ReMix:Space Harrier "I Got the Spacebeam" 2:56

By Star Salzman

hip-hop strings vocals-male vocals-rapping lyrics-original

Arranging the music of one song...

"Theme"

Primary Game: Space Harrier (Sega , 1986, SMS), music by Hiroshi Kawaguchi

Posted 2004-08-23, evaluated by the judges panel

Well, let me be honest. I don't particularly like this mix. I've thought about it, and I don't just think it's because I'm a huge fan of the original. Star Salzman sends us a Space Harrier rap mix with fairly amusing lyrics and rapping; the bit about dodecahedrons is truly inspired, no argument there. Maybe the problem is that doing a rap ReMix of this theme is just very difficult because it's not one of those themes that really lends itself to the genre, like a certain controversial Asterix ReMix covered. From that perspective, Star's done an admirable job in converting a piece that didn't lend itself to rap into something passable, but it didn't really resonate with me. The lyrics by themselves I think I appreciate more, for the aforementioned geometry reference (stage 4 anyone?) and also another excellent rhyming of "killa" with "Squilla". So what's my problem? I'm not beyond saying it's just *my* problem, but the way the original is used seems like an afterthought pinned onto an existing original. The best pieces of the mix, in my estimation, are the ones that have absolutely nothing to do with the original, and the less successful bits are those that do implement the original but do so in ways that sound a little forced. Now, before you read any further whilst wondering if I'm just 100% negative on this, I should clarify that I do like the lyrics, some of the instrumentation, and the production. And the judges panel had much more positive things to say. Vigilante writes:

"I understand djp's concern in that there is a lot of unrelated original material, mainly the beat and bassline. However, the chord progression on the bridge is definitely from the original, as is the pianoeyness that goes on thru the mix. On top of that, the mix is clearly well done, the lyrics are funny as hell and are specifically about space harrier. I think it's got plenty going for it, including the original."

I'd say some of the pianoeyness does, and a good portion doesn't. Malcos writes:

"I think this is definitely the kind of original kind of flair we want on oc. I understand DJP's concerns, however, the lyrics are about space harrier and if as Vigilante has said, the chords in the bridge are from the original, I think we can pass this one."

And for good measure, Larry writes:

"The reason this sounded misleading as a ReMix was because it essentially went for over a minute as just original material until the second half went full on into rearrangement territory at 1:11. Once it got there, everything was gold from both the music and rearrangement departments. If the sections had been placed in a different order, there wouldn't have been any confusion over this meeting the submission standards."

So, don't take my word for it. Clearly, that'd have been a mistake for each of the judges on the panel. We usually see eye to eye on most decisions, and there are checks and balances that can be enacted when the disagreement is extreme, but this is just an issue where, while I found the mix's lyrics amusing and well-constructed, I wasn't feeling the arrangement as much as others. Definitely draw your own judgments; regardless of how it plays as an OC ReMix, it's still fun and enjoyable music.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Audity
on 2021-06-14 22:31:20

After going through 1400 OCRs so far to find favorites, I feel like this one speaks to me the most... from the point of view of FEELING GOOD, genuinely, or, as if it is speaking to me on another plane or realm than the usual, "Wow, this is a great track." It's the central pillar. But I keep abstaining from going back, waiting until the time is upon me, after finishing my OCR journey, to experience sweet bliss from a deliberately dopey guy's fitting voice singing about something on the Sega Master System, which I never owned yet have nostalgia for because of getting to play some of its games later.

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Holy Land
on 2010-10-01 18:22:49

Inspired delivery, I'm liking this. Never heard the original, though.

This is a puzzlingly unique and amusing mix, to be honest I can't even point the reason I like it - I just know I do. It feels way shorter than it actually is, then again it's probably better that way.

A+++, would (and will) hear again.

avatar
OA
on 2010-02-25 15:08:02

WHY YOU DISTRACTIN' ME?

I SAID DON'T EVER BUG ME

WHILST I'M BEIN' A KILLA

i think that's all that needs to be said, but since I'm feeling verbose, I'll say a bit more. I like the original theme a lot, but i'm not really hearing much of it throughout, and the lyrics aren't great, though the flow and delivery is good enough. I think speeding up the track a bit mroe overall would be good, more of a club/party track.

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HitoriJaNai
on 2009-12-01 18:52:48

I actually listened to this and froze for a split second when I heard the lyrics, thinking that someone had turned on the radio when I wasn't looking or something. GAH I'M HEARING THINGS

Nah, it was a good surprise. The lyrics made me laugh, made me think of trudging through a good(?) kind of sludge through space. o.o Good job.

avatar
Audity
on 2006-04-05 14:54:34
This is some crazy killer power orchestra rap.. whatever. Just great stuff.

I was at star's house when he made this. We got rather into it. Its easily one of my favorites from him. Creativity is simply spilling off of it. Very well used original source material.

Round 1:30 is when I feel it gets the most powerful. 1:50 always makes me laugh. This is simply a music style you'll never hear anywhere but here.

Sweet.

Agreed 100%

The middle section is so good. Complete juxtaposition that works. I'm glad I don't hate rap because it's one of the best things ever, and I used to hate it til I stopped being gay.

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Dionyseus
on 2005-10-31 00:02:25

I like the background music but I don't like the vocals. Also, can this actually be considered rap? Seems way too slow to be classified as rap, sounds more like reggae?

