Paul Revere

About this song

Released in 1986 on Licensed to Ill, the song helped establish the Beastie Boys. It was produced by Rick Rubin, and its backwards 808 drumbeat is one of its notable features. The song was reportedly inspired when the Beastie Boys were waiting outside a recording studio for Run-DMC, and Joseph Simmons, aka Run, approached them and asked to tell a story, after which the two groups wrote the lyrics together.

What it's about

The song tells the story of how the Beastie Boys got acquainted with each other. The title has nothing to do with the American figure Paul Revere; it is the name of Adrock's horse, a reference to the song "Fugue for Tinhorns" from Guys and Dolls.

Summary written with AI, based on the song's page on Genius.

Fun facts

• Samples “Rocket in the Pocket (Live in Paris) by Cerrone” and “Hardcore Hip-Hop by Mantronix”.
• Sampled in 51 other songs, like “Krispy by Kia Shine”.
• Written by Ad-Rock, Rick Rubin, D.M.C. and Rev Run.
• Produced by Beastie Boys and Rick Rubin.
• Recorded at Chung King Studios (New York City).