The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship last night, putting them only one behind the Boston Celtics in total rings. Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” became an unofficial theme song for the team, which is pretty funny when you think about it. The song is partially ripping on the city. Sure, it does so lovingly, but it’s hardly “New York, New York.” Newman sings about a bum “down on his knees” and lists streets with some of the poorest people in the area.
Even funnier are the covers this inspires. Take this nine-year old singing, “I’m rolling down the Imperial Highway with a big nasty redhead at my side.” Or Alvin and the Chipmunks catching some waves while singing about the homeless. Does no one read lyrics?
We’ve got both covers below, plus three more. OMC gives the tune a Latin tinge, Pauly Fuemana gives it the two-track funk, and Julian Casablancas of the Strokes performs it live with some altered lyrics. William Hung did a version too, but that you’ll have to find for yourself.
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Alvin and the Chipmunks – I Love L.A. (Randy Newman cover)
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Pauly Fuemana – I Love L.A. (Randy Newman cover)
Julian Casablancas – I Love L.A. (Randy Newman cover)
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Redondo Ace – I Love L.A. (Randy Newman cover)
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PS. All you depressed Boston fans, pick yourself up with the Dresden Dolls and Franz Nicolay covering “New England,” by Big D and the Kids Table here.