“Pump Up The Volume” by M|A|R|R|S is an iconic track that dominated dance floors and airwaves. Its innovative use of sampling and infectious beat made it a staple in dance music history. Many remember the distinct energy it brought to the dance scene, making “Pump Up The Volume Dance Dance” a phrase synonymous with getting the party started. But if you’re like many fans, you might have noticed different versions floating around. One avid listener took to a forum in 2003 to try and dissect the variations they had encountered. Let’s delve into these descriptions and see if we can identify these unique mixes of this dance anthem.
Version 1: The “Zit! Zit!” Mystery Mix
This version is characterized by its distinct “Zit! Zit! Zit! Zatweeeaaahhh!” female vocal sample and the energetic “Do it! Do it! Do it!” phrase just before the chorus explodes with “PUtV, PUtV, PUtV, dance dance.” Interestingly, it seems to lack some of the other well-known samples like “Brothers and sisters!” or “Put the needle on the record.” Clocking in at 5:02, it’s speculated to be one of the “Bonus Beats” remixes, emphasizing the core rhythmic elements perfect for the dance floor.
Version 2: The Wolfman Jack and “Brothers and Sisters!” Edition
Version 2 kicks off with what sounds like a sample of the legendary Wolfman Jack, exclaiming something like, “‘Dats right, dude’s got the baddest record of the year… Check it out!” This version is packed with iconic samples: “Brothers and Sisters!… You’re gonna get yours!”, “Pump that beat”, “Pump me up!”, “Rock the house,” “Awww yeah!”, “Do it!”, “zaa zoo na, zaa zoo na, zaa zoo na,” “Watch me! Do it!”, and the memorable “Automatic push button, remote control, synthetic, genetic, command your soul.” It also includes the “Put the needle on the record when the drumbeats go like THIS” line, the distinctive Ofra Haza sample, an electric guitar solo, and the “Zit! Zit! Zit! Zatweeeaaahhh!” vocal bit. Notably, this 6:22 version does not feature the “Mars… needs… women.” sample.
Version 3: The “Mars Needs Women” and Doo-wop Infusion
This 7:03 version brings in the “Mars… needs… women” sample. It retains “Brothers and sisters!”, “You’re gonna get yours!”, “Pump that beat”, “Pump me up!”, “Rock the house”, “Aww yeah!”, “Yeah yeah”, “Move it down”, “Here we go. Come on!”, “Put the needle on the record,” and the Ofra Haza sample. It also includes a doo-wop sample, described as “Dah dah dah, do do do, da da da, do do.” The “Automatic push-button…” section is altered to “Rhythmatic systematic world control magnetic, genetic, to match your soul,” marking a clear lyrical variation from Version 2.
Version 4: The Bronx Shout-Out
Opening with a female DJ declaring, “Yo all you homeboys down in Bronx, this one’s for you,” this 4:02 version is geographically specific. It includes “Brothers and sisters!”, “You’re gonna get yours!”, “Pump that beat”, “Pump me up!”, “Move it down!”, “Here we go, come on.”, “Rhythmatic, systematic world control…”, “Put the needle on the record,” and the Ofra Haza sample. The Bronx intro and shorter runtime distinguish this version.
Version 5: The Short and Sweet “Zit! Zit!” Echo
Described as “Exactly like #1, but slightly shorter” at 4:30, Version 5 seems to be a condensed edit of the “Zit! Zit!” mix. It retains the core elements of Version 1 but offers a more concise dance experience.
Version 6: “Mars Needs Women” Intro and Outro
This 4:40 version is framed by the “Mars needs women” sample at both the beginning and end. It also incorporates the “Yo all you homeboys down in Bronx…” intro and a brief Ofra Haza sample. This version appears to be a more minimalist take, focusing on fewer samples than some of the longer mixes.
Version 7: The Faster-Paced “Dah Dah Dah” Mix (No Mars!)
Version 7 is noted for being faster than the others. It includes “Brothers and sisters!”, “You’re gonna get yours!”, “Pump that beat”, “Pump me up!”, “Rock the house”, “Awww yeah!”, “Move it down”, “Here we go, come on”, “Rhythmatic systematic world control…”, “Put the needle on the record”, Ofra Haza, and the doo-wop “Dah dah dah, do do do, da da da, do do” sample. Crucially, this 6:31 version, despite its length, does not include the “Mars… needs… women.” sample, setting it apart from Version 3.
Decoding the Dance Floor Anthems
These detailed descriptions highlight the fascinating variations within “Pump Up The Volume.” From the “Zit! Zit!” driven mixes to those incorporating Wolfman Jack or the Bronx shout-out, each version offers a slightly different flavor while maintaining the core energy that makes you want to “pump up the volume dance dance.” Identifying the definitive names of each mix remains a fun challenge for music historians and dance enthusiasts alike. Perhaps revisiting these descriptions will help you pinpoint exactly which version gets your feet moving!
