It’s officially NBA season. Some of the world’s best athletes are suiting up daily for games on the hardwood court as the pro basketball season begins to heat up. From LeBron James to Steph Curry, the orange leather ball is swishing through hoops left and right on the way to the championship series next summer.
Videos by American Songwriter
To celebrate the new season, here below we wanted to explore three songs that highlight the sport. A trio of tracks about one of the most popular sports on earth. Indeed, these are three songs for basketball fans everywhere.
[RELATED: Former NBA Star Muggsy Bogues Reveals His Top 10 Most Inspirational Songs]
“Roundball Rock” by John Tesh (1990)
In the 1990s, if you were a basketball fan, it was impossible to get away from this song. Not that you would want to, of course. Indeed, the song is one of the most popular basketball-related tunes. From the mind of entertainer John Tesh, the song remains so beloved that there is hope it will come back next year when NBC takes over NBA broadcasting rights. Played by the network to intro games back in the 1990s, it’s enlivening and spirited. Check out the behind-the-scenes origin story of it here below.
“Space Jam” by Quad City DJ’s from Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture (1996)
A lively song from the rap group that brought music fans the song “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train),” this tune is named after the movie it plays in. The track, which hit No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, is enough to get any fan excited for a game. In fact, the track still plays at some sporting events today. Just try to put it on and not feel like lacing up some sneakers to hit the closest park court. Indeed, Quad City DJ’s sing,
Everybody get up, it’s time to slam now
We got a real jam goin’ down
Welcome to the Space Jam
Here’s your chance, do your dance at the Space Jam
Alright…
Come on and slam, and welcome to the jam!
Come on and slam, if you wanna jam!
“Basketball Jones” by Barry White & Chris Rock from Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture (1996)
Comedian and actor Chris Rock is a real hoops head. Not only has he narrated a documentary about former NBA All-Star and New York Knicks legend Michael Ray Richardson (read more about Richardson here) and voiced the Lil’ Penny puppet in the 1990s, but Rock is also featured on this song with the deep-voiced Barry White for the hit 1996 soundtrack for the film Space Jam. Singing about his love for the game between White’s crooning, Rock belts,
Basketball Jones
I got a Basketball Jones
I got a Basketball Jones, oh baby
Oh, oh
Photo via John Tesh
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