Rick James

Lyrics

8 ContributorsP.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P. LyricsSay, girl, what's happening, baby?
You know you're sitting on a goldmine
You need to follow me
Uh, you could make lots of money
And of course I could rest and dress
And read the funnies

Mary chose a pimp, he put her on the street
It was no accident, she was found in a hotel suite
Face down in the floor, lying in her underwear
No one even cried and no one even seemed to care

That Mary had a pimp, ooh, yeah
Mary had a P.I.M.P., I, I, I wanna tell you
Mary had a pimp, hey, he was a real pimp
Mary had a P.I.M.P

And her mama said, Mary's going crazy
Mary's gone out of her mind
Didn't she know the price she had to pay
Was high to be a hoe
And didn't she know, she is a pimper's party
She is a pimp's delight
Now she's gone and he's still left to carry on
It's so wrong, so wrong
You might also likeP.I.M.P., pimp, the simp!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, pimp simping)

Uh, excuse me baby, but my name is Don Wonder
And I wonder if I could buy you a drink
'Cause I got something I'd like to run on you

Mary chose a pimp
She changed her name and moved out west
All her money went
On his wardrobe and nothing less
She even bought his house
While she lived in the motel room
Her days were spent alone
With the comfort of a silver spoon

Mary had a pimp, ooh, yeah
Mary had a P.I.M.P., I, I, I wanna tell you
Mary had a pimp, she, she had a real pimp
Mary had a P.I.M.P., mmm...

And her mama said, Mary's going crazy
Mary's gone out of her mind
Didn't she know the price she had to pay
Was high to be a hoe
And didn't she know
Mary's going nuts out in the rain
Selling her body for pain
Giving all her money
To some chump so he can dress funny
P.I.M.P., pimp, the simp!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

And her mama said, Mary's going crazy
Mary's gone out of her mind
Didn't she know the price she had to pay
Was high to be a hoe
Horns, blow!

P.I.M.P., pimp, the simp!
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, pimp simping)

[Grandmaster Flash]
You pimp, you simp, you're on the street
Running your game on all the girls you meet
Fake diamonds on your fingers and Cadillac cars
Trying to catch a girl at a local bar
So you catch her and you school her and you teach her the game
Next thing you know, the girl has going insane
Now she's lost at the cost of the trick she's turned
She's just another hoe who just been burned

Mary had a pimp, ooh, yeah
Mary had a P.I.M.P., I, I, I wanna tell you
Mary had a pimp, hey, she had a real pimp
Mary had a P.I.M.P., I, I, I wanna tell you
Mary had a pimp, tell you, yeah, she had a real pimp
Mary had a P.I.M.P., yeah, she had a pimp
Mary had a pimp, she had a real live pimp
Mary had a P.I.M.P., now she's dead and gone...

Mary had a pimp, I'm mad as hell, I'm mad as hell about it
Mary had a P.I.M.P., the pimp's still here to carry on
Mary had a pimp...Embed

If there's one person who's considered a pioneer of funk music, it's Rick James. The iconic musician's influence on the genre is still seen today, over a decade after his passing. One of his most famous songs, P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P., released in 1981, is a testament to his creative genius. The song, which features Grandmaster Flash, is all about the life of a pimp and a simp - two characters that have always been part of the cultural discourse. The lyrics are filled with sharp commentary about their motivations and behavior, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in music that speaks to the social zeitgeist.

About P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P.

The song opens with an infectious bassline, instantly making the listener groove with the music. The beat is punctuated by Rick James's gravelly voice, singing the opening verses. The song is structured as a conversation between two characters - a pimp and a simp - who are discussing the former's success with women and the latter's failures. The song's title, P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P., is a play on the acronym for "pimp" and "simp", which stands for "Sucker Idolizing Mediocre P*ssy”. The lyrics are clever, and they don't shy away from using profanity to make their point.

As the song progresses, the pimp brags about his sexual prowess, describing in explicit detail the things he does to please his women. Meanwhile, the simp is portrayed as a weak-willed character, unable to attract women or gain their affection. The conversation between the two characters is insightful, giving the listener a glimpse into the psychology of people who lead these lifestyles. While the song's language is provocative, it's also a commentary on the culture of objectification and misogyny surrounding these roles.

Of course, the song wouldn't be complete without Grandmaster Flash's contribution. The legendary DJ is at his finest in P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P., providing the perfect complement to Rick James's vocals. His scratching and mixing skills are on full display, creating an unforgettable soundscape for the listener. Grandmaster Flash's ability to manipulate sound to create an atmosphere is masterful, and he's one of the reasons that this song has stood the test of time.

What sets P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P. apart is its honesty and realism. The song is not afraid to be explicit about its subjects, but it also delves into the psychology behind the actions of the people involved. The lyrics are a commentary on society's attitudes towards sex, gender, and power, and they still hold relevance today. Even after 40 years since its release, the song's message is still powerful and thought-provoking.

Ultimately, P.I.M.P. The S.I.M.P. is a song that will always be remembered for its storytelling and innovation. It's the perfect representation of Rick James and Grandmaster Flash's abilities, and it's a timeless piece of music that anyone interested in funk, hip-hop, or social commentary should listen to.

• Release Date: August 5, 1983
• Artist: Rick James