The Super Bowl Shuffle Explained

The Super Bowl Shuffle
Cover:Chicago shuffle.jpg
Alt:The Chicago Bears team on the Super Bowl Shuffle cover
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:the Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew
Released:December 1985
Recorded:December 3, 1985
Genre:
Label:Red Label[1]
Producer:Richard E. Meyer

"The Super Bowl Shuffle" is a song performed by the Chicago Bears football team (credited as the Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew) in . It was released in December 1985 on Chicago-based Red Label Records and distributed through Capitol Records[2] seven weeks ahead of their win in Super Bowl XX. The song peaked at number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[3] and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1987.

Song and video

"The Super Bowl Shuffle" instantly became a mainstream phenomenon, selling over 500,000 copies and reaching number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 by February 1986.[4] Billboard reported that the single's chart performance was propelled primarily by sales rather than radio airplay, saying, "Although the record has a great deal of pop airplay across the country, especially as a novelty for morning drive programs, only a handful of radio stations are reporting it on their playlists."[5] "The Super Bowl Shuffle" fell in line with the Bears' high-media attention as they completed their one-loss regular season. The Bears dominated their postseason opponents, including the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX 46–10.

The 1985 Chicago Bears were the second sports team to have their own music video after the 1985 Seattle Seahawks made one earlier in the season. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1987 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group, losing to "Kiss" by Prince. The 20th anniversary DVD was released in 2004, including the making of the video, outtakes and the music video itself. Julia Meyer has kept the copyright to the video.

Over $300,000 in profits from the song and music video were donated to the Chicago Community Trust to help Chicago families in need with clothing, shelter and food. This was consistent with Walter Payton's lyric in the song: "Now we're not doing this because we're greedy / The Bears are doing it to feed the needy". In 2014, six of the performers (Richard Dent, Jim McMahon, Otis Wilson, Willie Gault, Mike Richardson and Steve Fuller) sued Julia Meyer and Renaissance Marketing Corporation, who licenses the song, stating the proceeds from the song should benefit charities; the six players' attorney stated, "Among other things, the plaintiffs seek that a constructive trust be established for charitable purposes that they select in order to continue the Super Bowl Shuffle's charitable objective."[6]

The video was taped at Park West, a Chicago night club, the morning after the Bears' only loss of the 1985 season, 38-24 to the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football on December 2, 1985. Jim McMahon and Walter Payton refused to participate in the video shoot, thinking it would be better to release the song and video after the season was complete. However, the team was insistent on releasing the song and video shortly after the shoot, so the video was filmed with the remaining players. Payton and McMahon both filmed their segments separately a week later at the Bears' practice facility after practice and these segments were interspersed in the video prior to release.[7]

Performers

Singers

PlayerPositionNo.
Running back 34
Wide receiver 83
Linebacker 50
Quarterback 9
Linebacker 55
Quarterback 4
Cornerback 27
Defensive lineman 95
Safety 45
Defensive lineman 72

"Shufflin' Crew" band

PlayerPositionNo.Instrument
Punter 8 Cowbell
Quarterback 18 guitar
Running back 29 Bass
Running back 33 Saxophone
Defensive back 48 Congas
Ken TaylorDefensive back31Tambourine
Offensive lineman 75 Drums
Defensive lineman 98 Keyboard

"Shufflin' Crew" chorus

PlayerPositionNo.
Running back 20
Safety 21
Cornerback 23
Linebacker 51
Linebacker 53
Wide receiver 89

The lyrics were written by Richard E. Meyer and Melvin Owens. The music was composed by Bobby Daniels and Lloyd Barry.

The "referee" in the video was portrayed by Julia Kallish.

Bears defensive end Dan Hampton declined involvement with the Shuffle, thinking it may have been too arrogant.[8]

Other personnel:

Precedents

The 1985 Bears were not the first pro sports team with a group song.

Imitators and influence

The success of "The Super Bowl Shuffle" initiated numerous imitations from numerous teams across the league, including the Bears.

NFL teams

Chicago Bears (2006)

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

NFL Pro Bowl

Other parodies

2010 reprise

Seven of the surviving 1985 Bears (Walter Payton had died in 1999 of liver cancer[35]) were reunited to film an updated version as a 30-second commercial promoting Boost Mobile, which was aired during Super Bowl XLIV.[36] The seven players featured were quarterback Jim McMahon, backup quarterback Steve Fuller, receiver Willie Gault, linebackers Mike Singletary and Otis Wilson, defensive lineman Richard Dent, and punter Maury Buford. All of the featured players wore #50 jerseys as part of the company's $50 deal.

