Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Bret Michaels: Deeper Than You Think?

You may have heard the bizarre yet intriguing rumor that Britney Spears' "Oops! I Did It Again" was inspired by Byung-Hyun Kim's infamous back-to-back meltdowns in Games 4 and 5 of the 2001 World Series. True or not, this begs the question: what other bizarre hidden sports references are contained within our favorite songs?

That's the theme of our 80's music puzzle. Here's the deal: On the left, in random order, are brief descriptions of five sports moments from the 80's, both memorable and obscure. On the right, in chronological order, are clues to five of your favorite 80's songs, including the cover art of the album on which the song is included (with artist and album names seamlessly removed).

Your challenge is as follows:

Match each sports moment on the left to the song on the right that the sports moment may have inspired. A few notes:

  • In addition to the cover of the song's album, the song's release year and peak chart position is given.
  • Yes, the title of this post is a hint regarding one of the album covers.
  • The date of the song release relative to the date of the sports incident is irrelevant. I.e., for the purposes of this game, the song may have been released before the sports moment occurred.

I hope this makes sense. Either way, here we go:

80's Sports Moment Descriptions:
80's Song Hints:
Moment A:
On March 18, 1987, Orlando Woolridge scores 33 points for the Nets, including the game-winner, to beat Detroit 113-112. The win ultimately rescues the Nets from the ignominy of ending that season in sole possession of last place.
Song 1:
From above album
Released 1980*
US charts: #1
Moment B:
On the last day of the 1990 season, 600-lb Cecil Fielder belts two of the fattest dingers of his career - numbers 50 and 51, making him the first player in 13 years to hit 50 home runs.
Song 2:
From above album
Released 1982
US charts: #62
Moment C:
On July 31, 1987, the Dodgers beat the Braves ____ thanks to a solid outing from Fernando Valenzuela and home runs from Franklin Stubbs and SoSG's own Pedro Guerrero.
Song 3:
From above album
Released 1983
US charts: #20
Moment D:
Until he got fired for making insensitive remarks while covering the 2006 post-season for Fox, Steve Lyons was perhaps best remembered for this 1990 on-field incident.
Song 4:
From above album
Released 1986
US charts: #5
Moment E:
On December 11, 1985, the Dodgers said to the Giants "Give us Alex Trevino," to which Giants GM Al Rosen may have replied "Ok, but ______"
Song 5:
From above album
Released 1990
US charts: #3

*Contrary to popular belief, the "80's" refers to the period from 1981 to 1990. So yes, this song was technically part of the 70's.

UPDATE: See answers here

22 comments:

Steve Sax said...

#4: "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart, from the album "Frantic Romantic."

Nice job, EK! Love it.

Eric Karros said...

Well done Sax, I assume you recognize the cover from one of your Jermaine Stewart Concert Tour T-shirts. But which event on the left column does it match to?

Orel said...

Moment D! Moment D!

Orel said...

That CNN "link" is awesome. It's like you've been studying my surfing habits—hook, line & sinker! You've taken Rickrolling to a new level.

Steve Sax said...

Can I put my clothes back on now?

Steve Sax said...

I'm actually surprised you didn't use this for Moment B (but I haven't done the rest of the puzzle yet, so maybe I'm speaking too quickly).

Steve Sax said...

#2 matches with Moment E, Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" from the album of the same name. Brilliant!

Except, I think that's the picture of the single; isn't the album this? I'm nerding out.

Is Bow Wow Wow related to Lil' Bow Wow of Like Mike fame?

Eric Karros said...

You guys are good. Sax you're right about Bow Wow Wow cover...I thought since it's the most obscure song I'd make the artwork ID a little easier. not needed.

Orel said...

On December 11, 1985, the Dodgers said to the Giants "Give us Alex Trevino," to which Giants GM Al Rosen may have replied "Ok, but we don't have to take our clothes off."

Eric Karros said...

Haha Orel. Hey, it was the 80's. Who knows how deals really got done back then.

Steve Sax said...

I'm trying to figure out #3 but I don't recall a song or album called "Holding the Primary Colored Funnel Cake In the Upper Left Corner".

Eric Karros said...

You don't? You missed a great album. It's still available on iTunes.

Seriously, the guy is supposed to be in the water and the funnel cake is a beach.

Jimbo said...

It's the Fixx, but I'm unsure which moment it applies to. Still trying to figure out the Grateful Dead-looking one.

Orel said...

Hey, something changed!

Steve Sax said...

Thanks sons of. It's indeed the Fixx, "Reach the Beach," with "Saved by Zero" (#3) coalescing with Moment A.

Steve Sax said...

Your new album cover for #5 is hilarious--Nothin' more to say.

Eric Karros said...

Correct Sax! And yes I changed song 5 to show the cover for the single instead of the album in part because I think the original album cover had multiple versions. Sax if you want to verify via your world-renowned hair-band record collection, I'd appreciate.

Chad Fonville said...

I think Moment C matches with Song 1 - Dolly Parton singing 9 to 5

Of course, I thought "I Want Candy" would have been appropriate for Fielder in moment B since he was so big and "Talk Dirty To Me" would have matched moment E because...well just because.

Chad Fonville said...

Or I could have all the songs wrong anyway...

Steve Sax said...

Ek, I'm just proud that, with your new cover for #5, I finally got my picture in on this blog. Man, my hair was LONG back then!

Eric Karros said...

Chad, you're correct with Dolly but you have the wrong Poison song

Eric Karros said...

Although 'wrong Poison song' is sort of an oxymoron