Landon Donovan Is Stealing My Moves!

We all know Landon has been trying to copy my receding hairline for years (I've had to go to full blown bald just to distinguish myself) but now he's stealing my moves. Notice the classy 2-0 sign I was sporting while wearing a Sombrero at a Mexican restaurant at my bachelor party. This was posted on this blog almost three years ago:

Now check out Landon Donovan after last night's awesome victory in Columbus, Ohio:

Of course I was doing it backwards, but he's still a copy cat.

Why are we sporting the 2-0 sign? Because the last three times the US has played Mexico in a World Cup Qualifier at home here is how the games turned out:

2001 World Cup Qualifier in Columbus: USA 2 - Mexico 0
2005 World Cup Qualifier in Columbus: USA 2 - Mexico 0
2009 World Cup Qualifier in Columbus: USA 2 - Mexico 0

oh and when the USA played Mexico in the 2006 World Cup can you guess the score? That's right, USA 2 - Mexico 0.

All three of the Qualifiers in the US have been played in Columbus, Ohio in the winter, which is why they have been referred to as La Guerra Fria (The Cold War).

So in honor of another 2-0 Cold War win I bring you:
Welcome To The Occupation (mp3) from Loyalty to Loyalty by Cold War Kids
Buy here

Hoodoo Voodoo?

On Wednesday night I'll be watching the US Men's National Team defeat dominate Mexico once again in a World Cup Qualifier (7PM ET, ESPN2 HD & Univision). Apparently we're officially inside the heads of the Mexican players - so much so they are giving away Voodoo dolls in Mexico to try to gain an advantage:




Isn't it cute they still have Blockbuster in Mexico? My prediction USA 2 - Mexico 0 of course!

In honor of the match here are some Voodoo tunes:
Under my Voodoo (mp3) by Sublime from Sublime (purchase album here)
Voodoo Child (slight return) (mp3) by Jimi Hendrix from The Ultimate Experience (purchase album here)
Hoodoo Voodoo (mp3) by Billy Bragg & Wilco from Mermaid Avenue (purchase album here)

What's with these homies?

Photo courtesy of Sidelines View - Mustache courtesy of Rivers Cuomo

In my ongoing struggle to link soccer and music I stumbled upon the fantastic photo above of Rivers Cuomo from Weezer celebrating a goal with Landon Donovan’s wife, Bianca Kajlich thanks to the Sideline Views soccer blog. It was taken during a celebrity soccer match to benefit Mia Hamm’s foundation that promotes people signing up to be blood marrow donors (check out the site). It reminded me that I haven’t listened to Weezer in a long time. I mean a REALLY long time. At one point I was really down on them – I think it was when “Hash Pipe” came out to mark their big return to the music scene. I remember thinking “This guy went to Harvard?”. I completely dismissed them back then. However, with more perspective I’m able to realize that they were a pretty great band and I should check out there more recent stuff. Besides, how can you dismiss a band that put out one of the greatest videos in history:

Anyway, here are some soccer related quotes from Rivers Cuomo after the charity match via the Sideline Views blog: I was having some groin issues, but the game was still fun. --Rivers Cuomo

And via ESPN soccernet: "It was a dream come true," Cuomo said. "Passing with Landon Donovan and going against Mia Hamm -- it's just unreal. I was terrified, but I was so excited that the excitement overcame the terror."

For diehard Weezer fans check out this article on Rivers Cuomo’s upcoming release thanks to the fantastic website Daytrotter.

Many Nations Sing Seven Nation Army

I got back from vacation yesterday from Florida to spend some time with Mrs. Hops' family. Unfortunately, my in laws don't have the various soccer channels I subscribe to (why would they?) so I was deprived of watching the Beautiful Game for more than a week! Can you imagine the horror? Luckily when I got back it was Boxing Day, the day after Christmas in England, one of the biggest sporting days all year. Hearing the crowds chant throughout the matches made me realize that a few months back when I was casually listing some of my favorite sports songs in addition to "You'll Never Walk Alone" I completely forgot one of the best - "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. You'll often hear the crowds at soccer matches chant the instrumental chorus to this one. Supposedly this trend started in Belgium then spread to Italy, France and of course right here in the States. How many rifts are that recognizable?

Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes:


Some Italian Fans Get in on the fun:


As do the Flaming Lips:


And for more fun - The White Stripes on The Simpsons:

World's Colliding!

My soccer loving world and music loving worlds are colliding thanks to an interesting marketing campaign from Adidas. They picked local musicians such as The Barenaked Ladies, Bad Brains and the Polyphonic Spree to record theme songs for each MLS team. I never heard of most of hte other bands but I'm sure the kids like them. All in all a pretty interesting campaign even if some of the tunes are less than stellar. Here is the DC United song by The Bad Brains, a famous DC punk band.

Download the DC United song here. And here the rest of the tunes here

I love anything that mentions Luciano Emilio. It's in the net!

Beckham

"You say goodbye and I say hello" - is that song for Becks or for Posh?

As you know I love soccer as much as I love music. Occasionally these two worlds meet as I've written about before. Well, it has happened again. Check out this article from NME.com:

The Fratellis have turned down a chance to record the official song for David Beckham's first game as an LA Galaxy player.

The Scots, who were asked to re-record The Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' for the July football match, reportedly said, "No fucking way," according to Dotmusic.

"We've turned down a huge list of ridiculous things like that," said frontman Jon Fratelli. "We're not a bunch of traveling salesmen. If we don't get successful on our own terms then we won't do it at all."

He added: "We were like, 'No fucking way.' It would have got us noticed, of course, but we'd have lost our self-respect."

Is it me or is it absolutely hilarious that they're recording a Beckham theme song? I do have to admit they did choose a pretty good one, but still only in America would we pull this crap. They should have called an American band though, one of our guys would have sold out a lot easier. Some other ideas for a Beckham theme song:

"I love LA" by Randy Newman
"Oh! You Pretty Things" by David Bowie (perfect for him and Posh Spice)
"California Waiting" by King of Leon
"Dedicated Follower of Fashion" by The Kinks
"California Stars" by Wilco
"Going out West" by Tom Waits
"Last Boat To America" by David Gray
"Spanish Caravan" by The Doors (is the nanny coming from Madrid with them?)
"Shape I'm In" by The Band (Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in)
Anything off William Shatner's album Has Been (I kid I kid!)
"Money (That's What I Want)" by The Beatles (I could have gone with "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits but something tells me that he's going to have to earn it in MLS)
"Ankle Injuries" by Fujiya & Miyagi (for the first time he gets to line up against Dema Kovalenko)
and last but not least, "High Hopes" by Bruce Springsteen (you could use the Pink Floyd tune with the same name, but it might not exactly going to get the crowd fired up)

You'll never walk alone

So a bunch of guys on my soccer skipped out of work this week to watch the Liverpool vs. AC Milan Champions League final at my house. Burgers, beer and soccer - a perfect afternoon. Why do I mention this? Because the Liverpool crowd always sings the best song in sports - "You'll Never Walk Alone". Seeing it beats any college pep song or any equivalent. It's awesome. Originally it was a show tune, written by Rogers and Hammerstein but the version they play at games is by Gerry & the Pacemakers. Usually you can't hear it over the crowd.

This song will also play a part in the next Hopscast, though I can promise the episode has nothing to do with soccer...or Liverpool. Check it out for yourself with the lyrics below.



Lyrics:
When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high, And don't be afraid of the dark At the end of a storm There's a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark Walk on through the wind walk on through the rain though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone you'll never walk alone

LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL!

Sadly for the fans Liverpool lost 2-1. I guess one of the guys drank a few too many beers and wasn't all that impressed with the action. Apparently "Vegas" Vic is used to sleeping during the day.

Sleepy Time for Victor

Can you name a better sport song? The only ones I could think of are "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Cubs games, you could argue "God Bless America" at Yankees games (though I never liked the connotation) and of course the wost song in sports "Rocky Top" at Tennessee football games. Though you have to give credit to "Rocky Top" because Phish used to cover it.

Speaking of covers here is a version of Ray Charles doing "You'll Never Walk Alone", Johnny Cash doing the same song and just for phun, Phish doing "Rocky Top".

Ray Charles - You'll Never Walk Alone
Jonny Cash - You'll Never Walk Alone
Phish - Rocky Top (7/21/98 Encore at Desert Sky Pavillion in Phoenix)

Mexicali Blues

USA 2 - Mexico 0

I get asked a lot why my “All You Need Is Hops” photo has me making weird gang symbols with my hands. Well the only gang I’m in is the J-Crew and we don’t have a cool symbol (yet). So here is the true story: I was boozing in New York for my bachelor party and I decided to talk some smack while at a Mexican restaurant so I put up two fingers with one hand and made a zero sign with my other. Why? You see in the 2002 World Cup we beat Mexico 2-0. A couple of years ago in qualifying for the World Cup we beat them 2-0 in Columbus to seal our ticket to the World Cup. Last night we beat them 2-0 again in a “friendly” so I thought it would be a good time to finally address this mystery.

