Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Unknown Song #24 - Take Care (underscore)

Song - Take Care (underscore)
Artist(s) - Rolf Wehmeier
Released - 1987
Primetime Usage - 1991-93
Contained on - Happy Records HR2257 (Multimedia 2002), HR2264-3 (Multi Media)
Featured Highlight -
Packers @ Buccaneers, 1992



*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 2/11/22

Unknown Song #24 is another one of those tracks that could best be described as "tense, but fun."  It was used extensively (nearly once a week) throughout the 1991 & 1992 seasons on NFL Primetime.  Its appearances then fell noticeably in 1993 before it disappeared entirely.  I wouldn't say it's one of the better songs used on the show, but it works great for games with a particular ambivalent mood.

It's Bay of Pigs time again.  This Green Bay/Tampa Bay matchup is most notable for containing Brett Favre's first game action as a Packer.  Don Majkowski got benched at the half in the sweltering Tampa heat, but Favre didn't fare any better so The Majik Man still got to start the following week against Cincinnati.  It was then that Majkowski got hurt and Favre ultimately took over the QB job for good.



Thursday, February 15, 2018

Unknown Song #22 Identified

I stumbled onto this one while perusing through production-music albums. US#22 is "Out Front" by Rick Baker.  The actual part heard on Primetime was probably less than half the song, though—the track has a long, slow intro and a fairly long outro.  The fast middle part wasn't cut up or anything on the show, though—just looped.  I'm not sure where to find Out Front online unfortunately, since the early regular Chappell (not Chappell AV) albums don't seem to be streamable.  I can't find much info on Rick Baker, either.  He composed a bit for Chappell & Carlin, but I can't really find anything else.

*EDIT* (1/13/19) - You can now find the song on youtube, at least.


Revised Link

Friday, February 2, 2018

Unknown Song #23 (POINTS WAR!!!!) - Theighs Mon

Song - Theighs Mon
Artist(s) - John Colby
Released - N.A.
Primetime Usage - 1991-05
Contained on - N.A.
Featured Highlight - Points War, 1999 (Cardinals @ Packers/Saints @ Panthers)


*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 6/12/20

So it's come to this:  the holy grail of NFL Primetime music.  International Statement is the most famous Primetime track, but it was identified long ago (well before I started this project).  Unknown Song #23 is, instead, the piece I've received by far the most requests to ID.  I'm also pretty sure it's Primetime's most often used song that hasn't been identified—it was used quite regularly for the last 15 years of the show.  I wouldn't say it's my favorite Primetime piece, but its strong hard-rock edge makes its appeal obvious for football highlights.

I don't have much idea where to look for US #23.  The only clue was when some follower on youtube sent me a message that he had contacted John Colby and that Colby replied that he thinks he did it but he's not sure and doesn't know the name.  Maybe it's in that mythical place that also contains the full-length versions of Gothic, Terminator, and Gelman.  Regardless, it's not on Colby's website.

Accompanying this holy grail of NFL Primetime music is what may be the most well-known highlight in the history of the show.  In 1999, a murky tiebreaker scenario emerged during the final week of the season involving 4 teams fighting for one 8-8 playoff spot (the Lions also finished 8-8, but had already clinched a berth).  The Cowboys just needed to beat the Giants, the Giants were basically screwed (barring, like, a 100-point win or something), and the Panthers & Packers had to win the scoring-margin tiebreaker in order to break a 3-way tie with the Giants should the Giants beat Dallas.  This points war didn't ultimately matter since the Cowboys won, but it was still—as Chris Berman says—"unbelievable football."

Since the NFL season is about to end, my updates will be less frequent for a while.  I plan on being a little more active than the last couple offseasons, though—probably 2 posts a month.  There are still quite a few unidentified tracks left to post.  Thanks for reading/watching!