The Tale of the Tape

The Tale of the Tape
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 1980
Recorded1979–1980
StudioEddy Offord's remote studio, Woodstock, New York
GenreRock, hard rock
Length37:24
LabelCapitol
ProducerBilly Squier, Eddy Offord
Billy Squier chronology
Can't Wait
(1977)
The Tale of the Tape
(1980)
Don't Say No
(1981)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Okayplayer link
Allmusic link

The Tale of the Tape is the debut studio album by American rock musician Billy Squier.[1] It was his first solo album, following two albums with the band Piper. Despite not being a huge success, the disc spent three months on Billboard's album chart and helped to kickstart Squier's solo career.

Although no songs from the album reached the charts, the song "The Big Beat" has been notably sampled by hip hop artists, including Run-D.M.C.'s "Here We Go", Big Daddy Kane's "Ain't No Half Steppin'", Jay-Z's "99 Problems", Dizzee Rascal's "Fix Up, Look Sharp", U.T.F.O's "Roxanne, Roxanne" and Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire".[2] The song also featured a pre-MTV music video.

  1. ^ Strong, Martin C. "The Great Metal Discography." Canongate Books Ltd. Edinburgh, Scotland. 1998. p. 315
  2. ^ Samples of The Big Beat by Billy Squier | WhoSampled