But this isn’t a soccer blog, this is a music blog. So here are five songs dedicated to El Tri:

1. “Nothing Was Delivered” by Bob Dylan & The Band – Mexico has scored zero goals in the last 8 games on US soil.
2. “Isn’t it a pity” by George Harrison from All Things Must Pass – Mexico used to be the best team in North America…not anymore. The giant is dead.
3. “Suck” by Nine Inch Nails – Guess what… Mexico sucks
4. “Real Situation” by Bob Marley: “Ain’t no use, no one can stop them now”. They never give us credit when we beat them (which is usually the case). The real situation is that we’re better. Enough said.
5. “Cheated Hearts” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s wrong that their national team display such a lack of sportsmanship on the field. Their fans are pretty amazing. Even though they live in America, their hearts still are with the Mexican culture. And to them, futbol is culture. Therefore when they lose to the “Gringos” up north it hurts on a level most Americans can’t really understand. It simply means more than what we see on the field to them.

Note: I’m only talking about the chumps on the Mexican soccer team, not the Mexican people or the country of Mexico itself. It’s not their fault the guys who supposedly represent their nation are a bunch of dirtbags.

Notice the keeper, Oswaldo "Dirty" Sanchez, trying to take out Johnson after the goal.

A Mexican fan making his Two-Oh Face

We have a winner!

Well the World Cup is over... and that means so is the World Cup of Songs. Our winner: My Way by Frank Sinatra. The Walkmen's French Vacation decided to lose it and go on vacation a few minutes too early and thus Frank the Tank wins yet again. It might be timeless, but it just ain't my bag.

Congrats Frank, nice to see Jersey pulling through.

It's down to four!

The World Cup of Songs is down to four:
Tuesday The Beatles take on Sinatra. You have to figure the winner of this one will go all the way.
Wednesay you have two upsets, the Platters vs. The Walkmen. Totally different styles of playing for sure.

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand by The Beatles (Germany) vs. My Way by Frank Sinatra (Italy)
The Great Pretender by The Platters (Portugal) vs. French Vacation by The Walkmen (France)

The knockout stages - Who will be champion

Creed didn't qualify for this World Cup - Unfortunately they lost out to Mr. Burt Bacharach in the North America and Caribbean Region

So to decide the World Cup of songs I took the team who came in first in their group and gave them their first song, and the teams in second their second song. Therefore we now have a very scientific bracket of the best World Cup tune. Here is the latest:

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand by The Beatles (Germany) defeated I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (Sweden)

Poor Places by Wilco (Argentina) defeated Something Against You by The Pixies (Mexico)

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand now battles Poor Places– possibly the best match up so far

My Way by Frank Sinatra (Italy) defeated Down to the Wire by Neil Young (Australia) on a bad call

Obviously 5 Believers by Bob Dylan (Ukraine) beat out In Between by Josh Rouse (Switzerland) in an absolute crap game that went into PK’s… yawn.

This sets up a Sinatra vs. Dylan showdown. Let’s get ready to rumble.

On the other side of the bracket we have:

London Calling by The Clash (England) defeated Cruel Summer by Bananarama. I mean did Bananarama really have a chance in this one?

The Great Pretender by The Platters (Portugal) use their old school appeal and defeat High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen (Netherlands). This isn’t Bruce’s finest moment and neither was this game. It started off well but then the ref ruined it. Shame, it was a great matchup. I was definitely pulling for Holland.

This sets up the Platters vs. the Clash. You gotta figure the Clash can whoop the platters. We’ll see.

Samba Tranquille by Thievery Corporation (Brazil) over Drown by Son Volt (Ghana). Just like Son Volt, Ghana had their moment…and it passed (though to be fair Jay Farrar and Son Volt still put out good music).

French Vacation by The Walkmen (France) win out over Summer Time by Josh Rouse (Spain). Spain always chokes.

Now we have an intriguing matchup of chill (Thievery Corporation) vs. high intensity (Walkmen). Both are bands from the DC area making the rivalry even more intense.

I just hope Italy loses.

