One of the more recognizable managers in wrestling, Jimmy Hart started his career in the territories in the late 1970s, but soon made an impression on the wider wrestling world when he joined up with WWE. Known for his colorful, often airbrushed suits, shrill voice, and the megaphone he always carried around, Hart proved to be one of the great heel managers of the era, representing talent like The Hart Foundation (no relation).
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Hart is a legendary manager, but fans may not know one crucial aspect about “The Mouth of the South”: he’s also a musician and songwriter. Let’s take a look at Jimmy Hart’s whole career as it relates to music — both in pro wrestling and outside of it.
10 Had A Hit Song With The Gentrys
Fans may know Jimmy Hart for being a musically themed pro wrestling manager, but likely have no idea that he actually used to be a legitimate musician. In the 1960s and early 1970s, he even played for a notable band in The Gentrys. Composed of Hart on vocals alongside several other high school classmates, The Gentrys scored a huge hit in 1965 with “Keep on Dancing,” though Hart didn’t sing lead vocals on that one. Following “Keep On Dancing,” The Gentrys had some minor hits, but nothing on the same level.
9 Entered Wrestling Via Music
It was a combination of musical abilities and high school coincidence that led to Jimmy Hart’s foray into the world of pro wrestling. Growing up, Hart also attended the same high school in Memphis, Tennessee as beloved Memphis wrestling star Jerry “The King” Lawler, though the two were a few years apart in age. In the late 1970s, Lawler — himself a radio DJ before wrestling — tapped Hart to sing backup on a song Lawler was recording, and soon Hart ended up appearing at Memphis wrestling shows.
8 Subject Of A Novelty Song By Jerry Lawler
Upon entering wrestling, Jimmy Hart became Jerry Lawler’s manager, but “The King” spent his whole career oscillating between babyface and heel. As a result, once Lawler turned face, “The Mouth of the South” ended up becoming a hated enemy, and their enmity also carried a musical element.
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Because he had nicknamed Hart “The Wimp,” Jerry Lawler recorded a novelty song to mock his former manager. Titled “Wimpbusters,” the track is exactly what fans might expect from the title: a parody of Ray Parker Jr.’s iconic theme from Ghostbusters.
7 Managed Musical Heels In WWE
More than just a cool bit of trivia, Jimmy Hart’s musical background played into his in-ring persona, especially when he arrived in WWE in 1985. Aside from managing the aforementioned Hart Foundation, Hart also managed The Honky Tonk Man, whose gimmick was that of a heelish Elvis impersonator and regularly used an acoustic guitar as a weapon. Eventually, Honky would be paired with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, becoming the equally musical themed tag team Rhythm & Blues, who were also managed by Hart.
6 Wrote Music For WWE
Kayfabe persona aside, Jimmy Hart’s musical talents didn’t go to waste in WWE, either. The promotion of course had its own house composer in Jim Johnston, but Hart also did some music writing for WWE. Shockingly, Hart ended up contributing some heavy hitters in the history of WWE entrance themes including iconic themes like Dusty Rhodes’ “Common Man,” Ted DiBiase’s “It’s All About The Money,” and most surprisingly Shawn Michaels “Sexy Boy,” which WWE fans regularly hear to this day.
5 Wrote Hulk Hogan’s Novelty Album
WWE put out its share of wrestling themed novelty music albums including The Wrestling Album and Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 — both of which had contributions from Jimmy Hart — but its top star of the Golden Era, Hulk Hogan, had a record of his own. Released in 1995 while Hogan was in WCW, Hulk Rules is credited to Hulk Hogan & The Wrestling Boot Band, a band that included not just The Hulkster and his wife Linda (Wings style), but also Jimmy Hart himself, who co-wrote all the songs and co-produced the album.
4 Wrote Music For WCW
One track from Hulk Rules, “American Made,” ended up becoming Hulk Hogan’s entrance theme in WCW, but that wasn’t Jimmy Hart’s only contribution to the sounds of World Championship Wrestling. Like in WWE, Hart also wrote entrance themes for his new home promotion.
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Some of Jimmy Hart’s WCW bangers included themes for Sting, The American Males, and the nWo Wolfpac, not to mention music for the late period WCW boy band themed faction 3 Count.
3 Wrote Songs For Terry Funk’s Album
More than just an icon of Texas wrestling and an innovator of the hardcore style, Terry Funk was also wildly popular in Japan, making regular excursions to perform for All Japan Pro Wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s. One by-product of his popularity that few fans would likely expect is that Funk recorded a music album of his own for the Japanese market. Titled Great Texan, this 1984 release of course features songs written by Jimmy Hart with titles like “Roppongi,” “Barbra Streisand’s Nose,” and “We Hate School.”
2 Recorded His Own Album
As already well-established, Jimmy Hart was a crucial collaborator on many wrestling-themed music albums, but he didn’t just bolster wrestlers — at one point, he recorded an album of his own. Released in 1986, the record Outrageous Conduct features a number of songs written by hart including the aforementioned “We Hate School” and “Barbra Streisand’s Nose” as well as “Eat Your Heart Out, Rick Springfield,” which Hart also recorded for the aforementioned Piledriver 2.
1 Co-Wrote “Rap Is Crap”
While his WCW contributions have already been covered, there’s a related musical work credited to Jimmy Hart that demands a special spotlight. In 1999, the country music heel faction West Texas Rednecks was feuding with the No Limit Soldiers in a country vs. rap feud, and since the Soldiers were backed by rapper Master P, the Rednecks needed musical ammunition of their own. As a result, Jimmy Hart ended up co-writing a novelty song for the group, the country music ditty “Rap is Crap” — a pseudo-ironic favorite for many WCW fans.
