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* The Tribune editorial board fondly looks back on the 1985 Bears and ahead to the MLB playoffs…
What epitomized that swagger? All of us old enough to recall know the answer: The prescient “Super Bowl Shuffle” was released three months before the Bears walloped the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Superdome. Walter Payton, Jim McMahon and the other Shufflers rapped, and while they lacked Snoop Dogg’s vibe, they had enough groove to make it to No. 41 on Billboard’s top singles chart.
The Cubs, now entering the National League Championship Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, also have been doing more than just winning — and winning a lot. There’s a style to their triumph. It’s buoyant confidence, of course, and the team’s talent justifies that confidence. But it’s also a playfulness that reminds us that the game should never be only about signing bonuses and eight-digit salaries. Manager Joe Maddon’s mantra says it all: “Never let the pressure exceed the pleasure.” The Cubs have carved out an identity that makes us forget about the goat and the fan and the black cat.
If there’s something missing in the Cubs’ swagger, it’s a song that, like the Shuffle, predestines winning it all. It’s not too late, Chicago lyricists. And why not a dance as well? “The World Series Dab?” “The Fall Classic Nae Nae?”
* The Question: The 2016 Cubs “swagger song”?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:24 pm
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The Wreck of the old 97
Comment by Saluki Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:29 pm
Not responsive to the question but shut up tribune. It’s 1-1 in the NLCS. Not exactly Wilber Marshall running into the end zone while the snow falls time yet.
How about don’t stop believing? Ain’t seen no one using it in a while?
Comment by LizPhairTax Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:29 pm
The Sox used Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” in 2005. You also remember in ‘69 “Hey Hey, Holy Mackeral” - how well did that work?
Comment by Bogey Golfer Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:32 pm
“The Goat is on Fire”
http://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/April-2016/The-Goat-is-on-Fire/
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:36 pm
Silliness. Don’t copy others. If a dance were right for this team, they would have done it spontaneously.
You are in it now. Don’t take your eye off the ball.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:38 pm
“Fade to black” metallica
Comment by Clayton Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:41 pm
An opera which isn’t over until a certain lady sings.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Pearl Jam, Given to Fly
Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:43 pm
In fairness to the 85 bears, The Superbowl Shuffle was recorded 3 months before the season ended.
Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:47 pm
Regardless, I hope we can all agree that the made up baseball playoffs songs that get put out every October by two-bit bands looking for publicity are all bad.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:47 pm
tronc 1: How can we best convey to our readers that we are fresh and hip?
tronc 2: How about a reference to a burnt-out, 44-year old rapper?
tronc 1: Perfect!
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:51 pm
whatever Mrs Zobrist’s latest diddy is.
Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:52 pm
Even the losers get lucky Tom Petty
Comment by Rabid Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 2:53 pm
Will you love me forever Meatloaf
Comment by Rabid Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:03 pm
I’m feeling the Bee Gees with this one. Staying Alive.
And for the fans, “How deep is your love?”
Comment by A guy Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Uh, may want to wait until they win something first. Funny things happen in baseball.
Comment by Piece of Work Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:15 pm
I hate them and hope they lose, by the Captains
Comment by sorry Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:17 pm
“Hurt”, whether the original Nine Inch Nails version or the Johnny Cash version.
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Hey Cubs fans,
Act like you’ve been there before
Comment by MissingG Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:22 pm
The Grand Illusion by STYX comes to mind.
Comment by WhoKnew Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:22 pm
Jumpman - Drake & Future
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Did you know that “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was written in 1908, the last time the Cubs won the World Series? A better song than other hits of 1908 such as “You’re in the Right Church, but The Wrong Pew” or “All She Gets from the Iceman Is Ice”.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:26 pm
The chorus of “Only the Strong Survive”, written in part and performed by a Chicago singing legend, Jerry Butler. (Yes, THAT Jerry Butler: presently a Cook County Commissioner.)
A Cubs swagger song — from a Chicagoan, no less! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPkd9ZQOtbI
Yeah, I’m back (occasionally, at least.) And for now….I’m outta here.
Comment by Third Reading Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:34 pm
@Jerry101, I always lover that My Empire of Dirt, thought it summed up my holdings.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:36 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w0CdXaOS5_o&feature=youtu.be
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:36 pm
For the games in Los Angeles…
And all I can do is keep on telling you
I want a win
I need a win
But there ain’t no way
You’ll ever get 3 of them
Now don’t be sad
‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad
Now don’t be sad
‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:37 pm
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want (But Sometimes You Get What You Need)”
Comment by Stones Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:39 pm
Swagger song-BTO, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Song for the fans, Kid Rock, Times like these.
