“U Can’t Touch This” is a 1990 hit by MC Hammer (Stanley Kirk Burrell) that defined the early ’90s pop-rap genre and became his signature song. Released on January 13, 1990, as a single ahead of his third album, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em, the track was produced by Hammer and co-written with Rick James due to its central sample.
The song’s production relies heavily on the iconic bassline and opening riff from Rick James’s 1981 funk hit “Super Freak.” Although Hammer initially used the sample without permission, James discovered the track on the radio and sued for copyright infringement. The legal battle was settled out of court, resulting in James being credited as a co-writer and receiving a significant portion of the royalties, which ultimately earned him his first and only Grammy Award.
Culturally, the song was propelled by its iconic music video directed by Rupert Wainwright, which featured Hammer in his trademark parachute pants and energetic choreography. The video’s heavy rotation on MTV helped bridge hip-hop and mainstream pop audiences, despite the genre’s previous underrepresentation on the network. The single won Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best Rap Solo Performance in 1991 and was the first rap song nominated for Record of the Year.
Key milestones and facts include:
- Chart Performance: The song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, a position some analysts attribute to it being released primarily as a 12-inch single when sales tracking was less comprehensive.
- Marketing Strategy: Capitol Records executed a grassroots campaign, mailing 100,000 free cassette singles to fans in 15 markets, encouraging them to request the video on MTV.
- Legacy: The phrases “Stop! Hammer time!” and “U Can’t Touch This” became enduring pop culture catchphrases, influencing fashion and dance trends globally.
[Chorus]
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
You can’t touch this
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
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)
[Verse 2]
Fresh new kicks and pants
You gotta like that, now you know you wanna dance
So move out of your 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
[Chorus]
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, sucker (You can’t touch this)
[Verse 3]
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 90s to burn
The charts? Legit
Either work hard or you might as well quit
[Chorus]
That’s word because you know (You can’t touch this)
You can’t touch this
Break it down
[Post-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh—
Stop, Hammer time
[Verse 4]
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)
[Chorus]
Yeah (You can’t touch this)
Look, man (You can’t touch this)
You better get hype, boy, because you know you can’t (You can’t touch this)
Ring the bell, school’s back in
Break it down
[Post-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh—
Stop, Hammer time
[Bridge]
(Woah, woah)
(Woah, woah)
Oh, woah
Oh, woah
Oooh
Woah, woah, woah, woah
[Chorus]
(Woah, woah, woah, woah)
You can’t touch this
(Woah, woah, woah, woah)
You can’t touch this
(Woah, woah, woah, woah)
You can’t touch this
(Woah, woah, woah, woah)
You can’t touch this
Break it down
[Post-Chorus]
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh—
Stop, Hammer time
[Verse 5]
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
[Chorus]
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)