World Cup of Songs - Round 1 completed

With the first round coming to close and the pain of the USA’s losses still stinging I realized I never finished the World Cup of Songs first round. Here goes nothing

Group F

Brazil
Samba Tranquille by Thievery Corporation – my favorite electronica music is definitely DC’s own Thievery Corp. And what better song than this one for the Samba boys. They were a bit tranquil for 2 and a half games then Japan woke them up. Uh oh… everyone is in trouble now.
The Wizard Turns On by The Flaming Lips – Everybody’s favorite overbite Ronaldino is starting to pick up his game. He does things that seem simply impossible on the soccer field.

Japan
Tiny Tears by Tindersticks – For a few reasons – Japanese fans (and Korean fans) love to band those inflatable sticks all game. I’ve heard they’re called “thunder sticks” but they’re not really all that intimidating, so we’ll just call them tindersticks. Tiny Tears is for the little Japanese kids who were crying after they lost. Poor kids.
A Passing Feeling by Elliott Smith – For a few minutes they were beating Brazil. That had to be nice.

Croatia
Lets Twist Again by Chubby Checker – Have you seen their checkerboard jerseys? Not a fan.

A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free by Elliott Smith – In the first game Croatia was losing, but playing well, vs. Brazil. Their fans looked like they though Croatia was winning 10-0. They partied all game even when losing - lighting flares in the stands and everything. I’m guessing booze played a part, but they had fun.

Australia
Land Down Under by Men at Work – What, did you think I was above it? Of course not. When thinking Australia you have to think about this and the Vegemite sandwich. It’s non-negotiable.
Down to the Wire by Neil Young – Man do these guys have heart. Twice coming back in the last 10 minutes or so of the game. Incredible. They might be the worst team in the second round, but no one showed more guts and character.

Group G

Togo
Going to a go-go by The Rolling Stones – change lyrics to Going to see Togo and you got yourself a Top 10 hit in Togo
Pay Me My Money Down by Pete Seeger – A song on the new Bruce Springsteen album where he cover Seeger is perfect for Togo. They coach quit then came back, the players threatened to skip the games then played all because of some payment issue. They wanted their money. But Togo wouldn’t pay or something. Basically they wanted money they were owed.

Korea
Oh You Pretty Things by David Bowie – Have you seen the haircuts these guys are sporting? They look like they should be wearing jean shorts and tank tops out there. Someone get queer eye for the straight guy out to Team Korea.

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen – Again, I’m really impressed by these guys. The players keep running and running and running and the fans keep singing and singing and singing. Its incredible to watch.

France
Please Mrs. Henry by Bob Dylan – Theiry Henry is one of my favorite players, and a French legend. However, someone needs to wake these guys up. They’ve been tre boring in the first round.
French Vacation by The Walkmen – WAKE UP FRANCE! You have Henry AND Zidane (not to mention the rest of their team). Start to wake up and realize you’re in the World Cup.

Switzerland
In Between by Josh Rouse – Never a great team, never a bad team. This neutral nation is kinda just average in so many ways.
Army Dub by Gomez – This song is from the high point of Gomez’ career if you ask me, the In Our Gun album. Many fans hated it, because it was less poppy and more electronica based. To me it was their best work. In honor of the Swiss Army Knife. Why does a neutral nation need an army? Do they even have an army? Do they carry the knives? Discsuss amongst yourselves.

Group H

Ukraine
Let Me Ride by Dr. Dre – The best player on this team is “Dr.” Andre Schevchenko (spelled wrong because I’m too lazy to look it up). So his nickname isn’t Dr., but it could be. I’m struggling here.
Obviously 5 Believers by Bob Dylan I wanted something off of blonde on blonde in honor of the blonde Ukrainians and their yellow jerseys. This song worked well since only about 5 people thought they’d bounce back after getting spanked in the first game 4-0, they then won 4-0 in the second game. Crazy.

Spain
Summer Time by Josh Rouse – After getting divorced Josh moved to the coast of Spain to a small town near Valencia. I don’t know why but he seems happy. I do, however, know hwy the Spanish seem happy. Because they look pretty darn good right now.
Holiday in Spain by The Counting Crows – Most of Spain is off work to watch them play anyway, so might as well join the Fiesta.

