1001 Songs Challenge #777: Deep Cover (1992)
On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.
My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.
I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead
of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.
So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…
Dr. Dre introducing Snoop Doggy Dogg – Deep Cover (1992)
Deep Cover (song) – Wikipedia
” Deep Cover”, also known as “”, is the debut solo single by American rapper Dr. Dre and his first track released after the breakup of N.W.A. The track was recorded for the soundtrack of the film . The song features fellow American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg in his first appearance on a record release.
Our journey in the US continues and we leave New York to make our way back across the continent to California. Dr. Dre began his career in the mid 1980s and previously appeared on our list as a member of the gangster rap band, N.W.A. When we join Dr. Dre in 1992 he is working on a song for a 1992 film by the name of Deep Cover which starred Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum. 1001 Songs have decided this song, also called Deep Cover, is worthy of a place on our list.
Deep Cover is actually a rap duet of sorts with Dr. Dre joined by an up and coming young singer by the name of Snoop Doggy
Dogg. The song is centred around the dark and seedy underworld of drugs and violence. Taking inspiration from the film, Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dog describe the dealings between black gangs and corrupt cops, with one such cop having gone undercover to infiltrate one of these gangs. In the end the ruse is uncovered and a standoff takes place with the cop seemingly being the one ending up with a bullet in his head. The chorus uses the refrain of “Cause it’s 1-8-7 on an undercover cop”. I am not well versed in police codes in the US but a quick bit of research revealed that a 1-8-7 is Californian police code for murder. That’s not good.
Deep Cover is lyrically rich as Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg regale us with the rise and fall of the corrupt cop who has headed undercover. The song wasn’t a big success upon release but is still notable as being the first recording to feature Snoop Doggy Dogg while Dr. Dre would soon find success of his own with the release of his debut album – The Chronic. He has enjoyed a solid career as a rapper and producer but his private life has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons with incidences of domestic violence against women.
Favourite songs so far:
The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)
Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)
The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)
Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)
The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)
Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)
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My name is Dave and I live in Yorkshire in the north of England and have been here all my life. I hope you enjoy your visit to All is Ephemeral.
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