Top Ten Songs by the Members of Wu-Tang Clan
The Original Wu-Tang Members
The original nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan included: Raekwon the Chef, Masta Killa, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, GZA, U-God, and RZA. The members also accumulated various aliases through their music. For example, Ghostface Killah is also referred to as “Pretty Toney,” “Tony Starks,” “Wally Champ,” and “Ironman.”
Below, I have listed what I believe to be the top ten songs produced from the members of the Wu-Tang Clan, including both group or solo projects.
Wu-Tang Clan
#1 Method Man (1993)
Released on the “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” album, the majority of the song is presented by none other than Method Man. Both Method Man and Raekwon give a pre-song dialogue with an intro by GZA.
Memorable Lyrics:
“M-E-T, H-O-D, MAN
M-E-T, H-O-D, MAN
M-E-T, H-O-D, MAN
M-E-T, H-O-D, MAN
Yes I am”
#2 Can It Be All So Simple (1994)
The hook of this song is mesmerizing with the repeating words: “Can it be that it was all so simple then?” Raekwon, who speaks of his father, friend and addiction to drugs, presents the first verse. Ghostface Killa delivers the second verse, which deals with death, drugs and how times have changed.
Memorable Lyrics: [HOOK] “Can it be that it was all so simple then?”
#3 C.R.E.A.M (1994)
The catchy lyrics and beat is a classic Wu-Tang track, hailing from the “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” album. Raekwon presents the first verse; the second verse comes from Inspectah Deck, while Method Man delivers the infectious chorus.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Verse One: Raekwon the Chef]
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
At second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
[Chorus]
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y’all
#4 It’s Yourz (1997)
Released on the “Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan” album, this track features five members of the group: Raekwon (first verse); U-God (second verse); Inspectah Deck (third verse); Ghostface Killah (fourth verse); and RZA (chorus).
My favorite verse is the second one from U-God. I’ve added the lyrics, but reading it doesn’t do it any justice; you have to listen to the flow.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Verse Two: U-God]
“Yo, super freak physique, like Raphael Saadiq
Baby love the ganja leaf, everday of the week
Super friends wake up, deluxe gourmet beats
The night is right, I might find me a suite
It’s a quarter full moon, now I ride with my swoon
Well groomed, dance hall packed, full room
Lady move, peep my glide, peep my zoom
Keep in stride, smoke the lah, smoke the boom
Feel the fumes, consume toxic tunes
Hell bound, species forty ounce typhoon
The ultra-violet scream machine move your body touch
The totem pole wobble Ark builders God rush
Beams of light, stop ya breathin – it’s huntin season
Honey eye-ballin down for no reason
Grab her close, play post, wind and wax floors
Never mind the laws, cause tonightâÂ?¦”
Method Man___________________________________________
This particular group member is often regarded as the most successful from Wu-Tang Clan in regards to musical solo projects. He was also the first to venture into a solo project, enjoying platinum status, as well as earning a Grammy Award for a Mary J. Blige duet. Clifford Smith takes his name from the character, Fearless Young Boxer (also known as Method Man), who appeared in a 1979 Jimmy Shaw film.
#5 I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By (1995)
The joining of Mary J. Blige’s vocals and Method Man’s rap was a marriage made in collaboration heaven, eventually earning the pair a Grammy Award. The video also was a visual treat: Method and Mary bob their heads in unison, allowing you to further “feel” the lyrics. It’s a real tribute to the “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” aspect of relationships.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Interlude: Mary J. Blige]
Like sweet morning dew
I took one look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my destiny
With you I’ll spend my time
I’ll dedicate my life
I’ll sacrifice for you
Dedicate my life for you
[Verse One:]
Shorty I’m there for you anytime you need me
For real girl, it’s me in your world, believe me
Nuttin make a man feel better than a woman
Queen with a crown that be down for whatever
There are few things that’s forever, my lady
We can make war or make babies
Back when I was nothin
You made a brother feel like he was somethin
That’s why I’m with you to this day boo no frontin
Even when the skies were gray
You would rub me on my back and say “Baby it’ll be okay”
Now that’s real to a brother like me baby
[Verse Two:]
I got a love jonz for your body and your skin tone
Five minutes alone I’m already on the bone
Plus I love the fact you got a mind of your own
No need to shop around you got the good stuff at home
#6 Bring the Pain (1994)
Released from his first album, “Tical,” I enjoyed the cleverness and graphic presentation of the verses. I also enjoy when the beginning beat and lyrics of the song come in, preparing you for the lyrical journey set before you.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Verse One:]
“I came to bring the pain hardcore from the brain
Let’s go inside my astral plane
Find out my mental’s based on instrumental
records hey, so I can write monumental”
Further into the first verse and we are reminded of a once-popular clothing fad and young, rap group.
