So what I'm hearing is that Copacabana would be a "no."

Bear8 said:

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One of you had a great suggestion. Something from Queen.
We Will Rock You"

Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo' face
You big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
Singin'

We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you

Buddy you're a young man hard man
Shoutin' in the street gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on yo' face
You big disgrace
Wavin' your banner all over the place

We will we will rock you
(Sing it!)
We will we will rock you

Buddy you're an old man poor man
Pleadin' with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day
You got mud on your face
Big disgrace
Somebody better put you back into your place

We will we will rock you
(Sing it!)
We will we will rock you

(Everybody)

We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you

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Ahh....played every game before face off by your NCAA champion Denver Pioneers ;-)

Fyght4Cal said:

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SoFlaBear said:

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Californication said:

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Love to sing "Hail" but it just isn't a good vibes song to get people dancing in the stands. Better for before the game or after the game after all the excitement has died down.

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How about before the game? I've told the story several times about the '92 Citrus Bowl, and how the stadium was asked to remain standing for The Clemson University Alma Mater (that's what it's called, actually); naturally, all of the Cal section sat in disgust. But thinking about it 25 years later, it would make 100 times more sense to play "Hail to California" before the game, after the Star Spangled Banner.

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Once again, our Alma Mater is "All Hail Blue and Gold". However, the University of California system's song is "Hail to California".

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Hail to California is such a better song tho, imho. It's just prettier, more eloquent and stirring... easier to sing, and ends much better with that "hail.... Hail.... HAIL!!!!!" as opposed to the sort of downer of All Hail Blue and Gold "all hail... all hail...."

My two cents.

This is actually fairly hard.

A) Must be in a major key. That is why songs like California Dreaming, a great song, just doesn't work.
B) Should be upbeat. You are a sporting event. No one wants to hear about a boat that sinks or a dog that dies.
C) Easy Lyrics. Asking people to remember that it is "helter skelter in a summer swelter" is not going to cut it after 5 beers. The attraction of the Neil Diamond Song is that it is ONE WORD and the some "Dum duhm dum's". Even after some wicked ales you are still good.
D) Unused.

Thus the quandry. And thus only one choice.....if only cause Perry sounds GREAT on a stadium sound system and it will PISS OFF the folks on PH till NO end when he hits the high notes......

And BTW - Iowa State has embraced Sweet Caroline. Played at sporting events and even commencement. This is pretty good as well (but I still think Palms and Hail are better at Haas after a win as the acoustics help a BUNCH.

socaltownie said:

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This is actually fairly hard.

A) Must be in a major key. That is why songs like California Dreaming, a great song, just doesn't work.
B) Should be upbeat. You are a sporting event. No one wants to hear about a boat that sinks or a dog that dies.
C) Easy Lyrics. Asking people to remember that it is "helter skelter in a summer swelter" is not going to cut it after 5 beers. The attraction of the Neil Diamond Song is that it is ONE WORD and the some "Dum duhm dum's". Even after some wicked ales you are still good.
D) Unused.

Thus the quandry. And thus only one choice.....if only cause Perry sounds GREAT on a stadium sound system and it will PISS OFF the folks on PH till NO end when he hits the high notes......

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This is some solid analysis!!!!

Is it entirely too hokey to do California Here I Come? Do it in a really rousing, almost rock way... It's easy to sing. It's short. It's fun. Imagery of the state with specific call out to the Golden Gate.. so i could see a TV broadcast coming back from commercial break opening with a pull back panorama shot of the golden gate transitioning to memorial and the broadcaster saying "you don't get a better view in college football... the golden gate... and in between quarters here in Memorial stadium the fans sing about it..." then showing the students / fans singing...

There's a line in the song "a sunkissed miss said don't be late. That's whay i can hadly wait. Open up your golden date. California where i come!" Show some cute coeds... seems perfect to me.

TheFiatLux said:

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socaltownie said:

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This is actually fairly hard.

