Plug Tunin'

Album: 3 Feet High and Rising (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • De La Soul's debut single alluded to group members Kelvin "Posdnous" Mercer and David "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur's alternative monikers: Plug One and Plug Two, respectively. The nicknames referred to the microphones each member rhymed into ( Posdnous was one, Trugoy was two). Trugoy explained to Rolling Stone: "That was an important record, because I think that sorta signed how we were gonna approach writing rhymes, in terms of style. We were always impressed by KRS-One and how he always had a style, so instead of saying 'Mic check one, two' we would say 'Plug one, plug two.' It was a routine."

    "A lot of people listen to that song and say, 'What the hell are you guys talking about? I don't understand a word,' but if you listen to it, you can get it," Trugoy continued. "What's really cool about that record is the style, the pattern and the cadence of the rhymes."
  • Both the original 12" version and an updated mix, titled, "Plug Tunin' (Last Chance to Comprehend)" was included on 3 Feet High and Rising. The remix has different lyrics and the drums are featured more prominently.
  • The song is sampled on the Gravediggaz' 1994 track "Defective Trip," which like "Plug Tunin'" was also produced by Prince Paul.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

90s Metal

90s MetalFact or Fiction

Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?