The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Kick off your shoes, jump on the jock
And listen to the Jam-Master as he starts to rock
His name is Jay and he's on his way
To be the best DJ in the U-S-of-A
J-A-Y are the letters of his name
Cuttin' and scratchin' are the aspects of his game
So check out the Master as he cuts these jams
And look at us with the mics in our hands
Then take a count, one, two, three
Jam-Master Jay, Run-DMC
He's Jam-Master Jay, the big beat blaster
He gets better 'cause he knows he has to
In '84 he'll be a little faster
And only practice makes a real Jam-Master
We're live as can be but we're not singin' the blues
We got to tell all y'all the good news
The good news is that there is a crew
Not five, not four, not three, just two
Two MC's who are claiming the fame
And all other things won't be the same
Because it's about time for a brand new group
Run-DMC to put you up on the scoop
We make the fly girls scream in ecstasy
We rock the freshest rhymes at a party
We put all the fellas in a daze
It's everyone that we amaze
And we got the master of a disco scratch
There's not a break that he can't catch
Jam-Master Jay, that is his name
And all wild DJs, he will tame
Behind the turntables is where he stands
Then there is the movement of his hands
So when asked who's the best, y'all should say
Run-DMC and Jam-Master Jay
Jam-Master Jay is the one in charge
It's up to him to rock beats that are truly large
He is the master of a scratch and cut
So move your arms, so move your legs, so won't you move your butt?
We're not talkin' ground, we're not talkin' sky
We're not talkin' low, we're not talkin' high
We're not talkin' big, we're not talkin' small
We want all of the people on off the wall
We're not talkin' night, we're not talkin' day
But we're talkin' 'bout Jam-Master Jay
Huh-huh, ha, ha-ha
And listen to the Jam-Master as he starts to rock
His name is Jay and he's on his way
To be the best DJ in the U-S-of-A
J-A-Y are the letters of his name
Cuttin' and scratchin' are the aspects of his game
So check out the Master as he cuts these jams
And look at us with the mics in our hands
Then take a count, one, two, three
Jam-Master Jay, Run-DMC
He's Jam-Master Jay, the big beat blaster
He gets better 'cause he knows he has to
In '84 he'll be a little faster
And only practice makes a real Jam-Master
We're live as can be but we're not singin' the blues
We got to tell all y'all the good news
The good news is that there is a crew
Not five, not four, not three, just two
Two MC's who are claiming the fame
And all other things won't be the same
Because it's about time for a brand new group
Run-DMC to put you up on the scoop
We make the fly girls scream in ecstasy
We rock the freshest rhymes at a party
We put all the fellas in a daze
It's everyone that we amaze
And we got the master of a disco scratch
There's not a break that he can't catch
Jam-Master Jay, that is his name
And all wild DJs, he will tame
Behind the turntables is where he stands
Then there is the movement of his hands
So when asked who's the best, y'all should say
Run-DMC and Jam-Master Jay
Jam-Master Jay is the one in charge
It's up to him to rock beats that are truly large
He is the master of a scratch and cut
So move your arms, so move your legs, so won't you move your butt?
We're not talkin' ground, we're not talkin' sky
We're not talkin' low, we're not talkin' high
We're not talkin' big, we're not talkin' small
We want all of the people on off the wall
We're not talkin' night, we're not talkin' day
But we're talkin' 'bout Jam-Master Jay
Huh-huh, ha, ha-ha
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
Jam-Master Jay Lyrics as written by Jason William Mizell Darryl Matthews Mcdaniels
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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this was only added recently? thought it woulda been here ages ago. i dont really like this song,the lyrics just seem too basic. just not DMC style.
Back in the day when DJs ruled, MCs had to bow down. Show respect. Give props to their MC. The "meaning" of the song is not as important as the beat, the cut, the mix--giving Jay the spotlight. Skill wise, as a pure DJ, I would agree that JMJ was not tops. But like Ringo's heavy beat, like George Harrison's lead and rhythm... were they the best drummers or guitarists? No. But who would deny their musicianship? Even Lennon/McCartney for that matter. JMJ knew how to create epic, dope tracks. Legend.