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Back in 1987, as the Hoosiers were poised to make their national championship run, Evansville’s own 96 STO aired a song recorded by Furry Head and the Favorites called Stevie Shoot a Three Pointer. I only heard it a few times on the radio, but I never forgot it. And ever since I wrote about this song some eight years ago, I’ve been on a mission to find a digital copy of this song online.
I haven’t been able to find one.
I did find a copy once. But it disappeared soon after that. Even the Wayback Machine couldn’t help. So my mission has resumed. I know a lot of people have stumbled upon my blog, looking for Stevie Shoot a Three Pointer. And I don’t blame them. Because it’s probably the best parody song ever. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. So I’m on my mission again.
I’ve even emailed and tweeted the fine folks at 96 STO to see if they can be any help.
I’m getting desperate. Must track down this song https://t.co/pLZU9KKFJL. Just emailed @hot96tweets to see if they can help at all.
— Matt Todd (@mattdantodd) March 17, 2017
No luck so far.
I know this song is a memorable one for anyone who lived in or around the state of Indiana during the Hoosiers’ 1987 tournament run. It was a big deal. Even caused a little bit of controversy. The NCAA said they couldn’t use players’ names. If they did use players’ names, they would have to rule those players ineligible for the national championship game, because a commercial enterprise using a player’s name would negatively influence their amateur status.
The station had the greatest response ever. “OK,” they said, “If you’re going to make players ineligible because we’re using their names, we’re going to make a song about each and every Syracuse player.”
I guess the NCAA backed off because the song kept playing on the airwaves.
I’m sure you found this page because you are looking for a recording of Stevie Shoot a Three Pointer. I’m sorry you won’t find it here. Yet. Maybe together we can track it down and make the world a much better place?
If you have any leads, please contact me.
In the meantime, here are the lyrics to Stevie, Shoot a Three Pointer (as best as I can tell):
Sung to the tune of The Letter
(click here if you need to hear the original)
Get me a ticket for an aeroplane.
Got to see the Hoosiers win another game.
The other guys will lose
Scorin’ two by twos.
Stevie, shoot a three pointer
What do you mean his foot was on the line?
I don’t care what other teams you’ve got to play.
You’re gonna stomp on them, anyway.
Come on, Bobby Knight,
Throw some chairs tonight.
And Stevie, shoot a three pointer.
Hey are you a referee or a zebra?
Stevie shoot a three pointer
It’s so easy, you know
You can do it all day.
Shoot from 20 and you score.
Next year, make it 24.
That’s NBA
Good luck in the draft.
Anyway…
I don’t care how much money I got to spend.
Got to be there to see those Hoosiers win.
Getting extra score
From that sign upon the floor
Stevie, shoot a three pointer.
What? Forty five seconds? Hey, ref! When was the last time your offense lasted 45 seconds?
Anyway…
I don’t care how much money I got to spend.
Can’t stand to look at Dick Enberg again.
If you snooze you lose.
Don’t score two by twos.
Stevie, shoot a three pointer.
Lose the ball? Hey, ref! Lose this!
Stevie, shoot a three pointer
Everyone in the joint here
Is screaming “S A!”
Those are your initials, man
Steve, these seats have lots of luck
I just spent 300 bucks.
That’s a week’s pay!
Wait till my wife finds out
Anyway…
I don’t care how much money I’ve got to spend,
Can’t stand to look at Dick Enberg again.
If you snooze you lose.
Don’t score two by twos.
Stevie, shoot a three pointer.
Go, Stevie, shoot a three pointer.
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Matt,
I thought I sent you a copy of ‘Stevie’ several years ago. . . . ?
I was the Program Director of WSTO in 1987 (actually 1983-1998), and I know all about that song. It was me that stood up to the NCAA and told them we were going to write the song about Syracuse. And yes, they backed down real fast.
Let me know if you still need a copy, and I should be able to get you one.
Sincerely,
Spoon
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All my life I’ve been almost certain the original version used Steve’s full name, and it was later switched from “Steve Alford” to “Hey Stevie” as a concession to the NCAA. Tell me I didn’t just dream that up.
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The original version of the song did use his full name – “Steve Alford.” But it only aired for a week before the NCAA said it was a violation. So they changed it to the more generic “Stevie,” even though everyone knew who Stevie was.
The way I understand it, the NCAA was still upset with the song and threatened to suspend Alford from the championship game. Radio station said, “Fine. You do that and we’ll release a song that lists every single Syracuse player by name and number.” They continued to play the song.
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Did u ever locate a copy of the song? I would Love to have one. 😊
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It was online for a little while, but has since been removed. I haven’t found a copy online since then, unfortunately.
The search continues…
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that’s too bad…i wanted to hear it. that and ‘Basketball’ by Curtis Blow were my favorites back in the day. Please link if you can find.
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Just making my every-six-month-check-in for the song
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Welcome back. I wish I had more to share.
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Looks like Barry Witherspoon replied that he had a copy…after I read that, I’d hoped to scroll down and see a link…
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There was a link for a few months, but it was taken down. I wish I had a copy to share. Unfortunately, I don’t. Maybe some day…
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