October 11, 2006
Top 10 college fight songs
Garry Smits of the Jacksonville Times-Union has undertaken the task of ranking the Top 10 College Fight Songs according to... well, according to him. Smits is encouraging fans to vote on their choices for top college fight song at the Times-Union website.
10. Southern California: Fight On!
9. Auburn: War Eagle
8. Ohio State: Across the Field
7. Washington & Lee: Washington & Lee Swing
6. Michigan State: Falcone Fight
5. Navy: Anchors Aweigh
Has come to represent not only the Naval Academy but the entire branch of the service.
4. Georgia Tech: Rambling Wreck
Perhaps the most entertaining ditty in college football, both melodically and lyrically. It's reminiscent of jaunty Civil War-era songs, and the lyrics make reference both to tipping a glass with classmates ("I drink my whiskey clear") and attacking your rival ("He'd say to hell with Georgia like his daddy used to do").
3. Army: On Brave Old Army Team
Hearing this stirring fight song, which is really more a march, makes me want to enlist.
2. Michigan: The Victors
Like the Notre Dame Victory March, the song most fans think of as the Michigan fight song is the chorus. The stanza is just as inspirational. The Michigan band sets the stage with one of the best entrances onto a field in college football.
1. Notre Dame: Notre Dame Victory March
There's the Notre Dame fight song, and then there's everyone else's. Not only is the song inspiring melodically, but the lyrics are timeless and imaginative. "Wake up the echoes, calling her name" ... "Shake down the thunder." Brilliant writing.
While it's hard to argue with Notre Dame and Michigan at the top of the list, any "top college fight song" list that includes Washington & Lee is absolutely bogus. And the omission of the Clemson Tiger Rag? Ridiculous. (To his credit, Smits does point out that he is only considering songs written with the schools football team in mind - thus eliminating Georgia and their Bulldog version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, etc)
So, here's my top five:
1) Michigan
2) Notre Dame
3) Clemson
4) Georgia Tech
5) USC
How 'bout you? What are your top college fight songs?
Comments:
Ramblin' Man said:
posted on October 11, 2006 11:30 AM — 68.210.18.122 — link — abuse?
I can go along with Michigan, Notre Dame, and Georgia Tech (thanks for the nod to my alma matre) in the top ten of fight songs, but I'd have to eliminate some of the other songs as being unfamiliar outside their home campus or for being popular before they were adopted by their respective school (see "Rocky Top" - sorry UT fans). Having spent four years going to ACC games, I couldn't tell you even the melody of Clemson's fight song and I have a musical background from my high school days.
Evil Benny said:
posted on October 11, 2006 1:27 PM — 71.236.159.138 — link — abuse?
Who gives a rats-ass about fight songs? Why don't you guys go back to watching The View? The feminazation of America is complete. This is what your typical Duck fan discusses with his hippy, loser buddies while they comb each others back hair.
Zac said:
posted on October 11, 2006 7:20 PM — 65.31.231.119 — link — abuse?
What's this!?!? We've gone from a rousing debate regarding the best college football programs of our recent era to graduation rate, stamps, and now fight songs!?! In the infamous words of the late, great Sam Kenisen, AAAAAAHHHHHH!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Let's debate about establishing a Div 1 College Football play-off. Likely, if things shape up as they are, my Mountaineers or Louisville will be left out in the cold, along with a few other deserving teams.
How about what the NCAA should really do when a school has been caught committing serious NCAA violations, like firing the AD, the coach and those staff involved, not to mention the kid(s) involved loose their scholarship(s), a year's eligibility, and have to transfer to another school? I think that's far better than penalizing the entire team. Anyone with any thoughts on either of these debates?
Katie said:
posted on October 11, 2006 10:43 PM — 129.74.201.108 — link — abuse?
It has nothing to do with bias--ND's IS the best fight song ever, full stop. Michigan is a distant second, and the only reason USC's is anywhere on the list is because the band, refusing to learn any other song, drills it into the brain by the end of the game.
The Mayor said:
posted on October 12, 2006 2:58 AM — 24.23.202.200 — link — abuse?
Evil Benny the Beaver is all wet!
Your jealousy of the Ducks is painful. Who makes fun of the Beavers any more? Don't you guys have a telethon? I know I gave when they called.
Why not focus on the play of your Beavers instead of rehashing incredibly old steroetypes (all Ducks are Hippes = all Beavers are Animal Husbandry Majors)? Your team plays in a stadium named after a mass produced potato/macaroni/3-bean salad product that even state prisoners won't eat!
Besides, most of us from Eugene will get that ugly back hair waxed now and then, can you say the same for your Beavers?
I'll give you this (Nero, former Navy Flier, tells me it is true), Beavers over the Ducks in Corvallis is a post Thanksgiving Day bet lock. Take the over as well...
Our neighbors to the north wear Orange because they can wear it game day, all through hunting season and at their temporary mandated jobs picking up litter on the I-5!!
Happy Halloween to "The Great Pumpkin."