A) Must be in a major key. That is why songs like California Dreaming, a great song, just doesn't work.
B) Should be upbeat. You are a sporting event. No one wants to hear about a boat that sinks or a dog that dies.
C) Easy Lyrics. Asking people to remember that it is "helter skelter in a summer swelter" is not going to cut it after 5 beers. The attraction of the Neil Diamond Song is that it is ONE WORD and the some "Dum duhm dum's". Even after some wicked ales you are still good.
D) Unused.

Thus the quandry. And thus only one choice.....if only cause Perry sounds GREAT on a stadium sound system and it will PISS OFF the folks on PH till NO end when he hits the high notes......

---

This is some solid analysis!!!!

Is it entirely too hokey to do California Here I Come? Do it in a really rousing, almost rock way... It's easy to sing. It's short. It's fun. Imagery of the state with specific call out to the Golden Gate.. so i could see a TV broadcast coming back from commercial break opening with a pull back panorama shot of the golden gate transitioning to memorial and the broadcaster saying "you don't get a better view in college football... the golden gate... and in between quarters here in Memorial stadium the fans sing about it..." then showing the students / fans singing...

There's a line in the song "a sunkissed miss said don't be late. That's whay i can hadly wait. Open up your golden date. California where i come!" Show some cute coeds... seems perfect to me.

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perfect.

Ken - while a fantastic song I think too fast. (imagine 3 beers in ;-). I have heard a version from the 60s that was done in a slow minor key - dreery!!! and then there is a new version by an emo punk band that messes with the lyrics too much to mean ANYTHING to the west stands crowd (students would love it though)... See below....You could alter the arrangement to pump it up

SoFlaBear said:

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So what I'm hearing is that Copacabana would be a "no."

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Sadly, you are correct, but at least Peter Allen's "I Go to Rio" is still under serious consideration.

socaltownie said:

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Ken - while a fantastic song I think too fast. (imagine 3 beers in ;-). I have heard a version from the 60s that was done in a slow minor key - dreery!!! and then there is a new version by an emo punk band that messes with the lyrics too much to mean ANYTHING to the west stands crowd (students would love it though)... See below....You could alter the arrangement to pump it up

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Yeah, somewhere, heard another almost punk version of it, that just rocked, and now of course can't find it.

ANd agree, the west stands wouldn't like that... and just in general we can't be singing about a gun... :-) add in "the 101" and if you think people got upset at convos about air quality! :-)

BUt you know, the more think about it... heck at Wisonsin games they do Roll out the Barrel... ANd if soccer fans from Liverpool to Celtic and sing a frickin' Broadway anthem (!) maybe we could just own a big brassy, smiling version of California Here I Come...

Seriously man, if Abba can do this, imagine a bunch of undergrads AND alumni. Tons of smiles, just good ole kitchsy fun while celebrating our state and, ooo, this is good, us being the flagship of that state!

In an earlier post, I suggested Tower of Power's What Is Hip? and now I can't get the song out of my mind. I'm thinking about what the brass and percussion sections of the Cal Band could do with it. I'm sure they did a TOP half-time performance (probably 40 years ago) and it was awesome. If you think the song is dated, go to a Tower of Power show - the dudes can still bring it. The chorus is easy to sing no matter how much you've had to drink. And the message is pretty clear: We're Cal - we know what is hip!

I LOVE what is Hip.

Almost as much as I love "Your still a young man" from the live album. When the trumpet player hits the double high A I get goosebumps and hearken back to my lost youth in the BHS Jazz Band.

Bear8 said:

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Look, guys, it was spontaneous. Everyone joined in, because they know the lyrics and the melody is appealing. I don't care who else sings it at games, it was obvious that the people at CMS loved it and for that reason we should play it every game at some interesting juncture. It's up to the Cal band to tell us when.

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You guys are all trying to force something that can't be forced. Sweet Caroline had a moment with a crowd juiced on a huge victory.

When I was young the Cal band did a Top Gun halftime show. When they played You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', the whole rooting section got into it. Sang loud and danced. Ton of energy. One of the best halftime shows we have had. Next year the band did the same routine. Nuthin'.

