Kickin' Things Off Right!

As I have stated in previous posts both on "...but I digress." and "The B-Side", I have a fascination with theme songs.

I just think that nothing can introduce a program better than a short song that states what you're about to enjoy.

And when it comes to radio themes songs, I have to give props to the corps at WEPN 1050AM in New York.

The programs featuring Max Kellerman, Stephen A. Smith, and Brandon Tierney are on-point. (And yes, you read Stephen A. But this is a rare occasion where you will see me give him credit for anything other than leaving the television airwaves and that won't be happening anytime soon. To my dismay.)

Unfortunately, I don't know the person responsible for their themes songs but I can guarantee you that the songs are golden.

Max's theme notes his trademark beard, his boxing knowledge, his time slot (so deftly worded as "right after Mike & Mike and right before Stephen A.") and even incorporates his "Mets Rant" segment at 10:50AM. All done over a Wu-Tang Clan sample.

Stephen A.'s program is blessed by not one but two songs. One for the show's start at noon and another version for the 1PM hour. Unfortunately, the show's theme traces Stephen A.'s career and mentions that he's a "cross between Bill O'Reilly and Larry King".

Query: Why in the world would anyone want to be like Bill O'Reilly? And Larry King? Clearly, the artist never saw either one of these programs. But leave it to Stephen A. to approve the song and think that they're actually crediting him.

(Oh yeah, the song ends claiming that Stephen A. asks questions "like he's giving cats final exams". I think Stephen A. must be teaching classes at Touro College.)

Even with my criticisms, the song is quite nice.

But the best of the three is Brandon Tierney's signature piece at 7:03PM. With a big beat mirroring Queen's "We Will Rock You" with a great guitar riff, the song last thirty second and simply states:

• I don't know where sports would be/In NYC/Without BT/On the radio and TV/and your PC/New York is him/From seven to ten/On WEPN

Classic.

And I should note, in playing to ESPN 1050's younger skewing audience, all the songs are based in rap which goes over well since all three hosts under 40.

Of course, the station's "signature" program, the insufferable Michael Kay has a theme as dull as his program. Though Joey X. Salvia tries, the song is too much like an '80s garage band. With lyrics to match.

In "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka", it was said that "Every hero needs a theme song."

With the three hosts on ESPN 1050, they're going a long way towards backing up their those words.