Sabotage

About this song

"Sabotage" is track 6 on Beastie Boys' fourth studio album, Ill Communication, and was released as the album's first single in January 1994, several months before the album came out. Ad-Rock has said he jokingly wrote the lyrics about the group's then-producer, Mario Caldato Jr. The song's music video, directed by Spike Jonze, was a parody of 1970s police shows and received five nominations at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards...

What it's about

The lyrics are a joking take on the group's producer, Mario Caldato Jr., portrayed as someone holding the band back and trying to ruin their work.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 4 other songs, like “Sabotage by JOHNNASCUS”.
• Covered 16 times, including “Sabotero by Cuchillazo”.
• Written by Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock.
• Produced by Beastie Boys and Mario Caldato Jr..
• Recorded at G-Son Studios.