The song refers to the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel. However, the lyrics "Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego" in the track are used and sampled from Sly and the Family Stone's "Loose Booty", in which they are repeated and spoken rhythmically throughout the track in an almost rap-like form.[1]
In 2012, The Beastie Boys were sued for copyright infringement for sampling "Say What" in the song "Shadrach".[2]