2014 celebrity cover version

On January 21, 2014, Misfire Records released a cover version[37] of the song featuring acclaimed musicians (Jim James of My Morning Jacket, John Roderick of The Long Winters, and Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav), comedians (Tom Scharpling of The Best Show on WFMU, Scott Aukerman of Comedy Bang! Bang!, David Wain of The State and Stella, Kyle Kinane, and Dave Hill), and other notables (wrestler Colt Cabana and internet cat celebrity Lil Bub). Organized by radio host Sean Cannon with production from musician Alexander Smith, all proceeds from sales were to be donated to Reading Is Fundamental.[38]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Super Bowl Shuffle . Cmgww.com . January 15, 2010 . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140404111235/http://www.cmgww.com/orgs/sbs/about/ . April 4, 2014 .
  2. News: Throwback Thursday: 1985 Bears recorded 'The Super Bowl Shuffle' on this date 30 years ago. December 3, 2015. Bears Wire. October 16, 2017. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171016175623/http://bearswire.usatoday.com/2015/12/03/throwback-thursday-1985-bears-recorded-the-super-bowl-shuffle-on-this-date-30-years-ago/. October 16, 2017.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . January 6, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040358/http://www.song-database.com/chhist.php?sid=20922&from=spu&type=ht . January 6, 2014 .
  4. Web site: Greenberg . Jon . Shuffling down memory lane . ESPN.com . January 14, 2010 . February 28, 2021 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120720232039/http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/columns/story?columnist=greenberg_jon&id=4827883 . July 20, 2012 .
  5. Ellis . Michael . Hot 100 Singles Spotlight . February 28, 2021 . . February 8, 1986.
  6. Web site: Smith. Michael David. Six ex-Bears file "Super Bowl Shuffle" lawsuit. Profootballtalk.com. January 31, 2014. February 2, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140201085513/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/31/six-ex-bears-involved-in-super-bowl-shuffle-lawsuit/. February 1, 2014.
  7. Surviving The Shuffle: After flirting with history, the '85 Chicago Bears tempted fate with a memorable music video . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001713/http://www.si.com/longform/2015/1985/super-bowl-shuffle/index.html . 2023-03-14 . live . Cohen . Rich.
  8. Web site: ESPN.com: Page 3 – Remembering the Super Bowl Shuffle . . February 22, 1999 . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120609095526/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=katcher%2F040825 . June 9, 2012 .
  9. Web site: Make Those Miracles Happen . . January 11, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509173052/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txE1Vl54Z9E . May 9, 2015 .
  10. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/bloop-hits-big-blue-wrecking-crew-s-we-are-the-champions-112014
  11. , "#9. 1984 San Francisco 49ers." Premiered on NFL Network, January 30, 2007
  12. Web site: Brady . Jonann . Will the Ickey Shuffle Rise Again? . ABC News . February 4, 2006 . July 6, 2012.
  13. Web site: NFL Game Center: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – 2005 Wild Card Weekend . Nfl.com . July 6, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121010084021/http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2006010800/2005/POST18/steelers@bengals#recap-channels:cat-post-recap-full-story . October 10, 2012 .
  14. Michael . Silver . Michael Silver (sportswriter) . Uh Oh! Turning the Jaguar's rap lyric against them, the upstart Titans danced past Jacksonville and into their first Super Bowl . Sports Illustrated . January 31, 2000 . July 2, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103023124/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1142898/index.htm . January 3, 2014.
  15. Web site: Best pop culture moments in Chicago Bears' history . NFL.com . September 13, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140101113359/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000061738/article/best-pop-culture-moments-in-chicago-bears-history?module=HP11_hot_topics . January 1, 2014 .
  16. Web site: Let's Ram It! An oral history of 1985 Los Angeles Rams' rap song.
  17. Web site: Revisiting "Let's Ram It," The L.A. Rams' Ode to… Ramming.
  18. Web site: Watch: Von Miller spoofs iconic 'Let's Ram It' song ahead of Super Bowl LVI.
  19. Web site: RAPLETE REVIEW: LOS ANGELES RAMS RAM IT.
