HAIR METAL MOVIE MADNESS #7: COOP commands you to sweep the leg! You have a problem with that?

Posted on August 1st, 2009

Many of us grew up in the 80’s watching the movies and listening to music. One song from that era can bring back so many great memories. Sometimes… songs remind us of movies (or vice-versa). HAIR METAL MOVIE MADNESS brings back those memories by connecting the songs we loved from the 80’s to the movie(s) they were attached to. Visit The Small Town Critic every Saturday (in this case, Friday) to rock out with us to the songs and movies that shaped a generation…

One of the most culturally iconic films of the 80’s, Pat Morita scored an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the gentle and reluctant karate sensei, Mr. Miyagi. The film is so quotable, you can spout off nearly any line from it and everyone would know exactly which film you’re referring to.

“Wax on, wax off”

“Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything”

“STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY SIR!!!”

…and of course,

“Sweep the leg.”

That film of course is “The Karate Kid.”

If you grew up in the 80’s, you had many of the film’s songs permanently burned into your brain. From Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer” to Zamfir’s pan flute montage music.

The one song that EVERYONE remembers is Joe Esposito’s “Best Around” which gets used as a parody montage song at least once a year in a movie or TV show. South Park in particular does a memorable send-up.

Maybe it’s overexposed but I don’t give a flip. If it’s not worthy for Hair Metal Movie Madness, what is?…