| Cover | The Rapper (1970 The Jaggerz single).png |
|---|---|
| Artist | The Jaggerz |
| Album | We Went to Different Schools Together |
| B-side | Born Poor |
| Released | December 1969 |
| Genre | Rock, pop |
| Length | 2:41 |
| Label | Kama Sutra KA 502 |
| Writer | Dominic Ierace |
| Producer | Sixuvus Productions |
| Prev year | 1970 |
| Next year | 1970 |
"The Rapper" is a song by The Jaggerz, written by band member Donnie Iris.[1] 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.[2] It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970 (see 1970 in music) for selling over a million copies.[3]
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.[4]
Chart performance
Weekly charts
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian (Kent Music Report)[5] | 32 |
| Canada RPM[6] | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[7] | 2 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100[8] | 2 |
| U.S. Record World Singles[2] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1970) | Rank |
|---|---|
| Canada [9] | 48 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[10] | 45 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100[11] | 34 |
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
- We Went to Different Schools Together, 1970 (The Jaggerz)
- Live! At Nick's Fat City, 1998 (Donnie Iris)
- 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Donnie Iris, 2001 (Donnie Iris)
- Re-Rapped by Request, 2001 (The Jaggerz)
- Ah! Live!, 2009 (Donnie Iris)
- Full Circle, 2010 (Jimmie Ross)
See also
References
- ^ The Jaggerz. "The Rapper". YouTube. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
- ^ Tady, Scott. "50 years ago, the Jaggerz topped the charts". The Beaver County Times. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The Rapper by The Jaggerz". Archived 2019-05-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 28, 1970"
- ^ "March 21, 1970". Billboard Hot 100. Archived 2018-02-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
- ^ "Top 100 1970-03-21". Cashbox Magazine. Archived 2013-03-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Archived 28 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived 2017-10-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
- ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1970". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-09-22. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
