It Takes Two (Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock song)

Last updated

"It Takes Two"
It Takes Two by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.jpg
Single by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
from the album It Takes Two
ReleasedJune 1, 1988 (1988-06-01)
Recorded1987
Genre Hip hop
Length
  • 5:00 (album version)
  • 4:32 (radio edit)
  • 3:31 (short edit)
Label Profile
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock
  • William Hamilton
Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock singles chronology
"It Takes Two"
(1988)
"Get on the Dance Floor"
(1988)

"It Takes Two" is a song by New York City hip hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock that became a top-40 single and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since it was released in 1988 by Profile Records, the song has been covered and sampled by several recording artists. [1]

Contents

"There are many critics and listeners who claim that Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock's 'It Takes Two' is the greatest hip-hop single ever cut," noted music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide. "It's hard to disagree with them." [2] Spin magazine published a list titled "100 Greatest Singles of All Time" in 1989 and ranked "It Takes Two" at number one. [3] In 2021, it was listed at number 116 on Rolling Stone 's "Top 500 Best Songs of All Time". [4]

Composition and background

The song was produced by Rob Base, DJ E-Z Rock, and William Hamilton and built around the "Yeah! Woo!" sample and other elements from Lyn Collins' 1972 song "Think (About It)." [5] [6] Rhonda Parris was brought in by Profile Records to sing the hook. [7] The song was sampled in November 1989 by the group Seduction in their hit song "Two to Make It Right" as well as by the Black Eyed Peas in their 2009 hit "Rock That Body".

Critical reception

Simon Reynolds from Melody Maker wrote, "The Rob Base/E.Z. Rock track is another exercise in attrition through overbearing sensual soul power. They take a shriek of JB at his most histrionic, and turn what is on the original record a singular peak of ecstasy into a jackknifing rhythmic copula that just goes on and on and on, like a locked groove. Climax after climax after climax. The effect is akin to hyperventilation." [8]

Charts

Chart (1988)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)24
US Billboard Hot 100 [9] 36
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [10] 3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [11] 17

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [12] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

"It Takes Scoop"

"It Takes Scoop"
Single by Fatman Scoop featuring the Crooklyn Clan
ReleasedFebruary 9, 2004 (2004-02-09)
Length
  • 4:19 (album version)
  • 2:50 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Fatman Scoop
  • Giotto Bini
  • Andrea Rizzo
Producer(s) The Crooklyn Clan
Fatman Scoop singles chronology
"Be Faithful"
(2003)
"It Takes Scoop"
(2004)
"In the Club"
(2004)
The Crooklyn Clansingles chronology
"Be Faithful"
(2003)
"It Takes Scoop"
(2004)

Charts

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United KingdomFebruary 9, 2004
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[31]
AustraliaApril 5, 2004CD [32]

See also

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