After hearing this cheesetastic proposed theme song for the Florida Marlins, it got me wondering about team songs. From the Steeler Polka to soccer terrace chants, quite a few teams have official or unofficial songs dedicated to them. Which ones strike you as great? And which make you cringe?
Maybe some Marlin maniacs like to feel Hot Hot Hot? But per Kyle Munzenrieder’s column in the Miami New Times (link)
“Bear Down, Chicago Bears” must rank near the top, though I confess the only other NFL team songs I remember ever hearing are “Hail to the Redskins” and “Houston Oilers #1”, which probably doesn’t get much play these days.
Obviously, the best is the Yankees.
Miami Dolphins Number 1!
Hmm, I was thinking of a different one for them.
For a serious answer, Liverpool F.C.'s song is very good. It’s been so popular that several other clubs have adopted it.
I’d much rather hear “Tessie” any day than (bleah) “Sweet Caroline”. I don’t know if “Dirty Water” is in there. Sadly, now that Papelbon left, “Shipping Up to Boston” doesn’t work as well as his personal theme song.
And hey, since I’m on the subject of teams that turn more people off than on, the Notre Dame fight song is, maybe not universally loved, but pretty universally recognizable.
In a league by itself, so to speak, is the song written for a Broadway play about the Washington Senators beating out the damn Yankees for the pennant, which was several decades later adopted as their own by the “miracle” 1969 Mets.
They’ve moved away, but the Hartford Whalers’ Brass Bonanza is all kinds of awesome.
I’m personally partial to the “Wild Anthem,” aka “The State of Hockey.” On the other hand, I’ve never been able to stand the Twins’ theme song, with the link going to a particularly egregious recording of the song.
Good custom-written pro team songs are very few and very, very far between. Bear Down Chicago Bears is one of the only ones that can be enjoyed non-ironically.
Other than that the best most pro teams can hope for is that the song becomes retro-kitschy cool after a few decades. Meet the Mets is in that category. Likewise with “Let’s Go Go-Go White Sox”, a 1950’s campy-fun ditty the White Sox revived a few years ago.
The Chicago Blackhawks theme song, “Here Come the Hawks”, definitely shows its age (it was recorded in 1968), but it’s still fun.
This year, the 76ers brought back the very retro “Here Come The Sixers” song. Corny kitsch at its best. 1 2 3 4 5 Sixers, indeed!
I, off course, have to mention the Berlin Eisbaren song.
Whenever the Cubs win a game at Wrigley Field, they play “Go Cubs Go,” written by Steve Goodman. I must admit it’s a pretty crappy song.
So, I guess you don’t get to hear it that often!
(Sorry, couldn’t resist. I’ve been to Wrigley a few times and I find that song kinda fun. “Hey Chicago, what do ya say…”)
After every Phillies win they play a tape of Harry Kalas singing High Hopes. Magical.
There’s a divide between Habs fans over whether Olé, olé olé olé is annoying and awful or fun and awesome. I’m a little undecided, myself - it can be irritating, but get the whole Phone Booth going with it and it’s a rather amazing feeling.
Every year someone comes up with a Habs song that goes viral:
A couple of years ago - and, I’m sure, next time they are in the playoffs - the city went kind of nuts over the Annakin Slayd song 25 feels like 93. It’s insanely catchy.
He has a couple of Habs-related songs - this one came out after the Pacioretty hit ('25 for 67") - MTL Stand Up.
Last year (or the year before?) we got Allez, Montréal by Loco Lecass; the chorus/refrain became really popular (allez, allez allez…Allez, Montréal!) and is still chanted at the Bell Centre occasionally.
Oh, and anyone who speaks French and remembers Goldorak will enjoy GoldHalak, by the Pornflakes. 
Here’s an Annakin Slayd tribute to the Expos.
For a team that only existed for a single year, the Seattle Pilots had quite the bitchin’ theme song.