His voice came out of Ford speakers and bar jukeboxes, from radio
headphones or the tape deck from an old basement stereo system. The instances
are so numerous that, as I type this, I can still see friends dancing and
mimicking lyrics from songs off Paul’s
Boutique or Ill Communication.
It’s not that Yauch himself was inspiring or emotionally invigorating,
instilling everyone at our parties with some expanded world view or political
conscience; that wasn’t it. He—along with his bandmates Mike D and Ad Rock—were
simply responsible for the rhythms and beats that carried so many of our
reckless or carefree nights and weekends. Their music elicited laughter and
air-scratching; it stopped parties and started ridiculous dance contests; and
it inspired the opportunity to shout hilariously crude statements about parties
and mashed potatoes.
Now, as we grow older and transition deep into adulthood,
those remembered moments will forever be soundtracked by MCA’s sonic imprint.
Until I pull something together of greater length on this
subject, I wanted to offer the below playlist (with audio or video links) to the honor Yauch’s memory.
Enjoy it alone or gather with friends, ones who know all the words to
“Root Down”—or can recognize the greatest use of an Abbey Road
“Four and three and two and one.”
- Skills To Pay The Bills
- Do It
- Shake Your Rump
- Jimmy James
- Sure Shot
- Root Down
- Hold It Now, Hit It
- Unite
- Make Some Noise
- Sabotage
- The Sounds of Science
- The
Negotiation
- So What’cha Want
- Heart Attack Man
- Ch-Check It Out
- Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win
- Get It Together
- The New Style
- Flute
- Egg Man
- Intergalactic
- Pass The Mic
- Professor Booty
- B-Boys Makin’ With The Freak Freak
- Super Disco Breakin’
(Author's Note: This entry was finished while listening to "Unite" by the Beastie Boys.)
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