You Be Illin'
| "You Be Illin' " | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Run–D.M.C. | ||||
| from the album Raising Hell | ||||
| B-side | "Hit It Run" | |||
| Released | October 20, 1986 | |||
| Recorded | 1986 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:26 | |||
| Label | Profile | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Run–D.M.C. singles chronology | ||||
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"You Be Illin' " is the third single released by Run–D.M.C. from their third album, Raising Hell. It was released in 1986 through Profile Records as the follow-up to the rap rock crossover hit, "Walk This Way", and was produced by Run-D.M.C.
Background[edit]
The slang term illing means to "be uncool and unrelaxed", "be acting crazy", "be 'tripping' or 'bugging' ", or "be acting 'wack' ".[1] The song describes some examples of "illing" and chides a fictitious individual for his "illing" behavior. Such examples include a man ordering a Big Mac and french fries at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant, calling out "Touchdown!" at a basketball game, repelling a woman at a party with drunken behavior and bad breath, and being oblivious to the fact he is eating dog food for dinner.
Reception[edit]
Cash Box called it "a humorous poke at social faux pas and has the earmarks of becoming a huge novelty hit."[2]
Track listing[edit]
A-side[edit]
- "You Be Illin' " – 3:26
B-side[edit]
- "Hit It Run" – 3:10
Charts[edit]
The song peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the Hot Black Singles chart.
| Chart (1986-1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[3] | 29 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Tip)[4] | 13 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 29 |
| US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)[6] | 12 |
| US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[7] | 44 |
Cover versions[edit]
- In 2012, The Carolina Chocolate Drops covered "You Be Illin' " on a bonus track of their album, Leaving Eden.
References[edit]
- ^ "Where Illin' Came from". 10 January 2012.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. November 1, 1986. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Run DMC – You Be Illin'" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- ^ Single Tip (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
- ^ The Billboard Hot 100 – Chart Listing For The Week Of Dec 20 1986 – You Be Illin, Billboard.com
- ^ Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Chart Listing For The Week Of Dec 06 1986 – You Be Illin, Billboard.com
- ^ Hot Dance Club Play – Chart Listing For The Week Of Dec 27 1986 – You Be Illin, Billboard.com