Big Beat

Recorded during the sessions for Billy Squier's album The Tale of the Tape, with Squier backed by his touring band and producer Eddie Offord. The track was built around a powerful drum pattern and hard-rock arrangement that became one of the album's most distinctive moments. Released in 1980 on Squier's debut solo album, the song was not a major hit but stood out for its driving rhythm and production. It helped establish the muscular sound that would characterize Squier's early career before his commercial breakthrough. The track became one of the most sampled rock recordings in hip-hop history, particularly its opening drum break. Producers across multiple generations used the break as a foundational rhythm source, giving the song a cultural impact far beyond its original release.