"Sure Shot" is a song by American hip hop group
Beastie Boys, released as the third single from their fourth album ''
Ill Communication
''Ill Communication'' is the fourth studio album by American hip-hop group Beastie Boys, released by Grand Royal Records on May 31, 1994. Co-produced by Beastie Boys and Mario Caldato, Jr., it is among the band's most varied releases, drawing f ...
'' on June 2, 1994, two days after the album's release.
The song features a looped sample of jazz flautist
'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
Loretta Mary Aiken (March 19, 1894 – May 23, 1975), known by her stage name Jackie "Moms" Mabley, was an American stand-up comedian and actress. Mabley began her career on the theater stage in the 1920s and became a veteran entertainer of th ...
.
Release
The CD and cassette maxi single (with a total of 7 tracks) features three
remix
A remix (or reorchestration) is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, video, poem, or photograph can all be remixes. The o ...
es of the title track, by
Large Professor
William Paul Mitchell (born March 21, 1972), better known by the stage name of Large Professor (also Extra P. and Large Pro), is an American rapper and record producer. Based in New York City, he is known as a founding member of the underground ...
, 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
Adam H. Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze, is an American filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes commercials, film, music videos, skateboard videos and television.
Jonze began his ca ...
, the music video for the single features the group, along with
DJ Hurricane
Wendell Timothy Fite, also known as DJ Hurricane (born January 12, 1965) is an American hip hop DJ, producer and rapper. He is best known for his work with the Beastie Boys. He was a member of the groups Solo Sounds and The Afros and recorded ...
, performing, skating, and wearing suits while attending a party.
Track listing
# "Sure Shot" (LP Version)
# "Sure Shot" (Large Professor Remix)
# "Mullet Head"
# "The Vibes"
# "Sure Shot" (Nardone Mix)
# "Son Of Neckbone"
# "Sure Shot" (European B-Boy Mix)
Charts
References
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Beastie Boys songs
1994 singles
Music videos directed by Spike Jonze
Songs written by Mario Caldato Jr.
Song recordings produced by Mario Caldato Jr.
1994 songs
Capitol Records singles
Songs written by Mike D
Songs written by Ad-Rock
Songs written by Adam Yauch