Show Me What You Got

Album: Kingdom Come (2006)
Charted: 38 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • There are three prominent samples used in this song: The vocal refrain comes from "Show 'Em Whatcha Got" by Public Enemy (Flavor Flav's vocal. The saxophone loop is from "Darkest Light" by Afro Rock Band (also used in "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect) and the main loop comes from "Shaft In Africa" by Johnny Pate. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • This could be considered Jay-Z's comeback single, as he announced his retirement from rap after The Black Album in 2003. He devoted his efforts to running the Def Jam label, and his marketing acumen is apparent in the promotion of this song, which was the first single from Kingdom Come. The song made it's debut on ESPN's Monday Night Football (Jay-Z and ESPN have a cozy relationship - in his song "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" he mentions the network, and ESPN anchor Stuart Scott frequently uses Jay's lyrics as catch phrases in highlights), and was featured in commercials for Budweiser Select.
  • In the music video, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Danica Patrick are racing a Pagani Zonda S and a Ferrari F430 Spider. The video is based on scenes from several James Bond movies, including the car race in GoldenEye, the boat chase in The World Is Not Enough and the card game in Casino Royale. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR

Comments: 1

  • John from Mountain Lakes, NjThe syncopation rocks
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?