The Magic Number


"The Magic Number" is a 1989 single by De La Soul, originally recorded in 1988 and first released on their 1989 album, 3 Feet High and Rising, with the chorus based on a segment from the children's show Schoolhouse Rock!, written by Bob Dorough. In the song, the trio state that the number three is the magic number.
The song heavily samples songs and vocal samples originally sampled in "Lesson 3" by Double Dee and Steinski, as well as sampling "Lesson 3" itself. The song also samples "The Crunge" by Led Zeppelin, "Three is a Magic Number" by Schoolhouse Rock, "Five Feet High and Rising " by Johnny Cash, "Different Strokes" by Syl Johnson, and "Is this the Future?" by the Fatback Band.

Track listing

  1. "The Magic Number" – 3:14
  2. "Buddy " – 5:15
  3. *Guest Appearances: Q-Tip, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Monie Love