The Music of Horse Racing
Thursday, April 30, 2009
In celebration of the 135th Kentucky Derby, we’ll explore the music that is as much a part of the traditions of this American sport as mint juleps and big hats. Joining us will be Bennett Liebman, a longtime member of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and racing blogger for the New York Times.
- The Rail, Bennett Liebman's New York Times blog
- Soundcheck Blog: John Schaefer on Music and Horse Racing
Comments [15]
Are you kidding me? Best one ever, "Bottle of Smoke" by the Pogues!
Just heard the podcast, I'm behind in my listening. I agree with andrea, Dan Fogelberg's Run for the Roses" is played all over Louisville around Derby time. For more modern takes, Sonic Youth's "Bull in the Heather" is great noise pop. Bob Nastanovic from Pavement is an avid fan of thoroughbred horse racing, both owning, breeding and managing many horses. He used to maintain a horse-racing tip sheet Lucky Lavender.
Not a happy one ...
Combat fell, Long Shot fell
all we money gone a hell
Long Shot Kick De Bucket, by the Pioneers
How could you forget Richard Thompson's "Both Ends Burning" from his "Hand of Kindness" album and "The Angle's Took My Racehorse Away" from his "Henry, The Human Fly" album?
Some obscure underground bands would be Mayday who reference racing in a great song called "Lullaby for the Sleeping Elephant" and
A band called Fellow Project who reference racing all the time with songs called "Where's the Wire?", "Races" and lyrics in a many songs.
Up on Cripple Creek by The Band.
Stewball by Peter, Paul, and Mary--the perfect song if you love longshots!
Thanks for doing a little something to help my sport,as a jocks agent i can tell you those Damon Runyon Characters still exist on the backstretch in ny.send me a note anytime you want to come to the barn, I will introduce you to the Chief(H A Jerkens)Best of Luck Rob ps its Godolphins year.R
Oh, John...misquoting Red Smith will damn you to a lifetime of losing exactas. "Drive about 175 miles north from New York City, take a left at Union Avenue and go back about 100 years."
And it's exit 15.
Next time you make it out to Aqueduct or Belmont, do say hello.
www.brooklynbackstretch.com
How about "We're in the Money" from Goldiggers of 1933. Every horse racing fan wants their horse to finish in the money. Actually, we're publishing a book about horse racing phrases that have entered into every day speech.If you're interested take a look at www.offtoaflyingstartpress.com
My favorite horseracing song is "The Race is On" by George Jones "Here comes Heartaches and the winner loses all" At the height of his brief career in the U.S. the great jockey Steve Cauthen recorded an album of country and western songs, including this one. I distinctly remember him promoting it one summer at Saratoga and unfortunately, I didn't buy it. I guess I was having a losing day.
Hang Fire by The Rolling Stones
"give me $10,000 we'll have some fun put it on a horse 100 to 1".
You can't talk horse racing tunes without mentioning 'Night Majestic' by Au Revoir Simone, which contains the great line "He's a mix of Chilean workhorse and a pony from the circus".
Dan Fogelberg Hello!!! Run for the Roses!
smog's "let me see the colts" is a dreamy musing on ponies and prizes...
Let me see the colts
That will run next year
Show them to a gambling man
Thinking of the future
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