From the shmaltz of Rocky to the power of Jack Dempsey, from the heartbreak of Hurricane Carter to the triumphs of Ali, the stories of our boxers are ingrained in the fabric of our nation. They are both popular myth and factual legend. As our world continues to evolve, the once great sport has been losing ground. Few compelling boxers remain and the invincible aura of the heavyweight champ has largely been lost. Today we share a few songs that capture the lost spirit of boxing in America…
Twenty years ago DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their third album, And in this Corner. Thought not nearly as successful as those first two albums, the album has its high points. One of the highest, at least for me, has always been “I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson.” While it was most certainly tongue-in-cheek, it is humorous to listen to the wiry Smith rap about how he could take Iron Mike.
The fact that Mike Tyson is so prominently featured illustrates just how dated the song is. Who could have imagined what would become of such a feared and celebrated boxer in a matter of years?
As celebrated as Mike was, he pales in comparison to the fictional Hector Ormano in Of Montreal’s song My Favorite Boxer. This song appeared on The Gay Parade, the third album by Of Montreal. A sort of celebration of everyday life, this concept album is filled with somewhat whimsical tunes.
The life of the narrator is so filled with fear that Hector becomes an ideal. The narrator spends his time wishing to become like Hector Beautiful women flock to Hector, attracted as much to his great teeth as they are his fierce bravery. At the end of the song, these dreams come to an unexpected end when Hector throws a stick at the head of our narrator. In many ways this song represents the change in society. Where once boxers were idolized and desired, they have become a second class athlete, an afterthought.
If the previous two songs show the glory of what boxing can be…or perhaps just what it once was, this next song is the underbelly. From it’s opening lines one can sense that the song is far from a celebration. Instead, it is a simple story of small lives and the seamy side of small time boxing: a pugilist and his girlfriend, her worries and his love.
Lou’s story, and the story of boxing itself, is one that mimics life. Early on, ripe with the prowess of youth, we all have the tendency of sauntering in “like Errol Flynn.” The world and its glories kneel before us. Yet, no matter how many fights are won, the end is always the same:
“…his eyes were cast up to the rafters and then they slowly sealed in silence.”
Wonderful Wednesday: Boxing
Nothing says America quite like boxing.
The Executioner, Bernard Hopkins
From the shmaltz of Rocky to the power of Jack Dempsey, from the heartbreak of Hurricane Carter to the triumphs of Ali, the stories of our boxers are ingrained in the fabric of our nation. They are both popular myth and factual legend. As our world continues to evolve, the once great sport has been losing ground. Few compelling boxers remain and the invincible aura of the heavyweight champ has largely been lost. Today we share a few songs that capture the lost spirit of boxing in America…
Twenty years ago DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their third album, And in this Corner. Thought not nearly as successful as those first two albums, the album has its high points. One of the highest, at least for me, has always been “I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson.” While it was most certainly tongue-in-cheek, it is humorous to listen to the wiry Smith rap about how he could take Iron Mike.
I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson-DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh PrinceThe fact that Mike Tyson is so prominently featured illustrates just how dated the song is. Who could have imagined what would become of such a feared and celebrated boxer in a matter of years?
As celebrated as Mike was, he pales in comparison to the fictional Hector Ormano in Of Montreal’s song My Favorite Boxer. This song appeared on The Gay Parade, the third album by Of Montreal. A sort of celebration of everyday life, this concept album is filled with somewhat whimsical tunes.
My Favorite Boxer-Of MontrealThe life of the narrator is so filled with fear that Hector becomes an ideal. The narrator spends his time wishing to become like Hector Beautiful women flock to Hector, attracted as much to his great teeth as they are his fierce bravery. At the end of the song, these dreams come to an unexpected end when Hector throws a stick at the head of our narrator. In many ways this song represents the change in society. Where once boxers were idolized and desired, they have become a second class athlete, an afterthought.
If the previous two songs show the glory of what boxing can be…or perhaps just what it once was, this next song is the underbelly. From it’s opening lines one can sense that the song is far from a celebration. Instead, it is a simple story of small lives and the seamy side of small time boxing: a pugilist and his girlfriend, her worries and his love.
The Ballad of Lou the Welterweight-The Felice BrothersLou’s story, and the story of boxing itself, is one that mimics life. Early on, ripe with the prowess of youth, we all have the tendency of sauntering in “like Errol Flynn.” The world and its glories kneel before us. Yet, no matter how many fights are won, the end is always the same:
“…his eyes were cast up to the rafters and then they slowly sealed in silence.”