"Taxi Driver" | ||||
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Single by Gym Class Heroes | ||||
from the album The Papercut Chronicles and The Papercut EP | ||||
Released | 2004 23 October 2004 (UK) | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Genre | Alternative hip hop | |||
Length | 1:59 | |||
Label | Decaydance, Fueled by Ramen | |||
Songwriter(s) | Travis McCoy | |||
Producer(s) | Travis McCoy | |||
Gym Class Heroes singles chronology | ||||
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"Taxi Driver" is a song by Gym Class Heroes. The song was first released on The Papercut EP, but was also included on the full-length and much more widely released The Papercut Chronicles . In the song's lyrics, frontman Travis McCoy namechecks 26 other bands and artists that Gym Class Heroes enjoy. "Taxi Driver" was the very first video produced for Gym Class Heroes. It was produced by Bill Pealer, Jason Gillotti, and Ryan Smith long before the band was attached to any record label.
The song was named #20 of the "50 Worst Songs of the '00s" in a 2009 Village Voice article. [1]
(However, Travie McCoy has claimed he is unsure as to all the bands referenced, suggesting there are allusions to other bands despite their names not being mentioned.)
They also mention their recording label, Fueled by Ramen, in the last line.
Hanoi Rocks were a Finnish rock band formed in 1979. They were the first Finnish band to chart in the UK and they were also popular in Japan. By 1984, the band was considered to be on the verge of an international breakthrough when they released their first major label album for CBS and headed for their first US tour. The tour was however cut short when their drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley died in a drunk driving incident with Vince Neil behind the wheel in December 1984. The band never recovered from the loss and announced their split in June 1985. After their initial break-up, lead singer Michael Monroe became the first Finnish artist to chart on the American Billboard 200 in 1989. Monroe and original lead guitarist Andy McCoy reunited in 2001 with a new lineup that lasted until 2009. Although musically closer to traditional rock n' roll and punk, Hanoi Rocks has been cited as a major influence in the glam metal genre for bands such as Guns N' Roses, Skid Row and Poison.
"In a World Gone Mad" is an anti-war protest song released by the Beastie Boys. It was made available in March 2003 on the band's website in MP3 format as a free download. In its lyrics it directly references the war on terror and war on Iraq as well as political figures George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein.
Gym Class Heroes is an American rap rock band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including hip hop, rock, funk, and reggae. After the addition of guitarist Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo and bassist Eric Roberts in 2003, the group was signed to Fueled by Ramen and Decaydance Records, on which they released their debut album, The Papercut Chronicles. The group gained a strong fanbase while promoting the album, appearing at festivals such as The Bamboozle and Vans Warped Tour.
"Big Yellow Taxi" is a song written, composed, and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell in 1970, and originally released on her album Ladies of the Canyon. It was a hit in her native Canada as well as Australia and the UK. It only reached No. 67 in the US in 1970, but was later a bigger hit there for her in a live version released in 1974, which peaked at No. 24. Charting versions have also been recorded by the Neighborhood, and most notably by Amy Grant in 1994 and Counting Crows in 2002. The song was also sampled in Janet Jackson's "Got 'til It's Gone" (1997).
The Papercut Chronicles is the second studio album by Gym Class Heroes released in 2005 by Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance. A sequel, The Papercut Chronicles II, was released in 2011. The album has sold over 32,000 copies in US.
As Cruel as School Children is the third studio album by American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, released by Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Records on July 25, 2006. It was produced by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.
"Cupid's Chokehold" is a song by American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, featuring the vocals of Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy. The song relies heavily on the music and chorus from Supertramp's hit song "Breakfast in America" written by Roger Hodgson. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 radio chart, number three on the UK Singles Chart, and number three on the Canadian Hot 100.
This is the complete discography of hip hop band Gym Class Heroes.
"Daylight" is a R&B song recorded by American recording artist Bobby Womack for his 1975 album Safety Zone. Written by Womack with lyricist Harold Payne, it was issued as a single and reached No. 5 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart in the spring of 1976.
The Quilt is the fourth studio album by the American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, released by Fueled By Ramen/Decaydance on September 9, 2008.
"Differently" is a song recorded by Australian pop singer Cassie Davis. It is the second single taken off her debut album of the same name. It features guest vocals from Travie McCoy, the lead singer of American hip hop group Gym Class Heroes. Signed copies of the single are available if pre-ordered at Sanity or JB Hi-Fi. The song went gold on 18 September 2009.
Lazarus is the debut studio album by American rapper Travie McCoy released on June 8, 2010. McCoy announced his plans to pursue a solo career in early 2010, although he insisted that Gym Class Heroes had not broken up. After creating demos of melancholy and low-tempo songs, McCoy decided to abandon his early material and start over, as he claimed the songs were "too personal". He began to write more uptempo "party anthems" with lyrical themes of overcoming grief. Musically, McCoy draws from various influences on the record, including hip hop, reggae, and rock.
Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, in addition to having a solo career. McCoy became involved with punk rock scenes as a teenager. He formed the band Gym Class Heroes with childhood friend Matt McGinley; after several line-up changes, the group was signed to Fueled by Ramen, which released their debut album.
"Stereo Hearts" is a song by American rap rock group Gym Class Heroes featuring Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. The song was released on June 14, 2011, as the lead single from the group's fifth studio album The Papercut Chronicles II (2011).
A paper cut is a gap in skin opened by an edge of a piece of paper.
The Papercut Chronicles II is the fifth studio album by American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes. It was released through Decaydance Records, Warner Bros. Records and Fueled by Ramen on November 15, 2011. It serves as a sequel to the group's second album, The Papercut Chronicles (2005). The album has sold 88,000 copies in the United States.
"Life Goes On" is a song by American alternative hip hop band Gym Class Heroes, released October 18, 2011 as the first promotional single from their fifth studio album The Papercut Chronicles II. The song, produced by Emile Haynie, features vocals from Danish singer-songwriter and record producer Oh Land.
"Ass Back Home" is a song by American group Gym Class Heroes featuring British singer-songwriter Neon Hitch. The song was first released on October 31, 2011, as the second single from the group's fifth studio album, The Papercut Chronicles II. The track was co-written and produced by Benny Blanco, who also produced previous hit "Stereo Hearts". "Ass Back Home" became the group's third biggest hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at number 12, also reaching number one in Australia, 11 in New Zealand and number 10 in Ireland.
"The Fighter" is a song by American rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, from their fifth studio album The Papercut Chronicles II. The song features vocals from American singer-songwriter and record producer Ryan Tedder of the band OneRepublic, and was released as the third and final single from the album on November 8, 2011. It was featured in the season finale of 90210 season 4 and the Cathay Pacific television commercial for the 2013 Hong Kong Sevens, as well as the background music of the introduction video of F1 2014.