Nightmare on My Street

"A Nightmare on My Street"
Single by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
from the album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
Released	August 19, 1988
Format	12" Vinyl
Recorded	1987
Genre	Rap
Length	6:09
Label	Jive/RCA Records
Writer(s)	Smith, Townes, Harris
Producer	Smith, Townes, New, Harris
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince singles chronology
"Parents Just Don't Understand" (1988) "A Nightmare on My Street" (1988) "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson" (1989)

"A Nightmare on My Street" is the third single from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's second studio album, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper. The song became a crossover hit in the US, reaching #15 on the Hot 100. The song was released as a single in early 1988. The single was released on Vinyl and Audio Cassette Tape.

Content

Will Smith starts the song off by telling a little about Freddy, whom he addresses as "Fred", and then beginning to recall his encounter with him. The story starts off on a Saturday evening when Smith, Jazzy Jeff, and Ready Rock C go on a triple date with three girls where they catch a movie. After Smith gets home he lies down for the night and supposedly wakes up sometime after 12:30 from the unusually hot temperature from the heater which has melted his alarm clock. He goes downstairs for something to drink, and as he gets downstairs he notices the TV still on which he finds strange, as he is home alone. He turns off the television, then he hears a voice from behind him, and without looking to see who it is, he runs out of the house. He gets half a block before he stops and comes to the realization that what he's experiencing is nothing more than a dream. So he returns home where Freddy grabs him and offers a homicidal team-up. But Will turns down the offer and Freddy slashes Smith's chest. Smith, fearful for his life, runs up to his room, and hides in his bed under his sheets. Freddy then hops on the bed on top of Smith and starts slashing away with Smith trying to fight back. But with sound of Smith's alarm clock everything stops. Smith looks to see that no one is there and scoffs at what happens. But when he see rips on his sheets he realizes what has happened and quickly calls Jazz to warn him. As the song ends, Smith tries to beg Jazz to stay awake, and Jazz suddenly starts screaming with Freddy laughing in the phone's background telling Smith, "I'm your DJ now, Princey!"

Track listing

7" Vinyl

1. "A Nightmare On My Street" - 4:16
2. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Instrumental) - 5:14

12" Vinyl

1. "A Nightmare On My Street" - 4:16
2. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Instrumental) - 5:14

12" Promotional Vinyl

1. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Original Version) - 6:09
2. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Single Version) - 4:16
3. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Instrumental) - 5:14
4. "A Nightmare On My Street" (Rave Mix) - 7:18

Official Versions

• Original Version - 6:09 (Found On The 7" Vinyl)
• Instrumental - 5:14 (Found On The 7" Vinyl)
• Single Version - 4:16 (Found On The 12" Promotional Viynl)
• Rave Mix - 7:18 (Found On The 12" Promotional Viynl)

References