Pease Porridge

Album: De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based around a deceptively jaunty sample of American whistling and bone-playing recording artist Brothers Bones' "Black Eyed Susan Brown." You may know Brother Bones from his recording of the standard "Sweet Georgia Brown," which became internationally famous after being adopted as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952.

    Other samples in the song include James Browns' "Make It Funky," the Headhunters' "God Made Me Funky" and Harrell & Sharon Lucky's "Pease Porridge Hot" and "Finger Fun."
  • The lyric finds De La Soul pointing out that just because they are laid-back, it doesn't mean they'll let any one walk over them. Trugoy the Dove explained to Melody Maker: "That song's just saying that if people want to test us, we're not gonna stand for it. Just 'cos we spoke about being peaceful and positive, it doesn't mean we're gonna let ourselves be trampled on. We will do whatever it takes to defend ourselves. There have been situations where people tried to test us, and we defended ourselves, and whether it was worse for us or for them, it doesn't really matter."

    Trugoy added that he's not talking about gangsta rappers but kids of different ages that the band met in clubs. "They'd come to see our show, so it wasn't to do with music, it was just them wanting to test us as so-called peaceful people." he said.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.