Fight songs fire up the fans, specially a good one. Fight songs unify with a common tune everyone knows and can sing and cheer together. They are the best kind of sing-alongs. For alumni, fight songs instill a sense of nostalgia.
Typically a rousing short song played by the school’s band, fans have been singing along to fight songs for decades. Some have a long history. The first official fight song dates back to 1885 when T. J. Hurley wrong “For Boston” for Boston College.
The best fight songs are recognizable by all fans. Michigan and Notre Dame may have the classic examples. A good fight song is an ear worm, with victorious fans singing it all the way home and defeated fans hearing it ringing in their ears for days.
I love fight songs. I’ve covered college football for a long time and I especially like hearing them live. I was also in band and have played dozens of fight songs personally. I have strong opinions on what makes a good fight song.
Now that Texas is moving to the SEC, let’s rank the fight songs in the “new” league as a lifelong Longhorns fan and longtime member of the college football media.
Also Check out: Texas Longhorn fan ranks the SEC football helmets
Technically, “Rocky Top” isn’t Tennessee‘s official fight song. That distinction goes to a song called “Down the Field.” But let’s face it, “Rocky Top” is the only fight song people outside of Tennessee remember.
The best fight songs are instantly recognizable to everyone, not to just the home fans. I’m sure it helps that “Rocky Top” is an established song. But it’s the arrangement and the way the Tennessee band belts it out that makes it my favorite fight song in all of college football.
Wish that I was on ol’ Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain’t no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain’t no telephone billsOnce I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, other half cat
Wild as a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Texas Football | Longhorns Wire…