Released November 20, 1990 Length 4:02 | Format Cassette, Vinyl Label Def Jam Recordings | |
Recorded March 1989 – August 1990 Genre Golden age hip hop, new jack swing | ||
"Around the Way Girl" is a hit single by LL Cool J from his 1990 album Mama Said Knock You Out.
Contents
This is a rap about LL searching for a girl who is streetwise to form a relationship with. The entire song describes the exact features of what he is looking for in this particular girl. For example, he constantly repeats the line "I need an around the way girl" through out the entire rap. The single samples Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", Keni Burke's "Risin' To the Top", and The Honey Drippers' "Impeach the President", which is used as the main instrumental element of the song. It is also noted that this song is an early example of the high pitched sample rap. Around the Way Girl later appeared on LL Cool J's 1996 greatest hits album, All World: Greatest Hits.
"Around the Way Girl" peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top 10 single. It also was a hit on the R&B and dance music charts, where it peaked at #5 and #7 respectively. The RIAA certified "Around the Way Girl" Gold on January 15, 1991 for sales of over 500,000 copies.
Music video
The video was in what used to be a warehouse on Borden Avenue in Long Island City, Queens.
A-Side
- "Around The Way Girl" (LP Version)- 4:05
- "Around The Way Girl" (Untouchables Remix feat. Chad Jones)- 4:32
B-Side
- "Around The Way Girl" (Instrumental)- 3:51
- "Murdergram" (LP Version)- 3:52