taking sides: the geto boys' "gangsta of love" steve miller version v. lynyrd skynyrd version

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alright, i know well that the geto boys used "sweet home alabama" just because steve miller refused to let them use "the joker" (AFTER the song had already been released). but i'm still kinda fond of the skynyrd version -- not just b/c it was what was on my geto boys cd, but b/c i think that it fits the song better than "the joker." even the kinda dumb "GANGSTA BOOGIE!" refrain isn't so bad (though i concede that the sampling of steve miller for the chorus works better).

that said -- what do y'all say?!?

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Sunday, 16 April 2006 07:52 (twenty years ago)

i am also curious -- does anyone have any information on just WHY steve miller refused to give permission for the geto boys to use "the joker?" certainly, it couldn't be because he was revolted by gangsta rap since he let NWA sample "take the money and run" all over straight outta compton.

― Eisbär (llamasfur), Sunday, 16 April 2006 07:54 (twenty years ago)

miller version by a mile. works much better with the sample, though i had the original version for 10 years before i heard the skynyrd, so i'm probably biased.

― baby, disco is fuck (yournullfame), Sunday, 16 April 2006 09:25 (twenty years ago)

miller version is the first I heard, it makes the skynyrd one sounds a bit wrong for me!

― lil' merzbow wow (haitch), Sunday, 16 April 2006 09:52 (twenty years ago)

"Grip it.." version.

When "grip it.." with the original version of "gangster of love" came out in '89 it was before sample clearance really came into effect thus they and other people who'd sampled Steve Miller Band like EPMD, Biz Markie/Marley Marl, Jungle Brothers, NWA etc hadn't paid anything.

When Rick Rubin re-released/re-jigged "grip it.." into "the geto boys" for his label in 1990 the game done changed and sample clearance was starting to become a reality (after De La/Prince Paul/TommyBoy got sued by The Turtles for "transmitting live from mars" but slightly before the "alone again" by Biz vs. Gilbert O Sullivan case) and it was being released on a major so they'd have gotten raped by Miller if they'd have used it without his permission, especially since he was disgusted by his song being sampled for somrthing as jiggnorant as "gangster of love".

― Ron Passantino, Sunday, 16 April 2006 10:21 (twenty years ago)

three weeks pass...

EASY CALL .... miller band version ... I was so bummed because back in the day I had the CD with the original version on it .... I went through great lengths to hide it from my parents knowing that if they ever found it, I would never see it again. Well, one time I was caught slippin and my mom found it in the CD player and immediately tossed it hahaha ... when I went back to music plus they only had the new version. I was so sad. Over the years I've probably spent a good $100 at used record stores like Moby Disc and Amoeba trying to find the original version. Thank God for Limewire :) I now have my baby again. hahaha

― steve s, Tuesday, 9 May 2006 16:58 (twenty years ago)

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