Basketball Jones

Cheech & Chong, Tyrone Shoelaces

About Basketball Jones

"Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on the 1973 album Los Cochinos. Sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the title character Tyrone (as in "tie-your-own") Shoelaces, it tells the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. It is a parody of the No. 16 Billboard Hot 100 song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness. In the album version, the song is preceded by a mock interview with Jones' basketball coach named "Umgwana Kickbooti", in a parody of a Wide World of Sports interview conducted by a character named "Red Blazer". The songs opening lyric, "basketball jones, I got a basketball jones", references "jones" as slang for craving or addiction. A "basketball jones" thus refers to loving basketball so much that it overtakes all other thoughts. Musicians who appeared on the record included George Harrison, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, and Carole King (so the record became the highest peaking single on which she appeared during 1973). The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips (from The Mamas & the Papas) performed vocals as cheerleaders on the track. 


Year:
2002
4:06
93 

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Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones
Got a Basketball Jones, oh baby, oo-oo-ooo
Yes, I am the victim of a Basketball Jones
Ever since I was a little baby, I always be dribblin'
In fac', I was de baddest dribbler in the whole neighborhood
Then one day, my mama bought me a basketball
And I loved that basketball
I took that basketball with me everywhere I went
That basketball was like a basketball to me
I even put that basketball underneath my pillow
Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night
I need help, ladies and gentlemen's
I need someone to stand beside me
I need, I need someone to set a pick for me at the free-throw line of life
Someone I can pass to
Someone to hit the open man on the give-and-go
And not end up in the popcorn machine
So cheerleaders, help me out
{cheerleaders sing repeatedly...}
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones)
(I got a Basketball Jones, oh baby, oo-oo-ooo)
{while Tyrone Shoelaces sings/speaks...}
Oh, that sounds so sweet
Sing it out
see'mon Coach Booty, Red Blazer, sing along with me
That be bad, honky
Yeah
I want everybody in the whole stadium to stand up and sing with us
Oh yeah, sing it out like you're proud
All right, everybody watchin' coast-to-coast, sing along with us
Bill Russell, sing along with us
Chick Hearn, sing along with us
Chris Schenkel, don't sing nothin'
Oh, it feels so good
Gimme the ball
I'll go one-on-one against the world, left-handed
I could stuff it from center court with my toes
I could jump on top of the backboard, take off a quarter, leave fifteen cents change I
could, I could dribble behind my back I got more moves than Ex-Lax I'm bad I could
dribble with my tongue Here I go down court, try to stop me You can't stop me 'cause I
got a Basketball Jones Here I come That's my hook shot with my eyebrow Yeah, I could
dunk it with my nose I'm, I'm bad as King Kong, gimme the ball I'm hot, I'm hot as...,
I'm hot as..., I'm hot as... uh Uh, uh, uh, uh
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
{fade}

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Cheech & Chong

Cheech & Chong are a Grammy Award-winning comedy duo consisting of Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong who found a wide audience in the 1970s and 1980s for their films and stand-up routines, which were based on the hippie and free love era, and especially drug culture movements, most notably their love for cannabis. more »

1 fan

Written by: Richard Marin, Thomas Chong

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Release Date
"Basketball Jones" was released in 1973 as part of the album "Los Cochinos."
Parody
This song is a parody of the popular song "Love Jones" by the band Brighter Side of Darkness.
Collaboration
"Basketball Jones" features a celebrated roster of musicians, including George Harrison from The Beatles, who played lead guitar.
High Charting
Despite its comedic nature, "Basketball Jones" reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Animation
It was animated and included in the 1975 cartoon "The White Man Can't Jump."
Cultural Reference
The song has later been referenced in several films and television shows, including "The Simpsons" and "Space Jam."
Song Theme
"Basketball Jones" tells a humorous story of a young boy and his obsession with basketball.
Vocals
Cheech Marin performed the lead vocals in the song, portraying the character Tyrone Shoelaces.
All-Star Backing Vocals
The backing vocals included several notable musicians and vocalists, such as Carole King, Darlene Love, and Ronnie Spector.
Popular Spin-offs
The song's narrative spawned a popular series of comedy sketches during Cheech & Chong's live performances.
Musical Style
The song is a unique blend of comedy, parody, and traditional soul and R&B music, reflecting the eclectic nature of Cheech & Chong's work.
Media Features
“Basketball Jones” featured in various media includes movies such as “Dazed and Confused,” and “Scary Movie 2.”
Presidential Connection
The song was also used in a 2013 Funny or Die comedy sketch featuring President Obama and former NBA player, Charles Barkley.
Artwork
The artwork for the "Basketball Jones" single was done by famous illustrator Jack Davis, who was best known for his work on MAD Magazine.

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