Ayrton Oneill
Basketball Jones is a song by Cheech and Chong that was released in 1973. It was inspired by an experience with Jack Nicholson and is about a baby who grows up to be obsessed with basketball. The song was a hit and also inspired an animated short film in the same year. The song and the cartoon have since been featured in several films and TV shows, including California Split (1974), Being There (1979), Space Jam (1996), and The Simpsons (2011). More recently, in 2024, a film titled Basketball Jones: The First Chapter was released.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of song | Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces |
| Artists | Cheech and Chong |
| Album | Los Cochinos |
| Year of album release | 1973 |
| Year released as a single | 1973 |
| Peak position on Hot 100 | #15 |
| Parody of | Love Jones by Brighter Side of Darkness |
| Collaborating musicians | George Harrison, Carole King, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Klaus Voormann, The Blossoms, and Michelle Phillips |
| Year of animated short film release | 1973 |
| Year of first appearance in a film | 1974 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
'Basketball Jones' song by Cheech and Chong
"Basketball Jones" is a song by the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, released in 1973 on their album "Los Cochinos". The song is about a baby who is the best dribbler (or drooler) in town and grows up to be obsessed with basketball. It was inspired by an experience Cheech and Chong shared with actor Jack Nicholson. One day, the trio found themselves in Nicholson's car, late for a Lakers game. Known for his "maniac" driving, Nicholson drove "a good mile into oncoming traffic". During this time, the 1972 song "Love Jones" by Chicago came on the radio, and Cheech started improvising to the tune, singing, "Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones".
The song is a parody of "Love Jones", with "Jones" being slang for "craving" or "addiction". "Basketball Jones" was sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the title character Tyrone ("tie-your-own") Shoelaces, and told the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. In the album version, the song is preceded by a mock interview with Jones' basketball coach, Umgwana Kickbooti, a parody of a "Wide World of Sports" interview conducted by a character named Red Blazer.
The song was released as a single in August or September 1973 and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the only spoof to peak higher than the corresponding original. The musicians who appeared on the record included George Harrison, Carole King, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Klaus Voormann, and The Blossoms. The song was also covered by Barry White and Chris Rock in the 1996 film "Space Jam".
An animated short film based on the song was created in 1973 to promote its release in the United States. The cartoon was designed by animator Paul Gruwell and featured a teenager named Tyrone Shoelaces and his love of basketball. The short film was shown in theatres before certain films, including "California Split" (1974) and "Being There" (1979).
Net Basketball Rankings: Understanding the System
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![L B Jones Release [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71zqo0O0lxL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Released as a single in 1973
"Basketball Jones" by Cheech and Chong was released as a single in 1973. The song first appeared on their 1973 album, "Los Cochinos". It was sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, who played the title character, Tyrone (as in "tie-your-own") Shoelaces. The song told the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball and was inspired by an experience Cheech and Chong shared with Jack Nicholson.
One day, the trio found themselves in Nicholson's car, late for a Lakers game. Nicholson, remembered as a "maniac" driver, drove "a good mile into oncoming traffic". During this time, the 1972 Chicago song "Love Jones" came on the radio. A nervous Cheech started improvising to the tune, singing, "Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones". This improvisation would eventually become the song's opening lyric.
"Basketball Jones" is a parody of "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness. The song was backed by an all-star band, including George Harrison on guitar, Carole King on electric piano, Billy Preston on organ, and Tom Scott on saxophone. The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips (from The Mamas & the Papas) performed vocals as cheerleaders.
The single was released in August or September 1973 and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the only spoof to peak higher than the corresponding original.
Perfecting Your Basketball Shot: Tips for Consistent Practice
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Peaked at No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100
"Basketball Jones" by Cheech and Chong was released in 1973 as part of their album "Los Cochinos". The song is about a baby who is the best "dribbler" (or "drooler") in town and grows up with a passion for basketball. It is a parody of the song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness.
The song was released as a single in August or September 1973 and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the only spoof to peak higher than the corresponding original. The song's success was likely due to its catchy tune and its collaboration with musicians such as George Harrison, Michelle Phillips, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Carole King, and The Blossoms.
