Sure Shot

"Sure Shot"
Single by Beastie Boys
from the album Ill Communication
ReleasedJune 2, 1994
StudioG-Son, Atwater Village; Tin Pan Alley, New York City
Length3:20
LabelGrand Royal, Capitol
Songwriter(s)Beastie Boys, DJ Hurricane, Mario Caldato Jr., Jeremy Steig
Producer(s)Beastie Boys, Mario Caldato Jr.
Beastie Boys singles chronology
"Get It Together"
(1994)
"Sure Shot"
(1994)
"Root Down"
(1995)
Music video
"Sure Shot" on YouTube

"Sure Shot" is a song by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released as the third single from their fourth album Ill Communication on June 2, 1994, two days after the album's release.

The song features a looped sample of jazz flautist Jeremy Steig's song "Howlin' for Judy" from the 1970 album Legwork. The brief vocal sample after the second verse ("Oh yes indeed, it's fun time") was taken from a comedy record by Moms Mabley.[1]

Release

The CD and cassette maxi single (with a total of 7 tracks) features three remixes of the title track, by Large Professor, Mike Nardone and Dred Scott, and the Prunes, respectively.

It also features 3 new songs, "Mullet Head" (a punk-rock-style song whose title references the much-ridiculed mullet hair-style), "Son of Neckbone" (an instrumental track) and "The Vibes", a more traditional rap song akin to "Sure Shot". "Mullet Head" was also featured on the 1994 EP Pretzel Nugget.

Music video

Directed by Spike Jonze, the music video for the single features the group, along with DJ Hurricane, performing, skating, and wearing suits while attending a party.

Track listing

  1. "Sure Shot" (LP Version)
  2. "Sure Shot" (Large Professor Remix)
  3. "Mullet Head"
  4. "The Vibes"
  5. "Sure Shot" (Nardone Mix)
  6. "Son Of Neckbone"
  7. "Sure Shot" (European B-Boy Mix)

Charts

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[2] 15
UK Singles (OCC)[3] 27
US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales[4] 48

References

  1. ^ "The Beastie Boys' 'Sure Shot' Deconstructed". 10 May 2012.
  2. ^ "BEASTIE BOYS - SURE SHOT" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  3. ^ "Beastie Boys Album & Song Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  4. ^ "Beastie Boys - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-05-10.