You can't just force a song. The crowd will do it or the won't. We can all think of a song we think would be awesome to sing, but it works or it doesn't. The closest thing to having a long lasting impact I can remember at Cal was Louie Louie after basketball wins until people started hating Campanelli

OaktownBear said:

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You can't just force a song. The crowd will do it or the won't. We can all think of a song we think would be awesome to sing, but it works or it doesn't. The closest thing to having a long lasting impact I can remember at Cal was Louie Louie after basketball wins until people started hating Campanelli

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Louie Louie is a perfect example. Those were fun times.

I do think you can try a song and see if it sticks... Like the vids i posted up top with LSU, Wisconsin and LIverpool...

(also, check your PM)

OaktownBear said:

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Bear8 said:

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Look, guys, it was spontaneous. Everyone joined in, because they know the lyrics and the melody is appealing. I don't care who else sings it at games, it was obvious that the people at CMS loved it and for that reason we should play it every game at some interesting juncture. It's up to the Cal band to tell us when.

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You guys are all trying to force something that can't be forced. Sweet Caroline had a moment with a crowd juiced on a huge victory.

When I was young the Cal band did a Top Gun halftime show. When they played You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', the whole rooting section got into it. Sang loud and danced. Ton of energy. One of the best halftime shows we have had. Next year the band did the same routine. Nuthin'.

You can't just force a song. The crowd will do it or the won't. We can all think of a song we think would be awesome to sing, but it works or it doesn't. The closest thing to having a long lasting impact I can remember at Cal was Louie Louie after basketball wins until people started hating Campanelli

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Disagree. What you need is CONSISTENCY.

Look at the Giants with Lights. At the risk of being parochial - Trever Hoffman and Hells Bells. Make an executive decision and then start to work it. Music, lighting, score board lyrics.

TheFiatLux said:

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OaktownBear said:

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You can't just force a song. The crowd will do it or the won't. We can all think of a song we think would be awesome to sing, but it works or it doesn't. The closest thing to having a long lasting impact I can remember at Cal was Louie Louie after basketball wins until people started hating Campanelli

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Louie Louie is a perfect example.

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Kingsmen or Paul Revere and the Raiders version?

Bear8 said:

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Look, guys, it was spontaneous. Everyone joined in, because they know the lyrics and the melody is appealing. I don't care who else sings it at games, it was obvious that the people at CMS loved it and for that reason we should play it every game at some interesting juncture. It's up to the Cal band to tell us when.

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That's just it. These spontaneous student chants/ songs come and go every few years (I can remember when "Bear Territory" did not include "what" or "yah"). Some stick, some become a part of Cal fan folklore. Just enjoy it or tolerate it (and maybe refrain from the uncalled-for racial slams if it isn't your thing, I think we've had enough racial division, let's aim for unity). If Cal keeps winning, they'll keep singing and I doubt too many people are going to be unhappy about it.

And... if you're unhappy with the song selection and you're sitting at home complaining instead of being in the stands offering your alternative... as they say in kindergarten, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit."

socaltownie said:

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OaktownBear said:

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Bear8 said:

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Look, guys, it was spontaneous. Everyone joined in, because they know the lyrics and the melody is appealing. I don't care who else sings it at games, it was obvious that the people at CMS loved it and for that reason we should play it every game at some interesting juncture. It's up to the Cal band to tell us when.

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You guys are all trying to force something that can't be forced. Sweet Caroline had a moment with a crowd juiced on a huge victory.

When I was young the Cal band did a Top Gun halftime show. When they played You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin', the whole rooting section got into it. Sang loud and danced. Ton of energy. One of the best halftime shows we have had. Next year the band did the same routine. Nuthin'.

You can't just force a song. The crowd will do it or the won't. We can all think of a song we think would be awesome to sing, but it works or it doesn't. The closest thing to having a long lasting impact I can remember at Cal was Louie Louie after basketball wins until people started hating Campanelli

---

Disagree. What you need is CONSISTENCY.

