The Gaming Tailgate Video Podcast
Here at The Gaming Tailgate, our Stadium Sounds sub-forum is a great resource to learn what songs FBS program plays for in-game events. Are we missing info from your favorite teams? Make sure to post it in the corresponding conference thread.
Music - played by the Marching Band as well as licensed songs blaring over the PA system - plays a vital role in enhancing the in-game atmosphere. In this article, we'll take a look at what we consider the 'Essential Stadium Sounds.' Now with 200 slots to customize and personalize in-game music and sounds, users can help replicate the gameday experience for their team and any other FBS program (or TeamBuilder squad). Continue on to see our list of songs and events you will want to consider customizing in NCAA Football 12.
- Alabama - "Basket Case" by Million Dollar Band (Start of 4th Quarter) - A tradition that first started in 1997, the Million Dollar Band plays the 1994 hit from Green Day between the third and fourth quarter of action.
- Arkansas State - "ASU Fight Song" by ASU Marching Band: Missing from the NCAA Football franchise and also in the now defunct College Hoops 2K franchise, Arkansas State fans have had to go without hearing their fight song in either game.
- Auburn - "War Eagle" by Auburn University Marching Band: Auburn University currently does not hold ownership of the copyright for War Eagle. The university did not renew it and the copyright is currently held by the estate of Robert Allen. Therefore, companies selling products with War Eagle being played must acquire licensing from the estate as well as Auburn University.
- East Carolina - "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix (Anticipation): There's not a more fitting song for the ECU Pirates as they take the field. With Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" playing in the stadium, the players emerge from the tunnel with purple smoke engulfing them.
- Florida State - "War Chant" by FSU Marching Chiefs: Better known as the "Tomahawk Chop," this tradition began in 1984. As the song plays, the crowd joins in by chanting and moving their arms in a first down gesture or simulating a tomahawk swinging downward.
- Georgia Tech - "When You Say Budweiser" by Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band (Start of 4th Quarter): First played in 1970 as a nod to then head coach Bud Carson, the Yellow Jackets have made the song a tradition that is played between the third and fourth quarter.
- Iowa - "Hawkeye Victory Polka" by the Iowa Marching Band: Technically there is no Stadium Sound event for post-game victory, but this song deserves to be placed into the game somewhere for Iowa. Played after the fight song following a victory, you may know this song by its real title - "In Heaven There Is No Beer."
- Kansas - "I'm a Jayhawk" by Marching Band: The Jayhawks' fight song was written in 1912 but has undergone several rewrites. In 1958, references to Big 8 Conference teams were added to the song. Now with former Big 12 running mates Colorado and Nebraska leaving for the Pac-12 and Big 10 respectively, the song has been rewritten to exclude references to the Buffaloes and Cornhuskers.
- Kansas State - "Wabash Cannonball" by Kansas State University Marching Band: After a campus fire in 1968, "Wabash Cannonball" was the only sheet music that survived. The song has since become a K-State tradition and is typically played after scores, following the school fight song ("Wildcat Victory") and the K-S-U crowd chant.
- LSU - "Chinese Bandits" by LSU Tiger Marching Band (Defensive Stop on 3rd Down, Defensive Stop on 4th Down, Turnover, FG Miss by Opponent): The term "Chinese Bandits" originates from the 1958 season and was the nickname given to the defense by head coach Paul Dietzel.
- Michigan - The Victors: Written in 1898, John Philip Sousa once called it "the greatest fight song ever written" and it is considered one of the best fight songs in college football.
"Temptation" by Michigan Marching Band (Defensive Stop on 3rd Down, Defensive Stop on 4th Down): This percussion feature is one that opponents hope they never hear when playing at the Big House as it means the Michigan D has made another big stop. Much to the chagrin of Wolverine fans, foes have not heard 'Temptation' much in recent years.
- Michigan State - "Spartans, what is your profession? - From the movie 300" (Defense on 3rd Down): Drawing upon the Spartan moniker and the hit movie 300, MSU plays this clip before every 3rd down defensive play.
- Nebraska - "Sirius" by Allan Parsons Project: Starting with the 1994 season, Nebraska became one of the first college football programs to use stadium screens as part of their team entrance. As the team touches the horseshoe and then makes their way to the field during the Tunnel Walk, they do so to the Allan Parsons Project's "Sirius," a song made famous by the Chicago Bulls as part of their pre-game ritual.
