By Loud Atlas
David vs Goliath... AC Milan vs three-nil-down-at-halftime Liverpool... Trunchbull vs cake-munching Bogtrotter... Rocky vs Drago... many of the world's most iconic matchups have involved an underdog.
An underdog is often living through some form of undeserved misfortune. Sometimes they're able to overcome the obstacle, and sometimes they can't, as we shall hear. They're relatable, resilient, and hold inspiring stories of their plight.
Last week's nominations encompassed a range of ideas from the traditional underdog to the freaks, the losers and the has-beens.
Sly & The Family Stone vs The World:
An underdog has to be twice as good as anyone else to prove themselves, whether in work, out on the streets or in their love life. But it's OK, they're the Underdog. They got this.
Archie Roach vs Destitution:
The first of our real-life underdogs. Aboriginal activist Archie and his wife Ruby Hunter found themselves struggling to survive Down City Streets. Having found salvation, they became respected musicians and educators of aboriginal history.
Blind Alfred Reed vs Uncharitable Behaviour:
Another overcomer of adversity, Alfred was born blind and took up the violin at a young age. He, like many of the real-life underdogs in these lists, understands his fellow underdogs' pain: Always Lift Him Up and Never Knock Him Down.
Jim Croce vs Perceived Superman:
Pool hustler Jim Walker is the king of the cue - You Don't Mess Around with Jim, apparently. Slim was hustled by Jim so has returned for revenge. Slim comes out on top, rather bloodily. Maxim of the week: don't pull on Superman's cape. And beware a scorned underdog!
Spoon vs The Music Industry:
After a brief unsuccessful stint at Elektra records, Spoon rebelled against the system. The message here: take notice of The Underdog.
Johnny Horton (and the Allies) vs The Bismarck:
A true tale of triumph for the underdog. The Allies aimed to Sink The Bismarck to allow safe passage for Allied convoys in the Atlantic. The German battleship had enjoyed owning the seas and was feared for its strength and powerful guns. It was seemingly invincible until the events of May 1941 - the Allies' hunt for the Bismarck involved around an astonishing 40 ships.
Bob Marley & The Wailers vs The Big Tree:
A pack of underdogs is mightier than one lone wolf-like underdog. They have a metaphorical Small Axe ready to fell the equally metaphorical big tree.
Allison Russell vs Institutional Racism:
The 16th-century painting by Dürer of a white Adam and Eve has been the stereotypical image of the pair for centuries. But Eve Was Black, Allison argues. She said the song "is an anthem of love for our intersectional communities that are fighting for equality in a time when we are suffering from major empathy impairment globally and still so deeply plagued by the false ideology of white supremacy and all the other bigotries that ride on its coattails."
Peter Sarstedt vs Repressed Memories:
An underdog finds success in Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) - she relishes in expensive goods, holidays abroad and a flamboyant lifestyle. But will she remember where she came from and the humble childhood they shared?
Todd Duncan vs Materialism:
Porgy (from Ira Gerschwin's Porgy and Bess) is a black disabled beggar. Here Todd (as Porgy) sings of all the things that don't matter to him. He doesn't need stuff; he's got life in I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'.
Nat King Cole vs Set Backs:
A smooth anthem for the underdog. One of the skills an underdog excels in is perseverance and the ability to Pick Yourself Up.
Paul Robeson vs The Man:
Joe Hill was a Swedish immigrant who fought against The Man as a labour activist. He was controversially executed in 1915 for a crime he was loosely linked to. His story has inspired many a folk tune, here is just one.
Bill Conti vs The Big Fight:
Time for the underdog to come out on top (well, truly on top in Rocky II); he's Gonna Fly Now. Cue the training montage.
Over in the Bs, we've tunes covering more aspects of underdog life: getting knocked down multiple times, crafty underdog tactics, and once an underdog always an underdog.
The Underestimated A-List Playlist:
Sly & The Family Stone - Underdog (Traktor Albatrost)
Archie Roach - Down City Streets (Nicko)
Blind Alfred Reed - Always Lift Him Up and Never Knock Him Down (TarquinSpodd)
Jim Croce - You Don't Mess Around With Jim (AltraEgo)
Spoon - The Underdog (vanwolf2)
Johnny Horton - Sink The Bismarck (Marconius7)
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Small Axe (severin)
Allison Russell - Eve Was Black (tincanman2010)
Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) (bluepeter)
Todd Duncan - I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (Nicko)
Nat King Cole - Pick Yourself Up (Marconius7)
Paul Robeson - Joe Hill (Suzi)
Bill Conti - Gonna Fly Now (Marconius7)
Breaking Through B-List Playlist:
Keith Hampshire - Big Time Operator (Marconius7)
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping (Shoegazer)
Alicia Keys - Underdog (BanazirGalbasi)
Joe Walsh - In The City (Maki)
Public Enemy - Power To The People (MussoliniHeadkick)
The Nashville Teens - Tobacco Road (bluepeter)
The Boomtown Rats - Joey's On The Streets Again (Maki)
Pulp - Weeds (happyclapper)
The Clash - I'm Not Down (Nicko)
Guignol and Mischief Brew - Fight Dirty (EnglishOutlaw)
Manic Street Preachers - Underdogs (BanazirGalbasi)
Danny Kaye - The Ugly Duckling (bluepeter)
Stornaway - Love Song of the Beta Male (happyclapper)
Guru's Wild Dog Picks:
Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs, Okieriete Onaodowan, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton - Alexander Hamilton
One of the founding fathers of the United States started with one of the humblest and bleakest beginnings imaginable. The musical is strewn with underdog stories, but the opening number from Hamilton sets the scene perfectly.
Ren - Troubles
Ren is one of the UK's most inspiring artists. His health problems he's had since a young adult are well-documented in his music. A modern underdog story.
Nick Drake - Parasite
It can be lonely heartbreaking existence as an underdog.
Liza Minnelli - Maybe This Time
Cabaret's Sally Bowles, played here by Liza, is unlucky in love. She's hoping her fortunes will change for the better.
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Against all odds: songs about underdogs. The next topic will launch on Thursday after 1pm UK time.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Fancy a turn behind the pumps at The Song Bar? Care to choose a playlist from songs nominated and write something about it? Then feel free to contact The Song Bar here, or try the usual email address. Also please follow us social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: