From ESPN’s Page 2, without any context or exposition:
ESPN has unveiled the opening video for the NBA Playoffs on ESPN and ABC, featuring a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” by Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, featuring Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.
Of course, this cover is from Scherzinger’s fourth album, Pussycat Dolls IV, also known as the “four symbols” album, also known as “HoSo.” It is maybe the worst thing to happen to Led Zeppelin since Jimmy Page passionately played guitar in front of Puff Daddy and Godzilla. It’s the worst thing to happen to sports hype videos since the NFL used “Buttons” in a Ben Roethlisberger highlight video.
According to Wikipedia, the song “Black Dog” is about the “desperate desire for a woman’s love and the happiness resulting thereby.” Maybe this would’ve worked better as a WNBA playoff theme? Does the WNBA have playoffs? I’m guessing they used it because of the whole “the way you move makes me groove” line, like when Royal Caribbean cruise line used Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” because the phrase “lust for life” makes it sound like you’re excited about life.


Jason Bonham must have really hated his father.
I want that pug.
But yes, I am offended by the song. And the NBA playoffs.
I haven’t had Led Zep on my regular rotation in far too long. I gotta get back.
Led Zep – the only boxed set ever worth buying.
I would figure that a song about anything black would be sung by a Kardashian.
The NBA’s obsession with the Pussycat Dolls is troubling and symptomatic of a larger problem with knowing how to appeal to its audience.
Also, that cover is fucking awful.
This is a real Heartbreaker…
Hey fellas, have you heard the news!?
You are absolutely correct.
Also this post is like the dust that blows behind you when moving through Kashmir.
A bunch of us watching the game thought it was a kick ass way to open the play offs- We loved it! and we are all die hard Zep Fans. Zep Music is not some purist religion holy grail only to be worshiped at an alter – to be so disrespectful of the musicians is really low- you dont have to like it but be classy about it -
Thank you for commenting on my article, Ms. Scherzinger!
This makes me sick.
It’s like, they’re gonna play music for non-NBA fans because NBA fans are already tuning in. But who do they expect to draw just because of the interstitial music? “I can’t wait until this basketball ends so I can hear five more seconds of the instrumental from that AWESOME PUSSYCAT DOLLS/LED ZEP MASHUP*!!!!”
*: Not a mashup, but they don’t know better
Much, much better than 4 Non Blondes cover of Misty Mountain Hop from Enconium Zep tribute….
STP runs the Zep cover game.
I am absolutely STUNNED that black eyed peas aren’t doing this instead of Sherzinger.
We’re less than 5 years from Angel of Death being used in a Prius commercial.