Simon Says (Pharoahe Monch song)

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"Simon Says"
Single by Pharoahe Monch
from the album Internal Affairs
ReleasedAugust 17, 1999
GenreHardcore hip hop
Length2:53
LabelRawkus
Songwriter(s)Troy Jamerson
Producer(s)Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch singles chronology
"Simon Says"
(1999) 		"The Light"
(2000)
Music video
"Simon Says" on YouTube

"Simon Says" is the debut single by American rapper Pharoahe Monch. It was released on August 17, 1999, as the lead single from his debut studio album Internal Affairs (1999).[1] "Simon Says" is Monch's most popular song, and samples the theme song of the 1992 film Godzilla vs. Mothra.

Background[]

The song was released by Rawkus Records in 1999, and peaked at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 2000 films Charlie's Angels and Boiler Room.

In 2001, Pharaohe Monch was sued by Toho for the song's uncleared use of a sample from Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura (the theme to Godzilla vs. Mothra) in the hook. As a result, the distribution of Internal Affairs was halted.[2][3]

Remixes[]

An official remix of the song appears on Internal Affairs, and features American rappers Lady Luck, Method Man, Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Busta Rhymes.[4]

American rapper Hopsin released his own freestyle to the song on December 26, 2017.[5]

Charts[]

Chart (1999) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 97
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[7] 29
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[8] 3

References[]

  1. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Has More To Offer Than "Simon Says"". MTV News. October 27, 1999.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Icarus, Kid (2001-08-03). "Simon Says: "No more samples."". HipHopDX.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Findlay, Mitch (October 1, 2019). "Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" To Finally Hit Streaming Services". HotNewHipHop.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Patrin, Nate (2020-11-13). "20 Essential Late '90s Underground Rap Songs". Stereogum.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Findlay, Mitch (December 26, 2017). "Hopsin Destroys Pharoahe Monch's "Simon Says" In New Freestyle". HotNewHipHop.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  8. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
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