The song's popularity led to the creation of an animated short film in the same year, designed by animator Paul Gruwell. The cartoon was played in theatres before certain films, such as "The Last Detail" and "California Split" in 1974, and was re-released in 1976 before the film "Tunnel Vision". The song and cartoon gained further exposure when they were featured in Hal Ashby's 1979 film "Being There", where Peter Sellers's character, Chauncey Gardiner, watches the cartoon in a limousine.
"Basketball Jones" has had a lasting impact, appearing in the 1996 film "Space Jam" and in more recent shows such as "The Simpsons" in 2011. The song's influence can also be seen in the 2024 film "Basketball Jones: The First Chapter", which explores the early years of actor Aaron "Quick" Nelson.
Calculating Point Differential: Understanding Basketball's Scoring System
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Inspired by Jack Nicholson
The Cheech & Chong song "Basketball Jones" featuring Tyrone Shoelaces was released in 1973 as a single and on their album Los Cochinos. The song is a comedic take on the song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness, with basketball-themed lyrics. Now, for the paragraphs inspired by Jack Nicholson:
Jack Nicholson's iconic status in Hollywood is undeniable, and his influence extends far beyond his remarkable body of work. His larger-than-life personality and unwavering dedication to his craft have inspired countless individuals, both within the industry and beyond, to pursue their passions and leave their own mark on the world.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Nicholson's career is his ability to seamlessly blend critical acclaim with commercial success. His performances in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Shining," and "As Good as It Gets" not only garnered widespread praise but also resonated with audiences worldwide. This unique talent inspired many aspiring actors and filmmakers to strive for similar versatility and impact in their own careers.
Nicholson's approach to character portrayal is another source of inspiration. He is known for fully immersing himself in the roles he plays, often going to great lengths to embody the physical and mental characteristics of his characters. This dedication to his craft has left an indelible mark on the industry, raising the bar for performance standards and inspiring countless actors to pursue a similar depth of commitment in their work.
Beyond his professional achievements, Nicholson's larger-than-life personality and unapologetic approach to life have also left an impression. He embodies a sense of fearlessness and authenticity, unafraid to speak his mind or live life on his terms. This attitude has inspired many to embrace their true selves and pursue their passions with the same unwavering confidence.
Jack Nicholson's influence extends far beyond his on-screen performances. His impact on popular culture, fashion, and even sports is undeniable. His signature style, charm, and wit have left an indelible mark on generations of fans and continue to inspire and influence people from all walks of life.
Free Throw Shots: Mastering the 15-Foot Distance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
'Basketball Jones' animated short film
"Basketball Jones" is the title of a song by Cheech and Chong, which first appeared on their 1973 album "Los Cochinos". The song is about a baby who is the best dribbler (and drooler) in town and grows up with a passion for basketball. It was inspired by an encounter Cheech and Chong had with Jack Nicholson, in which they were in the actor's car, late for a Lakers game. During the journey, Nicholson drove a mile into oncoming traffic and Cheech started improvising a song to the tune of Chicago's "Love Jones" (1972), singing "Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones". The song was released as a single in August or September 1973 and reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song inspired an animated short film of the same name, also released in 1973. The cartoon was created to promote the song's release in the United States. It was designed by animator Paul Gruwell, who was known at the time for "The Banana Splits". The short film tells the story of a teenager named Tyrone Shoelaces and his love of basketball. In the animation, Shoelaces is shown from birth having a skill for "dribbling" (in which he is shown to be drooling) and, as a result, his mother gives him a basketball as a gift. The film was re-released in 1976, when it was shown before the film "Tunnel Vision".
Basketball Showdown: Final Scores and Insights
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The song "Basketball Jones" was released in 1973.
The song was first seen in theatres in 1973, before the release of Hal Ashby's "The Last Detail".
The song was re-released in 1976 and was shown before the film "Tunnel Vision".
"Basketball Jones" is about a baby who is the best dribbler (drooler) in town and grows up to be obsessed with basketball.
The song is a parody of the No. 16 Billboard Hot 100 song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness.
