Format 12"
CD Label Loud | Length 6:52 | |
Released 22 February 1994 (1994-02-22) Recorded 1993
Firehouse Studio in New York City Genre East Coast hip hop
hardcore hip hop | ||
"Can It Be All So Simple" is the fourth and final single on Wu-Tang Clan's critically acclaimed debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It features production from RZA (credited as Prince Rakeem) that samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were". The song reached number nine on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, number twenty four on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and number eighty two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
Contents
"Can It Be All So Simple" features rapping from Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. Its lyrics deal with a glorified mafioso lifestyle. In the song, Raekwon and Ghostface discuss the hardships of growing up in New York City during the 1980s, and how they want to live a lavish and famous lifestyle to escape the hardships of life. The music video was directed by Hype Williams, with images similar to the song's content and a cameo by MC Eiht.
A remix, with new lyrics can be found on Raekwon's debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.... Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" uses the break beat from "Can It Be All So Simple".
Original
Remix
A-side
- "Can It Be All Be So Simple" (Radio Edit) – (4:19)
- "Can It Be All So Simple" (Album Version) – (4:43)
- "Can It Be All So Simple" (Instrumental) – (5:03)
B-side
- "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Radio Edit) – (3:36)
- "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Album Version) – (3:36)
- "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (Instrumental) – (3:31)