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Raising Hell


Raising Hell Lyrics

Kings from Queens from Queens come Kings
We're raisin hell like a class when the lunchbell rings
The king will be praised, and hell will be raised
S-s-s-suckers try to faze him but D won't be fazed
Your High-ness, or His Majesty!
Now you can debate, you c-c-c-concentrate
But you can't imitate D.M.C. the Great!

Dissin all devils, causin havoc in HELL
At a very high level base and treble shall YELL
Heard in the heavens are the sounds supreme
So clear to the ear it is sometimes seen
So loud like a cloud with thunder and LIGHTNING
So proud to the crowd it is somewhat FRIGHTENING
No calm in the storm like a beast unleashed
There's no stoppin' 'cause the rockin cannot cease; BREAK!

You see it's harder than hard, not one bit soft
Courageous and contagious so you better break North
Not a cold, on a roll, did you hear me cough?
Just listen while I'm dissin cause you're pissin me off
Cold bedding is spreading all across your face
You can't take when I break and if that's the case
I'll go on, and on, and kick the bass
So back up off the cup while I take my taste

It's highly appraised when the hell is raised
So demanding and commanding that you all stand dazed
The unbelieving receiving prophecy so true
I cut the head off the Devil and I throw it at you
My mighty mic control, already brought his soul
The rock king is so bold when he rocks and roll
A black hat is my crown, symbolizin the sound
Signifyin, we won't play around; BUST IT!

Rappin and climbin beat-makin every day
No synthesizer sound, so silence when I say
I am great, get it straight, cause that's my fate

My name is Run I'm number one, that's how I rate
He's in the place with the bass, and style and grace
His name is Jay he's here to play, and win this race
Kind of tall yes y'all, he's down with me

From the mountain valley to the deep blue sea
The word is heard as told by D
I don't sing I bring, much delight
Like a star shinin bright in the darkest night
If you are cold, I'll bring you heat
Like I brought the whole world my funky beat
Mysterious and serious I ain't no joke
Fire from the depths of hell AND YOU CAN SMELL THE SMOKE!

Kickin and tickin while you're havin a ball
Like chicken finger lickin I'll be vickin you all
So +Do The Bird
, have you heard, did they give you a call
Just me and D.M.C., cold shakin the walls

There's no fearin when hearin sound of this kind
Across the land every man is goin out of his mind
On the face of the earth spreading like disease
Contaminating infiltrating like a horde of bees

Lord of lyrics, duke of discussion
Ruler of rock, and king at cold-crushin
Puller of people - controller of crowds
Lingering lyrics, long-lasting and loud

Left y'all, ah to the left y'all
Because I rock upon the mike real def y'all

And to the right y'all, ah to the right y'all
Because I rock upon the mike all night y'all

You see, I..

.. want respect, if I'm correct
They're all like a ball that I have checked
And the shots they take have no effect
The punk tried to dunk but he broke his neck
Cause I rock harder, and I get farther
You wanna battle D hey please don't bother
To waste your time, messin' with my rhyme
The only kick you get out of is in your behind!

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About “Raising Hell”

“Raising Hell” is the title track off of Run-DMC’s critically acclaimed album (1986) of the same name.

This might be the hardest (in terms of sound) thing Run-DMC has ever recorded. When the album was in development, Rick Rubin (executive producer for Raising Hell) had a thought of the album being a bit more rock than just rap fused with rock. That’s why this song and the “Walk This Way” cover were created.

Russell Simmons (founder and then-president of Def Jam Records, and Run’s brother) suggested the song’s name. This song is also noticeable for being the first official rap metal mixture. The guitar riff is more hard-hitting than what most rock bands were doing in 1986. Run and DMC also sound louder to complement the metal riff. Whoever performed the riff is still unknown. Answers range from Rubin himself to Jam-Master Jay (a bass player).

A demo of this song containing similar lyrics and a similar setup (Run and DMC yelling, a metal-influenced sound) was released on Raising Hell’s deluxe edition in 2005. It is entitled “Lord of Lyrics.”