Tunisia
Under African Skies by Paul Simon – Did you know people like to vacation in Tunisa which is located on the Northern Coast of Africa? I did.
Desert Rain by Sting – 45% of Tunisia is composed of the Sahara Desert. The rest is fertile. File that under interesting facts about Tunisia

Saudi Arabia
Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil – Of course we’re going to get an oil reference in there. FYI they love Midnight Oil in Australia, and they were/are actually a really good band beyond this one hit they had. Earth, Sun and Moon is a great album that I still listen to occasionally.
Rock the Casbah by The Clash – SHAREEF DON’T LIKE IT. They don’t like the Saudi’s getting whooped, and I mean whooped, by Ukraine.

That’s it folks – I hope you look forward to seeing who will win the World Cup of songs. I’ll figure out how to decide that over the weekend. All I know is that Born in the USA isn’t making it. Sigh.

Adios!

Group D World Cup Songs

GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Group D – I like none of these teams. Go Angola!

Mexico

Devastation by Matthew Ryan: The feeling felt by the entire nation when we beat them in the 2002 World Cup. Even if we come in last this time and they win it all they can’t take that one back. Suckers!

Something Against You by The Pixies: I have something against Mexico. Not the country or the people… and certainly not the food. I have something against their team. They’re classless. They wouldn’t even shake our hands after we beat them, and we always beat them. Classless. I did support them vs. Iran, but I felt dirty about it. Very dirty.

Iran

Psycho Killer by Talking Heads: In honor of their crazy-assed President. What a nut job that dude is.

Political World by Bob Dylan: So much of the talk about the Iran team is due to their crazy President. We have on too – obviously not that crazy – but the point is the players aren’t politicians. They’re just players. My favorite moment of the World Cup came when the goalie for Iran gave the Mexican keeper, Oswaldo Sanchez, a bouquet of flowers before their game. Sanchez had just lost his dad a few days earlier and barely had time to get to the funeral and fly back to the game. In a sign of compassion the goalie gave him flowers. Now that’s class. How can I have a problem with that guy just because he lives in a place that isn’t exactly seeing eye to eye with the place I live? I can’t. I still hope they lose to Angola though.

Angola

Antelope by Phish: “Run like an antelope out of control” A great live Phish tune, perfect for Angola. They might be the worst team at the World Cup, but they might have the best name: The Black Antelopes (why do the African teams all have the great names?). What would happen if a White guy played for them? I guess its not a problem to worry about.

Brand New Colony: In an interesting twist of fate Angola opened the World Cup vs. Portugal, the country that colonized them. The same thing happened in 2002 when Senegal played their former colonizers in the opener, France. But unlike Senegal, Angola was unable to force the upset.

Portugal

The Great Pretender by The Platters: Maybe known more for the Queen cover, I know this from my days listening to the Oldies station growing up. I picked it up for Portugal because when we beat them in 2002 they thought they had a chance to win the World Cup. They didn’t get out of the group. I wanted a song about Figo or Port wine, but couldn’t find anything good.

The Golden Age by Beck: This represents the last shot for the so called Golden Generation of Portugal soccer. They are all getting a bit older now and the young players, with the exception of guys like that punk Christiano Ronaldo (no not the Brazilian one), aren’t as good as the boys from Figo’s class. Do they have one run in them? They have a weak group so they can get out of it. After that who knows.

My predictions for Group D- Mexico winner, Porgugal Runner up

Forgot to predict Group C- Argentina wins, Holland runners up.

Group C World Cup Songs

Dutch soccer on acid

Group C – an easier group – certainly not on the field, but for songs

Serbia & Montenegro

Grounds for Divorce by Wolf Parade: Since qualifying for the World Cup the cute couple of Serbia and Montenegro have broken up. How sad. Luckily for them their team doesn’t have to split up either - though only two players are from Montenegro. I bet Montenegro joins such mighty nations as Malta, San Marino, Andorra and Liechtenstein for the title of worst in Europe.

Miss Sarajevo by U2: A beautiful U2 song featuring Pavarotti. He’s too fat to play soccer, but would make an amazing announcer. I’d expect at least a 10 minute “GOOOOAAAAALLLL” chant every time Italy scored. Of course this song is totally irrelevant to Serbia, since Sarajevo is in Bosnia. But honestly, did you even know that? I could have not said anything and you wouldn’t have realized. But I did – so now you know. They’re all former Yugoslavians anyway.

Netherlands

Amsterdam by Guster: Obviously because it’s a song about Amsterdam. Remember when Guster was cool? Ok maybe YOU don’t remember, but I thought they were cool when I was in college. Now I have to roll up the windows when I listen to their old albums – otherwise people will assume I’m 15 years old (thought I’d be the first bald 15 year old driving an Infinity).

