It's Tricky - Run DMC

Artist: Run DMC
Song: It's Tricky
Year: 1986
Album: Raising Hell

This was one of the most underrated songs in the mid-eighties. It almost never got played on the radio because of the other massive hits from this album. At least it never got played much in the Chicago area. I can't really say for other parts of the country or the world, for that matter. By the time "It's Tricky" was released as a single in 1987, the previous singles from the album dominated over this. Although "It's Tricky" did very well on the charts, so it must have been played more often elsewhere.

I can remember this album being a reward for successfully going through the anguish of getting a shot at the doctor's office. This was back when they used to do that sort of thing in the office and not at the hospital. I hated needles as a kid, so I usually had to be bribed to get me to go to the doctor's office willingly. I still don't care for needles, but I can tolerate them, if absolutely necessary.

Darryl McDaniels (DMC) reportedly drank to excess because he was living the lifestyle he thought he should portray with the music of Run DMC. I always took the positive messages from the music and applied them to my life. Stay in school, do your homework, respect your parents, don't do drugs, respect yourself, and many others. I was very impressionable at ten years old, and this album was one of the best influences at that time. It helped shape me into who I am today. I still hold those core values. I thought that if these famous superstars can live like that, I can too. I never heard about the troubles of Darryl McDaniels until much later in life. I'm very happy to hear that he is in a much better place.

"It's Tricky" is a kind of calling card to open the album up properly. It's the second song, but it feels like more of an introduction, than a song somewhere in the middle of side one.

Lyrics:
This speech is my recital, I think it's very vital
To rock a rhyme, that's right on time
It's Tricky is the title, here we go...

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...it's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...Tr-tr-tr-tricky (Tricky) Trrrrrrrrrrricky

I met this little girlie, her hair was kinda curly
Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
These girls are really sleazy, all they just say is please me
Or spend some time and rock a rhyme, I said "It's not that easy"

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...(How is it D?) It's Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Trrrrrricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...Tricky (Tricky) Tricky

In New York the people talk and try to make us rhyme
They really (hawk) but we just (walk) because we have no time
And in the city it's a pity cause we just can't hide
Tinted windows don't mean nothin', they know who's inside

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...(How is it D?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky) huh!

When I wake up people take up mostly all of my time
I'm not singin', phone keep ringin' cause I make up a rhyme
I'm not braggin', people naggin' cause they think I'm a star
Always tearin' what I'm wearin', I think they're goin' too far
A girl named Carol follows Daryll every gig we play
Then D dissed her and dismissed her, now she's jockin' Jay
I ain't lyin', girls be cryin' cause I'm on TV
They even bother my poor father cos he's down with me

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...(How is it?) Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky)
It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time
It's Tricky...Tr-tr-tr-tr-tr-tricky (Tr-Tr-Tr-Tricky) Tr-tr-tr...

We are not thugs we don't use drugs but you assume on your own
They offer coke and lots of dope but we just leave it alone
It's like that y'all (y'all), but we don't quit
You keep on (rock!) shock! Cause this is it...