I Didn't Come Here To Start No Trouble. I Just Came To Remember The "Super Bowl Shuffle"

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I Didn't Come Here To Start No Trouble. I Just Came To Remember The "Super Bowl Shuffle"
by Nick Law - January 28, 2009

Being that the Super Bowl is just around the corner, I thought it would be appropriate if MusicStack took a moment to look at one of the crowning achievements in the last 100 years of sport. I’m not talking about the “Miracle on Ice” of 1980, which saw the American team upset the heavily favored Soviet national team. I’m not even talking about Ali’s win over George Foreman at the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974. Today, I’d like to talk for a moment about the Chicago Bears of 1985 and the infamous “Super Bowl Shuffle”.

The "Super Bowl Shuffle" was a catchy rap song that was recorded by the Chicago Bears football team prior to their appearance in Super Bowl XX. Given that rap was still in its infancy at the time, you could say that the Bears were as much ahead of their time as they were confident in their ability to bring beloved Chicago football fans a much-awaited Lombardi Trophy.

The Shufflin’ Crew, as they came to be known, consisted of several Bears key players, including “Sweetness” Walter Payton, “The Punky QB” Jim McMahon and “Samurai” Mike Singletary. The music was composed by Bobby Daniels, but the famous dance came about after record producer Randy Weigand had noticed a dance routine on the Amos and Andy show called the “Kingfish Shuffle” and thought that a similar routine performed by the NFC Champs would make for an excellent marketing tool. Mr. Weigand also went down in history as the smartest man ever.

The “Super Bowl Shuffle” would go on to reach #41 on the Billboard charts, due to the teams soaring popularity and even earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance – I’m not making this up.

Since it’s debut, the song has held its place among the pop culture greats and has been imitated a number of times in the media. My favorite re-enactment was an episode of Saturday Night Live from the 90s where Tracy Morgan, dressed as William “The Refrigerator” Perry, shuffled his way onto the set of Goat Boy’s Hey, Remember The 80’s?

The song will always be remembered for the performances of superstars like Walter Payton and Jim McMahon, but honorable mentions have to go out as well to the “Shufflin’ Crew’s” band and chorus, especially the talented Maury Buford on the cowbell. Just watch the video once and you’ll see what I mean.

As for this year’s game, I have to go with the upset and pick the Cardinals over the Steelers. I say this not only as a Browns fan, but as someone who truly hates the Steelers as well. Larry Fitzgerald will have 6 touchdowns before Bruce Springsteen even warms up his guitar, and Kurt Warner will take his rightful place in the Football Hall of Fame.

As for me, I’ll be listening to the “Super Bowl Shuffle” on an endless loop, drinking massive amounts of beer and un-muting the TV only for the commercials. Super Sunday might just have replaced Christmas Day in my book.

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