Sports (song) explained

Sports
Type:single
Cover:Cover of Viagra Boys' single Sports.png
Artist:Viagra Boys
Album:Street Worms
Genre:
Label:Year0001
Producer:
  • Daniel Fagerström
Next Title:Just Like You
Next Year:2018

"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

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

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

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." 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Viagra Boys new song "Sports" = aaaaaaghhhhh!. Cooper. Duncan. 2018-07-09. The Fader. 2023-10-17.
  2. Web site: Viagra Boys Announce Debut Album, Don’t Play "Sports" in New Music Video. Haas. Anna. 2018-08-13. Paste. 2023-10-17.
  3. Web site: Viagra Boys – punk songs about flaws and failings. Konemann. Liam. 2018-10-10. Loud and Quiet. 2023-10-17.
  4. https://youtube.com/watch?v=QjL7D33xpS4
  5. Web site: Viagra Boys : "Sports" Track Review. Geffen. Sasha. 2018-07-11. Pitchfork. 2023-10-17.
  6. Web site: STOCKHOLM’S VIAGRA BOYS SHARE THE DARK, TWISTED PUNK OF ‘SPORTS’. 2018-07-05. DIY. 2023-10-17.