What Happened to Cotton-Eyed Joe?

[Yankeefan90]

I know this is a really retarded topic, but did they stop playing Cotton Eyed Joe at the Stadium? I was at 3 games this year and not once was it played. I really liked that song when they played it at the games, made the atmosphere more fun.

[The Monument]

I've been to 4 games and they always play it, and I wish they wouldn't. I think it's in the 8th inning. I think it's dumb, along with YMCA and that famous baseball call, DAYYYYYY--OO!

[Yankeefan90]

I've been to 4 games and they always play it, and I wish they wouldn't. I think it's in the 8th inning. I think it's dumb, along with YMCA and that famous baseball call, DAYYYYYY--OO!

I guess it's a matter of taste. The Dayo call i find kinda annoying also. But YMCA, come on. Idk, I guess it's what you like.

[SparkyL]

I've been to 4 games and they always play it, and I wish they wouldn't. I think it's in the 8th inning. I think it's dumb, along with YMCA and that famous baseball call, DAYYYYYY--OO!

I was at today's game (May 25th) and they did not play it.

[Williamsburg2599]

The reason why people clap with that "Everybody clap your hands!" clip is still unknown to me.

[DHYF162]

It was played on May 23! 13-2 what a game!

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

The reason why people clap with that "Everybody clap your hands!" clip is still unknown to me.

I hate that clip.:evil It's meant for the 6 year olds in the crowd, but for some reason, a lot of adults feel they have to clap as well. IMO, it brings baseball down to the level of a kindergarten pep rally.

Cotton Eyed Joe was a hit only in the mid-90's (by a European band called Rednex), thus I don't think it's been around long enough to be an institution that should be played at every game at every stadium. But it does get the kids dancing in the aisles, without the pretentious pandering of "everybody clap your hands". That song should be outlawed from all stadiums, and any stadium "DJ" should be imprisoned for 20 years for playing it (I won't comment on what should be done to any adult who actually claps to it:D)

[NYBase]

I HATE Cotton Eye Joe! My god, it is really out of place in NY, especially the Bronx!







:waving

[Gary Dunaier]

I HATE Cotton Eye Joe! My god, it is really out of place in NY, especially the Bronx!
For some reason John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" was popular at Shea Stadium a while back. :crazy

[JeepingBaseball]

s a country western line dance song, and everyone knows it. i dont participially care for it either, but i can understand why it's played

[PeteU]

Probably most likely because it was the Texas Rangers' stretch song and the Yankees for whatever reason tried to copy it. Much like half the teams in baseball have tried to copy "Sweet Caroline" after it became the Red Sox stretch song.

And "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" is the O's stretch song. I don't know why the Mets tried to co-opt it.

Seriously, if a team is going to have a seventh inning stretch song, at least make it original. Otherwise, stick to the classic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

[Onemoredayatshea27]

I liked when the Mets played Lazy Mary in 2006. It was original, and fun. I am unsure of what song they play now, but hopefully it isn't Never gonna give you up by Rick Astley. The way the Mets are playing, being Rick Rolled doesn't make better.

Oh and I agree, everybody clap your hands must go. What does the management think our fans are, idiots? I think I know when I need to clap.

[TheJourneyman]

Probably most likely because it was the Texas Rangers' stretch song and the Yankees for whatever reason tried to copy it. Much like half the teams in baseball have tried to copy "Sweet Caroline" after it became the Red Sox stretch song.

And "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" is the O's stretch song. I don't know why the Mets tried to co-opt it.

Seriously, if a team is going to have a seventh inning stretch song, at least make it original. Otherwise, stick to the classic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

As far as I am concerned, you guys can have it. I hate hearing that during the stretch at every game.