“In your Cross Colour, clothes you’ve crossed over
Then got Totally Krossed Out and Kris Kross”
ODB (Old Dirty Bastard)_________________________________________
If there was a member of Wu-Tang who made you laugh, chuckle to yourself, as well as gasp, it would have to be Old Dirty Bastard. You may ask yourself why anyone would choose a stage name with the word, ‘bastard’ in it, but he believed that there was “no father” associated with his rap style. ODB enjoyed a successful solo career, but along with his musical milestones, jail time, legal battles, as well as a personal fight with drugs plagued him. While in a recording studio, ODB died in 2004 from an apparent drug overdose.
#7 Shimmy Shimmy Ya (1995)
This single comes from the “Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version” album, which was nominated for a Best Rap Album Grammy Award in 1996. You cannot help but laugh to the chorus of this song (“Oh baby, I like it raw.”), which presents numerous catchy phrases including the song title.
Memorable Lyrics:
“Shimmy shimmy ya, shimmy yam, shimmy yay,
Gimme the mic so I can take it away.
Off on a natural charge, bon voyage
Yeah, from the home of the Dodgers, Brooklyn squad”
Ghostface Killah__________________________________
Enjoying a large following during his solo career, Ghostface has recently produced a hit with the newly popular R&B artist, Neyo: “Back Like That,” which grabbed the #2 position on the R&B/hip-hop charts. Ghostface shaped his persona after the main villain from the flick, Ninja Checkmate. He embodied his name to true form, appearing at early career performances and in other public group gatherings wearing a mask. It is believed that he wished to conceal his identity from police who labeled him a wanted man.
#8 Cherchez LaGhost (2000)
Featuring U-God, “Cherchez La Ghost” captured the #3 position within rap charts and also ranked in the United States R&B/Hip-Hop Top 100, as well as the US Top 100. The song was featured on his second album, “Supreme Clientele.” For me, it is the chorus that ties all of the song components into a neat, entertaining package.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Chorus]
[Madam Majestic]
“Tommy Mattola, lives on the road
He lost his lady, two months ago
Maybe he’ll find her, maybe he won’t
Oh wonder that love
[Madam Majestic, (U-God), {Ghost}]
They’ll take all your rhymes with a Colgate smile, hey baby
They’ll love you one second, then hate you the next
Oh ain’t it crazy baby, yeah”
Raekwon_____________________________________
Also known as Raekwon the Chef, his 1995 album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” earned many accolades from the hip hop and rap community. Rap enthusiasts should find delight in two of the singles from this album: “Ice Cream” and “Incarcerated Scarfaces.”
#9 Ice Cream (1995)
This song is a tribute to all of the different shades of women in the world (however offensive some may take it). Featured on the track: Ghostface Killah, Method Man, as well as Cappadonna.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Chorus]
Watch these rap ****** get all up in your guts
French-vanilla, butter-pecan, chocolate-deluxe
Even caramel sundaes is gettin touched
And scooped in my ice cream truck, Wu tears it up
(The ice cream man is coming!)
#10 Incarcerated Scarfaces (1995)
The beat is crazy on this track, which pays tribute to those who are away in jail.
Memorable Lyrics:
[Chorus]
“Now yo yo, whattup yo, time is runnin out
It’s for real though, let’s connect politic – ditto!
We could trade places, get lifted in the staircases
Word up, peace incarcerated scarfaces”
