Advertisement

Music Blog 4/3/2010

Stars of the National Game by The National Pastime Orchestra (from A Century of Baseball in Song, Vol. 1, The Sporting News, 1989)

I had a hard time finding a baseball ditty old enough to use after a profile of 47-year-old Phillies starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, but I think this peppy 1908 number should spin some bowties, dent some derbies and curdle some boot-black. Huzzah!

Moustache by Sparks (from Angst in My Pants, Oglio Records, 1982)

My wife loves Sparks, even has “a thing” for Russell and Ron Mael. So maybe her crush and my subsequent jealousy are influencing my ambivalence to their music. Maybe it works the other way, too, which would explain why she doesn’t care for En Vogue…

Boomer Sooner by the USC Trojan Marching Band (from Fight Songs, Delta, 1989)

Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a Card’nal
Makin' lazy circles in the sky.
‘Cuz Stanford just beat us…beat us bad.
&^^%$$#&!!! Oklahoma, not OK!

It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) by Duke Ellington (from American Legends: Duke Ellington, LaserLight, 1996)

There are so many contexts in which this song works brilliantly, including that of the tale of a turn-of the century golfer who invented the modern swing. It’s just one of the many great things about the song.

Eagle by ABBA (from ABBA: The Definitive Collection, UTV Records, 2001)

Little known fact: Swedish golf-phenom Annika Sorenstam was an original member of ABBA who gave up a career of pop music hit-making for a career on the links. Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid became Sweden’s best-known foursome. Just kidding about the first thing.

Ball Park Food by Evan Johns & Dr. Louie (from Diamond Cuts: Top of the Sixth, Hungry for Music, 2003)

Ah, Joe Concessionaire, a nation wearily lifts its oversized backsides to visit you.

Hold On by En Vogue (from Best of En Vogue, Elektra, 1998)

Well, “hold on” is what you do when you pole dance. At least that’s what I’ve been told…

This program aired on April 2, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from Only A Game

Listen Live
Close