Sports Songs

I have spent the past hour trying to find mp3 files of "Metsmerized" by the '86 Mets-- along with "Chocolate Strawberry" by Darryl Strawberry--to no avail. I have therefore settled on watching the "Superbowl Shuffle" video, and thought I might pass it along.

God damn, Willie Gault is a good looking man. I am not ashamed to say it.

It appears that ESPN3 has compiled a whole series of articles on music and sports. I remember reading some of these, but there are plenty of excellent additions that I never read. I started here, but every page opens up new pleasures. Like Pete Gammon’s favorite albums, Eric Neel’s Best/Worst stadium songs list, or a whole list of awful music made by athletes. You can even hear sound clips with that one. My favorite page, however, is the one where they tell you the at-bat and intro songs for all 30 MLB teams. I have never seen all of them gathered together like this. Simply awesome. For some reason, Keith Foulke’s intro music--“Mother” by Danzig--is not on this list. A huge oversight, in my not so humble and increasingly vital opinion. I thought I would take the time to look at every team’s songs, and pick out a roster based on music played when players enter a game.

C Michael Barrett--"Take 5" by Dave Brubeck
1B Jason Giambi--“Wolfpack Theme” from WCW Wrestling
1B Mike Sweeney--“Jesus Freak” by DC Talks
2B Brett Boone--“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
2B Roberto Alomar--"Dirt Off Your Shoulder” by Jay-Z
3B Cory Koskie--“Tom Sawyer” by Rush
SS Orlando Cabrera--"For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays
SS Miguel Tejada-- "Hit 'em Up" by Tupac
DH Travis Hafner--“Du Hast” by Rammstein
OF Matt Stairs--“Glassbreaker” (Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Theme Music)
OF Raul Ibanez--“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon
OF David Dellucci--"The Godfather Waltz" by Nino Rota
OF Jody Gerut--“Lucipher” by Jay-Z
OF Moises Alou--"Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen
RP Tom Gordon--“Flash Gordon” by Queen
RP Keith Foulke--“Mother” by Danzig
RP Trevor Hoffman--“Hell’s Bells” by AC/DC

All of these songs are from the 2004 season, and many may have changed. Usher’s “Yeah” was clearly the most popular song, but I doubt it was still in favor this year. I should add “Big Poppa” to the list as well, as it is the song I sing every time David Ortiz comes up to the plate. I don’t think they play it for him at Fenway, though, which is mind-boggling. It’s like the Oilers never playing The Rock’s theme music whenever Georges Laraque makes a big hit, wins a fight, or scores a goal. How can you not “Smell What La Raque Is Cooking”? The Oilers used to have the worst music at hockey games. I haven’t gone in a while, so I don’t know if it has changed, but it seemed like they used to play four Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and Dwight Yoakam songs a game. Just, like, the whitest music ever.

As for the best pump up sports songs of all-time, I have a list of songs not covered by ESPN. They would include:

“Little Sister”--Queens of the Stone Age
“Hockey Night In Canada Theme Song”
“Real American” –-Hulk Hogan’s Theme Song
“NWA Theme Song”
“Vodoo Child”—Jimmy Hendrix/Hollywood Hogan’s Theme Song (just picturing Hogan playing his belt like a guitar gives me the shivers)
“Eye of the Tiger”--Survivor
“What’s My Name?”--DMX
“Separate Ways”--Journey
“The Hockey Song”--Stompin’ Tom Connors
“Zombie Nation”--Kernkraft

Also, anything by NFL Films, until it is remixed by Da Riffs. Don't believe me? Just listen to this bad boy.

I am sure I am missing many, but Abboud (and others) will assuredly fill in the gaps.