Snooker Loopy
Encyclopedia
"Snooker Loopy" is a humorous song which was released as a single
in May 1986 and entered the UK Singles Chart
, reaching #6. It was written and performed by Chas & Dave and featured snooker
players Steve Davis
, Dennis Taylor
, Willie Thorne
, Terry Griffiths
and Tony Meo, as backing vocalists under the name 'The Matchroom Mob' - Matchroom Sport
being the company owned by promoter Barry Hearn
which employed all these snooker professionals at the time.
The lyrics are a mild satire
on the style and antics of the players involved: "old Willie Thorne; his hair's all gone" for example. The verse on Steve Davis
also makes light of the famous 1985 World Snooker Championship final
and his missed black in the final frame.
Chas & Dave still perform the song at their live shows with the original lyrics, even though most of the players mentioned have now retired from the game (most are still known as part of the BBC commentary team).
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in May 1986 and entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, reaching #6. It was written and performed by Chas & Dave and featured snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
players Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
, Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor is a retired snooker player, and current BBC snooker commentator. Winner of two ranking events, he is best known for winning the 1985 World Championship, beating World number one Steve Davis on the final black in one of the sport's most memorable finals...
, Willie Thorne
Willie Thorne
William Joseph "Willie" Thorne , is a former English professional snooker player and now a sports commentator.Thorne became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards in 1970...
, Terry Griffiths
Terry Griffiths
Terrence "Terry" Griffiths OBE is a retired Welsh snooker player and current snooker coach and pundit. He won the World Championship in 1979 at the first attempt, and reached the 1988 final. He also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982, making him one of seven players to have...
and Tony Meo, as backing vocalists under the name 'The Matchroom Mob' - Matchroom Sport
Matchroom Sport
Matchroom Sport is a sport event promotions company founded by the English entrepreneur Barry Hearn. It first came to attention in the sports of snooker and boxing and is also involved in pool, bowling, golf , fishing, darts and poker...
being the company owned by promoter Barry Hearn
Barry Hearn
Barry Hearn is an English sporting events promoter, and the founder and chairman of promotions company Matchroom Sport. He is currently the chairman of Leyton Orient F.C., and the Professional Darts Corporation and was also until July 2010 chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker...
which employed all these snooker professionals at the time.
The lyrics are a mild satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
on the style and antics of the players involved: "old Willie Thorne; his hair's all gone" for example. The verse on Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
also makes light of the famous 1985 World Snooker Championship final
1985 World Snooker Championship final
The 1985 World Snooker Championship final, commonly known as the black ball final, was played on the weekend of 27/28 April 1985 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. It was contested between defending World Champion Steve Davis and Northern Irishman Dennis Taylor, appearing in his second...
and his missed black in the final frame.
Chas & Dave still perform the song at their live shows with the original lyrics, even though most of the players mentioned have now retired from the game (most are still known as part of the BBC commentary team).