The group released their self-titled first album in 1994 on Okeh/Epic, a subsidiary of Sony Music. On the strength of the single "Cold Beverage", in part due to MTV rotation, the album nearly went gold. After which, trying to capitalize on the success of the album, the group toured heavily, eventually landing a spot on the H.O.R.D.E. tour.
In 1995 they released their follow up album Coast to Coast Motel. Though it did not sell as well as the first album, it is generally considered among critics as the stronger of the two albums.
On tour following the release of the second album the group nearly broke up, due to bickering about finances. Deciding on a hiatus the three members went their separate ways, working on various side projects.
By October 1997 the group had reconciled their differences and released their third album, Yeah, It's That Easy, which along with their own work, showcased their collaboration with several other bands and musicians, including All Fellas Band, Philly Cartel, King's Court, and Dr. John. This soul-influenced album was more similar to their debut album than their previous release.
Soon after G. Love & Special Sauce set out on another world tour, returning to Philadelphia in 1999 for the release of their fourth album, Philadelphonic. Philadelphonic was followed up with Electric Mile in 2001, an album that shows the wide-ranging influences of the group, incorporating hip-hop, funk, psychedlia, blues, and soul in equal and ambitious measure. Ever the road band, the release of "Electric Mile" was followed by extensive touring.
By 2004 and The Hustle, G. Love (with the help of his bandmates and others) went solo and had eased up a little on the kitchen sink approach, offering instead a cohesive, dry groove reminiscent of his earliest efforts. Hustle was also the first G. Love release under Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records banner; the two had been pals at least since Philadelphonic, which Johnson had been a guest on.
Special Sauce did a series of shows in 2004 with Jack Johnson and fellow Brushfire artist Donavon Frankenreiter, and the trio also found time to issue a brief live EP, titled Some Live Songs.
In the summer 2005, the band was featured (along with the less well known Philly local Chuck Treece of 80's skate-rock band McRad) in an advertisement for the launch of Coca-Cola Zero, featuring the groups own unique version of the noted Coca-Cola advertising song I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.
G. Love's 2nd electrical solo release Lemonade also included Special Sauce on some tracks. Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman, Ben Harper, Jasper, and Blackalicious also contrbuted.
G. Love still continues to tour with the Special Sauce in the meantime.
Shooting Hoops
G. Love & Special Sauce Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get the boys together get a ball get a run
Lace up the sneaks kick off them shoes
I'll admit I play to win yo cause I don't like to lose
At Seger Park they've got the competition
Good moves baby -- I'm the definition
They shooting hoops
Yeah Yeah Yeah
I learned at Old Pine, see I'm the school yard hustler
I had my hardknocks now I'm an off the backboard buster
I could fake to the left penetrate like Mike
Or 360 in the air as Dominique might
I could pass like Magic
I could shoot like the Bird, after a Doctor J dunk
The courtside drunk said good lord
They shooting hoops
Yeah Yeah Yeah
They playing basketball
Lunch from a hot dog stand a pretzel and a pop
We've been playing all day cuase we've had this court nonstop
The city sun is hot -- all the courts they steaming
Bright eyed young ball handlers are believing and dreaming
Hoping some day all this playing will be paying
That's what all the sideline junkies smoking reefer keep saying
They shooting hoops
Yeah Yeah Yeah
They playing basketball
The song Shooting Hoops by G. Love & Special Sauce is a joyful celebration of the love of basketball. The lyrics tell a story of a group of friends who get together after school and work to play basketball at Seger Park. The singer admits that he likes to play to win, and he describes his basketball skills using references to basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. He talks about the joy of playing basketball on a hot day, getting food from a hot dog stand, and dreaming of one day being paid to play the game.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of camaraderie and love for the game of basketball. The lyrics convey a feeling of unity and friendship that comes from playing the sport with others. The way G. Love & Special Sauce describe the game of basketball is full of energy and enthusiasm, and their lyrics paint a vivid picture of a group of friends enjoying each other's company while playing the sport they love.
Overall, Shooting Hoops is a song that celebrates the joy of playing basketball with friends. It is a simple story that captures the feeling of being young and carefree while embodying the spirit of competition, determination, and triumph.
Line by Line Meaning
When the school lets out and the shifts are done
After school and work hours, it's time to play some basketball with the gang.
Get the boys together get a ball get a run
Gather the guys, grab a basketball and start running around.
Lace up the sneaks kick off them shoes
Tie up your sneakers and take off your regular shoes.
I'll admit I play to win yo cause I don't like to lose
It's true I want to win, because losing is not something I enjoy.
At Seger Park they've got the competition
Seger Park is known for having tough opponents to play against.
Good moves baby -- I'm the definition
I've got some great moves, and I'm pretty much the example of a good baller.
They shooting hoops
They're throwing the ball through the hoop. Simple as that.
Yeah Yeah Yeah
A simple affirmation, meaning yes, that's right, or agreed.
They playing basketball
Again, just a simple statement about what they're doing. Playing ball.
I learned at Old Pine, see I'm the school yard hustler
I learned how to play at Old Pine, so I'm pretty skilled when it comes to hustling on the school yard court.
I had my hardknocks now I'm an off the backboard buster
I've had some struggles and tough games, but I've also mastered the skill of tossing the ball off the backboard.
I could fake to the left penetrate like Mike
I'm skilled enough to fake out my opponent, move to the left and break through to the basket, just like Michael Jordan.
Or 360 in the air as Dominique might
I could also do a 360 degree spin in mid-air like Dominique Wilkins.
I could pass like Magic
My passing skills are smooth and precise, like Magic Johnson's.
I could shoot like the Bird, after a Doctor J dunk
I'm great at shooting, and after a dunk like Doctor J's, my shooting is even better than Larry Bird's.
The courtside drunk said good lord
The inebriated guy on the sidelines was impressed, and exclaimed 'wow.'
Lunch from a hot dog stand a pretzel and a pop
Just a simple lunch of a hot dog, pretzel and soda to keep energy levels up while playing ball.
We've been playing all day cuase we've had this court nonstop
We've been playing ball all day long, because we haven't been interrupted and had access to the basketball court nonstop.
The city sun is hot -- all the courts they steaming
It's a hot day in the city, and all the courts are heating up and producing steam.
Bright eyed young ball handlers are believing and dreaming
Young kids who are excited and enthusiastic about basketball are holding onto the belief and dream that it will one day pay off for them.
Hoping some day all this playing will be paying
They're hoping that all the time and effort they're putting into playing ball will eventually pay off and have some sort of payoff or reward.
That's what all the sideline junkies smoking reefer keep saying
The people on the sidelines who are smoking marijuana keep saying the same thing, making it seem like an empty promise or false hope.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GARRETT DUTTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@7teven8onn
❤ rock a rolla
@BosAdaminBiri
Başarılı 👍🏻
@Mr.Smith_777
UNDERRATED!!! Important album here.
How many bands have taken some of yallz style and sound....
@OneLoveRockTube
G, man this whole album will always bring back great memories from the good ol days hanging with the boys. This track we would play when heading to the courts to shoot hoops and just hang out and get into trouble. Good times. Thanks so much for adding these. Are they the newly remastered versions? They sound great 😎🤙