About The Song
“It’s Tricky” is the fourth single released from Run-DMC’s third album, Raising Hell. It was released early in 1987 through Profile Records and was co-produced by Rick Rubin and the group themselves. The song peaked at No. 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. In the UK, the song reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 1998, American producer Jason Nevins remixed the song under the amended title “(It’s) Tricky”. This version peaked at No. 74 in the UK while Nevins’ remix of Run-DMC’s song “It’s Like That” spent its fifth week at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Nevins’ remix also achieved top-40 placings in continental Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Two decades after the song’s release, the Knack sued Run-DMC on the grounds that “It’s Tricky” sampled their song “My Sharona” without permission.
Run-D.M.C’s previous studio album King of Rock had established the group’s fusion of hip-hop and hard rock, which blossomed further on Raising Hell. This was due in part to the presence of producer Rick Rubin, who utilized his knowledge of both rap and metal music to develop a track that combined elements of both genres. Rubin was also responsible for introducing samples of the Knack’s “My Sharona”, which AllMusic’s Stephen Thomas Erlewine identified as a factor that enhanced the song’s commercial viability. In addition to sampling “My Sharona”, “It’s Tricky” interpolates the entire vocal structure of “Mickey” by Toni Basil. The Knack sued Run-DMC over the track in 2006, and the lawsuit was settled out of court. One notable element of the song was its anti-drug lyrics such as “We are not thugs, we don’t use drugs.”
Video
Lyrics
This speech is my recital, I think it’s very vital
To rock (a rhyme), that’s right (on time)
It’s Tricky is the title, here we go…
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky… it’s Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky… Tr-tr-tr-tricky (Tricky) Trrrrrrrrrrricky
I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said “It’s not that easy”
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky…(How is it D?) It’s Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Trrrrrricky)
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky… Tricky (Tricky) Tricky
In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
And in the city it’s a pity cos we just can’t hide
Tinted windows don’t mean nothin’, they know who’s inside
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky…(How is it D?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky… Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky) huh!
When I wake up people take up mostly all of my time
I’m not singin’, phone keep ringin’ cos I make up a rhyme
I’m not braggin’, people naggin’ cos they think I’m a star
Always tearin’ what I’m wearin’, I think they’re goin’ too far
A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she’s jockin’ Jay
I ain’t lyin’, girls be cryin’ cos I’m on TV
They even bother my poor father cos he’s down with me
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky…(How is it?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It’s Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that’s right on time
It’s Tricky… Tr-tr-tr-tr-tr-tricky (Tr-Tr-Tr-Tricky) Tr-tr-tr…
We are not thugs (we don’t use drugs) but you assume (on your own)
They offer coke (and lots of dope) but we just leave it alone
It’s like that y’all (y’all), but we don’t quit
You keep on (rock!) shock! Cos this is it…