Shadrach (song)

For the 1930s Louis Armstrong and 1962 Brook Benton song, see Shadrack (Robert MacGimsey song).

"Shadrach"
An Exciting Evening at Home with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego EP cover
Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Paul's Boutique
Released	October 30, 1989
Format	7"
Recorded	1988
Genre	Hip hop, funk
Length	4:08 (single)
Label	Capitol
Writer(s)	Adam Yauch, Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz
Producer	Beastie Boys, Dust Brothers, Mario Caldato Jr.
Beastie Boys singles chronology
"Hey Ladies" (1989) "Shadrach" (1989) "Pass the Mic" (1992)

"Shadrach" is a song by rap trio Beastie Boys from their album Paul's Boutique. Released on October 30, 1989, it was the third and final single released from the album.

The song refers to the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel. However, the lyrics "Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego" in the track are used and sampled from Sly Stone's "Loose Booty", where they are repeated and spoken rhythmically throughout the track in an almost rap-like form. In verse two, the lyric, So I'm out pickin' pockets at the Atlantic Antic, refers to an annual Brooklyn street festival of that name.

Also in the song is a reference to the AC/DC album For Those About to Rock (We Salute You), in the lyrics "For those about to rock we salute you".

The video released to promote the Beastie Boys' song is particularly acclaimed^{[citation needed]} for its style and artistic beauty, as each frame was painted by hand.

The 12" record and CD versions of the single were released as an EP entitled An Exciting Evening at Home with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The video can be seen on the Beastie Boys Criterion Collection DVD set.

Track listings

7" single

1. "Shadrach" (4:07)
2. "And What You Give Is What You Get" (3:42)

An Exciting Evening with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego EP

1. "Shadrach" (4:07)
2. "Caught in the Middle of a 3-Way Mix" (2:32)
3. "And What You Give Is What You Get" (3:42)
4. "Car Thief" (3:39)
5. "Some Dumb Cop Gave Me 2 Tickets Already" (3:33)
6. "Your Sister's Def" (4:58)

Samples

• "Say What?" by Trouble Funk
• "That's the Joint" by Funky 4+1
• "Do Your Dance" by Rose Royce
• "Never Let 'Em Say" by Ballin' Jack
• "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
• "Hot and Nasty" by Black Oak Arkansas
• "Sugarhill Groove" by the Sugarhill Gang
• "Loose Booty" by Sly Stone

Notes

• Produced & arranged by the Beastie Boys & the Dust Brothers.
• Engineered by Mario Caldato & Allen Abrahamson.
• Samples taken from Sly Stone's "Loose Booty", from his 1974 album Small Talk.