Go Ducks and as always in 2006, SEC rules, Pac-10 sucks and Adrian Peterson for the Heisman!
The Mayor said:
posted on October 12, 2006 3:13 AM — 24.23.202.200 — link — abuse?
My personal favorite was written in 1916 by Albert Perfect and Dewitt Gilbert.
But, not being a homer, I have to say my Top 5 are:
1. USC: That obnoxious, mind numbing "Fight On" by Fleetwood Mac's Marching Band. We hear it a lot at Pac-10 games vs USC. It makes you want to shoot Traveler through the heart.
2. Notre Dame: Only becuase their fight song, also used by North Eugene High School ("Here's to the Red and the White.")
3. Michigan
4. Texas
5. Tennessee: Rocky Top...you gotta love good ol' Rocky Top. It sounded so great in Tempe January 4th 1999.
6. An also ran for "most obnoxious": Oregon's constant playing of Alice Cooper's "School's Out for the Summer." For 20 years I have been asking myself "What the hell is up with that?"
Am I really blogging about school fight songs? Oh my God, next we will be discussing team uniforms and best mascot! I need a vacation! Aloha.
Regan said:
posted on October 12, 2006 10:59 AM — 152.163.100.196 — link — abuse?
I CANNOT ABIDE THIS SUBJECT.
Why? Simple - everyone and their cousin is simply going to list their favorite team's fight song. It's almost like asking Miami and Southern California fans to submit who they think was better - the '04 Trojans or the '01 'Canes.
The bigger schools with bigger traditions (Michigan, Southern California, etc.) have more fans and more alums. Somehow, magically, they all have the 'good fight songs'. You do the math.
However, if I am going to have an opinion on the subject and be legit about it, here goes:
#1 GEORGIA TECH - I could care less about the Jackets; my teams are Clemson, Tennessee, and Miami (FL). But geez that fight song is the best. Period. I listened to the darn tune right before Job Interviews for cryin' out loud. It seems to musically sing forth with "you can never defeat us, all you can do is score more points!"
#2 NOTRE DAME - ND has an effect on American Culture greater than any other team. From 'Rudy' all the way down to Leslie Nielsen's 'Zipper' speech in 'Airplane', this song resonates with the spirit of the most unique tradition in all of sports, whether you like them or hate them.
#3 PENN STATE - Kudos to the PSU faithful for giving props to other regional schools in the lyrics of its fight songs. Add this to catchy, yet not cliche music and you have a great song.
I won't put forth a #4 or #5 - Although I compiled a list of Fight Songs for every school back when downloading music was still legal, I find bias kicking in when I get past these three. I like a few others that are non-standard (Ohio State's rendition of "Hang On Sloopy" for the '03 Fiesta was great.)
I will have to say that UVA and Auld Aign Sign (sp) is the lamest College Fight Song the world has yet heard. It is everything a fight song should not be, mostly it is too slow in tempo - UVA might as well break out Enya. Somehow I bet most of those who disagree will be Wahoos... :)
Evil Benny said:
posted on October 12, 2006 12:21 PM — 71.236.159.138 — link — abuse?
The Mayor... How can you support a program that has been cheating for years by paying off the refs? I would rather back a losing program with ethics than a bunch of pseudo-GQ wannabes who obviously cheat. The Ducks should have Cheetos snack foods sponsor them and they could rename Autzen, Cheetos Stadium.
Once the Beavs fire Riley and get Erickson back then all you Duck fans will be back on the Beaver bandwagon. Also the Beavs have the best fight song. "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath.M GO BLUE said:
posted on October 12, 2006 1:17 PM — 216.46.213.111 — link — abuse?
I did not know that Notre Dame copied "Hail to the Victors".
I know Michigan taught Notre Dame how to play football,and Notre Dame stadium was a small copy of the BIG HOUSE.
Hahaha...Notre Dame is just a knock off of Michigan....but they are number two in all time win%...so maybe copying Michigan has helped them =)I like the Florida State war chant!
GO BLUE
FSU_Student said:
posted on October 13, 2006 5:54 PM — 168.82.56.100 — link — abuse?
The Warchant is such an emotional experience. It isn't the actual FSU fight song though. FSU's fight song is really lame. And the tune is unoriginal. The warchant and tommahawk chop has to be one of the weirdest situations. Some people not from Gainesville (meaning thier parents aren't also cousins) or Miami really hate FSU's chant. Usually these are limpwristed pantywaists who think it is offensive to the great seminole tribe but I think (Aside from having the tribes approval) FSU is probably the least offensive and I generally consider every sport team named after native americans (including the braves) to be rather harmless. It should be a compliment and not an insult. There is a course here designed by the Seminole Tribe that teaches their history and traditions etc. Anyways there is another blog about that.
FSU fight song:
You got to fight, fight, fight for FSU!
You got to scalp 'em Seminoles!
You got to win, win, win, win this game and
Roll on down to make those goals!