Look at the Giants with Lights. At the risk of being parochial - Trever Hoffman and Hells Bells. Make an executive decision and then start to work it. Music, lighting, score board lyrics.

---

You are both right in different contexts.

Look - the "Sweet Caroline" trend has come and will go kind of like "The Wave" or other crowd amusing activities. The "Louie Louie" and Top Gun/Lovin' Feelin examples were spot-on, the crowd generally sings when they want to, and it helps (a lot) if we are winning.

But baseball parks everywhere have a song - and it varies from park to park - that is sung during the 7th Inning Stretch, and that is the consistency aspect. Many go with the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"; several do "God Bless America" (it'd be interesting to see how that would go over in Berkeley); Milwaukee does "Roll Out the Barrel"; for years, John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" was played during the 7IS at Orioles games in Baltimore.

So if you wanted to do Sweet Caroline or start some other sing-along tradition, you'd probably choose to do it every game between say the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Here's a completely goofy thought: a few years back, they released the sing-along version of "The Sound of Music." We could do "Do-Re-Mi" It's not my favorite, but it's infectious, and it's hard not to sing when it's playing.

OK, it's "Sweet Caroline" by majority vote (I think?). Someone has to alert the director of the Band to play it. The next question is when to play it? My assistant suggests at the end of the 3rd Quarter and I agree. The game has been underway, the crowd is all there, we don't have a "Seventh Inning Stretch" so this could be it. It might also inspire our guys to go all out in the 4th Quarter. Who knows?!

Fyght4Cal said:

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The Cal Alma Mater is "All Hail Blue and Gold". It needs to be played sooner. I hate that Bay Area fans have "gone LA", leaving the game early, etc.

In my perfect world, at the end of the game, the team would join the Band for "Fight for California", "All Hail" and "Palms of Victory" (after a win), or "Sons of California" (after a loss).

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I realize that you are technically correct, but - at least when I attended in the 80s - "Hail to California" was the school song for which we would all rise and sing reverently (in the manner of a hymn or an anthem) - as a practical matter, that song is the Alma Mater.

It's not just Bay Area fans. I see folks leaving MLB games after 4 innings; I see seats empty out at ball games after halftime. I see college basketball played in front of half-empty arenas. Some of it is TV and the wider availability of games; some of it I don't get. As much as people complain (everywhere/every sport) about the cost of tickets, concessions, and parking, you'd think they'd stay and got what they paid for.

TheFiatLux said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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SoFlaBear said:

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Californication said:

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Love to sing "Hail" but it just isn't a good vibes song to get people dancing in the stands. Better for before the game or after the game after all the excitement has died down.

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How about before the game? I've told the story several times about the '92 Citrus Bowl, and how the stadium was asked to remain standing for The Clemson University Alma Mater (that's what it's called, actually); naturally, all of the Cal section sat in disgust. But thinking about it 25 years later, it would make 100 times more sense to play "Hail to California" before the game, after the Star Spangled Banner.

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Once again, our Alma Mater is "All Hail Blue and Gold". However, the University of California system's song is "Hail to California".

---

Hail to California is such a better song tho, imho. It's just prettier, more eloquent and stirring... easier to sing, and ends much better with that "hail.... Hail.... HAIL!!!!!" as opposed to the sort of downer of All Hail Blue and Gold "all hail... all hail...."

My two cents.

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"Hail to Cal" is a great song. "All Hail", tho, is a simpler melody, so it's easier to sing. The tempo allows for great crowd swaying. Plus it has a certain haunting quality that makes it a good closing song.

This thread, what a blast! Maybe even more fun than the victory over Washington State!

I have three song suggestions of my own that would work great. Hear me out, please, I know a lot about good music, I was at Winterland in 1977and I don't mean to downplay anyone else's suggestions, there have been some GEMS. Like #1 in the country GEMS! You guys don't disappoint.

