Constructed and composed during the recording process at various studios, including Martin Bisi's in Brooklyn NY, the composition is the first recognized popular single to feature scratching and other turntablist techniques, performed by GrandMixer D.ST - an influential DJ in the early years of turntablism.
Some years later turntablists such as DJ Qbert and Mix Master Mike cited the composition as 'revelatory' in the documentary film Scratch, inspiring their interest in the instrument. The single was a major radio hit in the United Kingdom and a popular dance club record in the United States.
Music video[edit]
The music video, directed by duo Godley & Creme[3] and featuring robot-like movable sculptures (by Jim Whiting) dancing, spinning and even walking in time to the music in a "virtual house" in London, England, garnered five MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, including Best Concept Video and Best Special Effects. Hancock himself appears and plays keyboard only as an image on a television, which is smashed on the pavement outside the front door of the house at the end of the video.
Appearances in other media[edit]
It is featured in the video games: Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2, Amplitude, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, DJ Hero, and NBA Street Homecourt.
It was studied for the music and art portion of the 1990-1991 Academic Decathlon competition. The musical focus for that year was Music of the Post-World War II era.
At the 1985 Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, California, in the famous synthesizer jam with other contemporaries Howard Jones, Thomas Dolby, and Stevie Wonder.[4]
It is featured in the 1986 Soviet film Office Boy, where young people breakdance in the street. This version of B.T. & The City Slickers was produced only once in Breakdance.
It is featured in the 2007 film Kickin' It Old Skool as the music being played during two breakdance competitions, and a piece that wakes the main character Justin, played by Jamie Kennedy, from his 20 year coma.
It appears in the film Zoolander, where it is used to break Derek's hypnotism during the finale catwalk scene.
It was used for the radio program "Showboat" on Soccer AM.
It was covered by jazz group Re:Jazz, on their 2006 album Expansion.
It was featured when Chris Skelton danced in Episode 5 of Series 3 on the BBC TV show Ashes to Ashes.
It was featured on Season 3, episode 4 of 30 Rock during a brief moment when NBC page Kenneth is shown street-dancing for side cash.
It was featured on The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror XVI. It shows a robot playing it on a synthesizer whilst a pair of robotic legs are dancing in time to the music, parodying the music video.
A similar tune is heard in the skit episode, "The Extras," from The Amazing World of Gumball. A group of senior citizens dance to the tune.
