It ain’t every day that a guy’s favorite team wins the championship in glorious, tradition-rich college football. And if that guy’s favorite team is the Alabama Crimson Tide — his alma mater, no less — then perhaps a musical celebration is in order. So, in honor of my beloved Tide and their 14-0 run to Waterford crystal, I’ve put together a 40-minute playlist of songs dedicated to Alabama. You get some twang, some folk, a little jazz, and of course we rock the house. A couple choices are Crimson Tide specific, others are about the state itself, and there’s a pair of gems that call Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home. Now, the one challenge I gave myself was no Skynyrd. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Van Zant, I just wanted to steer The Process in a few different, and perhaps less obvious, directions. I’ve also included the selections as a zip file in case you wanna download in full and turn your ipod into a beautiful shade of crimson. Whaddya say? Let’s get our Roll Tide on.
Bear Bryant – A New Day > A.A. Bondy – A Slow Parade
Amazon
Bear Bryant – A New Day > A.A. Bondy – A Slow Parade
“The Tide will bring
And Tide will take
Find another horse (colt?) to break.”
I’m sure A.A. (née Scott) Bondy‘s song is about the Bible or suicide or something equally introspective and sad panda. But, Bondy is a native Alabamian, having fronted Birmingham-tastic, Verbena, with current Vulture Whaler, Les Nuby. Here we get the slow building folk-rock with the sweet Bear Bryant intro. And come on, you have to admit the quoted couplet is an uncanny reference to the game. Just sayin. Besides, who doesn’t love a parade?!?!
Dexateens – Grandaddy’s Mouth
Skybucket
Dexateens – Grandaddy’s Mouth
“‘Cause we all bleed crimson out …”
A song about the universality of racism, given extra poignancy what with The Dexateens (pictured right) hailing from Tuscaloosa. Remember, this is the same Tuscaloosa that saw George Wallace rail against integration on the University of Alabama campus. The sin of racism is still held against Alabamians, let alone all Southerners, so this song is a bit of redress. Let’s be honest. No one can say it’s just down south.
Steely Dan – Deacon Blues (since deleted by The Man) [Amazon]
“They got a name for the winners in the world
And I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon blues.”
Right. Like I wasn’t gonna include this one. Although, I’m pretty sure this isn’t about football.
Art Tatum – Stars Fell On Alabama
Amazon
Art Tatum – Stars Fell On Alabama
Billie Holiday – Stars Fell On Alabama
Amazon
Billie Holiday – Stars Fell On Alabama
Two versions of the jazz standard that reference the famous Leonid meteor showers (pictured left) on Nov. 12-13, 1833. In reality, these falling stars appeared over the entire American continent, but only Alabama got their experience immortalized into song. That’s right. In your face, Florida! And if you don’t know Art Tatum and Billie Holiday, for the love of God, get your learn on.
Jerry Reed – Sittin’ On Top Of The World
Amazon
Jerry Reed – Sittin’ On Top Of The World
Any chance I get to throw down with the “Alabama Wild Man,” I take it. My favorite part of the song is where Jerry exclaims, “Swarm son, swarm!” Coincidentally, this is the same instruction given to the Tide defense by Nick Saban and defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart.
More Jerry Reed, including Scooby-Vision
Louvin Brothers – Alabama
Amazon
Louvin Brothers – Alabama
Louvin Brothers (pictured right). Alabama. ‘Nuff said.
Drive-By Truckers – You Know What An Alabama Ass Whuppin’ Is, Dontcha?
Drive-By Truckers – You Know What An Alabama Ass Whuppin’ Is, Dontcha?
Dexateens – Can You Whoop It?
Skybucket
Dexateens – Can You Whoop It?
The Truckers gleefully talk about the Alabama ass-whuppin’, but The Dexateens get to it. That crunchy, fuzzed-out guitar is the Rolando McClain of guitar parts … relentless, in your face, and just when you think you’ve escaped its clutches, more clutch. By the way, if you still don’t have the ‘Teens most recent album, Singlewide, whatcha waitin’ for? Do you hate music??? The links are above, so stop thinking and start buying.
Million Dollar Band – Yea Alabama (Alabama Fight Song)
Million Dollar Band – Yea Alabama (Alabama Fight Song)
Yea, Alabama! Drown ’em Tide!
Every ‘Bama man’s behind you
Hit your stride
Go teach the (Georgia) Bulldogs to behave
Send the (Georgia Tech) Yellow Jackets to a watery grave
And if a man starts to weaken
That’s a shame!
For Bama’s pluck and grit have
Writ her name in Crimson flame
Fight on, fight on, fight on men!
Remember the Rose Bowl, we’ll win then
So roll on to victory
Hit your stride
You’re Dixie’s football pride
Crimson Tide, Roll Tide, Roll Tide!
Nice work. Don't forget that Hank Williams, himself, hails from the great state of Alabama.
Go Blue.
Congrats Lance. I´m clueless when it comes to the American variety of football, but as a card carrying FC Barcelona socio I know how cool it is to see your team win the big trophies. Would have expected the DBT´s Three Alabama Icons here, featuring Van Zandt, Wallace and some famous local football player.
It's interesting that you include “Stars Fell On Alabama” in your song list. During the SEC championship game the network announcer quoted from “Stars” late in the Tide's win over Florida. On a more personal note, I didn't know you attended UA. I do recall you graduating from Chico State years and years ago. Bob.
@Paul: I couldn't find a Hank song that really worked, believe it or not. Tried to keep it Bama-centric and he really only has the ultra-obscure “Alabama Waltz.” However, I am thinking that a bigger piece might be due. I mean, it is Hank.
@Wim: Similar to Hank, “Icons” didn't really work in terms of flow. Then I remembered their goof at the end of “Margo And Harold” and my problem was solved.
@Bob: Undergrad at Chico, Master's at Alabama. Word, yo.
What?!? – no Alabama Song by The Doors?… :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_d_VJbYAfc
Love the Billie Holiday version of Stars Fell on Alabama (thanks for this) – all I was familiar with before was Jimmy Buffett's cover (which I do still enjoy)…
“Your cadillac, has got a wheel in the ditch…”
– Bevo
Poor Bevo. Such tired eyes.
I expected nothing less.
Bevo=RV3
You posted Dexateens a while back, right? God those guys are good.
Yep. Click 'The Dexateens' link above and you'll see all the posts where I've tagged them. Glad you like 'em.
Man I just happened to stumble on this piece and loved it. Im from Mobile and really appreciate your AL picks. Louisiana Red's Alabama Train (Born With The Blues compilation)always gets me going with that raw screaming harp and deep bass line.
And it's relevant now, again.
Roll tide!
Roll Tide, brother! #14!