1) The song "Shout." It has this infectious groove that would really get the crowd kicking up its heels. And I think it would work at ANY time in the game but probably best right before kickoff, at halftime, and then a third time right before the start of the fourth quarter. And no, I'm not talking about the 1978 Otis Day and the Knights version that is so great -- that version has already been used I think. I'm actually talking about the version by The Isley Brothers! It sounds just as fresh today as it did when it was released in 1959! And I believe The Isley Brothers were black, so this song would be sure to unite our entire Cal community, letting everyone know that All Are Welcome at the Cal game.

2) Another idea is The Beatle's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." Everybody knows it, it's truly timeless, it's one of the best songs ever written, and it would go GREAT with the crowd singing at the top of their lungs! The screams could actually carry over for defensive stands even when the audio has to cut out. The crowd could actually literally hold hands,up above their heads a perfect for TV moment! The Cal Band (great!) could really nail those final 7 notes of the song, and the crowd could shout on top of those 7 notes "Go Cal Go Go Go Cal Go!" The lyrics do a great job of expressing how I feel about Cal:

"Yeah, you got that somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I feel that somethin'
I want to hold your hand"

3) Finally, for a special Cal-only tradition, I suggest that we reserve singing "Moon River" for victories following night games. Who doesn't love Moon River, you can't tell me it's not one of the most beautiful songs ever written! And on a clear Bay Area night, what would give you more chills than singing Moon River along with a crowd of 50,000 people! It's almost like Otis Redding (Bay Area shout out!) is right there with us (RIP). I really believe in not forcing anything, especially with traditions, nicknames, and sexual positions, but we could leave the lyrics on little cards under the seats. I bet nobody leaves early when you know Moon River is around the bend.

Keep the great ideas coming!!

Bear8 said:

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OK, it's "Sweet Caroline" by majority vote (I think?). Someone has to alert the director of the Band to play it. The next question is when to play it? My assistant suggests at the end of the 3rd Quarter and I agree. The game has been underway, the crowd is all there, we don't have a "Seventh Inning Stretch" so this could be it. It might also inspire our guys to go all out in the 4th Quarter. Who knows?!

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Absolutely. Needs to be at a specific time (and consistently) during the game.

So - FOR EXAMPLE - The vastly irritating San Diego State folks coopted "we believe that we will win" and it ALWAYS occurs at the under 4 time out in the second half. Everyone in Veijas knows it is coming. Even though irritating, I grudgingly think it is cool and have been known to cheer along with SCT Jr.

SoFlaBear said:

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Fyght4Cal said:

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The Cal Alma Mater is "All Hail Blue and Gold". It needs to be played sooner. I hate that Bay Area fans have "gone LA", leaving the game early, etc.

In my perfect world, at the end of the game, the team would join the Band for "Fight for California", "All Hail" and "Palms of Victory" (after a win), or "Sons of California" (after a loss).

---

I realize that you are technically correct, but - at least when I attended in the 80s - "Hail to California" was the school song for which we would all rise and sing reverently (in the manner of a hymn or an anthem) - as a practical matter, that song is the Alma Mater.

It's not just Bay Area fans. I see folks leaving MLB games after 4 innings; I see seats empty out at ball games after halftime. I see college basketball played in front of half-empty arenas. Some of it is TV and the wider availability of games; some of it I don't get. As much as people complain (everywhere/every sport) about the cost of tickets, concessions, and parking, you'd think they'd stay and got what they paid for.

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Yes, the Cal Band plays "Hail to Cal" before basketball games. They also play "All Hail" after the game, in the traditional Alma Mater spot. The expectation is that the crowd will stay for the Alma Mater. Unfortunately, that tradition is dead. In the football fan experience plan I'm giving to the AD, I try to revive it with something I call "The Final Gun Salute".

Chapman_is_Gone said:

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This thread, what a blast! Maybe even more fun than the victory over Washington State!

I have three song suggestions of my own that would work great. Hear me out, please, I know a lot about good music, I was at Winterland in 1977and I don't mean to downplay anyone else's suggestions, there have been some GEMS. Like #1 in the country GEMS! You guys don't disappoint.

