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eriejwg MusicFan
Joined: 10 June 2007 Location: United States
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Posted: 20 March 2014 at 7:02pm | IP Logged
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I know it wasn't a Top 40 hit, but am wondering if there
are any lyrical differences between the Promo 45 and the
LP version of "No Sleep Till Brooklyn." Perhaps, muting
the word "whores" etc.
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jimct MusicFan
Joined: 07 April 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 21 March 2014 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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John, I checked my books, to see how high the song actually did chart.
Not at all. Not on the Hot 100. It didn't even bubble under. (Perhaps it did
make "specialty format" charts.) As I recall, Def Jam 06675 was the follow-
up 45 to their lone Top 10 hit, "Fight For Your Right". But my faint
recollection was that the label was working the other side to us, "She's
Crafty", not the "No Sleep...." side. And since it didn't chart at all, if I did
ever own a promo copy, it would now be in one of my many "stiff 45
boxes", stored back at my Mom's.
I just browsed on-line for you. Although it was rare to have both sides of
a stock 45 on a promo 45 in 1987, this song was a very rare example of
one that did. The listed time for "No Sleep...." is (4:07). I do currently see
two promo copies on eBay; one is $40; the other runs $75.
I quickly got hold of Aaron, who's actually an 80's hip-hop specialist. And
John, although Aaron doesn't own the P45, he is confident that the lyric
you mentioned wouldn't have been altered/censored for 45 release.
Further evidence of Aaron's gut feeling is that there are promo-stamped
stock 45 copies also for sale now on eBay. Based on my radio experience,
Columbia/Def Jam would only send radio promo-stamped stock copies if
its contents mimicked what was on the actual P45. But since "She's Crafty"
was the intended A-side, we can't be 100% positive that the "No Sleep...."
side's stock and promo 45 contents were exactly the same. I am over 90%
sure, however.
John, I feel the only way you're gonna get a 100% answer to your question
is for you to buy that promo 45 yourself. The song isn't really in the
T4MOC's "wheelhouse". To me, Aaron was gonna be your best shot. Yes,
you can wait to see if others respond. But the danger is that your promo
copy might end up costing you nearly twice as much. Good luck, my
friend!
Edited by jimct on 21 March 2014 at 12:36pm
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aaronk Admin Group
Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States
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Posted: 21 March 2014 at 3:54pm | IP Logged
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I've heard this song several times, and there aren't any blatantly offensive words. I highly doubt they would've bothered to issue a censored version. After all, any station that would've played a song as rowdy as "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" probably isn't going to care if it says the word "whores." This ain't exactly an adult contemporary recording.
__________________ Aaron Kannowski
Uptown Sound
91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop
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musicmanatl MusicFan
Joined: 22 June 2011
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Posted: 21 March 2014 at 8:10pm | IP Logged
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Every time I hear of this song, I think of the amusing British parody, "Stutter Rap (No Sleep 'til Bedtime)" by Morris Major and the Minors. The original hit #14 in the UK, but this parody hit #4. ;)
If you haven't heard it, here's the link to the video on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAIOzM7SsMo
Edited by musicmanatl on 21 March 2014 at 8:10pm
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AndrewChouffi MusicFan
Joined: 24 September 2005
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Posted: 22 March 2014 at 7:06am | IP Logged
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To Jim:
Lemme see if I can jog your memory a little more:
I *seem* to recall that "She's Crafty"/"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" was not even worked to CHR/Top-40. It was a commercial 12-inch single for the clubs & street-oriented R&B radio shows (don't even know if it was worked mainstream R&B).
I remember getting serviced with it in my dance record pool, but it seemed quickly "Brass Monkey" started to get worked on CHR/Top-40. Although "Brass Monkey" did not crack the top-40, the record has endured in real life as every time I play it at a rockin' wedding reception the crowd goes nuts. And it's always been that way.
Is there any merit to my recollection? Can you add to it?
Thanks,
Andy
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aaronk Admin Group
Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States
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Posted: 22 March 2014 at 7:46am | IP Logged
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Andy, "It's Tricky" by Run-DMC is another song that works well at wedding receptions, despite it not being a top 40 hit.
__________________ Aaron Kannowski
Uptown Sound
91.9 The Peak - Classic Hip Hop
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jimct MusicFan
Joined: 07 April 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 22 March 2014 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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Andy, I clearly remember "Brass Monkey". But I also remember us being
serviced with a promo 7" for "She's Crafty/No Sleep....". Like I mentioned
earlier, having both the A and B sides on the promo 45 was so unusual, that
fact just always stuck in my mind. Whether it was just a "courtesy" servicing
or not, that's very possible. The label guys would often give a new track one
quick mention. Maybe they said to me, "Ignore 'She's Crafty' - Brass Monkey
is gonna be next for CHR". Mainly, I was just trying to help John out. I've seen
many a similar-type post go by, with no one replying. There were just *so*
many total records that came into us, I don't think even "Hal" from 2001
could keep half the individual song stories straight. Especially when total
non-charters are asked about. I will obviously defer to anyone with a better
recollection of it - like you. Thanks! :)
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eriejwg MusicFan
Joined: 10 June 2007 Location: United States
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Posted: 22 March 2014 at 9:54am | IP Logged
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Yes, being one that prefers radio edits over lp versions,
it was a question based out of curiosity. *If* there was
an edit available for "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" I would
prefer it.
Like Aaron and Andy, I perform at many wedding receptions
per year. There are many low charting or non-charting
songs that pack the dance floor. Besides the two they
mentioned, you'd have to add "Electric Boogie" (The
Electric Slide) from Marcia Griffiths, "Apache" from the
Sugarhill Gang. I'm sure there are many others.
Thanks to Jim, Aaron, Andy and those with lyrical
knowledge that I sometimes lack, lol.
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AndrewChouffi MusicFan
Joined: 24 September 2005
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Posted: 22 March 2014 at 1:27pm | IP Logged
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To Aaron:
Re: "It's Tricky"
You ain't kidding it works well at wedding receptions.
I remember that song worked at select receptions BEFORE the 2nd single "You Be Illin'" was chosen.
There are very very few examples where I'd even play a not-yet-single at a private reception, but that was one.
Andy
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