Sports (song)
| "Sports" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Viagra Boys | ||||
| from the album Street Worms | ||||
| Released | 5 July 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | Year0001 | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Viagra Boys singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Sports" on YouTube | ||||
"Sports" is the debut single by Swedish rock band Viagra Boys, released on 5 July 2018 as the first single from their debut studio album Street Worms (2018).[1]
Composition[edit]
The song's verses consist of sports-related words such as "baseball, basketball, weiner dog, [and] short shorts" repeated in a monotone voice, while the chorus consists of only the word "sports" being shouted and spoken by lead singer Sebastian Murphy in various ways; during the outro, his voice becomes more erratic and often breaks as he screams the lyrics before becoming breathless and devolving into guttural yells and drawls.[2] Murphy described the song as a satire of masculinity.[3]
Music video[edit]
The song's music video shows the band's members performing the song on an indoor tennis court in a sports centre while tennis players attempt to play around and over them.[4]
Critical reception[edit]
Sasha Geffen of Pitchfork wrote, "Murphy screams 'SPORTS!' at the climax in unhinged exasperation, stuttering and spitting out the word like he needed to defend his manhood at all costs. The song is a perfect indictment of the sort of sweaty, brittle masculinity that tends toward overcompensation."[5] Pitchfork also named the song its "Best New Track".[5] DIY described the song as "vocals twist[ing] their way through the track like Mark E. Smith, while a simple, brilliantly solid bassline holds it all together".[6]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sports" | 3:57 |
| 2. | "Jungle Man" | 3:11 |
| 3. | "Beijing Taxi" | 4:06 |
References[edit]
- ^ Cooper, Duncan (2018-07-09). "Viagra Boys new song "Sports" = aaaaaaghhhhh!". The Fader. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ Haas, Anna (2018-08-13). "Viagra Boys Announce Debut Album, Don't Play "Sports" in New Music Video". Paste. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ Konemann, Liam (2018-10-10). "Viagra Boys – punk songs about flaws and failings". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ https://youtube.com/watch?v=QjL7D33xpS4
- ^ a b Geffen, Sasha (2018-07-11). "Viagra Boys : "Sports" Track Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "STOCKHOLM'S VIAGRA BOYS SHARE THE DARK, TWISTED PUNK OF 'SPORTS'". DIY. 2018-07-05. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "Sports - Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 2023-10-17.