To Be or Not to Be (The Hitler Rap)
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"To Be or Not to Be" | |
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File:Mel brooks - To cover or not to cover.jpg
UK release artwork
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Single by Mel Brooks | |
Released | 1983 |
Format | 12", 7" |
Length | 7:43 (Extended Version) |
Label | Island (UK 12IS 158) |
Writer(s) | Mel Brooks, Pete Wingfield |
Producer(s) | Pete Wingfield |
"To Be or Not to Be" (also known as "The Hitler Rap") is a song recorded by Mel Brooks in 1983 for Island Records. The song appeared on the soundtrack album for the movie with the same name. It was derived from the burlesque show within the film but did not appear within it.[1] It also echoes Brooks' 1968 film The Producers, with the lines "Don't be stoopid, be a smarty. Come and join the Nazi Party" taken from the song Springtime For Hitler.
In the accompanying music video, Mel Brooks is dressed like Adolf Hitler and raps about the key events in Hitler's life in Third Reich.
While having limited success in the United States, the song managed to "score" in Australia and the United Kingdom, peaking at #12 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]
Track listing
- 12" single[3]
- "To Be Or Not To Be (The Hitler Rap) (Part 1)" – 7:43
- "To Be Or Not To Be (The Hitler Rap) (Part 2)" (Instrumental Mix) – 7:51
Chart positions
Chart (1983) | Peak position |
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Australian Pop Singles | 3 |
UK Singles Chart | 12 |