When great (or at least mediocre) public school educators like myself have snow days piling up (or in this case a wind chill day, the first I’ve ever had), our minds go to weird places. So I had the question asked on Facebook, “What is your favorite song from a sports movie?” I wasn’t quite sure what kind of response we’d get. It’s one those things that could go either way. But it was a great discussion, and a lot of suggestions were made that I had not thought of.
The one main thought I concluded was that there are different categories that generally go along with the movies the songs accompany.
The Emotional
For instance, Terry Sandy responded on Facebook with the theme from Brian Song. If you have never seen the movie, stop what you are doing and watch it now! It is a requirement. After watching it, the theme will bring a tear to your eye every time. A second in this category is Madonna’s This Used to be my Playground from A League of their Own as suggested by Tamara Vanover Haislip. Very moving after watching the film.
The Shocking
Jake Tittle replied with Fire and Rain from James Taylor in Remember the Titans. I had not remembered it, but after finding it on YouTube, I did. The team has finally come together, accepted each other, and they have been accepted by the town. Gerry Bertier, played by Ryan Hurst, is driving through town as people celebrate along the road following a win. Fire and Rain is playing in the background. With his eyes off the road, Bertier peels out, enters an intersection, and is sideswiped by a truck. Classic Hollywood plot twist.
Remember the Titans Crash Scene
The Raw Power
Number one in this category for me is Thunderstruck by AC/DC. That was first brought up by Keith Jackson (Is that what he’s doing these days in retirement?). First in Varsity Blues, it was also in the 2005, Adam Sandler version of the Longest Yard. By itself, this song just ROCKS!
Theatrical
Mick Lite suggested the song from The Natural where Roy Hobbs knocks the cover off the ball. The song itself is actually named The Natural, and was written by Randy Newman. In fact, the entire soundtrack was written by Newman. What is the movie industry going to do when Newman dies?
The Fun
One movie I had not thought of was Sandlot as proposed by several on the Book. It has a fun soundtrack including The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Tequila, This Magic Moment, and Wipe Out.
Another good song for this category is Wild Thing from Major League, and to paraphrase another song not from a sports movie, but, “Where have you gone Charlie Sheen?” At any rate, it is classic when Ricky Vaughn struts in from the bullpen, wearing those goofy glasses to pitch in relief with the fans screaming, “Wild thing! You make my heart sing!”
And Major League has some of the best lines:
What league have you been playing in? California Penal.
Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.
I’ll save more of that for another day.
As for me and my house…
Here are my favorites: Never can go wrong with Gonna Fly Now, the theme to the original Rocky, or Eye of the Tiger from Rocky 3. One song from recent years that will rise with the test of time is Against the Wind from Bob Seger in the movie For Love of the Game. The movie is under appreciated and will gain popularity over time as well. Against the Wind is the perfect anthem for the flashbacks as Billy Chapel’s career comes to a close. And just for a moment, has there really ever been an actor who has played athletes better than Kevin Costner? In addition to For Love of the game, there is American Flyers, Bull Durham and Tin Cup. He’s about to the age where he has to start playing managers though.
Token
No sports movie list would ever be complete without something from the 1977 Paul Newman movie Slap Shot. Again, if you have never seen it, stop what you are doing, and go watch it. The song, The Stripper is officially listed on the soundtrack. This is played when the character Ned Braden, played by Michael Ontkean, sheds his uniform and equipment and proceeds to skate around the rink only in his jock.
