Rock the Bells (song)
Encyclopedia
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 released on 12 inch vinyl only contains a 7 minute 11 second version of the song with riddled with bells of various types including a cowbell.
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
. The song was also used in the video game DJ Hero
in which it was mixed with The Verve
's "Bittersweet Symphony".
, DJ Jazzy Jeff
, and The Roots
performed “Rock the Bells” on VH1 Hip Hop Honors as a tribute to Def Jam Recordings
, and several artists, including Eminem
and Goodie Mob
have referenced the song in their own songs.
The quality of the final mixdown is critically referenced as an example in Del The Funky Homosapien's "Don't Forget The Bass":
"Listening to 'Rock The Bells' / You can barely hear the vocals / Mixing is important, getting the public into chokeholds"
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
's debut album, Radio
Radio (LL Cool J album)
Radio is the debut album of American rapper LL Cool J, released November 18, 1985 on Def Jam Recordings in the United States. It serves as the label's first full-length album release. Recording sessions for the album took place during 1984 to 1985 at Chung King House of Metal in New York City...
. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
, was written by LL Cool J and produced by Rick Rubin. It was the follow-up to I Can Give You More
I Can Give You More
I Can Give You More is the second single from LL Cool J's first album Radio. It was released in 1985 for Def Jam Recordings and was written and produced by Rick Rubin and LL Cool J. The song peaked at #21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. I Can Give You More was released with another single as the...
. Rock the Bells peaked at #17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
. Despite the song's title, no bells can be heard in the album recording. The Original version released on 12 inch vinyl only contains a 7 minute 11 second version of the song with riddled with bells of various types including a cowbell.
The song was later sampled by LL Cool J himself for his song "Mama Said Knock You Out
Mama Said Knock You Out (song)
"Mama Said Knock You Out" is a hit single by LL Cool J from his album of the same name. The song famously begins with the line "Don't call it a comeback/I've been here for years." Before "Mama Said Knock You Out" was released, many people felt that LL Cool J's career was waning; his grandmother,...
", from his album of the same name. The intro was famously parodied by English footballer John Barnes
John Barnes (footballer)
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times...
for his 1988 single "Anfield Rap
Anfield Rap
The "Anfield Rap" was a song released by members of Liverpool F.C. before the 1988 FA Cup Final against Wimbledon FC. The song reached #3 in the UK singles chart. The song was co-written by Liverpool's midfielder Craig Johnston and rapper Derek B-Style:...
". The song also featured in the 2002 video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
Mat Hoffman Pro BMX 2 is the sequel to Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX. It was made available for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.-Gameplay:...
and the 2008 video game Skate It
Skate It
Skate It is a skateboarding video game developed by EA Montreal, Exient Entertainment and EA Black Box for the Nintendo DS, Wii, and iOS. The game is a spin-off of 2007's Skate, and the developers have stated that it is not a port or sequel but rather an original game. It was released on November...
. The song was also used in the video game DJ Hero
DJ Hero
DJ Hero is a music video game, developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision as a rhythm game spin-off of the Guitar Hero franchise. It was released on October 27, 2009 in North America and on October 29, 2009 in Europe...
in which it was mixed with The Verve
The Verve
The Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...
's "Bittersweet Symphony".
Legacy
The song is widely regarded as a classic by many in the hip hop community. EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Jeffrey Allen Townes , also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff or simply Jazz, is an American hip hop, R&B record producer, turntablist and actor. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince...
, and The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
performed “Rock the Bells” on VH1 Hip Hop Honors as a tribute to Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings
Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...
, and several artists, including Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
and Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob is a Hip Hop act based in Atlanta, Georgia that formed in 1991 and currently consists of members Cee-Lo Green, Khujo, T-Mo and Big Gipp.-History:The group's name acts as a double backronym...
have referenced the song in their own songs.
The quality of the final mixdown is critically referenced as an example in Del The Funky Homosapien's "Don't Forget The Bass":
"Listening to 'Rock The Bells' / You can barely hear the vocals / Mixing is important, getting the public into chokeholds"