In late November 1989, the most popular song in America according to the Billboard Magazine Hot 100 was “Blame It On The Rain” by Milli Vanilli.
That band’s dubious Bristol, Conn., connection pales in comparison to the impact of another late November song with Bristol roots. Right around that time, 30 years ago, SportsCenter’s “DaDaDa, DaDaDa” theme was first played on the show. Composed by Grammy and Emmy-award winning artist John Colby, ESPN’s music director from 1984-1992, the instantly recognizable chords have become one of sports’ unofficial anthems.
“I’ve been all over the world and it never fails to amaze me when inevitably someone finds out that I’m the creator of the theme,” Colby, 70, told Front Row.
Or, as one fan once remarked: ” . . . SportsCenter music is like the ice cream truck music for adults — people hear it and come running.”
The above video, from the Nov. 23, 1989 Thanksgiving night edition of SportsCenter hosted by Eric Clemons and Dan Patrick, represents one of the very first times Colby’s tune accompanied the show’s opening and close. (The tune was a bit faster paced in the early days, with various renditions linked below.)
The song’s remarkable resonance and indelible, cultural impact never seems to wane:
Kenny G’s rendition of the @SportsCenter theme song is mesmerizing. https://t.co/RyvrSjRPSJ #DaDaDa
— ESPN (@espn) April 3, 2014
Battle of the Pep Bands at Frozen Fest has begun, and @UMassBand hits 'em with the @SportsCenter theme right out of the gate! #dadada pic.twitter.com/pGask0BYhS
— UMass Amherst (@UMassAmherst) April 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/AnaDolera1/status/1137535543754010624
“Like my children, I love all [the versions],” said Colby, who has two children. “I’m partial to the [the 1989 theme] and the mid-90s. Those songs bring back a great bygone era of cable TV and ESPN. SportsCenter was [and is] must-see TV [but then it was] the only place to get all sports information at one time; great highlights, even better journalism.”
Unlike Milli Vanilli, Colby’s creation has staying power and a deep, authentic connection with fans.
“It’s a great thing to move the needle any time,” he said. “For 30 years? Even better.”
CLICK THESE MP3 FILES
“Prequel To DaDaDa, DaDaDa” 1987
SportsCenter DaDaDa, DaDaDa 1989
“SportsCenter 90s” Mid-1990s
“SportsCenter “Billboard“: Late 1990s
“SportsCenter 2000”
Today’s “Main PM” Theme, introduced in 2014
So Who Is The REAL “DaDaDa, DaDaDa Daddy,” John Colby or Spinal Tap’s David St. Hubbins?
John Colby gets the credit for SportsCenter’s 30-year-old anthem, but there are those who dispute his account of creating the catchy tune.
Well, there is one person who does: David St. Hubbins, the lead singer of the legendary band, Spinal Tap, who, in ESPN’s memorable 1995 “This Is SportsCenter” spot laid claim to the creation which he says, “kind of sprang from my forehead.”
“Rubbish,” Colby says, nearly a quarter century later. “I hearby challenge St. Hubbins to a duel – or hot dog eating contest – to settle this!”
We’re here for St. Hubbins’ rebuttal.
This post is in tribute to former ESPN Communications Vice President Rob Tobias, who passed away last week. In 2012, he, Rich Arden and Sheldon Spencer produced the Colby video below.
