Pease Porridge

Album: De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based around a deceptively jaunty sample of American whistling and bone-playing recording artist Brothers Bones' "Black Eyed Susan Brown." You may know Brother Bones from his recording of the standard "Sweet Georgia Brown," which became internationally famous after being adopted as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952.

    Other samples in the song include James Browns' "Make It Funky," the Headhunters' "God Made Me Funky" and Harrell & Sharon Lucky's "Pease Porridge Hot" and "Finger Fun."
  • The lyric finds De La Soul pointing out that just because they are laid-back, it doesn't mean they'll let any one walk over them. Trugoy the Dove explained to Melody Maker: "That song's just saying that if people want to test us, we're not gonna stand for it. Just 'cos we spoke about being peaceful and positive, it doesn't mean we're gonna let ourselves be trampled on. We will do whatever it takes to defend ourselves. There have been situations where people tried to test us, and we defended ourselves, and whether it was worse for us or for them, it doesn't really matter."

    Trugoy added that he's not talking about gangsta rappers but kids of different ages that the band met in clubs. "They'd come to see our show, so it wasn't to do with music, it was just them wanting to test us as so-called peaceful people." he said.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?