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Guitars and Basketballs
Published: 1/10/2008 2:56 PM
Last Modified: 1/10/2008 2:56 PM

What in the name of Cracklin' Rosie is going on here?
TU coach Doug Wojcik (and I'm not poking fun at him) railed against the music that was being played at a Golden Hurricane home game and I thought that raised an interesting question: Just what is appropriate music to be played at basketball games, or, for that matter, any sporting event?
Wojcik mentioned the Beach Boys by name, and not in a good way. It's a band that stopped making records before any of Wojcik's players were born.
But are you playing music at sporting venues solely for the guys who are on the court or are you trying to play music for the thousands of people who are in the seats? I doubt that the people who bought tickets are in the same demographic as kids who buy Soulja Boy CDs.
I heard Soulja Boy and -- get this -- Neil Diamond songs played at Gallagher-Iba Arena prior to OSU's home game against Rogers State. I've got no problem with Neil Diamond, but the Cowboy players probably have no idea who he is, unless perhaps they have been fortunate enough to see the movie "Saving Silverman."
Good luck finding music that will make everyone happy. For that matter, good luck finding a presidential candidate that will make everyone happy. Or a class reunion venue that will make everyone happy.
You can't please everyone, of course, and you should know that going in.
That said, here are three songs that -- mood wise -- should never be played at a sporting event:
--"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot. That'll get the joint rocking -- not!!!
--"Hurt," whether it's the Johnny Cash or inferior Nine Inch Nails version. Too much of a downer. However, I would highly recommend "The Man Comes Around" from the same Cash album.
--And "Lonesome Loser" by the Little River Band, just because of obvious reasons.
Many arenas have signature tunes. "Rock You Like A Hurricane" is a staple at TU events. "Should've Been a Cowboy" is often played at OSU.
Anybody got music selections we can all agree that should be played at sporting events? Is it really that difficult to find a compromise tune that will appeal to the kids and the alums? How about a big juke box in the lobby and everybody in attendance can pay for a song?
P.S. Van Halen is soon scheduled to appear in Oklahoma City. Judging from ticket prices, perhaps they should change the name of some of their songs. For instance, "Running With the Devil" could now be "Running With Our Accountants."




Reader Comments 5 Total
Sooner Fan (5 years ago)
I have to admit I do not have any suggestions for basketball tunes that would please everyone. However, I must say that the warm up tunes played at Owen Field before games are great.(granted, this is coming from a students perspective.) While I do not normally listen to all the songs they play, they do a good job of picking songs that seem to get everyone pumped up. Now that I am thinking about it, could this be the reason OU does so well at home, and not necessarily as well in away games or bowls? Should be investigated.
Mike (5 years ago)
It's overplayed, but "We Ready" by Archie Eversole should satisfy most players and fans. Players-because it's rap and they can relate to it. Fans-because it's not really offensive at all. Although some old blue hairs will have a problem with any kind of rap.
Rick (5 years ago)
Not sure if this is the name or just signature line from the song, but the "We are the Champions" song by Queen should not be too bold to play at TU games.
JerseyJohn (5 years ago)
"Patches" by Clarence Carter
Jimmie Tramel (5 years ago)
Big Al Jerkens had exactly the correct advice for TU home games. He said Nolan-era songs like "Celebration" and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" should be played at the Reynolds Center. I agree 100 percent. It would be a nice nod to TU's tradition and the kids could learn to like it.
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Tulsa World sports writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. He is the OSU basketball beat writer and a columnist and feature writer during football season. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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