For FSU is on the warpath now,
and at the battle's end she's great.
So fight, fight, fight for victory,
the Seminoles of Florida State!
F-L-O-R-I-D-A......S-T-A-T-E
FLORIDA STATE!! FLORIDA STATE!! FLORIDA STATE!!
Woooooooooooooooo!!!!Dumb. And Scalp them should be removed. I personally only say the last part at games, spell out the name and yell it three times, and the Wooo! Gotta have the Wooo!
JC said:
posted on October 14, 2006 11:06 AM — 68.59.180.216 — link — abuse?
Good list. Agree with the top 4 or so. I also tend to like Texas' fight song. Gets you in the mood for a good ol' stampeed (sp?). ND, Mich, GT, USC, TX, and then Army. By the way, can you name the fight song that was sung during a 1950's meeting between VP Nixon and the Soviet Union...it was the Ramblin' Wreck fight song. I think that is verification that it is one of the top songs along with the fact that all college football gurus name it as the best or one of (Chris Fowler and Tony Barnhart to name a few). don't think that Bush and Kim are gonna sing Rocky Top while sippin on some whiskey during their next mtg.
Austin@Baylor said:
posted on October 18, 2006 5:11 PM — 129.62.115.170 — link — abuse?
Okay, we all know ND and Michigan have kick ass fights songs, and i agree with FSU Student on the warchant, but my absolute favorite fight song is "THE" Nebraska fight song.... "There is no place like Nebraska....."
okraider said:
posted on October 18, 2006 9:04 PM — 24.253.201.77 — link — abuse?
Can't see Anchors Away being on the list. Great song, but not a great fight song. Surprised not to see Wisconsin. The worst thing in the football world is to suffer through a Texas - Oklahoma game when you are not a fan of either team. Both fight songs are for the birds.
charlie said:
posted on October 27, 2006 11:52 PM — 68.101.34.72 — link — abuse?
The truth be known- (and as Jack said, "You can't handle the truth!") the Washington and Lee Swing is the most copied fight song ever, and it's a fact that several universities (Alabama and Tulane to name two) plagiarized it- with Tulane identifying it as the "Tulane Swing". Check out old football movies of the '30s and '40s and you hear the Washington and Lee Swing.
Ben said:
posted on October 31, 2006 4:40 AM — 35.11.18.88 — link — abuse?
It's too bad everyone likes michigans fight song so much. It's a total rip-off of the trio section of "The Spirit of Liberty March" which obviously came out before Victors was written. It's still probably the most famous fight song, but I personally like a fight song to be original.
Ben said:
posted on October 31, 2006 4:44 AM — 35.11.18.88 — link — abuse?
It's too bad everyone likes michigans fight song so much. It's a total rip-off of the trio section of the "Spirit of Liberty March" which obviously came out before Victors was written. It's still probably the most famous fight song, but I personally like a fight song to be original.
AUTiger said:
posted on October 31, 2006 10:37 PM — 205.188.116.133 — link — abuse?
I'm sorry UT fans, but Rocky Top is the MOST ANNOYING fight song I have ever heard! Even though I am sooo not an Alabama fan (WAR EAGLE BABY!), I did not want UT to score during their game against Alabama because I really didn't want to hear Rocky Top. I do agree about Notre Dame being the number one fight song, but I am a little bias since that is the same fight song that my Alma Mater Deshler High School uses.
BrentfromMaine said:
posted on November 11, 2006 1:22 PM — 76.179.134.213 — link — abuse?
Come on, where is Alabama? That is one of the best ever. Here is my top 10 best fight songs.
10.Air Force
9. Auburn
8. Ohio State
7. USC
6. Texas
5. Ole Miss
4. Georgia
3. Alabama
2. Michigan
1. Notre Dame
Please note there's no Rocky Top. So annoying.
albertisking said:
posted on November 17, 2006 12:14 AM — 70.152.254.252 — link — abuse?
dude u dont even have the we are the boys from old florida what is that. We are the boys from old Florida
F - L - O - R - I - D - A
Where the girls are the fairest,
the boys are the squarest
of any old state down our way. (hey)
We are all strong for old Florida,
down where the old Gators play. (GO GATORS)
In all kinds of weather,
we'll all stick together. for
F - L - O - R - I - D - A
what could be better. also the FSU chant is the worst and most annoying fight song ever created
TBDBITLF said:
posted on November 20, 2006 8:58 PM — 69.40.198.187 — link — abuse?
Note to Regan:
The OSU Hang on Sloop wasn't a special version. The band plays it before every 4th quarter home game. I especially love when every single person in the 'Shoe sings it and the place gets rockin'. I really think that should be Ohio Sate's fight song since everyone loves it and it is absolutely awesome.
There is absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing like or better than sitting in the 'Shoe when TBDBITL starts playing Hang on Sloopy, and then We Don't Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan.
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
TJ Hunt said:
posted on October 11, 2006 9:40 AM — 207.59.86.5 — link — abuse?No rocky top???