High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen: Quick, name the last time the Dutch won the World Cup? If you’re answer was never you’re correct. They made the finals in the 70’s, but haven’t been very successful since then. They didn’t even qualify in 2002. Maybe they should lay off the drugs.

Argentina

Poor Places by Wilco: In the last World Cup they were one of the favorites to win it all. Their country was in deep economic trouble and they were all riding their hopes on their soccer team. What did they do? Crashed out of their group. Didn’t get out of the first round. I can’t imagine the pressure they were playing with.

Casey Jones by The Grateful Dead: In honor of their coked up legend Maradona. One of the greatest to ever play. Now he is buddies with Castro and loves to say how awful America is. You’re hair is awful Maradona. And I’m taller than you. And …. That’s all I got. I’m excited to see them play the Dutch though, should be a great game.

Ivory Coast

The Clear Coast by Josh Rouse: There are plenty of songs about coasts… this one just happens to be in my car CD player right now. Its off his new album Subtitulo. The song, Josh Rouse and the album have nothing to do with the Ivory Coast.

Wild Billy’s Circus Story by Bruce Springsteen: They have a great nickname – the Elephants. Except they’re not fat, slow or stupid like elephants at all. No confirmation that they work for peanuts though. They are actually fast and exciting to watch and probably the best team in Africa. They also have Drogba on Chelsea (who I saw play vs. DC United). He’s pretty darn good.

Group B

England's 6' 7'' Peter Crouch doing the Robot!

England: Another easy one!

London Calling by The Clash: Because the whole country, not just the capital will be watching very closely. And “The Clash” is the perfect band name for the World Cup.

Gold Lion by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Off the album “Show Your Bones”. Last year before the World Cup all anyone could talk about was David Beckham’s broken foot, this year all anyone can talk about is the broken foot of Wayne Rooney, the new star of the English team. Also, the English team’s nickname are The Three Lions due to their crest, so Gold Lion fits if they win… as would the Yeah Yeah Yeah part.

Sweden:

Spies by Coldplay: Sven Goren Erikson is Swedish… he’s also the coach of England. I smell a conspiracy!

I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred: Its funny - you figure the Swedes to be a bunch of blonde hair blue eyed dudes. But their best player is names Zlatan Ibrahimovic (he’s incredible) and their other star is (I think) black, Henrik Larsson. Another star is actually more typically Swedish, Fredrik “Freddy” Ljungberg. He modeled for Calvin Klein which inspired the song for Sweden. No word on if the Bikini Team will be in Germany as well.

Trinidad and Tobago:

TNT by AC/DC: Trinidad and Tobago –also known as T&T are two separate very tiny islands that compete as one country. What better song that this:

“Cause I'm T.N.T., I'm dynamite!
(T.N.T.) And I'll win the fight!
(T.N.T.) I'm a power load!
(T.N.T.) Just watch me explooooode!”

Hopefully we’re talking about just that verse, not the next one

“I'm dirty, mean, and mighty unclean”

Life is a Carnival by The Band: They might be the smallest country in the World Cup and massive underdogs, but they have the right attitude. They’ve been dreaming of going to the World Cup since the USA knocked them out with Paul Caligiuri’s “Shot Heard Round The World” in 1990. Until this year it was the closest they ever got. The entire nation will be one massive party that will rival their other big party “Carnivale”. It is said their Carnivale is the largest outside of Brazil. Basically the entire population of 1MM people just parties for three straight days. Incredible. They also have the best nickname in the tourney “The Soca Warriors”

Paraguay:

Piranas are a very tricky species by Mark Mothersbaugh: The former Devo front man scored the Rushmore movie, and this is on of the names of the instrumental tracks he created (also a great line in the movie). I use this since Paraguay Southern border is defined by the Rio Parana (thanks Interweb!). And I think it describes their team pretty well.

The Magnificent Seven by The Clash: It’s their seventh World Cup finals… will this be a lucky number seven for them?

That’s it for Group B. My predictions: England wins the group with Sweden coming in second.

World Cup - Group A songs

Germany: They’re the hosts so I won’t make a David Hasselfhoff jokes at their expense.

