Groovy Wedding Dance: Can't Touch This!

MC Hammer's U Can't Touch This is a popular choice for wedding dances. The song, released in 1990, is an upbeat hip-hop track with catchy lyrics and energetic dance moves that have become synonymous with the artist. The song's music video, directed by Rupert Wainwright, showcases Hammer's iconic fashion sense and smooth dance moves, including the famous Hammer Dance. The song was a massive success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the first hip-hop song to achieve this feat. It also won several awards, including two Grammy Awards, and its impact on pop culture has endured, making it a fun and memorable choice for wedding celebrations.

U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer

"U Can't Touch This" is a song by American rapper MC Hammer that was released in 1989. It was the third single from his third album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" (1990), and is considered his signature song. The song was co-written and produced by Hammer, with Rick James and Alonzo Miller sharing songwriting credits as well due to the song's prominent sampling of the opening riff of James' 1981 single, "Super Freak". This sample is repeated throughout the recording. The lyrics describe Hammer as a global superstar and as being "magic on the mic", which he says goes hand-in-hand with James' "beat that you can't touch". The song's catchphrases, "you can't touch this" and "Stop! Hammer time!" became embedded in pop culture.

The song was first performed publicly on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show in late 1989. It then hit the Top 40 in April 1990, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden, and peaked at number three in the UK. The track's success helped sell over 18 million copies of the album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em", leading to multi-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

"U Can't Touch This" received multiple awards and recognition. It won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and Best Rap Solo Performance in 1991, the first rap song to be nominated for Grammy Award for Record of the Year. It also won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and Best Dance Video in 1990. The song's music video, directed by Rupert Wainwright, showcases Hammer's signature dances, including the "running man", "the bump", and the "Hammer dance", all performed while wearing his iconic Hammer pants.

The prominent sample of "Super Freak" in "U Can't Touch This" led to a lawsuit for copyright infringement by Rick James and other performers on the original record. The case was settled out of court, with Hammer agreeing to credit James as a songwriter, resulting in substantial royalties for James.

The Hammer Dance

"U Can't Touch This" is a song by American rapper MC Hammer that has become synonymous with wedding dance celebrations. The song, co-written, produced, and performed by Hammer himself, was released in 1990 and quickly became a signature hit, not just for the artist but also for the iconic dance moves it inspired.

To perform the Hammer Dance, one must embody the spirit of the song: fun, playful, and confident. It's all about letting loose, having a good time, and, of course, not being able to touch the smoothness of the dancer's moves. The dance can be performed as a group or individually, with each person bringing their own style and flair to the signature shuffling steps. It's a dance that is accessible to people of all ages and dance backgrounds, making it the perfect choice for a wedding celebration where guests of all generations come together.

The song's music video

"U Can't Touch This" is a song by American rapper MC Hammer, co-written, produced, and performed by him. The song was released as the third single from his third album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" (1990) and has since become his signature song. The music video for "U Can't Touch This" showcases Hammer's signature dances, including the "running man", "the bump", and the "Hammer dance", with Hammer donning his iconic Hammer pants. The video also features colourful backdrops, energetic dance sequences, and playful editing that cuts between different scenes and angles, keeping the visuals dynamic and engaging.

The song samples the prominent opening riff of Rick James' 1981 single "Super Freak", which is repeated throughout the recording. The lyrics describe Hammer's global travels and his skill as an MC, coinciding with James' "beat that you can't touch". The song's catchphrases, "you can't touch this" and "Stop! Hammer time!", became pop culture phenomena. The "U Can't Touch This" music video was directed by Rupert Wainwright and played a significant role in promoting the single, contributing to its massive success and cultural impact.

The music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and Best Dance Video in 1990. It was also nominated for Best Male Video, Best Editing, and Best Choreography. The song itself peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and charted in several countries. It also received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and Best Rap Solo Performance. "U Can't Touch This" has left an enduring legacy in pop culture, with its catchy lyrics, energetic dances, and memorable music video that continues to be celebrated and referenced in media even decades later.

The song's samples and catchphrases

"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer is a catchy and upbeat song that has become a popular choice for wedding dances. The song has a fun and energetic vibe, making it a perfect choice for celebrating a couple's special day. Here is a breakdown of the song's samples and catchphrases:

The song's iconic opening riff is a sample from Rick James' 1981 song "Super Freak." This catchy riff repeats throughout the recording, giving the song its distinctive sound. The use of this sample led to a lawsuit for copyright infringement, which was eventually settled out of court, with Hammer agreeing to credit James as a songwriter.

The lyrics of "U Can't Touch This" are full of fun and braggadocious lines. Hammer raps about his worldwide travels, describing himself as "magic on the mic." The song's title and catchphrase, "you can't touch this," became a pop culture phenomenon. Another famous line, "Stop! Hammer time!" also caught on and even inspired the title of Hammer's reality TV show, "Hammertime."

The song's success and cultural impact can be attributed to its effective combination of music and catchphrases. The dance moves associated with the song, including the Running Man, "the Bump," and the signature "Hammer dance", further added to its popularity. The "Hammer dance," in particular, involves Hammer rapidly shuffling from one side of the stage to the other, showcasing his smooth and energetic style.

The song's impact extended beyond just the music industry. It helped to mainstream hip-hop and brought it to a wider audience. The colourful music video, with its tilted camera angles and high-energy dancing, also played a significant role in the song's success.

Overall, "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer is a fun and catchy song with memorable samples and catchphrases that has left a lasting impact on both music and pop culture, making it a popular choice for celebrations such as wedding dances.

The song's awards and recognition

"U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released as the third single from his third album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" (1990), and has been considered his signature song. The song has received multiple awards and recognition.

The song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. It is the first rap song to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1991 and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and charted in several countries.

In 1999, MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made included the song at number 71. In October 2000, VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs included it at number 88. In May 2001, VH1's 100 Greatest Videos included it at number 59. In August 2005, the song was certified gold. In December 2007, VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s included it at number 16. During 2008, it ranked as number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In October 2005, Blender ranked the song at number 196 in their list of Greatest Songs Since You Were Born.

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