"Can It Be All So Simple" is the third and final single from
Wu-Tang Clan's critically acclaimed debut album ''
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)''. It features production from
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name the RZA ( ), is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and record producer. He is the ''de facto'' leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having produced most albums ...
(credited as Prince Rakeem) that samples
Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "
The Way We Were". The song reached number nine on the
Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, number twenty four on the
Hot Rap Tracks chart and number eighty two on the
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
"Can It Be All So Simple" features rapping from
Ghostface Killah and
Raekwon. Its lyrics deal with a glorified
mafioso lifestyle. In the song, Raekwon and Ghostface discuss the hardships of growing up in New York City during the 1980s, and how they want to live a lavish and famous lifestyle to escape the hardships of life. The
music video was directed by
Hype Williams,
with images similar to the song's content and a cameo by
MC Eiht.
A remix with new lyrics can be found on
Raekwon's debut album ''
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...''. Additionally,
Lauryn Hill's "
Ex-Factor" uses the break beat from "Can It Be All So Simple".
Song order
Original
* Intro:
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name the RZA ( ), is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and record producer. He is the ''de facto'' leader of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, having produced most albums ...
and
Raekwon
* First verse: Raekwon
** ''Chorus'': Raekwon and
Ghostface Killah
* Second verse: Ghostface Killah
Remix
* Intro: Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
* First verse: Ghostface Killah
** ''Chorus'': Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
* Second verse: Raekwon
* Outro: Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
Track listing
A-side
# "Can It Be All Be So Simple" (Radio Edit) – (4:19)
# "Can It Be All So Simple" (Album Version) – (4:43)
# "Can It Be All So Simple" (Instrumental) – (5:03)
B-side
# "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Radio Edit) – (3:36)
# "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Album Version) – (3:36)
# "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Instrumental) – (3:31)
References
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1993 songs
1994 singles
Wu-Tang Clan songs
Song recordings produced by RZA
Music videos directed by Hype Williams
Hardcore hip hop songs
Loud Records singles
Songs written by Ghostface Killah
Songs written by Raekwon
Songs written by RZA