Rock the Bells

DJ Revolution, LL Cool J

About Rock the Bells

"Rock the Bells" is the third single from LL Cool J's debut album, "Radio". It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings, was written by LL Cool J and produced by Rick Rubin. It was the follow-up to "I Can Give You More". "Rock the Bells" peaked at #17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Despite the song's title, no bells can be heard in the album recording. The original version of the song, riddled with bells of various types including a cowbell, is 7 minutes and 11 seconds long and was only released on 12 inch vinyl. It was based on the 1982 song "Breaking Bells" by Crash Crew. The song was later sampled by LL Cool J himself for his song "Mama Said Knock You Out", from his album of the same name. The intro was famously parodied by English footballer John Barnes for his 1988 single "Anfield Rap". The song also featured in the 2002 video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 and the 2008 video game Skate It and "Skate 2". The song was also used in the video game DJ Hero in which it was mixed with The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony". The song was later featured on LL Cool J's compilation album All World: Greatest Hits. 


Year:
2005
2:31
128 

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L.L. Cool J. is hard as hell
Battle anybody I don't care who you tell
I excel, they all fail
I'm gonna crack shells, Double-L must rock the bells

You've been waitin' and debatin' for oh so long
Just starvin' like Marvin for a Cool J. song
If you cried and thought I died, you definitely was wrong
It took a thought, plus I brought Cut Creator along
Evened up with E-Love down with the Cool J. force
Symbolizin' in the rhymin' for the record of course
I'm a tower full of power with rain and hail
Cut Creator scratch the record with his fingernail
Rock the bells

The king of crowd rockers finally is back
My voice is your choice as the hottest wax
True as a wizard, just a blizzard, I ain't taken no crap
I'm rhymin' and designin' with your girl in my lap
The bass is kickin' always stickin' cause you like it that way
You take a step because it's def and plus it's by Cool J.
Cut Creator on the fader, my right-hand man
We rock the bells so very well cause that's the name of this jam
Rock the bells

Some girl's will like this jam and some girls won't
Cause I make a lot of money and your boyfriend don't
L.L. went to hell, gonna rock the bells
All you washed up rappers want to do this well
Rock the bells

Now I'm world-wide known, whether you like it or not
My one man band is Cut Creator a.k.a. Philpot
He'll never skip it, only rip it when he's on the fader
What's my DJ's name, Cut Creator
Now you know the episode who's on the wheels
He'll drive the cross fader like a cut mobile
So precise with a slice that you know he's greater
What's my DJ's name, Cut Creator
Now you know, what do you know, Earl roles the weed
I go to the store and get Old Gold
So all you crabby lookin' nappy headed girls get back
Cause there's a ten to one chance that you might get smacked
Rock the bells

The bells are circulatin' the blood in your veins
Why are girlies on the tip, L.L.'s your name
Cut Creator's good, Cool J. is good-good
You bring the wood pecker, I'll bring the wood
The bells are wippin' and rippin' at your body and soul
Why do you like Cool J., we like rock and roll
Cause it ain't the glory days with Bruce Springsteen
I'm not a virgin so I know I'll make Madonna scream
You hated Michael and Prince all the way, ever sense
If their beats were made of meat, then they would have to be mince
Rock the bells

So listen to the lines of rhyme, I rhyme on time
He'll cut the record in a second, make your DJ look blind
So all you jerry-curl suckers wearin' high-heel boots
Like ballerinas, what I mean is you're a fruit-loop troop
All you gonna-be(s), want to-be(s), when will you learn
Want to be like Cool J., you gotta wait your turn
Some suckers don't like me, but I'm not concerned
Six-g (s) for twenty minutes is the pay I earn
I'm growin' and glowin' like a forest blaze
Do you like Michael Jackson, we like Cool J.
That's right, I'm on the mic with the help of the bells
There's no delayin' what I'm sayin' as I'm rockin' you well
Rock the bells

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LL Cool J

James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, for Ladies Love Cool James ), is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor from Bay Shore, New York. He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released thirteen studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, including 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings, and currently has a new studio album in the works. He has also appeared in numerous films, including Halloween H20: 20 Twenty Years Later, and currently stars as NCIS Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama… more »

2 fans

Written by: JAMES TODD SMITH, RICK RUBIN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


5 facts about this song

Background Facts
"Rock the Bells" is a song by American rapper LL Cool J, whose real name is James Smith. - The song was released on January 5, 1987, as the third single from his debut album, "Radio". - This legendary Hip Hop song was released under Def Jam Recordings, a label famously co-founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons.
Song Composition & Reception
The song is known for its hard-hitting beats and simplistic yet distinctive bell-like sound that is used throughout the track, hence the name "Rock the Bells". - It does not contain any actual melodies or instrumentation beyond the pronounced drumbeat. - Upon its release, "Rock the Bells" was critically acclaimed and it further cemented LL Cool J's reputation as one of hip-hop's rising stars.
Music Video Facts
A music video was also released to promote the single. The video features LL Cool J in an energetic performance, which helped to further popularize the song. - Ironically, despite its title and the consistent bell sound throughout the song, the music video does not feature any actual bell.
Chart Performance
"Rock the Bells" enjoyed considerable success in the United States. - On the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it peaked at number 17, while it topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart.
Legacy & Influence
"Rock the Bells" has also been sampled and covered by numerous hip hop artists over the years, which speaks to its influence. - It is considered a classic in hip hop and has been influential in shaping the genre’s sound. - Its popularity led to LL Cool J naming his Sirius XM Hip-Hop channel, "Rock The Bells Radio".

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