Written by Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti and produced by Snap!, "The Power" was the group's third single. Featuring a rap by Turbo B and vocals by Penny Ford, the single became an international hit. The song opens with the spoken Russian "Американская фирма Transceptor Technology приступила к производству компьютеров „Персональный спутник". "Personal Companion" was a computer-like device for the blind and visually impaired. Released in 1990, it was controlled by voice and could, among other functions, automatically download articles from USA Today by a built-in modem. It was made by Transceptor Technologies of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The song contains samples from "Let The Words Flow" by Chill Rob G, "Love's Gonna Get You" by Jocelyn Brown, and "King of the Beats" by Mantronix. The first version of the song sampled beats from Mantronix's "King of the Beats Lesson #1", the vocals were taken from "Let The Words Flow" by rapper Chill Rob G and from "Love's Gonna Get You" by Jocelyn Brown. All were used without authorization. In Germany, Arista Records had a deal with Stu Fine, former owner of Wild Pitch Records, but Arista did not have the same type of deal for a legal US release. Chill Rob G consented to a US release, and Wild Pitch issued a stateside single and video with his lyrics from "Let the Words Flow." Consequently, Arista Records wished to release their own edition in the US, but because it was not legally possible for the label to simply reissue the European single, it was decided to re-record the entire track with new lyrics by rapper Durron Butler. and additional vocals by Penny Ford. The samples were then all legally cleared and the song was finally re-released under the new name Snap!, despite the fact that Jocelyn Brown had commenced legal action because of the unauthorized sampling of her vocals. The two singles were sold in America concurrently, with Snap! drawing more media attention while Chill Rob G's got more club play.
Critical reception
Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote that "thanks to a healthy buzz generated via underground import attention, this hypnotic, street-soul jam should have no trouble duplicating its smash U.K. success. Expect big crossover action." In 2017, BuzzFeed listed the song at number 38 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s". Cash Box said that "The Power" is "set against a basic hip-hop beat, but all sorts of computer-generated enhancements are added, as well as a great bassline, soul-drenched female vocals, a male rap that sounds a bit like Heavy D, and, depending on the mix, elements of House. Yet none of it seems forced or contrived, and it doesn't sound quite like anything else that's out there right now. This one will be huge." Complex described it as "a more industrial take on the hip-house scene that blew up" at that time the song was released. Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger noted that the song "juggles aggression and melancholy, and makes both immediately appealing – the juddering riff which opens "The Power" set against the slow pace and lonesome spaciousness of the production and Pennye Ford's vocals. The riff is more distinctive than the singing, to be honest, but the contrast works." Music & Media commented that a "funky hip-hop rhythm, sampled from Doug Lazy's Let It Roll has been matched with some forceful rapping by Turbo B and inspired gospel vocals on the chorus. Excellent warm production by Benito Benites, John Garrett III and Snap. Could be the next big thing from the Continent." The Network Forty described the track as "a very hip and cool" rap song "with a modern edge". They also added that the "power charged rap-dance" does "crackles and pops with enough irresistible energy".
Track listings
; 1990 version ;; 12" maxi
"The Power"
"The Power"
"The Power"
;; 7" single
"The Power"
"The Power"
;; CD version
"The Power"
"The Power"
"The Power"
"The Power"
; 1996 version
"The Power '96"
"The Power '96"
"The Power '96"
"Ex-Terminator"
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Chart
Peak position
Year-end charts
Certifications
Covers, samples and remixes
The song was covered in 2002 by German band H-Blockx. Turbo B featured in the song taking turns to rap lyrics with H-Blockx's then frontman Dave Gappa. Of note, Turbo B replaces the word 'Snap!' with 'H-blockx' in the line "If they are Snap! don't need the police to try to save them". The single charted at number 48 in Germany, number 51 in Austria and number 34 in Australia.
