Grand Prix/At the Buzzer (Higher Quality!) - Super Bowl LX Preview!

Song 1 - Grand Prix

Artist(s) - William Soden (likely)

Released - No later than 1988

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - Musikos MS1 (Sports 1)
Featured Highlight - Seahawks @ Patriots, 1988

 

Song 2 - At the Buzzer

Artist(s) - William Soden (likely)

Released - No later than 1988

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - Musikos MS1 (Sports 1)
Featured Highlight -Seahawks @ Patriots, 1988

 

 

 

In getting ready to make a post for this week, I wanted to find a early NFL Primetime clip with decent audio quality that also featured the two teams playing in Super Bowl LX.  Lo & behold, I found one!  This clip is actually long enough to contain two different songs, both (probably) William Soden specials that ended up on those infamously elusive Musikos CDs (LINK1, LINK2, LINK3).  It's quite nice that this Seattle vs. New England highlight uses these two tracks in particular because the quality of the original clips (Grand Prix, At the Buzzer) I posted of those songs weren't too good.

 

The real Super Bowl LX will likely have a bit more offense than this 1988 matchup.  In this one, the Seahawks visited Foxboro Stadium and lost to Doug Flutie and the Patriots 13-7.  Seattle only had 2 first downs the entire game.  Ironically, the Seahawks would then score 40+ in their final two contests and win the AFC West (their last playoff appearance until 1999) while the Patriots—who also finished 9-7 (their last winning season of the Pat Patriot era)—would miss the playoffs.

NFL Primetime Music?

Song - Veil

Artist(s) - John Colby

Released - 1987

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - Valentino V-CD 23 (Medium Tempo)
Featured Highlight - Patriots @ Dolphins SNF Preview, 1988

I've been aware of this song/clip for a while, but I was reluctant to post it because I'm not sure it really qualifies as NFL Primetime music.  "Veil," one of many Primetime tracks by then-ESPN music director John Colby, was attached to a small segment of the Sunday Night Football preview that aired early in the Week 12 episode.  Despite being housed on an album titled Medium Tempo, the song is actually quite energetic and up tempo.  I wouldn't be surprised if Veil was used for a highlight or perhaps other clips on NFL Primetime, especially since it was composed by Colby, but I haven't seen any evidence of that thus far.  Special thanks to GodzFire for rediscovering the album this track is on (I stumbled on it a long time ago somewhere, but I forgot about it).

I decided to post the entire preview segment with Mike Patrick & Joe Theismann even though the song is only played for about 20 seconds of it.  Hope you enjoy it!

Fast Man (Rhythm Only)

Song - Fast Man (Rhythm Only)

Artist(s) - John Colby

Released - 1987

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - Valentino 6162 (Sports Themes), V-CD 13 (Sports Themes)
Featured Highlight - Patriots @ Bills, 1988

The Week 8, 1988 episode of NFL Primetime uncovered recently also revealed a "new" Primetime track.  The regular version of "Fast Man" was used in the very first episode of the show in 1987 (and many times thereafter), but I had not heard the "Rhythm Only" (i.e., underscore) version on a highlight until viewing this episode.  In this clip below, the 3-4 Patriots (QB'd by Doug Flutie) gave the 6-1 Bills a surprisingly good game in Orchard Park.

Unfortunately, the Valentino 1980s compilation album with the regular version of Fast Man does not have the underscore.  The full version of V-CD 13 is on YouTube, though (linked above), so you check out the song there (and no place else that I'm aware of).

 

 

Non-Highlight Track - Internet

Song - Internet
Artist(s) - Jimmy Kaleth
Released - 1996
Primetime Usage - 2001 (miscellaneous), 2002-05 (TJ's Extra Point)
Contained on - Dennis Music HDCD 1255 (Communicator)*
Featured Highlight - TJ's Extra Point:  Week 1, 2003 (Patriots @ Bills)

* - Search for the album "Communicator"

In the latter years of classic NFL Primetime, ESPN added even more emphasis to Tom Jackson's sage analysis by adding a weekly segment called "TJ's Extra Point."  In this segment, Jackson would get video & music accompaniment to his usual postgame commentary.  This was actually pretty similar to the end-episode analysis that was typical of NFL Primetime in the late '80s (most often with Pete Axthelm).  For most every TJ's Extra Point bit, the included song was "Internet" by Jimmy Kaleth.  Internet definitely feels like a neutral, summary, "Inside the Numbers" kind of track, so it was an appropriate choice by the producers.  I couldn't find much info on Kaleth, but he did a good amount of work for various library-music companies.  The included clip is the TJ's Extra Point segment from Week 1 of 2003 that followed the Bills' 31-0 pasting of the New England Patriots, the infamous "Lawyer Milloy" game.  This was the last Buffalo win over New England until 2011.