1) The song "Shout." It has this infectious groove that would really get the crowd kicking up its heels. And I think it would work at ANY time in the game but probably best right before kickoff, at halftime, and then a third time right before the start of the fourth quarter. And no, I'm not talking about the 1978 Otis Day and the Knights version that is so great -- that version has already been used I think. I'm actually talking about the version by The Isley Brothers! It sounds just as fresh today as it did when it was released in 1959! And I believe The Isley Brothers were black, so this song would be sure to unite our entire Cal community, letting everyone know that All Are Welcome at the Cal game.

2) Another idea is The Beatle's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." Everybody knows it, it's truly timeless, it's one of the best songs ever written, and it would go GREAT with the crowd singing at the top of their lungs! The screams could actually carry over for defensive stands even when the audio has to cut out. The crowd could actually literally hold hands,up above their heads a perfect for TV moment! The Cal Band (great!) could really nail those final 7 notes of the song, and the crowd could shout on top of those 7 notes "Go Cal Go Go Go Cal Go!" The lyrics do a great job of expressing how I feel about Cal:

"Yeah, you got that somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I feel that somethin'
I want to hold your hand"

3) Finally, for a special Cal-only tradition, I suggest that we reserve singing "Moon River" for victories following night games. Who doesn't love Moon River, you can't tell me it's not one of the most beautiful songs ever written! And on a clear Bay Area night, what would give you more chills than singing Moon River along with a crowd of 50,000 people! It's almost like Otis Redding (Bay Area shout out!) is right there with us (RIP). I really believe in not forcing anything, especially with traditions, nicknames, and sexual positions, but we could leave the lyrics on little cards under the seats. I bet nobody leaves early when you know Moon River is around the bend.

Keep the great ideas coming!!

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Shout would be AMAZING_ if the stadium could pull it off. There were MANY an islander (yes, I am a Fiji) that were closed in the 1980s with this song and a plethora of brothers cooning their heads off to "Now WAIT A MINUTE!!!"

No beach boys please

Why not keep it local?

CCR? Green Day?

Had to laugh. I was perusing this thread in a coffee house in Greenville, SC doing some work on my laptop and on comes Sweet Caroline over the cafe speakers. Looking around, I noticed that the customers seemed unaffected by the choice of music but then a couple baristas loudly punctuated the end of the song with a "Ba Ba Ba". Personally, I'm no fan of the song but if it gets people going, Oski bless it.

KoreAmBear said:

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calumnus said:

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Anything but Sweet Caroline. If not a Cal fight song like Stanford Jonah, then at least something that refrences California.

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How about California Love at the end of the 3rd quarter?

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That song always comes to mind, and then is a massive letdown when it is played because its so low energy. It has good lyrics, but the beat is not good enough.

I suggest

Tell Me When To Go (everyone knows this, and fits with the Bay Area) Song was playing for this (along with 40 at the game) <- Most of this board will hate the idea of this because the lyrics are anti-their-idea-of-cal
My House (I cant think of anyone that is known for doing this yet, and its an easy song with a great hook about "our house" but not Bay Area related)
Ladies and Gentlemen (probably out of line, but I have always liked this song in connection with a sizzle video)
Sandman is always good hype song (From a Bay Area group IIRC) This might be overused, but if not, it would be awesome.
U Cant Touch this is from a huge Bay Area artist and is probably the best known song of the 90s (aside from Ice Baby).

I would go with an E40 song. He is Bay Area as hell, and makes some beats that stand up for getting people going.

First of all, I would have no problem using "Sweet Caroline". Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery, and it is fun.
Also, I would be good with "Louie Louie" for very personal reasons.

But how about "All Star" by Smash Mouth? Upbeat, easy to sing along to, fits for sports, and like someone else pointed out with "Stairway to Heaven", has the line "all that glitters is gold", which we could change to "blue and gold".

I like Green Day, but they don't have any "fun" sing-alongs, and a lot of the tunes aren't G/PG rated (another consideration). Good Riddance and Wake Me Up When September Ends are pure Debbie Downer; American Idiot is too political; Ditto Holiday. Boulevard of Broken Dreams fits Cal football some days, but isn't what I'd call fun. Longview? I'm thinking not.