[whoisonit]

For some reason John Denver's "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" was popular at Shea Stadium a while back. :crazy

I despise all the contived garbage that goes on at Shea. 'Everybody Clap Your Hands', is retarded, the clip from Network: "I'm mad as hell ..." makes me mad as hell, and the scorebord sponsered 'Lets go Mets' is insulting. That's our chant, we didn't need a freekin scorebord to get us to say it.
All I want to hear at the stadium is 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' in the 7th, naturally, spontaneously fan generated 'Let's Go Mets' chants and the ocasional organ playing 'Charge' at the rare approriate moment.
If they need a sing-along, I, and I'm sure MILLIONS of other Met fans would gladly belt out the ORIGINAL version of 'Meet The Mets'.
All this force fed group think is totalitarian and fascist. Not to mention annoying !
It's so darn loud all the time I can't even hear some of my favorite ball park sounds; the vendors - " Beyh-heya !", "Scooowr-books!", HOT-dawgs !" . . .:rant::grouchy:rant:

[NYBase]

The weird thing about Cotton Eye Joe is that it isn't played during the 7th inning stretch, instead it is played between the 8th and 9th inning.

[The Monument]

I was at today's game (May 25th) and they did not play it.

Sorry Sparky, I was at the game too and it was played. My buddies 5 year old son was dancing to it. Maybe you were in the can, which is where that whole bit belongs. As for all the other silly and annoying stuff, like the grounds crew dancing to YMCA, I look at it this way--The Babe, and maybe Mickey, would find it amusing. Joe D would not. I love the other two, but DiMag had class.

[Kentucky Bomber]

The weird thing about Cotton Eye Joe is that it isn't played during the 7th inning stretch, instead it is played between the 8th and 9th inning.

Not to defend it, but the story is that the Yanks played it as a joke some years ago and had a big 8th inning rally. It stuck. Just like gum to the bottom of your shoe.

[Gary Dunaier]

I liked when the Mets played Lazy Mary in 2006. It was original, and fun. I am unsure of what song they play now

They still play "Lazy Mary" after "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Shea. I like it... it's got a nice "Brooklyn/Little Italy" feel to it.

If memory serves me right, back in the 1970s Jane Jarvis (Shea's queen of melody) used to play the Mexican Hat Dance on the Thomas Organ during the 7th inning stretch.

[Chevy114]

They always do the dayo at yankee spring training games, not the coolest thing in the world but if its your tradition then I guess you like. The YMCA is kind of corny fun, its also too late to stop doing it.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Probably most likely because it was the Texas Rangers' stretch song and the Yankees for whatever reason tried to copy it. Much like half the teams in baseball have tried to copy "Sweet Caroline" after it became the Red Sox stretch song.

And "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" is the O's stretch song. I don't know why the Mets tried to co-opt it.

Seriously, if a team is going to have a seventh inning stretch song, at least make it original. Otherwise, stick to the classic "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Tiger Stadium played it for years. Certainly in the late 70's through the 80's. They only stopped when John Denver revealed he was an Oriole fan.

[six4three]

I'd like to see them eliminate it altogether. Can't stand it.

[Chevy114]

The rays used to play fins by Jimmy Buffet during the field rake in the 4th. My roomate and I were commenting how they should bring that song back, it has a great florida feel to it.

[SparkyL]

Not to defend it, but the story is that the Yanks played it as a joke some years ago and had a big 8th inning rally. It stuck. Just like gum to the bottom of your shoe.

I am not totally sure of the origins - but it was originally played after "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." They had an intern working in the video booth who would put on a flannel shirt and a straw hat and they would put him on the DiamondVision - "Live from the Control Room." If there was an major event that day they would goof: "Live from the Kentucky Derby."

The fans liked it and it took off from there. In fact, Clemens later presented him with a straw cowboy hat (NY insignia on the front) signed by the team. He wore that hat for a while but he eventually left the Yankees, at which time COJ stopped.

By the fans wanted CEJ back so another intern was then "Cotton-eyed Joey." I think the original intern returned at some point - I am not sure if that is still him.

CEJ was later moved to the 8th inning to make room for "God Bless America."

[Chevy114]

Not to defend it, but the story is that the Yanks played it as a joke some years ago and had a big 8th inning rally. It stuck. Just like gum to the bottom of your shoe.

Similar story: The rumor at florida state baseball about why the fans sing o canada in the 4th was because back in the 80s a player from canada complained to the fsu cheering group (the animals) that fsu never played o canada before the game. So the animals said the first time you get up we will sign oh canada and it was supossidly in the 4th. He ended up having a big hit or a hr and they kept it in the fourth thinking since the fourth is a big turn around point for most games it would be a nice ralley song.

