"Simon Says" is the debut single by American rapper Pharoahe Monch. It was released in 1999, as the lead single from his debut studio album Internal Affairs (1999).[1] "Simon Says" is Monch's most popular song, and it samples the theme song of the 1964 film Mothra vs. Godzilla.
| "Simon Says" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Pharoahe Monch | ||||
| from the album Internal Affairs | ||||
| Released | 1999 | |||
| Genre | Hardcore hip hop | |||
| Length | 2:53 | |||
| Label | Rawkus | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Troy Jamerson | |||
| Producer(s) | Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch | |||
| Pharoahe Monch singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Simon Says" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe song was released by Rawkus Records in 1999, and peaked at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 2000 films Charlie's Angels and Boiler Room.
In 2001, Pharoahe Monch was sued by Toho for the song's uncleared use of a sample from Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura (the theme to Godzilla vs. Mothra) in the hook. As a result, the distribution of Internal Affairs was halted.[2][3]
Remixes
editAn official remix of the song appears on Internal Affairs, and features American rappers Lady Luck, Method Man, Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Busta Rhymes.[4]
Charts
edit| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 97 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] | 29 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[7] | 3 |
References
edit- ^ "MTV | Homepage - Shows & Schedules". MTV. Archived from the original on 2021-11-27.
- ^ Icarus, Kid (2001-08-03). "Simon Says: "No more samples."". HipHopDX.
- ^ Findlay, Mitch (October 1, 2019). "Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" To Finally Hit Streaming Services". HotNewHipHop.
- ^ Patrin, Nate (2020-11-13). "20 Essential Late '90s Underground Rap Songs". Stereogum.
- ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.