?" - sampled from the Beatles' "I'm Down"
- "Lookin' at my Gucci"- same as the lyrics to "Gucci Time" by Schoolly D: "Lookin' at my Gucci, it's about that time"
Commentary:
Beastie Boys:
"Michael said something to [his producer] Quincy Jones to the effect of, 'I hate the record, and I hate them'; so it doesn't look too hopeful" - Michael Diamond, 1987
"There have been a couple of songs that we haven't been able to put out, and a couple of radio spots we made that haven't been aired, things like that. But I gotta say this - if I ever see Michael Jackson, I'm gonna light his Jeri curls on fire. I'm gonna sneak up on him with a can of lighter and go to work. I think if they had a 3-D movie in Disneyworld of Adrock punching Michael Jackson's face, they'd get a good draw." - Michael Diamond January 21, 1987 Issue of East Coast Rocker
"Who does he think he is? I could understand it if Paul McCartney said no, because it's his song, but Michael Jackson! I guess everybody should wear that stupid-ass glove." - Michael Diamond January 21, 1987 Issue of East Coast Rocker
"I just don't know what makes him (Michael Jackson) think that he can decide what the rest of the world can hear. He's on this whole campaign, like he's holier than thou. I don't think he really knows what the fuck is going on in the world." - Michael Diamond January 21, 1987 Issue of East Coast Rocker
After a long pause, he (Michael Diamond) responds to a question about Michael Jackson, who as owner of the publishing rights to the Beatles' songs , refused the Beasties permission to put their own customized version of the Fab Four's "I'm Down" on their album. "What would I do if I met him?" Mike D says. "I'd unplug his oxygen tent, rip off his surgical mask and spit in his face." - Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1987
Press & Print Media:
"Michael Jackson, who owns the Beatles' catalog, refused to grant [the Beasties] permission to include their surf-guitar/doo-wop version of "I'm Down" on [Licensed to Ill]" - Creem, May 1987
"The Beastie Boys are openly annoyed at [Michael] Jackson, who recently filed a cease and desist order against Los Angeles radio station LROQ for playing the Beasties' unreleased rendition of the Fab Four's "I'm Down." Jackson had earlier refused to allow the Beasties to include that version on Licensed to Ill" - Playboy, 1987
Interesting Footnote:
Due to the Beastie Boys and Def Jam's legal disputes over contractual obligations and the Beasties subsequent move over to Capital Records, Def Jam manager Russell Simmons intended to follow up the Beastie's Paul's Boutique album with his own record of the Boys' vocal outtakes applied to new music; it was to be called Whitehouse. This album was never released commercially although demos of these tracks do exist and have turned up on several bootlegs like Original Ill on Blue Moon Records.
Released Versions:
Live:
No Known Performances in Concert.
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