U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Untouchable Beat of the 90s
Lyrics
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
My, my, my my music hits me so hard
Makes me say, “Oh my Lord”
Thank you for blessin’ me
With a mind to rhyme and two hype feet
It feels good, when you know you’re down
A super dope homeboy from the Oaktown
And I’m known as such
And this is a beat, uh, you can’t touch
I told you homeboy (You can’t touch this)
Yeah, that’s how we livin’ and ya know (You can’t touch this)
Look in my eyes, man (You can’t touch this)
Yo, let me bust the funky lyrics (You can’t touch this)
Fresh new kicks, and pants
You gotta like that, now you know you wanna dance
So move outta yo seat
And get a fly girl and catch this beat
While it’s rollin’, hold on!
Pump a little bit and let ’em know it’s goin’ on
Like that, like that
Cold on a mission, so fall on back
Let ’em know, that you’re too much
And this is a beat, uh, they can’t touch
Yo, I told you (you can’t touch this)
Why you standin’ there, man? (You can’t touch this)
Yo, sound the bell, school’s in, sucka (You can’t touch this)
Give me a song, or rhythm
Makin’ ’em sweat, that’s what I’m givin’ ’em
Now, they know
You talkin’ ’bout the Hammer, you’re talkin’ ’bout a show
That’s hyped, and tight
Singers are sweatin’, so pass them a wipe
Or a tape, to learn
What’s it gonna take in the 90’s to burn
The charts? Legit
Either work hard or you might as well quit
That’s word because you know (You can’t touch this)
(You can’t touch this)
Break it down!
Stop, Hammer time!
Go with the flow, it is said
That if you can’t groove to this then you probably are dead
So wave yo hands in the air
Bust a few moves, run your fingers through your hair
This is it, for a winner
Dance to this and you’re gonna get thinner
Move, slide your rump
Just for a minute let’s all do the bump
(Bump, bump, bump)
Yeah (You can’t touch this)
Look, man (You can’t touch this)
You better get hype, boy, ’cause you know you can’t (You can’t touch this)
Ring the bell, school’s back in
Break it down!
Stop, Hammer time!
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
Break it down!
Stop, Hammer time!
Every time you see me, the Hammer’s just so hyped
I’m dope on the floor and I’m magic on the mic
Now why would I ever stop doin’ this?
With others makin’ records that just don’t hit
I’ve toured around the world, from London to the Bay
It’s “Hammer, go Hammer, MC Hammer, yo Hammer”
And the rest can go and play
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
Yeah (You can’t touch this)
I told you (Can’t touch this)
Too hot (Can’t touch this)
Yo, we outta here (Can’t touch this)
It’s the anthem that reverberated through the walls of clubs and echoed across dance floors worldwide; ‘U Can’t Touch This’ by MC Hammer is more than just a song—it’s a cultural phenomenon. The track, which samples Rick James’ ‘Super Freak’, provided a fresh and electrifying sound that characterized an era. But the exuberant beats and Hammer’s iconic shuffle carry more weight than they’re often credited with.
As it humbly boasts its place in music history, ‘U Can’t Touch This’ is an emblematic message of the early 90s, wrapped in an infectious rhythm that defies the listener not to dance. MC Hammer, with his golden parachute pants, didn’t just give us music; he gave us a movement, a fashion statement, and an unforgettable lexicon. But beyond the surface of its pop-culture supremacy, there exists a deeper resonance in its lyrics and Hammer’s stature as an artist during the time.
Not Just a Catchphrase: The Emergence of an Artist
The repetitive nature of the phrase ‘You can’t touch this’ doesn’t just serve as an earworm; it’s a powerful assertion of MC Hammer’s arrival on the scene. The self-assured declaration is both a self-anointment and a challenge to the status quo of the music industry during the 90s. Hammer positions himself as not merely a fad but as an indelible force whose ‘super dope homeboy’ persona from Oaktown shatters expectations.
Branded as ‘such’—a singular entity who by virtue of his originality stands out from the crowd—MC Hammer’s proclamation is backed by an impenetrable confidence. His message isn’t about exclusivity; it’s about the celebration of unique talent and hard-earned success, telling a rags-to-riches tale that resonates with the aspirational dreams of his audience.
Fashion Statements & Fresh Moves: The Dance Floor Revolution
The iconic line ‘Fresh new kicks, and pants’ isn’t just a nod to Hammer’s distinctive wardrobe—it’s an invitation to revel in self-expression. Fashion and dance movements go hand-in-hand with the track’s appeal, with its call to ‘move outta yo seat’ acting as a rallying cry for anyone listening to take part in a dance revolution.
From ‘bust a few moves’ to ‘slide your rump’, MC Hammer doesn’t merely describe the act of dancing; he insists on it. As a staple in the dance community, the song has etched itself into the hearts of those who love to express themselves unapologetically through movement. There’s an air of inclusion to the dance, as ‘U Can’t Touch This’ serves as both the soundtrack and the standard for pop-locking excellence.
Inside the Hammer Philosophy: Work Hard, Stay Legit
At its core, ‘U Can’t Touch This’ is not merely a braggadocios track; it’s a reflection of Hammer’s own philosophy. When he contends ‘Either work hard or you might as well quit’, he proposes a work ethic that’s relentless, mirroring his own meteoric rise in a difficult industry.
The suggestion is clear: success in the ’90s—and by extension, any era—is not a product of luck but of legitimacy and dedication. Hammer punctuates this point by choosing to describe his survival in the music scene as a testament to his own grit, suggesting that those who cannot match this effort are bound to fade away.
Beyond the Beat: The Song’s Hidden Meaning
Peeling back the layers of ‘U Can’t Touch This’ reveals a deep-seated message of empowerment and emblematic cultural significance. The title doesn’t just speak to Hammer’s untouchable status or his dance prowess; it’s a metaphor for the invincibility of an artistic spirit triumphant in the face of adversity.
Hammer’s reassurance ‘that you’re too much’ is a battle cry for self-worth and individualism. In a way, it’s a mantra for anyone who’s ever faced doubt—be it from themselves or others—and an affirmation to stand tall in one’s own story. Within this hidden meaning lies the resonant impact of Hammer’s most celebrated hit: an ode to self-assuredness.
Memorable Lines That Echo through Generations
Even thirty years later, ‘Stop, Hammer time!’ resonates with a timeless quality that persists in pop culture. Alongside quips like ‘My, my, my my music hits me so hard’ and ‘Ring the bell, school’s back in’, the song boasts a cavalcade of memorable lines that have outlasted many of its contemporaries.
The enduring quality of these phrases lies in their universal appeal and adaptability. They’ve been embedded in everything from movies to commercials, proving that Hammer’s gift wasn’t just a penchant for catchy lyrics, but the creation of a linguistic legacy that continues to inspire, uplift, and get people moving to the beat of their own drum.
