Why Huey Lewis is more of a theater kid than a jock hero: A look beyond "Sports"

Huey Lewis may have become synonymous with the '80s through his iconic album Sports—a record filled with stadium anthems and classic rock radio staples like “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and “I Want a New Drug”—but let’s be real: while he’s often painted as the ultimate jock hero, there’s a much more theatrical side to the man. 

Beneath those leather jackets, electric guitar riffs, and "tough guy" posturing, Huey Lewis has more in common with a high school drama club president than a sports MVP.

So let’s break down why Huey Lewis, despite his undeniable contributions to the sports-themed rock genre, is actually the ultimate theater kid at heart. The evidence is clear, and it’s about time we revisit this question through a more theatrical lens.

1. Theater Kid Roots: From the Stage to the Spotlight

Huey Lewis wasn’t born with a football in his hand, ready to lead a game-winning drive. Instead, his formative years were spent on the stage. In fact, before becoming the frontman of the News, Huey was involved in performing arts at The Lawrenceville School (a prep school in New Jersey). Rather than spending his days on the gridiron, he was singing and acting in school plays—a hallmark of any true theater kid.

Lewis has also often spoken about his passion for music and performance, which began when he was a teenager. While other rock stars were cutting their teeth on the basketball courts, Huey was perfecting his stage presence. Sure, he could belt out a mean chorus of “If This Is It,” but it was just as likely that he was rehearsing lines for a play. No jock would’ve been caught dead in that type of activity back in the day!

2. Musical Theater as Inspiration

What many don't realize is that Huey Lewis’s songwriting is rooted in narrative structure, a key characteristic of musical theater. Take a look at songs like “The Power of Love” or “Stuck with You”—they aren’t just love songs; they have all the makings of a dramatic narrative. His ability to weave stories with catchy, energetic tunes is the hallmark of a Broadway veteran, not a locker-room legend.

Huey’s approach to lyrics often has that theatrical flair, with every song feeling like a mini-performance. It's like he’s playing a role—a protagonist or sometimes a character with a purpose. Songs like “Hip to Be Square” could have been pulled from the stage of an off-Broadway show about societal expectations. This attention to storytelling over mere rock swagger gives him a deeper connection to theater than to sports.

3. The Band’s Name: A Theatrical Choice

Now, let’s talk about the band itself: Huey Lewis and the News. Sure, it sounds like a rock band, but there’s something undeniably theatrical about that name. The "News" part feels almost like a nod to a cast of characters in a theater production—a group of actors who have their own roles to play, much like how a musical brings together distinct personalities to tell one cohesive story.

Additionally, if we take a step back and think about the '80s aesthetic, it’s clear that Huey’s stage persona often channeled the exuberant energy of a Broadway lead, strutting around with theatrical presence while singing with infectious enthusiasm.

4. The Dance Moves: More Broadway Than Football

One of Huey Lewis’s most memorable traits is his energetic dancing during live performances. It's not exactly the kind of thing you'd expect from a guy who spends his downtime in the gym lifting weights. No, it’s more like something you’d see from a lead in a musical, confidently working the stage and engaging with the audience.

While many rock stars try to hide behind their guitars or stand as the brooding, cool types, Huey Lewis was the kind of guy to shimmy, shuffle, and even throw in a few jazz hands onstage. When he sings “I Want a New Drug,” it’s clear he's not just performing music; he's telling a story, using his body as an instrument to bring the narrative to life. That kind of expressiveness has "theater kid" written all over it.

5. The Conflicted Jock Image

So, how did Huey get the jock label in the first place? It’s largely thanks to his hit album Sports, which came out in 1983 and became a cultural touchstone for sports fans and gym rats everywhere. With hits like “The Heart of Rock & Roll,” which evokes the thrill of competition, and “Workin’ for a Livin’,” which taps into the blue-collar spirit, it’s easy to see how the world would mistake Huey Lewis for an all-American, sports-loving guy.

However, beneath these “jock anthems,” Huey’s music doesn’t exactly scream athleticism. The energy is more about individualism, expression, and overcoming obstacles—motifs that are more fitting for the stage than the sports field. It’s as though Huey was channeling the power of sports while simultaneously mocking it in a way that only a true theater enthusiast could.

6. The Musical Theater Influence in His Other Works

Beyond the Sports album, Huey Lewis continued to explore musical projects that nodded to his theatrical side. His work on the soundtrack for Back to the Future, for instance, is a great example of how his musical expertise transcended mere rock music. Composing for a film that blends time travel, romance, and sci-fi adventure requires a sense of drama and pacing that theater kids excel at. Sure, Huey’s The News played a pivotal role, but the idea of a soundtrack as an additional storytelling device is unmistakably theatrical.

7. A Fondness for Camp and Playful Energy

Finally, there’s something undeniably camp about Huey Lewis’s entire persona, both on stage and in his music. “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and “Power of Love” are songs that celebrate larger-than-life emotions, and the way he delivers them is infused with the kind of playful exuberance that theater kids adore. His energy isn’t so much about swagger as it is about performance, about creating something dynamic for an audience to enjoy. It’s showbiz 101!

Conclusion: The Jock Hero Who’s Really a Theater Kid

Despite Sports’ powerful place in rock history, Huey Lewis is hardly the all-American jock he’s made out to be. From his roots in theater to his energetic performances and love of storytelling, he’s more like a Broadway darling than a quarterback. So, the next time you hear “The Heart of Rock & Roll” or “I Want a New Drug,” remember that beneath the leather jacket and the rockstar bravado, Huey Lewis is probably more comfortable belting out a musical number than calling a touchdown play.

He’s the theater kid you always wanted to hang out with—he just happened to play the lead role in an arena rock band.