Special thanks to Dopethrone (nirvanainstrumental on YouTube) for identifying this one and for pointing out that it was used for other non-highlight purposes in 2001 (the year before TJ's Extra Point started).

Unknown Song #34 (Oddball Week, Part 4) - Power Drive

Song - Power Drive

Artist(s) - Michael Tauben & Simon Benson

Released - 1996

Primetime Usage - 1997
Contained on - Musichouse I26 (Prestige Presentation)

Featured Highlight - Chargers @ Patriots, 1997

*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 3/13/20

It's quiet, it's moody, and it's barely a song.  Unknown Song #34 is probably the most forgettable track in NFL Primetime history.  Speaking of forgettable, there was Kevin Gilbride's head-coaching stint with the San Diego Chargers.  He went 6-16 and didn't even last 1.5 seasons.  Here Gilbride coaches his first game against Pete Carroll, who was making his own debut with the Patriots.

Unknown Song #28 - Determination

Song - Determination

Artist(s) - Chris Zurzolo, Andrew Mark

Released - 1993

Primetime Usage - 1994-96
Contained on - pyr 702 (Sports/Action)

Featured Highlight - Patriots @ Jets, 1996

*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 10/3/19 

There isn't much complexity to Unknown Song #28, but it's still a better highlight track than the last couple songs I've posted.  US #28 does the basics well, as some hard edge and a driving rock beat are enough to make any NFL Primetime track at least passable.  It's lack of direction & melody means it doesn't really do anything beyond that, though.  Still, the track is a good accent for any high-energy football game.

I listed US #28 as being used from 1994-96, but I've only seen one instance of it being used outside of 1996 (Week 11, 1994).  That also means I'm not certain it was actually used in 1995 (*EDIT* - a comment by Kyle Caughlin on youtube indicates it was used at least a couple times in '95).  At any rate, here's a 1996 highlight of Rich Kotite's hard-luck Jets getting robbed late against Drew Bledsoe & the Patriots.

*EDIT* - The BMG website isn't hosting the Pyramid music label anymore, so I replaced that link with Craig-UK's youtube post of this song.  Special thanks to him for specifically putting that song up for this purpose.

*LATER EDIT* - the YouTube post is gone now (10/2024).

Unknown Song #15 - Wheels in Motion

Song - Wheels in Motion

Artist(s) - David Chesky

Released - 1987

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - MPM001 (Power & Glory), (youtube link)

Featured Highlight - Patriots @ Packers, 1988


*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 12/9/17

Here's another classical-ish piece from 1988.  Unknown Song #15 isn't as punchy as US #14, but instead opts for a quasi-comedy motif.  This track would probably fit best with bloopers, but—to be honest—it's just a mediocre fit for everything.  As a result, it ironically fits this particular highlight clip well because late-'80s New England & Green Bay weren't the franchises they are now.

Unknown Song #7 - Play Ball!

Song - Play Ball!

Artist(s) - William Soden (likely)

Released - No later than 1988

Primetime Usage - 1988

Contained on - Musikos MS2 (Sports 2)
Featured Highlight - Bills @ Patriots, 1988

 

*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 5/1/23

Another one of the many unidentified songs from 1988.  Unlike most of them, I do have multiple clips of this one.  The volume & quality weren't the best on any of them, but I do think this Buffalo @ New England highlight was the least bad.  Make sure you turn the volume up.  Anyway, as for the song:  it's quite synth heavy, and it's the NFL Primetime track most worthy of the "party song" label.  Have fun, and please comment or whatever if you can identify the piece.

Driving Force, Unknown Songs (The Far Turn), & Primetime's 30th. Anniversary

Song 1 - The Far Turn (+ Underscore/Rhythm Only)

Artist(s) - John Colby

Released - 1987

Primetime Usage - 1987-88

Contained on - Valentino 6162 (Sports Themes), V-CD 13 (Sports Themes), Valentino STVT013 (1980s Vol. 2 - Rock & Pop Vol. 2)

Featured Highlight - Regular version:  Dolphins @ Patriots, 1987 (first part); Underscore/Rhythm Only:  Seahawks @ Broncos, 1987

Song 2 - Driving Force (+ underscore)

Artist(s) - Hal Brown, Donald Bradley Kelley (Brad Kelley)

Released - 1985

Primetime Usage - 1987

Contained on - FirstCom UT102 (Wheels of Commerce)

Featured Highlight - Regular Version:  Dolphins @ Patriots, 1987 (latter part); Underscore:  Falcons @ Buccaneers, 1987


*SONG IDENTIFIED* - 9/22/17

Welcome to the 2017 NFL season!  This post will be more convoluted than most on here, so bear with me.

