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3 Feet High and Rising

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

3 Feet High and Rising was De La Soul's debut album and was released on 6 February 1989 on Tommy Boy Records. It was the first of three collaborations with the producer Prince Paul. The title is derived from the Johnny Cash song Five Feet High and Rising. While gangsta rap was on the rise, with hard and confrontational lyrics, this album opted for a playful, positive tone and strange subjects, from dandruff to gardening.

The production leans heavily on samples from funk and soul, but also from doo-wop, psychedelic rock and children's music. The skits in the form of a quiz show are also well known. The singles were Me Myself and I, The Magic Number, Buddy and Eye Know. Critics were enthusiastic and in The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll the album finished at number one in 1989. Because of concerns over the rights to the samples, it only appeared on streaming services in 2023.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Me Myself and I and notice how light and playful it sounds compared with the hard rap of the time. Try to hear which familiar records are hidden beneath the beat.

Track list

  1. 1Intro (3 Feet High and Rising)1:41Apple Music ↗
  2. 2The Magic Number3:16Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Change In Speak2:33Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Cool Breeze On the Rocks (The Melted Version)0:18Apple Music ↗
  5. 5Can U Keep a Secret1:41Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin's Revenge)3:25Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Ghetto Thang3:36Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Eye Know (feat. Otis Redding)4:13Apple Music ↗
  9. 9Take It Off1:53Apple Music ↗
  10. 10A Little Bit of Soap0:57Apple Music ↗
  11. 11Tread Water3:46Apple Music ↗
  12. 12Potholes In My Lawn3:50Apple Music ↗
  13. 13Say No Go4:20Apple Music ↗
  14. 14Do As De La Does2:12Apple Music ↗
  15. 15Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend)4:07Apple Music ↗
  16. 16De La Orgee1:00Apple Music ↗
  17. 17Buddy (feat. Jungle Brothers & Q-Tip)4:55Apple Music ↗
  18. 18Description1:31Apple Music ↗
  19. 19Me Myself and I3:49Apple Music ↗
  20. 20This Is a Recording 4 Living In a Fulltime Era (L.I.F.E.)3:11Apple Music ↗
  21. 21I Can Do Anything (Delacratic)0:41Apple Music ↗
  22. 22D.A.I.S.Y. Age4:43Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs