Thank Caiaphas it’s Good Friday.
To ease you through the Easter weekend, why not another music competition?
A reader wrote in with the following suggestion:
“I’m suggesting songs relating to sports/with a sport reference? It’d have to be very broad and encompass every sport from riding a bike/horse – cars/tractor – running/walking – skydiving/deep sea diving/sailing – table-tennis/tiddlywinks – GAA/rugby/soccer etc… You get the drift.”
So there you have it.
Here’s mine.
Reply below to be in with a chance of winning a €50 voucher redeemable at any Golden Discs store.
The winner will be chosen by my caddie.
Please include video links if possible.
Lines MUST close at 10.45pm.
Nick says: Good luck and Happy Easter!
Sponsored Link
El Scorcho by Weezer
https://youtu.be/okthJIVbi6g
Lyrics refer to his crush watching the great sport of professional wrestling.
(So I went to your room and read your diary:
“Watching Grunge leg drop New Jack through a press table”)
The leg drop in question https://twitter.com/maffewgregg/status/803000048103649280?s=21
Acquiring this link and catching a few bars of the Theme From Sparta FC (The Fall)
has turned this so-so Friday into a GREAT Friday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaxB5qRSq1I
Looking forward the Stephen Donnelly calling-off C19 so that I can see these lads play Dalymount… or Thermopylae..
Oh that’s an excellent choice.
I mean, come on! Mention tractors to a country boy? It has to be The Wurzels!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb63PdPweDc
https://youtu.be/eBmFuySb_Qw
All I want for Christmas is a Dukla Prague away kit has to be the best song title ever.
Give him a ball and a yard of grass
https://youtu.be/4O7qwQlORlM
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DqxRwxpUdxQU&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwj26cj-n9_vAhUxURUIHZu8Dv0QyCkwAHoECAoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1JobRfD_Djoek9G6B7RveB
There’re can’t be all that many songs about car racing? Knopfler; The Car was the One.
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line
Engines pumping and thumping in time
The green light flashes, the flags go up
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup
Cake – The Distance
https://youtu.be/F_HoMkkRHv8
No cars in the video tho…
“He always beat me at Subbuteo
Cause he flicked the kick and I didn’t know…”
The Undertones – My Perfect Cousin
https://youtu.be/Pgqa3cVOxUc
Brilliant song.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=NHONQJ-oWtM&feature=share
Janis Joplin, Mercedes Benz :)
not sure this qualifies…
Si Senor – Bobby Firmino Song
https://youtu.be/KM1CrRMgCKY
Hoop referencing B-Boys
“Mike D, come and rock the sure shot”
https://youtu.be/JhqyZeUlE8U
Sultans of Ping FC – Give Him a Ball (And a Yard of Grass)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O7qwQlORlM
Lead singer is a big Forest fan. Any song that lifts Brian Clough quotes is OK by me. Largely quotes on the fantastic John Robertson – one of the full quotes being none too complimentary on his looks.
And sung by Dr Niall O’Flatherty, Senior Lecturer in the History of European Political Thought, King’s College, London
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/niall-oflaherty
Sultans of Ping – Give him a ball
https://youtu.be/4O7qwQlORlM
“In his blue velour and silk
You liberated the boy I never rated
And now he’s throwing discus
For Liverpool and Widnes…”
Belle and Sebastian – The Stars of Track and Field
https://youtu.be/iRybFTKAhOc
Nice one Otis – was going to post this
You gotta shine a light on the minority sports.
For me it’s got to be The Race by Yello
https://youtu.be/Y4QbJRAWvRU
As soon as I started reading you post I could hear it playing in my head. I have never heard a song that embodies it’s subject matter so well, you can almost smell the petrol fumes! It also brings me back memories of the last year I spent in Dublin before heading off to London! In my mind it was a particularly hot and sunny year when I got to wander the streets on my days off or laze by the canal in Portobello. If my job prospects had been better I never would have left, but like many of my contemporaries, once I got over the homesickness, I was glad that I did.
Oh yeah.
Chicka chickaaah
The run Lola run soundtrack
Who doesn’t love watching a youngwan running around to German techno for an hour and a half?
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkMwkg-GyHwU0tl3G0jQgN5H0yQWI07Qv
must rewatch !
Manu Chao – La Vida Tombola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9JWCVG4v4
I like
Faithless – Muhammad Ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdBvluNI6xc
A very sweet reminisce and tribute written to the great man. Written as a thank you for inspiring Maxi Jazz to rise above racial taunts as a kid. Great tune and lovely video too.
Another tribute song from 1972 – reggae classic “Cassius clay” by Dennis Alcapone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYXlK4lKgIE
…i went philly smoked a blunt lifted up my grey hoddie and hit the steps hard …..
Rising Up
Back on The Streets
Did my time…
https://youtu.be/btPJPFnesV4
for me has be
Vangelis – Chariots Of Fire
https://youtu.be/8a-HfNE3EIo
new order a also ran,again:)
The Duckworth Lewis Method – Test Match Special
I don’t know anything about cricket, but I love this track!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv0vaCU1vsg
The Pioneers ‘Long Shot Kick De Bucket’ (1969)
“Relating the sudden and dramatic demise of noted racehorse Long Shot at a race held at Kingston’s famed Caymanas Park, ‘Long Shot Kick The Bucket’ became one of Trojan Records’ earliest UK chart hits, with the record peaking at No.21 in the Official UK Singles Chart”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhAec0h4lds
Another gem from Half Man Half Biscuit, has to be the absolute genius ‘F*ckin’ ‘Ell, It’s Fred Titmus’ so named after the Middlesex and England cricketer.
https://youtu.be/kWfmDIiax_8
And live…
https://youtu.be/Vkur0hgR7ow
Oh! Dracula comes from Transylvania
Stevie nicks books about kleptomania
Johnny looked out of his bedroom window
And shouted to his mum….. “Fred Titmus!”
Kraftwerk – Tour de France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTe7U92ecX8
I choo choo choose Japanese legend Cornelius and the tune Ball in Kick Off. Hadn’t heard of him until a pal dragged me along to The Olympia umpteen years ago to see him. Audio visual mind warp!
https://youtu.be/O2H9uNbF4k4
Mark Kozelek’s work is woven through with references to the sweet science and the desperate lives of its protagonists.
https://www.boxingscene.com/kozelek-paying-tribute-boxings-tragic-figures-song–53671
Running at over 15 mins, Ottawa is more long-form narrative than a song. Take time time out on this Bank Holiday Friday and listen up.
https://youtu.be/UZqnuRI7sC0
Adore this tune which mentions boxing so still counts…drumroll for Hey You Bastards I’m Still Here which I listened to about five times a day for a solid week when I first heard it….
https://youtu.be/_QpP2nc9R48
He’s great and I like his curmudgeonly, middle age shtick.
The lines in Ottawa where he baits The War on Drugs are sublime.
The Pogues – Bottle of smoke-
I am not a gambling man myself but, gee, twenty five to one, good on you pal!
The video and happy easter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csdCM3G2l8A
Great shout
We’ll have some rusty tin can and an ol hurley ball too..
https://youtu.be/4QFYP9Dhmwg
The Boys of Fair Hill? References to beagling and road bowling, and the inadequacy of Englishwomen as dog-minders:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX8cX8d1hjk
Just because it evokes memories of playing Fifa 98 when I was a child, Song 2 by Blur
https://youtu.be/8w0X1bSrUHs
Growing up in the ’80’s & being a fan of the sound of leather on willow was a akin to the love that dare not speak it’s name; but the sight of Marshal, Ambrose & Viv Richards (the master blaster) & co routinely thrashing the Sassenachs. by an innings to the sound of conch shells at The Oval was worth “spending warm summers days indoors” .. So in honour of the boys of summer I nominate a song as beautiful & as evocative as any in the English language.
Roy Harper : “When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy-WU7RPxEw&list=RDvy-WU7RPxEw&start_radio=1
Parquet Courts “total football”
Nothing takes you closer to sports than someone shouting instead of singing…. Also the unnecessary “feck Tom Brady”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP9l9HBJ1o0&ab_channel=ParquetCourts
“There’s some take delight in the carriages a rolling
and others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
but I take delight in the juice of the barley…”
The Dubliners – Whiskey in the Jar
https://youtu.be/41GtRF4aPAE
The ultimate sport song but more importantly video, and a classic back in the early days of MTV,
Dire Straits – Walk Of Life,
https://youtu.be/kd9TlGDZGkI
Enjoy and Happy Easter!!
Joxer goes to Stuttgart – Christy Moore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ohD8UsQgc
For that unforgettable ‘Revenge for Skibbereen’ moment
One of the best mix ups ever on Top Of The Pops when the dart player Jockey Wilsons image is shown while the brilliant Dexy’s is singing about Jackie Wilson!!
https://youtu.be/sagkHJ_zxDE
Enjoy!
Pepe Kalle^s tribute to Roger Milla
Try and stay still, i dare ya
https://youtu.be/XfNUqI7clq4
https://youtu.be/Nvt01SwxFgA
If paradise to you is cheap beer and overtime
Home truths are easily missed
Something that every football fan knows
It only takes five fingers to form a fist
Billy Bragg, the home front
Paul Simon – NIGHT GAME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U078jX6Z6fo
There were two men down
And the score was tied
In the bottom of the eighth
When the pitcher died
And they laid his spikes
On the pitcher’s mound
And his uniform was torn
And his number was left on the ground
Then the night turned cold
Colder than the moon
The stars were white as bones
The stadium was old
Older than the screams
Older than the teams
There were three men down
And the season lost
And the tarpaulin was rolled
Upon the winter frost
There were three men down
And the season lost
And the tarpaulin was rolled
Upon the winter frost
Paul Simon – PAPA HOBO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA8nfFze7Bs
It’s carbon and monoxide
The ole Detroit perfume
It hangs on the highways
In the morning
And it lays you down by noon
Oh Papa Hobo
You can see that I’m dressed like a schoolboy
But I feel like a clown
It’s a natural reaction I learned
In this basketball town
Sweep up
I been sweeping up the tips I’ve made
I been living on Gatorade
Planning my getaway
Detroit, Detroit
Got a hell of a hockey team
Got a left-handed way
Of making a man sign up on that
Automotive dream, oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh Papa Papa Hobo
Could you slip me a ride?
Well, it’s just after breakfast
I’m in the road
And the weatherman lied
Celtic supporting Post-Rockers Mogwai clearly know the score. Titles include Music Industry 3 Fitness Industry 1; Mexican Grand Prix; Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait and Superheroes of BMX. Best of all, however, is their wry paean to Hugh Dallas, the controversial Scottish football referee.
https://youtu.be/698amHGibVE
Fleetwood Mac – The Chain
https://youtu.be/ThLJuy-2N-o
The best music associated with sport becomes synonymous with that sport; you can’t separate one from the other. Is there a better example than when the BBC matched The Chain with its Formula One coverage. This recalls boyhood Sunday afternoons at my best friend’s house watching, Prost, Senna, Mansell, et al screaming round the circuits with the late, great Murray Walker animating the scenes with his own unique take on the English language. Whatever Fleetwood Mac had intended The Chain to be, its meaning has been overtaken (geddit) by decades of exposure to this musical match up par excellence.
Well put. I’d venture one more. Iron Maidens Phantom of the Opera and Daley Thompson Lucozade ad. Not the lasting effect of the chain but it still plays in my head every time I see lucozade. https://youtu.be/BLtuk3no_rI
Good choice!
In the same vein, Ski Sunday wouldn’t have lasted a season without the super kitch Pop Looks Bach!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TKCegLO4vhs
(Though Fleetwood Mac just might have kept their following on their own merit : )
Mexico ‘86 anyone?
Colourbox – (unofficial) Official Colourbox World Cup Theme
https://youtu.be/Dp8dMveAYZc
Choon!
My suggestion is The Race by Yello
https://youtu.be/Y4QbJRAWvRU
Guaranteed to have everyone up on the dance floor. All the more impressive when considering the Yello boys are notoriously performance shy! They only played their first full live show quite recently.
top tune
Actually going to change my entry to this as it blends the whole macho soccer element with a big gay love fest. It’s funny and clever.
Hot Chip – Don’t Deny Your Heart
https://youtu.be/Gf3bmQh8_dM
Scratch my first one. This one is in Portuguese but I’m informed it’s basically a description of a football game. Umbabarauma https://open.spotify.com/track/0iXhCZvvISonOoCh064MnW?si=LOIgsItlRTqH4y5BwMTLvw&utm_source=copy-link
One two three four…
Um, dois, tres, quatro…
Umbabarauma man goal
Umbabarauma homen gol
Umbabarauma man goal
Umbabarauma homen gol
Play ball play ball player
Joga bola joga bola jogador
Play ball wanna play ball player
Joga bola quero jogar bola jogador
Jump, jump, fall, get up, go up and down
Pula, pula, cai, levanta, sobe e desce
Run, kick, open space, vibrate and thank
Corre, chuta, abre espaco, vibra e agradece
Look that the whole city was empty
Olha que a cidade toda ficou vazia
That beautiful afternoon to see you play
Nessa tarde bonita pra te ver jogar
Plays ball player
Joga bola jogador
Play corocondo ball
Joga bola corocondo
Favela Pelada Favela Pelada
Favela Pelada Favela Pelada
Football Football Football Football …
Futebol Futebol Futebol Futebol…
* Here is the story of Umbabarauma
*Eis ai a historia de Umbabarauma
I remember some months back sharing the original 1976 version of that track. Didn’t know it was about football!
https://www.broadsheet.ie/2020/08/14/win-nicks-voucher-35/#comment-2228083
I came to it via soulfly who are football mad. I didn’t realise it went back so far.
It’s probable that this song isn’t about the 2019 Galway Senior Hurling Champions, but just in case.
Orlando Weeks – St. Thomas’
https://youtu.be/SCE9CDjSNZ0
https://youtu.be/SCE9CDjSNZ0
Music has and hopefully will continue to soundtrack my life, a song or a bit of music can take me back to a moment in my life, and this is one of those moments,
https://youtu.be/HDtGqJupcE0
As soon as I hear it, I’m transported back to me Dad coming in on a Saturday night, his coat smelling of smoke after been in the pub (even though he didn’t smoke!) with fish and chips and Match Of The Day!
First introduction too the mighty whites!
Still a fan!.
Enjoy.
Another great away win:
Master McGrath by Danú
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7yJcte5zZc
Put this on full blast in the car and it’ll blow the windows out, Ministry with”Jesus built my hotrod” one of the most possibly eye popping, brain melting bangers you’ve ever heard.
https://youtu.be/GXCh9OhDiCI
And even though I have no clue who he is or why anyone would make a song about him, Lars Vaular with a football fanatics dedication to Gary Speed, who’s apparently a football player of some sort
https://youtu.be/P7k1jniqtTc
Jesus regularly builds my hotrod. Always loud. Saw Ministry live a few times and that song is stand out heavy. Proper face melter.
for all the runners, joggers and racers on here
zion train – marathon
from great sporting moments in dub
the times – there’s a cloud over liverpool
https://youtu.be/s5my7C8xrn4
even has some crowd noise – just like the real thing.
Barmy Army
psycho & the wombles of division one
https://youtu.be/I26n3lMDpzw
Basketball jones
https://youtu.be/mt6CbYYTr2U
for all the ballers out there
keeping the ballers in mind
dj shepdog – jah wish
https://youtu.be/QVTG7mbBmQw
happy saturday
Snooker loopy
https://youtu.be/BliAPzEsao0
We’re gonna show what we can do
With a load of balls and a snooker cue
Ry Cooder
Third Base, Dodger Stadium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIAxgZXy9do
I work here nights parking cars
Underneath the moon and the stars
Same ones that we all knew
Back in 1952
And if you wanna know
Where a local boy like me is coming from
3rd base, Dodger Stadium