As I mentioned on the previous post, the last song I've fully identified shares a highlight with a song I haven't identified.  The first track on this clip (the Dolphins/Patriots one) is the unknown song.  It's good for accompaniment, but it could've used another instrument or two.  I refer to it as "Unknown Song #2" because US#1—identified a couple months ago as Powergate—was posted in January '16. The other piece is one I found a while ago.  "Driving Force," by Hal Brown & Brad Kelley—the artists behind Drive Away and (probably) Marathon—is a sleepy song by NFL Primetime standards, but I suppose it's great if you like simple solo trumpet.  The underscore doesn't have the trumpet, however, so that version is just repetitive.

There are three highlight videos posted below, tying the primetimemusic.net record along with the Powerhouse writeup.  NFL Primetime debuted 30 years ago next Wednesday (9/13), so the fact that all three of these clips happen to come from the very first episode makes the timing of this blog entry perfect.  The regular versions of Unknown Song #2 and Driving Force share the Dolphins/Patriots highlight, the very first highlight in NFL Primetime history.  It's also one of the oddest highlights in the show's history because of both the weather and Miami backup quarterback Don Strock having to fill in at both QB & punter!  He did a pretty damn good job, too.  The other two highlights feature the respective underscores.  The video for the US#2 underscore shows the Broncos blowing out the Seahawks, while the Driving Force underscore clip displays the Bucs & Falcons debuting new head coaches that wouldn't accomplish much.  Enjoy these, and make sure to comment here or on youtube if you can identify any of the Unknown Songs I post.

Week 17

Song - Automotive Industry

Artist(s) - Warren Bennett

Released - 1989

Primetime Usage - 1990

Contained on - Bruton BR 61/BRL 22 (Industrial Forum)

Featured Highlight - Dolphins @ Patriots, 1990


Ah, Week 17… the most awkward time of the NFL season.  It's a week where 2/3 to 3/4 of the teams have nothing concrete to play for, either because they're out of the playoff hunt or because their playoff seeding is already secure, while the rest often have convoluted tiebreaker scenarios to worry about.  The radical difference in motivation makes for some intriguing matchups, like mediocre teams being favored against dominant teams because the better ones might be resting their starters.  There are some interesting contests in this year's edition of Week 17, too, but the recent intradivision-only mandate has honestly taken a lot of the fun out of this annual holiday event.  I mean, who can forget the famous Packers/Panthers "points war" from 1999?  There's almost no chance something like that would happen today.

I figure the best way to commemorate the weirdness of Week 17 would be to post one of the most obscure songs in the NFL Primetime arsenal.  "Automotive Industry" was only used on the show one time that I'm aware of.  That time wasn't Week 17, unfortunately, but it was in 1990—the first year to have a Week 17.  1990 was also the worst year in the history of the New England Patriots, their only season under head coach Rod Rust.  For all of you familiar with classic video games, this season is why the Patriots are the most laughable team in the original NES version of Tecmo Super Bowl.  Also video-game related is that Automotive Industry contains a similar feel & instrumentation to many of the songs from the Growlanser strategy-RPG series.

Automotive Industry's composer, Warren Bennett, is—like many of the artists featured on this blog—a highly prolific production-music writer.  He's also associated with longtime British rock stalwarts Cliff Richard and the Shadows, the band that made his father, Brian Bennett, famous.  Sadly, Automotive Industry is the only known Primetime track composed by either Bennett, and it was only used one time at that.

Automotion 3, Part 1 - Mission to Future & the Sonoton Explosion

Song - Mission to Future

Artist(s) - Jeff Newmann

Released - 1988

Primetime Usage - 1989-90

Contained on - SON 292 (Automotion 3), Sonoton SCD 16 (Automotion 3)

Featured Highlight - Colts @ Patriots, 1989


In 1989, the behind-the-scenes staff at ESPN apparently decided to throw out all of the music used during the first two seasons of NFL Primetime and bring in a clean slate (a couple songs from 1987 would eventually return).  The vast majority of these new tracks came from a German production music library called Sonoton, which was founded by Gerhard Narholz (a.k.a. "Norman Candler") and his wife, Rotheide, in 1965.  Their eldest son, Christoph, composed a Primetime song that I haven't yet displayed while the middle child, Gregor, is also a prominent composer.  Anyway, Sonoton started putting their stuff on CDs in 1988 and ESPN took full advantage a year later.  The Sonoton-heavy period on NFL Primetime only lasted 2-3 years, but it was a wonderful era of the show if you love synth.

As I mentioned last week, one of these albums—Automotion 3—actually contains a full five tracks that were used on NFL Primetime.  "Mission to Future," by Jeff Newmann, is the first of these tracks to be featured here, and it's a nice & energetic-yet-laid-back composition that fits football well.  You'll also notice a rather "Final Countdown"-ish segment in the middle of the song.  Accompanying Mission to Future is a quirky highlight featuring two 1989 also-rans.  It's also the second highlight I've posted on this blog to show Doug Flutie.  Have fun, and there's still a lot more to come this week.