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand by The Beatles: The US Team is based in Hamburg, where the Beatles got their start. They used amphetamines so they could play the long hours in the red light district bars. George Harrison had to lie about his age because he was too young to even get inside. Every year Hamburg hosts a big Beatles festival where I am sure they bust this one out – also known as I Want To Hold Your Hand. The Beatles actually recorded this one in German.

Fine Line by Paul McCartney: Keeping up the Beatles theme this one is perfect. First, its off of Paul McCartney’s album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. Will there be chaos caused by a German loss or beauty caused by a win? With the tourney being hosted there their emotions will even be more magnified. And its such a fine line between winning and losing (see the handball that wasn’t call vs. Germany when they played the USA in 2002) you never know what will happen. I read an article today with this line “The line of the trip so far came from a cab driver explaining the German philosophy on the national team. "If they win, it will be a big party. If they lose, it will be hell on earth."

Costa Rica:

Do You Know the Way to San Jose? By Mr. Burt Bacharach: I hope they know the way back to their capital city, San Jose, because its going to be three and out for the mighty Ticos.

La Costa Blanca by Josh Rouse: A beautiful song and as close to La Costa Rica as I could find

Ecuador:

I Burn Today by Frank Black: Ecuador is of course on the Equator. I imagine that I would need suntan lotion if I went there considering I get sunburned in October in DC.

Cruel Summer by Bananarama: I obviously ran out of ideas with Ecuador but I remember reading they grow bananas, thus Bananarama. Will it be a cruel summer for Ecuador in only their second World Cup? We’ll see. They have a shot to get out of a weak group.

Poland:

Idiot Wind by Bob Dylan: Let’s get the dumb Polish joke quota out of the way.

Atmosphere by Joy Division: The original name of Joy Division was Warsaw, also the capital of Poland. And you haven’t witnessed atmosphere until you’ve seen a World Cup game. Though the Europeans will have a long way to go to match the Koreans in 2002. That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.

That’s it for Group A. My predictions: German wins the group with Poland coming in second.

Copa Mundial!

The sign posted on my cubicle.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, I’ve been busy at work trying to catch up before the World Cup. In honor of the greatest sporting event on Earth starting this week I am going to come up with songs for each team participating. First, I am going to start with Group E, our group. It Here you go:

Czech Republic - I wish I could get an audio clip of Homer Simpson doing his “check check I’m checking my love for you song” he performed during the Super Bowl episode, but alas I’m not that resourceful. So here are my Czech Republic songs:

The Trial by Pink Floyd – A bit of a stretch, but since songs about the Czechs aren’t really very prevalent I then though about Prague, again nothing. Then I though about Kafka, who is one of the most famous people from Prague. He is known for “The Metamorphosis” which doesn’t really work in song lyrics, so instead I went with “The Trial”, another great Kafka book.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen – Yes, the Czech Republic is the heart of Bohemia. I also could have gone with by What I am by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. But that wouldn’t have been as cool. Did you know she is married to Paul Simon?

Italy:
My Way by Frank Sinatra – How can I not go with Sinatra? The song the US team adopted in the least World Cup. And we’ll beat them OUR way again this time.

Joey by Bob Dylan –Since Joey is obviously an Italian and for the line “They got him on conspiracy, they were never sure who with.” Since the Italians always blame their losses on conspiracy theories involving the referees. Currently, the whole Italian league is going through a crisis because Juventes (the Yankees of Italy) were caught influencing which referees worked which games. Also see Conspiracy by The Black Crowes.

Ghana: Ummmm… anyone know any good songs about Ghana? Here is all I got.
Under African Skies by Paul Simon – Ghana is in Africa. That I know. I also know I like this song off of Graceland.

Drown by Son Volt – Looks like Lake Volta is a massive lake in Ghana. I could have suggested something by The Mars Volta in honor of that, but I don’t really know their music. So instead I propose drowning in Lake Volta.

USA: So much to choose from.
Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen: A totally misunderstood song. Played a symbol of patriotism, they lyrics are really about Vietnam. “Got in a little hometown jam, So they put a rifle in my hand, Sent me off to a foreign land, To go and kill the yellow man”. Does that sound like a rah rah song to you?

I’m Afraid of Americans by David Bowie: An awesome song which was a collaboration with Trent Reznor. The world SHOULD be afraid of Americans, because we’re going to surprise some people in Germany!

And in honor of Group E, also known as "The Group of Death" to the quality of the four teams in it I recommend Death is the Easy Way by My Morning Jacket.

The World Cup starts Friday. I'm ridiculously excited.