[Shadly]

Is this true that they stopped playing that stupid song??? Thank god. Now I don't have to think up creative ways to hang myself from the Lodge anymore. Also, this is an interesting point, you ever notice that, despite how homophobic we are in this country, every sporting event you go to plays the Village People?

[Jim Vaz]

Not to change the subject on this but there is one thing I noticed that is kind of odd and tacky that the Yankees have been doing, and that is using someone elses voice as the public address announcer to try and mimic the classic Bob Sheppard. Now maybe they are doing it until he comes back if he ever does or will get someone new when either Bob officially retires or god forbid passes away.
I think its super tacky on the Yankees part who usually do most things right. Have a new identity, give another voice a chance, thats my opinion. Why try to replicate something that only 1 man could pull off hiself?

[six4three]

What do you mean by "mimic"?

[Jim Vaz]

What do you mean by "mimic"?

More like imitate his classic voice. Ever since Sheppard fell ill and has not been doing Yankee games, at least from TV it sounds like they have somebody trying to copy his voice when announcing players, and it doesn't sound right.

[Gary Dunaier]

Not to change the subject on this but there is one thing I noticed that is kind of odd and tacky that the Yankees have been doing, and that is using someone elses voice as the public address announcer to try and mimic the classic Bob Sheppard. Now maybe they are doing it until he comes back if he ever does or will get someone new when either Bob officially retires or god forbid passes away.
I think its super tacky on the Yankees part who usually do most things right. Have a new identity, give another voice a chance, thats my opinion. Why try to replicate something that only 1 man could pull off hiself?


What do you mean by "mimic"?


More like imitate his classic voice. Ever since Sheppard fell ill and has not been doing Yankee games, at least from TV it sounds like they have somebody trying to copy his voice when announcing players, and it doesn't sound right.

I've got some thoughts on this, but instead of continuing to hijack this thread, I've posted them in the "Bob Sheppard in poor health" (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=1200535#post1200535) thread; scroll down to post #35 if you want to continue the discussion there.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I hate that clip.:evil It's meant for the 6 year olds in the crowd, but for some reason, a lot of adults feel they have to clap as well. IMO, it brings baseball down to the level of a kindergarten pep rally.

Cotton Eyed Joe was a hit only in the mid-90's (by a European band called Rednex), thus I don't think it's been around long enough to be an institution that should be played at every game at every stadium. But it does get the kids dancing in the aisles, without the pretentious pandering of "everybody clap your hands". That song should be outlawed from all stadiums, and any stadium "DJ" should be imprisoned for 20 years for playing it (I won't comment on what should be done to any adult who actually claps to it:D)

It's from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXOSlNhIY7M the "Cha-cha slide", the successor to "Macarena" from the last decade(which succeeded "Electric Slide" from the decade before that)!

"Everybody clap your hands..." was lifted from about 1:36 seconds into that clip.

Related to all this is "Get ready for this"(2-Unlimited) is probably tied with "Rock & Roll Part Two" as the all-time most successful stadium/arena bumper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P0cXvI--AE ever. I think it is still in use today - albeit mostly on the college circuit.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I liked when the Mets played Lazy Mary in 2006. It was original, and fun. I am unsure of what song they play now, but hopefully it isn't Never gonna give you up by Rick Astley. The way the Mets are playing, being Rick Rolled doesn't make better.

Oh and I agree, everybody clap your hands must go. What does the management think our fans are, idiots? I think I know when I need to clap.

Stadium management are trying to create an ATMO$PHERE to encourage first-timers to repeat business. That's what all that's about. It's so suitcase, I know, but in the age where money is the almighty, it will slip only to the next lowest denominator. Yankee stadium has the moving hands and the word "Clap!" on the LED strips around the Mezz or Loge synched to the beats from the scoreboard speakers - Boom......................Boom.................Boo m.........Boom........Boom...Boom-boom-boom-boom!!! It's all about makng money!

[Gary Dunaier]

They had Cotton Eye Joey at Friday night's game...


(Photo taken June 6, 2008. © Gary Dunaier)

...and Disco Stu was there too!


(Photo taken June 6, 2008. © Gary Dunaier)