Amanda Knapp
Basketball Jones is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on their 1973 album, Los Cochinos. Sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the character Tyrone Shoelaces, the song tells the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. It is a parody of the song Love Jones by Brighter Side of Darkness. The song's opening lyric, Basketball Jones, I got a basketball Jones, refers to Jones as slang for craving or addiction.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singers | Cheech and Chong |
| Featuring | Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Tyrone Shoelaces |
| Album | Los Cochinos |
| Year | 1973 |
| Genre | Parody |
| Parody of | "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness |
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What You'll Learn
Cheech and Chong's song
Cheech and Chong are a comedy duo who rose to fame in the 1970s and became cultural icons for their stoner humour and satirical take on counterculture during that era. They created several comedy routines and songs that have become part of pop culture history. One of their most famous songs is 'Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces', which was released in 1973 on their self-titled debut album. The song is a parody of the 1960s doo-wop and soul music styles, with Cheech and Chong adopting smooth, soulful vocals to tell the story of a basketball-obsessed man named Basketball Jones.
The song is structured like a classic soul ballad, with a smooth melody and backing vocals that create a humorous contrast to the often-ridiculous lyrics. Cheech and Chong's delivery is straight-faced and earnest, which only adds to the comedic effect. The lyrics tell the tale of Basketball Jones, a man so devoted to the sport that it has consumed his entire life. He sleeps with a basketball and dreams of playing, and his obsession has led to him neglecting his relationships and other aspects of his life.
The song includes some memorable and humorous lines, such as, 'He'd shoot those baskets from sun up 'til sundown, and when he'd come home, he'd be too tired to mess around', and, 'His woman left him, said he loved his basketball more than her'. The backing vocals, provided by a female group, offer a fun and catchy counterpoint to the lead vocals, with responses like, 'What a pity, what a shame'.
'Basketball Jones' became a surprise hit, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even earning Cheech and Chong a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Recording in 1974. The song has since become a cult classic and is often remembered as one of the duo's most iconic creations. It showcases their ability to blend humour with musical talent and their skill in crafting parodies that lovingly mock the styles and tropes of specific music genres.
Beyond its comedic value, 'Basketball Jones' also captures a specific moment in cultural history, reflecting the growing popularity of basketball as a sport and the emergence of a youth subculture centred around it. Cheech and Chong's song, with its unique blend of humour and musicality, has endured as a memorable and beloved parody that continues to entertain and amuse audiences decades later. It remains a testament to the duo's lasting impact on comedy and their ability to create hilarious and musically engaging content.
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Sung by Cheech Marin
"Basketball Jones" is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on their 1973 album, "Los Cochinos". The song is sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, who plays the character Tyrone Shoelaces.
In the song, Cheech, in the voice of a young African-American man, Tyrone Shoelaces, sings and tells the story of his lifelong love for the sport of basketball. The opening lyric, "Basketball Jones, I got a basketball Jones", refers to "Jones" as slang for craving or addiction. Thus, a "basketball Jones" indicates an overwhelming love for the sport.
Cheech Marin's character, Tyrone, expresses his passion for basketball, claiming to have been the best dribbler in his neighbourhood since he was a child. He also mentions that he took his basketball everywhere, even putting it under his pillow at night. The song includes playful basketball-related boasts, such as being able to "dribble with my tongue" or "dunk it with my nose".
The song "Basketball Jones" is a parody of "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness. The album version of the song includes a mock interview with a basketball coach, "Umgwana Kickbooti", parodying a sports interview. The song also features other musicians, including George Harrison, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, and Carole King.
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Featuring Tyrone Shoelaces
"Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" is a song by Cheech and Chong. It first appeared on their 1973 album, Los Cochinos. Sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the title character, Tyrone (as in "tie-your-own") Shoelaces, the song tells the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. It is a parody of the song ""Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness.
The song was released as a single in August 1973 and reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the only spoof to peak higher than the corresponding original. The song's opening lyric, "Basketball Jones, I got a basketball Jones", references "Jones" as slang for craving or addiction. A "basketball Jones" thus refers to loving basketball so much that it overtakes all other thoughts.