- Notre Dame - "Damsha Bua (Victory Clog)" by Notre Dame Marching Band (Touchdown): Following a touchdown, the Marching Band plays "Damsha Bua" - the Notre Dame Victory Clog.
Finale of "1812 Overture" by Notre Dame Marching Band (Start of 4th Quarter): Between the third and fourth quarter, the Marching Band plays the finale of the 1812 Overture.
- Ohio State - "Hang on Sloopy" by TBDBITL: "Hang On Sloopy" by The McCoys reached #1 on the US charts back in 1965, leading a member of the Ohio State marching band to beg their band director to let them play the song. After hearing the positive crowd reaction, "Hang On Sloopy" has been played at every game since and is the official rock song of the state of Ohio.
- Oklahoma - Boomer Sooner: Played after scores & big plays, "Boomer Sooner" has become a song that Big 12 schools have had to hear a lot over the years. With the song played so often, it's one of those fight songs that leads to rival fans sick of the song by the end of the game.
- Ole Miss - "I Saw the Light" by the Ole Miss Marching Band (Start of 4th Quarter): Between the third and fourth quarter, The Pride of the South plays "I Saw the Light," a gospel song originally written and performed by Hank Williams in 1948.
- Penn State - "Seven Nation Army" by Penn State University Marching Blue Band (3rd Down Conversion is Successful, 4th Down Conversion is Successful): A 2003 hit by the White Stripes, "Seven Nation Army" has become popular with marching bands across the country with Penn State leading the way. The student section and crowd chants along with the music.
"Kernkraft 400" by Zombie Nation (Safety, Timeout Visitor, TFL/Sack, Defensive Stop on 3rd Down, Defensive Stop on 4th Down, FG Miss by Opponent): Often incorrectly identified by the name of the band, this is a popular song across all sports and venues around the world. Penn State plays this song quite often with the student section chanting along.
- South Carolina - Theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey" by the University of South Carolina Marching Band: One of the most electrifying entrances in college football, the anticipation and noise from the crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium builds until the theme from "2001: A Space Odyssey" hits it crescendo. Then, the Gamecocks take the field with 82,000 fans roaring in excitement.
- Stanford - "All Right Now" by the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band: The 1970 song by the group Free has become the signature song for the Stanford Cardinal and is the only song that the band plays more than once during a Stanford game. While it is not the fight song - "Come Join the Band" claims that title - "All Right Now" has become the theme for Stanford football.
- Tennessee - Rocky Top - It's easy for "Rocky Top" to get stuck in the heads of visiting players when you have 102,000 orange-clad fans singing along after another impressive UT performance.
- Texas - The Eyes of Texas & Texas Fight: After each game, Texas players gather in front of the band and join in singing the school alma mater, "The Eyes of Texas" which then leads into the school fight song, "Texas Fight."
"Wabash Cannonball" by Longhorn Marching Band (Start of 4th Quarter) - The song has become a Texas tradition since head coach Darrell K. Royal told the band director they didn't play enough country music and requested Wabash Cannonball.
- Texas A&M - Aggie War Hymn: There's nothing like a fight song devoted to hating on an in-state rival; in this case, Texas. Originally written as "Goodbye to Texas University," the Aggie War Hymn ends with the 12th Man singing to "Saw Varsity's Horns Off" - a reference to the Longhorns' mascot, Bevo.
- USC - Fanfare, Tribute to Troy, & Fight On: As the USC website describes it, "the incessant stanza of pounding drums and blaring horns" of Tribute to Troy - played as the team takes the field and after a defensive stop - lead to USC fans holding up their index and middle fingers, forming a "V for victory."
- Utah - "Can't Turn You Loose" by University of Utah Marching Band: Before the start of the fourth quarter, the Utah Marching Band plays "Can't Turn You Loose" by Otis Redding. As they play, a fan dances in front of the band. There have been two different individuals who dance during the song and the tradition doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon.
- Virginia Tech - "Enter Sandman" by Metallica: The backdrop to one of the best entrances in college football, the Hokies have taken the field to "Enter Sandman" since 2000. In that time, VT has an impressive 63-11 record at Lane Stadium.
