Hey-ay-ay-ay!

Most of my runs start by going up a hill, so I was pleased that I had taken the momentary consideration of putting "Rock and Roll, Part II" on my iPod. It is the quintessential jock-type motivational song for getting your blood pumping. Not coincidentally, its use in professional sports venues has its roots in the Mile High city, where the Colorado Rockies (back when it was a barely decent hockey franchise instead of a barely decent baseball franchise) used the tune to rock the house and whip fans into a frenzy. From there, it was just a hop skip and a jump across the parking lot from McNichols Arena to Mile High Stadium where the Broncos played it after every touchdown by the home team.
That tradition has come to an end. From the Rocky Mountain News: "Gary Glitter (born Paul Francis Gadd) performs 'Rock 'n Roll Part II.' Earlier this month he was formally sentenced to three years in a Vietnam prison for committing obscene acts with children earlier. Shortly thereafter, NFL officials encouraged teams to drop the song from their stadium play-list." I could understand the uproar if the song included lyrics that in any way incited or alluded to obscene acts with children. Since those lyrics consist solely of the word "Hey" in various permutations, it seems like a tough connection to make. If the NFL is concerned about the publishing royalties that might be paid to a convicted pedophile, that might make more sense. "Disgraced British rocker GARY GLITTER will earn $3,400 (GBP2000) a week while he is in prison, thanks to a salary from the London-based publishing firm he owns," rails an article on contactmusic.com.
Fair enough. We shouldn't be paying convicted felons to play loud rock music at our American sports venues. Unless those convicted felons happen to be The Rolling Stones. The glimmer twins have both spent time in the pokey for possession of controlled substances. And don't get me started about Bill Wyman and little girls...
Which brings me to my point: Not only is "Start Me Up" (from the classic Stones' album, "Tattoo You") is still being played before the kickoff of just about every NFL game, and a great many college, high school and maybe even a few middle school games. Now, compared to the undulating "Heys" of Gary Glitter's tune, this one is in fact quite filthy. "If you start me up I'll never stop," is only the beginning. After we are reminded several times that the woman in question could "make a grown man cry," we are told that she could - ultimately - "make a dead man come." Are you ready for some football?
Hey!