Principal's Office

Album: Stone Cold Rhymin' (1989)
Charted: 54 33
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Principal's Office" was Young MC's follow-up to his hit "Bust A Move," using his same lively, lighthearted storytelling style. In "Bust A Move" he overcomes a series of mishaps to find some luck with the ladies; "Principal's Office" is set in high school, where he keeps getting in trouble. That one doesn't have a happy ending - he tries to pass a note to a girl he likes, but the teacher intercepts it and reads it to the class. Now he has some humiliation to take to his usual trip to the principal's office.
  • The song got some airplay because "Bust A Move" was such a banger, but it didn't have much impact and faded fast. Young MC was 22 when it was released, so we knew he wasn't really in high school. That wasn't a problem back when Chuck Berry was in his 30s and singing about school, but this one came off very juvenile and had an audience that was much more limited. It was territory that DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince had already explored, and there were also rappers at this time who really were in school, like Another Bad Creation.
  • The piano groove on this song is a sample of a 1969 song by Lee Michaels called "Who Could Want More." There's also a drum sample from "La-La Means I Love You" by The Delfonics.
  • The opening dialogue ("Normally if I can help it I don't spend a lot of time in a principal's office") comes from a comedy album by Don Lonie called Don Lonie Talks With Teenagers.
  • "Principal's Office" did spend one week in the Top 40, peaking at #33, but that wasn't enough to scrub the "one-hit wonder" tag from Young MC, who will always be most associated with "Bust A Move." He also charted with "I Come Off" and "That's the Way Love Goes," and he co-wrote Tone Loc's hits "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina."
  • Young MC wrote this song with the same guys he wrote "Bust A Move" with: Matt Dike and Michael Ross. They were the bosses at his record label, Delicious Vinyl.

Comments: 2

  • Caroline from Atlanta, GaHaha. Cute song (:
    I miss this kind of rap.
  • Melissa from Green Bay, WiThis song is great and one of my favroites. I miss the old days of rap, when it was more laid back and about simple things of life instead of murder, drugs, hoes, and bling
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.