- West Virginia - "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver: You wouldn't expect a raucous crowd to go from cheering their team to victory and then join in singing a country song together, but it happens after each home victory for West Virginia. Mountaineer fans join in singing John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads."
- Wisconsin: "Jump Around" by House of Pain: In college football, few licensed songs are as synonymous with one team than Wisconsin and House of Pain's "Jump Around." A tradition that began in 1988, the start of the fourth quarter begins with the student section bouncing up and down to "Jump Around." It has become a tradition not only for Wisconsin fans and players, but opposing teams will occasionally take part.
The Badgers' "On, Wisconsin" is one of the most popular fight songs with over 2,500 variations around the country. Interstingly enough, the song was originally made for the University of Minnesota, but a UW alum was able to get song removed from consideration at Minnesota and the lyrics changed from "Minnesota, Minnesota" to "On, Wisconsin."
"Hot Time" - written in 1896 - is played immediately following a Badger touchdown with "On, Wisconsin" played after the extra point.
Non-School Specific:
"A New Game" by Tom Hedden - A song from NFL Films, "A New Game" is a popular choice for schools to play in situations such as Defense on 3rd Down, Defense on 4th Down. (Wake Forest)
"All I Do is Win" by DJ Khaled - The DJ Khaled version as well as a marching band version became a hit at numerous schools during the 2010 season. (Auburn, Georgia Tech, LSU, USC)
"Bad Romance" - A hit song from Lady Gaga in 2009, Bad Romance has become a staple of marching bands around the country. (Iowa, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Temple, Washington)
"Crazy Train" - (Colorado, Michigan State, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Purdue)
"Dies Irae" - Originally dating back to the 13th century "Dies Irae" is often played after a Defensive Stop on 3rd Down and Defensive Stop on 4th Down. (Georgia, Oklahoma State)
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey - This 1981 hit underwent a resurgence in the 2000s after being used in numerous television shows. It is typically popular with the student section as co-eds sing along. (Alabama, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Syracuse)
"Hell's Bells" by AC/DC - An oft-played song for Defense on 3rd Down and Defense on 4th Down.
"Hey! Baby" - This 1962 Bruce Chanel hit is played by numerous marching bands across the country, typically at the Start of the 4th Quarter. (Indiana, Iowa State, LSU, Nebraska, North Texas, Penn State, South Carolina)
"Imperial March" by John Williams - Also known as 'Darth Vader's Theme' from Star Wars, this John Williams classic is played either over the PA or by the Marching Band, commonly as the Defense takes field after Kick Return.
"Iron Man" - This 1976 Iron Maiden classic is a favorite of marching bands around the country, typically played when the Defensive take field after Kick Return or after Defensive Stop on 3rd Down and Defensive Stop on 4th Down. (Michigan, UCLA)
"Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi - A hit for Bon Jovi in 1986, this song - played over the PA or by the Marching Band - gets the crowd singing along and is routinely played at the Start of the 4th Quarter. (Kentucky, Notre Dame, Penn State)
"Malaguena" - There are few songs that have been played by marching bands as 'Malaguena,' which was originally the sixth movement of the Suite Andalucia by Ernesto Lecuona before becoming a marching band standard. (Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State)
"Mars, Bringer of War" - The first movement of the orchestral suite 'The Planets' by Gustav Holst, it is very fitting for Defense on 3rd Down and Defense on 4th Down. (Florida State, Hawaii, Missouri)
"Rock & Roll Part 2," "Dr. Who (The Hey Song)" - Perhaps the greatest sports stadium anthem of all-time, it's a popular song to play when the home team has the advantage, such as forcing a timeout by the away team (Timeout Visitor). (Colorado, Oregon, USC)
"Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond - A song that often gets the crowd singing along, Neil Diamond's 1969 hit is still popular at stadiums across the country. (Iowa State, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt)
Every program has some unique musical tradition, whether it be part of their team entrance, their fight song, post-game celebration, etc. What is your school's best musical tradition? Did we miss any? Leave your thoughts and your favorite traditions in the comments below!
Thanks to our Twitter followers and Facebook friends for their feedback: @boucher1234, @hawkdad3, @huskergirlie, @jrdrylie, @osujak9, @Romo_Timex9, @ThruTheUprights, @troyaof.
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