Space Jam

Album: Space Jam soundtrack (1996)
Charted: 37
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The 1996 movie Space Jam opens with the R. Kelly ballad "I Believe I Can Fly" as we see a young Michael Jordan growing his wings. But this is a jam after all, so the theme song needed to be bumpin'. One of the hottest songs in the summer of 1996 was "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" by The Quad City DJ's. For the movie, they essentially re-wrote that song: instead of riding the train, we're dancing at the Space Jam.

    The song plays over the opening credits, which are essentially a Jordan highlight reel. It sets the tone for the movie, which is filled with jock jams.
  • The movie was released in November 1996, with "Space Jam" issued in December as the third single from the soundtrack, following Seal's cover of "Fly Like An Eagle" and R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." The soundtrack sold over 6 million copies, and the song went to #37 in the US, giving The Quad City DJ's their last substantial hit. They broke up in 1997.
  • The "Hoop, there it is!" chant may sound like a ripoff of "Whoomp! There It Is" by Tag Team, but The Quad City DJ's can lay a claim to it. Their members C.C. Lemonhead and Jay Ski wrote and produced "Whoot! There It Is" for 95 South, which was released around the same time as "Whoomp!" in 1993.
  • The Quad City DJ's had a female vocalist, JeLana LaFleur, who sang their hooks. This gave them a more melodic sound than most songs in the Miami bass genre, which could be rather aggressive and raunchy. The Quad City DJ's kept it clean, which made them a good fit for a movie targeted to kids.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.