Comment by pool boy Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:48 pm
When the Bulls were on a run and the Lakers were the opponent, every time they played the song “I love LA”, the Lakers went into a funk.
I’d be OK with that song sinking the Dodgers too.
Comment by A guy Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 3:59 pm
Well depending upon how the next couple of games go, perhaps “The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”? /s
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:02 pm
How Ironic may have won the day with that one.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Better Class of Loosers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuL8g2Szse0
Comment by Leave a Light on George Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:03 pm
Anything except “Deacon Blues”.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:04 pm
yep. the entire radio band in Chicago was playing Don’t Stop Believin’ in 2005. It’s just not like that with the Cubs now. perhaps it is a corporate overlord monied approach that leaves it empty. WEV. sometimes I just want them to win so we can do without the incessant whining. Maybe the whining is their song.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:06 pm
“A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” also written by Steve Goodman a year or so before his “Go Cubs Go” of 1984. Sadly, he died later that season a few games before the the Cubs began the playoffs.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:07 pm
How about Cleveland Rocks by The Presidents Of The United States Of America
Comment by MissingG Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:12 pm
They already have a song “Casey at the Bat” written 18 years after the founding of the CUBs.
Comment by DAN S Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:17 pm
=== How Ironic may have won the day with that one. ===
C’mon, you can be a hater, but don’t be wishing their charter crashes into the Pacific with no survivors!
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Ever since I attended the 1983 White Sox rally at the Daley Center Plaza, which preceded the ALCS against Baltimore, I have been wary about premature celebrations.
I would stick with Steve Goodman’s song even though the reference to WGN no longer applies.
Comment by Emil Verban Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 5:54 pm
How about Indian Love Call?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 6:30 pm
@ Louis G. Altaves - totally concur with your recognition of Steve Goodman. I got to know him slightly many years ago and only wonder what he would be feeling today. Great talent gone too soon.
And, I also agree with Rich - the Gordon Lightfoot song may very well be prophetic, but lets see what these next games bring.
From a life long Cards fan - wishing those fans from the north the best!
Comment by illini Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 8:07 pm
The Super Bowl Shuffle was an embarrassment. They cut it the day after the Dolphins fiasco (witnessed by me Dec. 3, 1985, at “Sam’s,” across from the Dome). You don’t brag the day after a loss. Not cool.
It should be noted, most of the boys in the pits — where you win — refused to participate: Hamptom, Covert, McMichael, Van Horne, Hilgenberg, Bortz, Thayer.
But the Super Bowl Shuffle is an example of shallow, nonsensical b-s you reference when you want to pretend you’re tuned into Chicago, like “Da Bears,” or “no ketchup on hot dogs” or “deep-dish pizza.”
Not only that, but the “Bears didn’t feed the needy,” with the Super Bowl Shuffle; the money was pocketed; it was a Willie Gault scam and the other players who participated later sued about being duped into the the grift.
You want a Bears swagger song?
How’s about Ray Guy singing “All Along the Watchtower,” when he hid and then refused to enter the game in 1984 as emergency QB when the Bears knocked out two QBs and beat the baddest cats on the planet, the defending Super Bowl champion Raiders, in the most violent NFL game you’ve ever seen? (It’s on you tube).
How’s about Danny White and Gary Hogeboom drooling in their soup to “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Crow Up to be Cowboys” after the 1985 Bears proceeded to remove them from their thoughtsicles and deliver the great NFL and Texas legend, Tom Landry, the worst beating of his magnificent career, 44-0, in Dallas?
Or, “I’ll Fly Away,” from when “Wilber Met Joe,” in 1985.
Starts at 1:08.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuj_NF7gteQ
Update on Super Bowl Shuffle fraud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuj_NF7gteQ
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 8:14 pm
Let’s win FIRST
A lot of songs will work after
PS the Goodman song was great
Comment by cannon649 Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 8:15 pm
Sorry, this is the update on Super Bowl Shuffle fraud.
But that Wilber lick is worth watching twice, anyway. Stone. Cold. Killer.
http://www.chicagobusinesslitigationlawyerblog.com/2014/03/any_time_a_professional_athlet.html
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 8:20 pm
“We Aren’t the Champions.”
(This reflects my fear, not my wish, by the way. Go Cubs!)
Comment by ??? Monday, Oct 17, 16 @ 10:18 pm