Isn't Jefferson Starship local? We could all sing We Built this City

There is a populist movement endorsing this:

LOUMFSG2 said:

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First of all, I would have no problem using "Sweet Caroline". Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery, and it is fun.
Also, I would be good with "Louie Louie" for very personal reasons.

But how about "All Star" by Smash Mouth? Upbeat, easy to sing along to, fits for sports, and like someone else pointed out with "Stairway to Heaven", has the line "all that glitters is gold", which we could change to "blue and gold".

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I endorse. The mike men would ABSOLUTELY need to learn the rap but - if so - I could see it being embraced. It does, however, fail the "West side" test as I would bet the house, the farm, and the dog that many a blue hair wouldn't like ;-)

How did I forget this? This should be our anthem.

Cal88 said:

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FuzzyWuzzy said:

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drizzlybears brother said:

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FuzzyWuzzy said:

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Grigsby said:

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I would love a California Uber Alles chant.

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Geez man, please retract.

Wikipedia:
During the Nazi era, only the first stanza was used, followed by the SA song "Horst-Wessel-Lied".[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutschlandlied#cite_note-8][8][/url] The anthem was played at occasions of great national significance such as the opening of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin when Hitler and his entourage, along with Olympic officials, walked into the stadium amid a chorus of three thousand Germans singing "Deutschland, Deutschland ber alles". In this way, the first verse of the anthem became closely identified with the Nazi regime.[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutschlandlied#cite_note-9][9][/url]

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He's referencing a Dead Kennedys song - anti-authoritarian, anti-fascist, anti-governor Jerry Brown (act 1). Not a good candidate for feel-good stadium singalong.

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Understood, and i guarantee that will make for terrible optics, because the only thing anyone will hear are the echoes of a nazi stadium chant.

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Deutschland Uber Aller is not a nazi hymn, it was composed by Haydn in the 18th century, adopted by the Weimar Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, and of course still used today as the national hymn. They've dropped the first two stanzas though. The first one had a pretty expansive early 20th century German homeland geography, while the second one, which praised German women and wine, was fairly innocuous.

Objectively speaking, it's one of the very best national hymns out there.

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Be that as it may, what the OP suggested was a stadium chant, "California Uber Alles," not a song, not a hymn. And it echoes the part of the hymn, Deutschland uber alles, that was dropped after WWII. The part of the hymn that thousands of Nazis serenaded Hitler with in a stadium to open the 1936 Olympics. The part of the hymn that has nationalist, nativist and yes, Nazi undertones.

Again, I do not argue with your musical history of the German hymn. And I am sure the suggestion was not made in admiration of Nazism. But I stand by my statement that an Uber Alles stadium chant (no music) would be a bad look at CMS, one that would require a full paragraph to explain to the world why we aren't winking, nodding or paying homage to Nazism.

socaltownie said:

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LOUMFSG2 said:

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First of all, I would have no problem using "Sweet Caroline". Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery, and it is fun.
Also, I would be good with "Louie Louie" for very personal reasons.

But how about "All Star" by Smash Mouth? Upbeat, easy to sing along to, fits for sports, and like someone else pointed out with "Stairway to Heaven", has the line "all that glitters is gold", which we could change to "blue and gold".

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I endorse. The mike men would ABSOLUTELY need to learn the rap but - if so - I could see it being embraced. It does, however, fail the "West side" test as I would bet the house, the farm, and the dog that many a blue hair wouldn't like ;-)

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I don't know, might not be the West side's first choice, but it's pretty mainstream and unobjectionable in the grand scheme of things.

The thing that makes "Sweet Caroline" so compelling is that you don't have to do anything, and it will pretty much be instantly embraced by a wide spectrum of fans. It is so universal. There are a lot of other good suggestions in this thread, but they would all have to "catch on" to some extent, whereas I think "Sweet Caroline" is already caught-on.