There aren’t many (or any?) songs that directly relate to the annual NCAA Basketball Tournament. When it comes to filling out brackets, watching basketball and avoiding work, popular music hasn’t really mined those topics for songwriting gold. (OK, on second thought, there are a lot of songs about slacking off.)
However, because of this I’ve decided to pick out six “jock jams” to help you clear your mind, pick the right teams and have fun with this college hoops-filled month. Though these tracks definitely don’t have anything to do with sports (don’t think I didn’t consider making a list of just university fight songs), they surely will bring your energy up.
1. Future, “March Madness”
Way to put the most obvious choice first, right? Well, not only does Future’s “March Madness” nicely fit the theme of this article, but it’s also one of the best rap songs of last year. Since Future ended up in sports headlines because of Russell Wilson’s relationship with his ex Ciara and Cam Newton’s fondness for his music, this jam works even better.
2. PUP, “DVP”
Just as Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” was featured in 1999’s “Jock Rock 2000” comp, I’m thinking “DVP,” off PUP’s forthcoming album “The Dream Is Over,” could be in a 2016 version of that release. Plus, guitarist Steve Sladkowski [who, full disclosure, is a personal friend] is an obsessive baseball and basketball fan. Since they’re from Toronto, they may not care about March Madness, but please bear with me here. Honorable mention: Washer’s “Beansy.”
3. Drake, “Summer Sixteen”
More Canadians! As a music journalist covering breaking news, nothing pumped me up more earlier this year than debates over the size of Kanye West’s pool or lack thereof.
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4. Sheer Mag, “Nobody’s Baby”
When I die, I’ve already told my family to play Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” at my funeral. This Philadelphia band sounds like that but better, so maybe I should make them play Sheer Mag instead.
5. Sturgill Simpson, “Brace for Impact (Live a Little)”
Listen to this and tell me you don’t see it being used in a TV promo for a sports game. “Sugar Daddy,” the theme song this country rocker made for HBO’s “Vinyl” (a show I haven’t watched yet but probably should), also could fit here.
6. Chairlift, “Moth to the Flame”
Chairlift, a band I never loved until now, will have 2016’s most underrated album in “Moth.” This song is second on my rotation only to the sublime “Polymorphing.”
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