In the album version, the song is preceded by a mock interview with Jones' basketball coach, "Umgwana Kickbooti", in a parody of a Wide World of Sports interview conducted by a character named "Red Blazer". Musicians who appeared on the record included George Harrison, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Klaus Voormann, Carole King, Nicky Hopkins, Jimmy Karstein, and Jim Keltner. The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips (from The Mamas & the Papas) performed vocals as cheerleaders on the track.
The song was also adapted into an animated short film in 1973 (or 1974, according to some sources). The cartoon was created to promote the song's release in the United States. It depicts Tyrone Shoelaces, a teenager with a skill for "dribbling", from birth to his celebrity status. The short was designed by animator Paul Gruwell, who was known at the time for The Banana Splits.
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A parody of 'Love Jones'
"Basketball Jones" is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on their 1973 album, "Los Cochinos". Sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the character Tyrone Shoelaces, the song tells the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. It is a parody of the Billboard Hot 100 song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness.
"Love Jones", written and directed by Theodore Witcher, is a romantic drama film released in 1997. The film portrays young African-American professionals and artists navigating love, creativity, and ambition in Chicago. It stars Nia Long and Larenz Tate, who worked well together according to viewers. The film received positive reviews, with an approval rating of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic.
"Basketball Jones" references "jones" as slang for craving or addiction. The song's opening lyric, "Basketball Jones, I got a basketball jones", thus refers to a love of basketball that overtakes all other thoughts. The song includes lyrics such as "I could stuff it from center court with my toes" and "I'm bad, I could dribble with my tongue". The song's music video includes shots of people around the world singing along to the song, as well as shots of Shoelaces growing to an enormous size and using the moon as a basketball.
In contrast, "Love Jones" explores the passionate and intelligent sides of love through its characters. The film focuses on Darius Lovehall, a young Black poet in Chicago who starts dating Nina Mosley, a talented photographer. The two hang out with their friends, talking about love and sex, and trying to figure out if they have a future together.
While "Love Jones" takes on a more serious tone, "Basketball Jones" is a lighthearted parody that pokes fun at the original while celebrating the joy of basketball. Both works showcase the creativity and versatility of their respective art forms, and continue to be enjoyed by audiences today.
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References to basketball addiction
"Basketball Jones" is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on their 1973 album "Los Cochinos". The song is about a character named Tyrone Shoelaces and his love of basketball. The opening lyric, ""Basketball Jones, I got a basketball Jones", refers to "Jones" as slang for craving or addiction. Thus, a "basketball Jones" indicates an obsession with basketball that takes over all other thoughts.
The song is a parody of the No. 16 Billboard Hot 100 song "Love Jones" by Brighter Side of Darkness. In the album version, there is a mock interview with a basketball coach named "Umgwana Kickbooti", parodying a Wide World of Sports interview. The song was also released as a single in August 1973, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the only spoof to peak higher than the corresponding original.
The song was promoted with a 1973 animated short film of the same name, designed by animator Paul Gruwell. The cartoon features a teenager, Tyrone Shoelaces, who has a skill for dribbling, and his mother buys him a basketball as a gift. The short film captures the political moods of the 1970s and predicts Richard Nixon's impeachment. It was shown in theatres before Hal Ashby's "The Last Detail" and later with Tunnel Vision. The cartoon also appeared in the 1974 film "California Split", directed by Robert Altman, and the 1979 film "Being There", starring Peter Sellers.
The song features musicians such as George Harrison, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Klaus Voormann, and Carole King. The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips performed vocals as cheerleaders on the track.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheech and Chong sang 'Basketball Jones'.
Musicians who appeared on the record included George Harrison, Billy Preston, Tom Scott, Klaus Voormann, Carole King, The Blossoms and Michelle Phillips.
The song first appeared on Cheech and Chong's 1973 album 'Los Cochinos'.
