Mike On The Mic
Beastie Boys · Other Songs - Beastie Boys
I laid the bait and then she took the tackle
Had too much to drink at the Red Lobster
Now the room is spinning around like the blades of a helicopter
I never met a girl that was too finicky
If the press has their way then they're going to finish me
You might know this but you've never been this see
If I ate spinach then I'd be called Spinach D
I shed light like cats shed fur
Ride around town like Raymond Burr
I'm so high that they call me Your Highness
If you don't know me then pardon my shyness
I live in the Village wherever I go I walk to
Keepin' my friends around so I have someone to talk to
I play my music loud because you know it's got clout to it
It's a trip it's got a funky beat and I can bug out to it
Mike On The Mic
Mike On The Mic stands as a defining track from the Beastie Boys' 1986 debut album, Licensed to Ill. The song features a distinctive spoken-word intro by Mike D., who delivers a humorous monologue about his love for the microphone before the band launches into their signature hard-hitting hip-hop beat. This recording captures the group's early evolution from punk rock influences into a pioneering force in hip-hop, blending aggressive instrumentation with witty lyricism. The track exemplifies the band's ability to mix high-energy performance with self-deprecating humor, establishing a template for the genre that would influence countless artists in the decades to follow. It remains a cornerstone of their discography, showcasing the collaborative spirit and raw energy that characterized their breakthrough era.