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"The Rapper"
Single by The Jaggerz
from the album We Went to Different Schools Together
B-side"Born Poor"
ReleasedJanuary 1970[1]
GenreRock, pop
Length2:41
LabelKama Sutra KA 502
Songwriter(s)Dominic Ierace
Producer(s)Sixuvus Productions
The Jaggerz singles chronology
"Need Your Love"
(1970) 		"The Rapper"
(1970) 		"I Call My Baby Candy"
(1970)
45 RPM colored vinyl
Limited edition release

"The Rapper" is a song by The Jaggerz, written by band member Donnie Iris.[2] Released as a single, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, behind Simon & Garfunkel's smash "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on 20 March 1970, it reached No. 1 on the Record World Singles chart.[3] It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970 (see 1970 in music) for selling over a million copies.[4]

Background

The song is addressed to a girl, or girls in general; it describes the method of a man who seduces women with untruths ("rapping"). The singer says, "You know what he's after"; he concludes by saying there comes a point at which the man has his target where he wants her, and the girl has to "face reality". The record ends with a small burst of applause heard in the studio.

The "rapper" of the title and "rappin'" in the lyrics have only some coincidental resemblance to the vocal style of rapping.[5]

Chart performance

Covers

"The Rapper" has been covered by two Jaggerz members. Since beginning his solo career, Donnie Iris has covered the song numerous times in concert. Additionally, live recordings of the song have appeared on his compilation albums.

Also, "The Rapper" was covered by Jimmie Ross during the time period when The Jaggerz weren't together. Additionally, the single was covered by Wolfman Jack. Canadian hard rock trio Santers recorded the song for their 1981 debut album Shot Down In Flames.

Album appearances

See also

References

  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (2009). Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records. Krause Publications. p. 357. ISBN 978-0-89689-958-2.
  2. ^ The Jaggerz. "The Rapper". YouTube. Retrieved 19 September 2023. Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
  3. ^ a b Tady, Scott. "50 years ago, the Jaggerz topped the charts". The Beaver County Times. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  4. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 262. ISBN 0-214-20512-6. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  5. ^ "The Rapper by The Jaggerz". Archived from the original on 2019-05-27. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 153. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "March 21, 1970". Billboard Hot 100. Archived from the original on 2018-02-05. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  8. ^ "Top 100 1970-03-21". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  9. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  11. ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1970". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-09-22. Retrieved 2016-07-07.


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