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Digital_Adhesive
on 2005-04-18 23:30:43

For what it is and what it was meant to be, I think it's a decent piece overall. I also think the author has done much, much better material (I'm a huge fan of his Bionic Commando remix).

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Zenth Relin
on 2005-04-18 16:47:34

I don't know how I came back to this mix reviews, but oh well... I'll worry about the health consequences a bit later. ^_^

I remember everytime I came across a mix where the review mentions it had lyrics, I always got this bad feeling because I don't enjoy lyrics in most songs- mostly due to that it's hard to enjoy the -music- and any lyrics at the same time (if they are even audible).

I think this mix if fairly clear, flows well, and has humorous lyrics, which labels it a keep for me.

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Vero
on 2005-01-22 21:07:55

I actually like it, it's great for a laugh, and the music is also pretty good. I'm not really a fan of hip-hop, but I find this great.

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Txai
on 2005-01-01 12:44:02
everythings great but i dont like the voice of the vocalist, its too gangster for me

but if someone else did the vocals or just took em out, ild wet myself over this song

I tried to remove vocals in the Goldwave but failed. I wanted to listen this music without the vocals.

:|

Good orchestra/rap.

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jordex
on 2004-12-19 13:54:41

everythings great but i dont like the voice of the vocalist, its too gangster for me

but if someone else did the vocals or just took em out, ild wet myself over this song

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Vague Rant
on 2004-11-18 00:29:24

I'm with djp on this one. I think the lyrics are great, but I can't get into the song. I'll probably go back to listening to Pillar of Salt now.

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TwinTurboTerrorist
on 2004-09-28 02:57:38

Remember the Gorillaz song, Clint Eastwood? This actually reminds me of that... Very well done and fun to listen to!

avatar
Protricity
on 2004-09-03 11:30:23

This is some crazy killer power orchestra rap.. whatever. Just great stuff.

I was at star's house when he made this. We got rather into it. Its easily one of my favorites from him. Creativity is simply spilling off of it. Very well used original source material.

Round 1:30 is when I feel it gets the most powerful. 1:50 always makes me laugh. This is simply a music style you'll never hear anywhere but here.

Sweet.

avatar
Super-Duper Sombrero
on 2004-09-02 19:08:30

This is the best remix I've heard for a while. Maybe its just because I've been listening to my own mixes, or maybe its just that awesome.

That song rocked.

Dodecahedron = 12-sided polyhedron.

You know, if any of you wanted to know that...

Keep it up. It made me laugh.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Space Harrier (Sega , 1986, SMS)
Music by Hiroshi Kawaguchi
Songs:
"Theme"

Tags (5)


Genre:
Hip Hop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Strings,Vocals: Male,Vocals: Rapping
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original

File Information


Name:
Space_Harrier_I_Got_the_Spacebeam_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,618,230 bytes
MD5:
d88d0d39df61a8912392eca63e1cc757
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
2:56

(Uh huh, jeah)
(Uh huh, jeah)
I'm flyin' down the planetside at 90 miles an hour.
I'm blastin' all these hatas, 'cuz they know I gots tha power
of the flight and the gun and they know I'm number one
and if you will forgive the pun, these pythons ain't for fun (he's so sexy)
it is a good day,
'cuz I can take off and land vertically
and I don't have to use an AK, yeah
'cuz I got the gat that's fat and all that stuff is whack because you can't get enough
I never die, 'cuz all I have to do is hit Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Down, Down, Down, Down, UP, JEAH

I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
(One more time, jeah)

I keep blastin' bushes and them trees be tryin' to flee
Then I trip over the bushes and the trees be killin' me
I keep pushin' buttons but all they do is shoot
I gets the loot, my points be goin' thru the roof,
that wildlife gets the boot
These foos don't phase me,
I don't die till level 50
when them crazy two robots go blastin' their gats, a rat a tat tat, a rat a tat tat.
I don't take no flack from these robots, man, fo' realz
I have to bust out with some crazy flying skillz
I dodge left, I dodge right, awww man... (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh - get ready)

SAY MAN
WHY YOU DISTRACTIN' ME?
I SAID DON'T EVER BUG ME
WHILST I'M BEIN' A KILLA
I JUST GOT OWNED BY A DRAGON NAMED SQUILLA

I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
I GOT THA SPACE BEAM, JEAH
(One more time, jeah - uh huh)

(C'mon, c'mon, let's get goin')

IF YOU'S A DRAGON YOU BEST GUARD YO GRILL, FOO
'CUZ I WON'T BE STOPPIN' WHEN IT'S TIME TO KILL YOU
ALL YOU HATAS BEST BE TRYIN' TO FLEE
'CUZ I GOT THE GAT THAT'S FAT AND I'M NOT GONNA STOP
TILL I GOTTA GO PEE, FOO (or... or maybe, you know, if I maybe eat a sandwich or somethin' - true)

MAN, THIS IS THE LAND OF THE DRAGONS, YO
I AIN'T STOPPIN' FO' NOBODY,
LEAST OF ALL GODARNI (Who's Godarni? He's boss of level 3, sucka)

I GOTS MY REASONS
I'LL JUST KEEP DODGIN' THEM MUSHROOMS AND BUSHES AND DODECAHEDRONS, YO (Dodecahedrons? What the f...?)
(Say man, that's just the Binzbean from level 4, you know, right next to the Towers of Doom...)

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