To Be or Not to Be (The Hitler Rap)

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"To Be or Not to Be"
File:Mel brooks - To cover or not to cover.jpg
UK release artwork
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]
  1. "To Be Or Not To Be (The Hitler Rap) (Part 1)" – 7:43
  2. "To Be Or Not To Be (The Hitler Rap) (Part 2)" (Instrumental Mix) – 7:51

Chart positions

Chart (1983) Peak
position
Australian Pop Singles 3
UK Singles Chart 12

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Everyhit.com. UK Top 40 Hit Database. Search for Mel Brooks in the appropriate search field. Retrieved 2012-28-04
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.