It’s Tricky by Run-D.M.C. was released on February 8, 1987, with Proud to Be Black as the B side. It was the final single from the group’s third album, Raising Hell.

The picture sleeve of the 7″ US release of Run-D.M.C.’s It’s Tricky

The song reached No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 16.

It’s Tricky samples My Sharona, the 1979 hit by The Knack. In 2006, almost 20 years after It’s Tricky’s release, members of The Knack who wrote My Sharona sued Run-D.M.C. for unlicensed sampling of the song. Read more about the lawsuit, which was ultimately settled out of court.