Dear Doctor, there are so many wonderful sporting events over the summer that I want to throw a party to celebrate. But what music should I play?
Sports parties, eh? Well, you need look no farther than the US for ideas on this subject – Americans take the peripheral stuff way more seriously than they do their sports.
For instance, there are tailgating parties in the parking lots of football matches, where already hefty bodies gorge themselves on Twinkies, honey buns and “casseroles” made of Campbell’s mushroom soup and cornflakes (yep, really), all washed down with cheap beer or sweetened cold tea. And at baseball games in Nashville, most of the action happens between rounds, with toilet racing (don’t ask), Goo Goo biscuit catching and dancing to Take Me Out To The Ball Game. Whatcha gonna do?
So, on to the music choice: start with Mavis Staples’ barnstorming version of Bob Dylan’s Gotta Serve Somebody. Follow this thick and growling vocal with another legendary performer: Tom Jones and his Thunderball, a track with an end note that, legend has it, led to Jones fainting in the vocal booth.
Next up, it’s Denver outfit Tennis and their Young And Old. Then it’s game, set and match… well, actually, it’s Game Of Love by Ike and Tina Turner.
Finally, put on Strange Games And Things, by the Love Unlimited Orchestra, Barry White’s favourite backing singers, followed by the quietly epic Footballer’s Wife by Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald. Now pass them there honey buns, sweetie.
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