FT5: Sports Arena Songs
If you’ve ever been to a live sporting event, you know that the excitement and energy of the crowd all around you is a big part of the experience. I’m not talking about the Y-M-C-A or vuvuzelas. I’m talking about jumping up and down in your seat while spilling your drink on the 7 year-old in front of you. And nothing gets you on your feet and gets the fans chanting like the right music. Sometimes just fifteen seconds of the chorus is all you need. Here are some songs that should get you in the mood.
5. “Bro Hymn” by Pennywise
This song slipped a few spots because it was recently used by the Philadelphia Flyers, and we at ATH (and America) don’t like losers. However, this punk rock tribute was used prominently by VfB Stuttgart in Germany and the Anaheim Ducks on their championship runs. No lyrics are necessary for this chorus, as this song is perfect for getting rowdy with your buddies.
4. “Sirius” by Alan Parsons Project
“From North Carolina, at guard, 6’6”….Michael JORDAN!” should just about sum up one of the most famous team introductions of past 20 years. A dark United Center filled with laser lights and Chicago Bulls announcer Ray Clay’s voice over the British progressive rockers’ instrumental piece definitely set the tone for the six-peat Bulls and the greatest player of all time. Epic to say the least.
3. “Kernkraft 400” by Zombie Nation
Actually the “Sport Chant Remix” of the song, who could have thought that the techno beat from DJ Splank! would become one of the most widely used songs in sporting arenas. Used in hockey to college football games, the song samples the tune from the Commodore 64 game Lazy Jones. Funny how most of the songs on this list just repeat one word over and over…
2. “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis
Although the Scottish band’s fun chorus filled up many a soccer stadium in Britain following a goal, the little ditty made it’s way to American sports in 2008. Once again we go to the United Center in Chicago, where the Blackhawks made the song famous in the NHL as they would play the song after goals and wins much to the chagrin of their opponents (YouTube ‘Canucks Rattled Chelsea Dagger’). The fans even changed part of the lyrics to “bring your goalie over here-let us score on him just for the hell of it!”, and it was more or less the anthem of the Blackhawks’ road to the Stanley Cup in 2010. It’s no ‘Hey, Hey, Hockeytown’, but it’s awfully catchy, eh?
1. “Rock ‘n Roll, Part II” by Gary Glitter
A staple of any sporting event in America, this song is widely referred to as the “Hey Song” at most venues. This glam rock gem was first used in Denver at Colorado Rockies (NHL) and Broncos games in the 1970s and 1980s, but can probably be heard in almost any city nowadays. Interestingly, in 2006 the NFL asked stadiums not to play the song anymore after Glitter was convicted of child pornography and playing hide-the-salami with minors in Vietnam. Don’t worry, kids. A cover version by the Tube Tops is now often used.
good list. i’m glad the children are safe.
i have definitely spazzed out to zombie nation at various sporting events.
how about great arena songs that should be but never were?
And you will know us by the Trail of Dead…
Ode to Isis
&
Will you smile again for me
Solid list. As a Bulls fan growing up, I remember hearing ‘Sirius’ and getting goosebumps. Then right before the game started, I had about 5 minutes to go out to the hoop and act out the game as Jordan. Buzzer beaters were my forte and the Bulls never lost. They won all those championships because of my help and Jordan has yet to thank me.
I always used to get pretty jacked up listening to “Thunderstruck” before the UT basketball games.
@Brett – If you recall, I tried to get that song played before the basketball games, but no dice. I don’t think they liked the chick moaning at the end.
still would have worked better than….
“Weeeee Rea – dy….. Wee-eeee Rea – dy…. WEEE Rea-Dy… Fo-or Ya’llllll”
Yesssss I love the Fratellis. NOICE list.