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After noticing at concerts that many of the band's loyal fans liked to sing
along at top volume, guitarist Brian May wrote "We Will Rock You" with a clear
method (stomping and clapping) of joining in. While the idea of having mud on
your face resonates with NFL fans, the song's power really boils down to the
vague yet flexible threat in the lyrics (how do you "rock" someone? We're not
sure, but we're going to do it! To you!) combined with the fact that rhythmic
clapping is fun. The deal is sealed by vocalist Freddie Mercury who delivers the
lyrics with a warrior ferociousness that every athlete should aspire to. (See
also: "We Are the Champions")
"Who Let the Dogs Out," Baha Men
By this point, it becomes clear that
the ticket to the DJ booth in America's sports facilities is rarely, if ever,
held by standard American rock bands. '70s glam musicians turned alleged felons,
flamboyantly dressed disco dancers and British opera-rockers all emerge at the
top of the list. To their ranks, add the Baha Men, some dudes from the Bahamas
who tackled the difficult issue of unleashed pets and rode it to stadium
ubiquity. There are verses in the song, so we're told anyway, but it really
comes down to the chorus where thousands of sports fans ask about the status of
these escaped dogs and then proceed to make some sort of sound. Is it "who?" or
is it "woof" or is it "hoot" or what? No one knows or cares. It's fun. Not only
that, it makes a nice souvenir, since it will stay lodged in your brain for
months after the game.
"I Feel Good (I Got You)," James Brown
One of The Godfather of Soul's
catchiest songs is also one of his least threatening. There's no talk of sex
machines or hot pants here, just feelings, specifically good ones, and a
certainty that these feelings will occur, or are now occurring. The soul is
still there of course -- it cannot be extracted from Brown's music --
but the sentiment and repetition are simple enough to qualify it for stadium
usage (to say nothing of its ubiquity in movie trailers). And it's nice to see
that the United States can grow at least some of its own arena rock resources
without having to depend on foreign imports.
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John Moe is a frequent contributor to MSN Music, as well as to McSweeney's
and National Public Radio. He is also author of the book "Conservatize Me, How I
Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby
Keith and Beef Jerky." |
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