Ty Cobb

Album: Down On The Upside (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Soundgarden bass player Ben Shepherd wrote the music for this song, and lead singer Chris Cornell added the lyric. The words "Ty Cobb" don't appear in the song; it was originally titled "Hot Rod Death Toll," but Shepherd thought the song reminded him of the famously cantankerous baseball player Ty Cobb, who holds the all-time batting average record, but was also known for being an outspoken racist, womanizer, and alcoholic.

    Cornell didn't write the words with Cobb in mind, but was simply channeling an angry idiot with a penchant for profanity - the word "f--k" appears 21 times. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bert - Pueblo, NM

Comments: 5

  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcA perfect hard rock song about a grumpy mean old baseball legend.
  • Austin from Charlotte, NcThe chorus (part with the f word repeatedly) is not included in the lyrics of the album cover-booklet (Down on the Upside)
  • Hanna from Stockholm, SwedenI love this song. I always try to keep up with it, but you who have herd it might know that that's not gonna happen.
  • Gary from Seattle, WaThis song sports several more f-bombs than "Big Dumb Sex".
  • Jonathon from Clermont, FlThis was their last single.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.