Marcus Miller Reminisces About 20 Years Of 'Da Butt'
Bassist Marcus Miller says he can't believe it's been two decades since the release of Spike Lee's black college musical School Daze. But he has vivid memories of his involvement with the project's soundtrack as the producer of the enduring go-go-inflected hit "Da Butt" by the band E.U.
Back in 1987 Miller was in demand as a first-call session player and producer while recording and touring with Miles Davis. He had also begun producing hits for Luther Vandross, when director Spike Lee, who'd had success with his debut She's Gotta Have It, decided to call.
Miller recalls: "Spike calls me and he starts talking like we were boys already, right? I had never met him. He says, 'Hey, Marcus, it's Spike.' I go, 'What's up, Spike?' 'Listen, I need a song, man. I got this idea to do a song called "Da Butt." I want you to produce it on the band out of D.C. called E.U., they're a big go-go band down there. And, uh, call me when you got it.' (laughs) I was like: 'OK.' It sounded so cool. He already had the concept in his head so clearly that all I had to do was make it work."
Miller says creating lyrics for it was a challenge, but "Da Butt" remains an enduring hit. He said: "I'm driving around New York in my car trying to think of lyrics to 'Da Butt' that wouldn't kinda be too over the top but still would give you that sexy sound, you know, and I had a good time. And it's crazy, 'cause the song came out at the same time I was doing this heavy stuff with Miles, and all people would talk to me about is 'Da Butt.' (Laughs) When my father introduced me in church, 'Ah, my son's here this Sunday, he wrote that song y'all like, "Da Butt."' I'm like, oh my goodness. The song was very powerful."
"Da Butt" went to Number One on the R&B singles charts in 1988.
Alicia Keys also gives a nod to the 20th anniversary of School Daze in her video for the single "Teenage Love Affair."
Miller is busy promoting his brand-new CD Marcus, featuring the hit single "Free" featuring Corinne Bailey Rae.
Listen to Marcus Miller On Fame For 'Da Butt' and Call From Spike Lee For Music:
Bassist Marcus Miller says he can't believe it's been two decades since the release of Spike Lee's black college musical School Daze. But he has vivid memories of his involvement with the project's soundtrack as the producer of the enduring go-go-inflected hit "Da Butt" by the band E.U.