  20. Web site: Anderson . Kyle . Prince Records 'Purple And Gold,' Fight Song For Minnesota Vikings . MTV.com . January 22, 2010 . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103074319/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1630222/prince-records-fight-song-minnesota-vikings.jhtml . January 3, 2014.
  21. Web site: NFL Game Center: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints – 2009 Conference Championships . Nfl.com . July 6, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120518075727/http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010012401/2009/POST20/vikings@saints#menu=highlights&tab=recap . May 18, 2012 .
  22. Web site: Seifert . Andy . "Let's Ram It!" and 25 years of other immortal NFL songs . Avclub.com . February 5, 2010 . October 23, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130905232138/http://www.avclub.com/milwaukee/articles/lets-ram-it-and-25-years-of-other-immortal-nfl-son%2C37914/ . September 5, 2013 .
  23. News: The Legacy of the Super Bowl Shuffle and the History of NFL Pop Music. May 12, 2016. Soundfly. February 5, 2018. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206002741/https://flypaper.soundfly.com/diversions/legacy-super-bowl-shuffle-history-nfl-pop-music/. February 6, 2018.
  24. Web site: Fog Bowl: 'A supernatural experience' . ESPN.com . September 26, 2008 . July 6, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120905191559/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3604830 . September 5, 2012.
  25. Web site: Here We Go Steelers – Official Music Video . Steelers.com . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120101173853/http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Here-We-Go-Steelers---Official-Music-Video/8eb20f13-d730-423a-8e36-f507484327a6 . January 1, 2012 .
  26. Web site: 'Here We Go' – Steelers catchy fight song is in need of changes – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Post-gazette.com . March 16, 2012 . July 6, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121014160623/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/here-we-go-steelers-catchy-fight-song-is-in-need-of-changes-449409/ . October 14, 2012 .
  27. Web site: Producer of 1984 hit 'We Are The 49ers' revamps track for 2020 Super Bowl.
  28. Web site: Jimmy Fallon Did The Pro Bowl Shuffle . Ashley . Burns . January 10, 2011 . . July 2, 2020.
  29. Web site: Waiting for Grabowski . Obejas . Achy . August 6, 1987 . . February 26, 2022.
  30. Web site: Juan Berenguer - Society for American Baseball Research . Lenard . Jason . . February 26, 2022.
  31. Web site: Seminole Rap 20 years later: Was it the worst case of trash-talking in sports history? . Mike . Bianchi . Mike Bianchi . August 27, 2008 . Orlando Sentinel . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080916182508/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/2008/08/seminole-rap-20.html . September 16, 2008.
  32. Rick . Telander . Rick Telander . No More Rap or Rep: Miami's 31-0 defeat of Florida State, the preseason No. 1, silenced the Seminoles . Sports Illustrated . September 12, 1988 . July 3, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103030935/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1067739/index.htm . January 3, 2014 .
  33. Web site: Sharp . Andrew . Maurice Jones-Drew, Sidney Rice, And The 'Shiva Bowl Shuffle' On FX . . October 7, 2011 . September 13, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120126092934/http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2011/10/7/2474996/shiva-bowl-shuffle-maurice-jones-drew-sidney-rice . January 26, 2012.
  34. News: Moonbeam City creator Scott Gairdner talks about animating the 1980s for Comedy Central . . February 14, 2021 . November 4, 2015.
  35. Web site: CNN/SI – NFL Football – Cancer claims NFL legend Walter Payton – Tuesday November 02, 1999 05:08 PM . Sportsillustrated.cnn.com . July 6, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120819085736/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/11/01/payton_obit/ . August 19, 2012 .
  36. Web site: MediaPost Publications Boost Mobile 'Shuffles' Into Its First Super Bowl 01/21/2010 . Mediapost.com . July 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100123050632/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=120963 . January 23, 2010 .
  37. Web site: The Super Bowl Shuffle from Misfire Records . January 21, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140122192033/http://misfirerecords.bandcamp.com/ . January 22, 2014 .
  38. Web site: Listen: Jim James, Lil Bub, Tim Harrington, Comedians Cover "The Super Bowl Shuffle" . . January 21, 2014 . January 21, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140122054057/http://pitchfork.com/news/53610-listen-jim-james-lil-bub-tim-harrington-comedians-cover-the-super-bowl-shuffle/ . January 22, 2014 .