Special K For A Day
Earlier this week, Brian put forth the five things he would do if he spearheaded Dave Brandon's governorship campaign was athletic director for a day, with a singular focus on improving the football gameday experience. Me? I'm happy to leave the branding and ticket pricing up to him; all I want is Special K's job (lofty goals, I know).
While I love the band and wish they were featured more during games, I realize it's 2012, and when gearing your program towards appealing to a younger audience—especially recruits—blasting music over the PA becomes an integral part of the gameday experience. If done right, this can actually become quite a positive. Firing up "Sweet Caroline" so the student section can pretend they're at Rick's instead of a football game, however, is not doing it right.
That's where I come in. While a certain level of universal appeal is needed when playing music for the masses, it's entirely possible to make a kick-ass playlist without spinning "We Will Rock You" and "Seven Nation Army" like every other stadium/arena on planet Earth—in fact, it's best not to do so. A few ground rules before I get into the music:
1. Local appeal is great—and actually gets its own section below—but quality trumps location. Penn State, for better or for worse (okay, definitely worse), stole "Seven Nation Army" from the heart of Michigan and made it so I can't hear that song without thinking of Beaver Stadium, of all things. Why? Because that song is amazing, and they played the living hell out of it.
2. That said, variety is important. Penn State essentially plays the same two songs on a loop during games. The stadium playlist I put together while going through my iTunes library topped 40 songs. I like being surprised.
3. No matter what you do, a certain segment of the fanbase (read: most people over 40) are going to hate whatever I put below. This is largely because they would hate any piped-in music. I'm not trying to appeal to these people. Instead, I'm aiming for the 20- and 30-somethings—people who've developed musical taste—while knowing that college students will get drunk and rowdy to just about anything (seriously, have you been to Rick's?). I'll probably swing and miss when it comes to the 30-something crowd, but I'm 24 and putting on my Deal With It shades.
Alright, enough with the talk. Let's get to the music. [EDIT: After the jump, because all the YouTube videos are making the page lag].
[DISCLAIMER: Songs are edited when I could find a clean copy, but some lyrics are NSFW.]
Local Ties
The state of Michigan has a rich musical history spanning many genres, and that needs to be honored. And really, regardless of origin, there's nothing better to get you hype for a game than a little MC5, a band with ties to both Detroit and Ann Arbor.
"Kick Out The Jams" by MC5
Yes, that's the edited version, because I don't think "kick out the jams, mother******" would go over especially well. Unfortunate, yes, but that song still makes you want to smash your face through a plate-glass window.
"Till I Collapse (feat. Nate Dogg)" by Eminem
I'll admit, with zero shame, that one of the few songs I've enjoyed from Special K's selection has been Eminem's "Lose Yourself"—between the Detroit connection and the epic buildup of the song, it's great for stadium use. I humbly suggest adding another Slim Shady staple to the rotation and letting the late, great Nate Dogg get a voice as well.
"Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
Not only was Stevie Wonder a Motown artist par excellence, he was born in Saginaw. It takes all of four funky-ass notes from the bass to recognize this song, which may be played out to a certain extent, but has still held up remarkably well. I've never heard "Superstition" and thought it was being played at an inappropriate time.
Others: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations (need a song from The Big Chill soundtrack); "A Long Time" by Mayer Hawthorne (comtemporary, grew up in Ann Arbor, song about Detroit); "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes (obligatory White Stripes, like this one better than "Conquest").
Rap (Yes, Rap)
This is where, presumably, I start scaring people off. Yes, I grew up in a generation where rap was not only accepted, but the main form of mainstream music. I drive around my suburban neighborhood with the windows rolled down as Biggie talks about kickin' in your door and wavin' his four-four. Hip-hop is here, and it just happens to be perfect for filling those 15-20 seconds of dead air between plays (so is the band, but that's not the point here). First, a few instrumentals intended for those short blasts of musical interlude:
"Shook Ones Pt. II" by Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones Pt. II" is also known as the instrumental from the 8 Mile final rap battle, which means my mom recognizes it even though she wouldn't know Prodigy from Asher Roth. If Special K played this during a game, I'd have a difficult time maintaining proper press box protocol.
"The Red" by Jaylib
For the uninitiated, Jaylib was a one-off collaboration between the late Detroit-based producer J Dilla and California producer Madlib. Dilla is generally regarded as one of the greatest producers of all time, and deservedly so. This hits the double-whammy of local origin and fantastic stand-alone beat.
Others: "Hustlin'" by Rick Ross; "Power" by Kanye West; "Can't C Me" by 2Pac.
But I'm not done, since rap doesn't just have to be a filler. I'd be fine with a commercial break being filled by any of the following jams:
"Intergalactic" by Beastie Boys
RIP MCA. Also, instant appeal to all of our Jewish students and alums.
"So Fresh So Clean" by Outkast
For my money, Outkast's Stankonia is the greatest pre-game hype album of this generation. Before flag football games in college, my friends and I would spend the car ride listening to this, "Gasoline Dreams", "Spaghetti Junction", and "B.O.B.". We finished just one game away from playing in the Glick, and much of the credit goes to Andre 3000 and Big Boi.
"Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe Called Quest
Classic Tribe. Classic Lou Reed sample. Classic call-and-response. Perfect for right before a field goal or, potentially, as the key component to an elaborate fake punt.
Others: "Awnaw" by Nappy Roots; "Da Rockwilder" by Method Man & Redman; "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube;
RAWK (and RAWK-Like Substances)
Get rid of Pop Evil and introduce some guitar-based music that doesn't make me want to commit hari-kari.
"For Those About to Rock" by AC/DC
AC/DC is absolutely essential, and this song gets less play compared to many of their other songs. Great for filling the time when the band is done with the pregame show but kickoff hasn't quite arrived (in other words, when they normally play Pop Evil).
"Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine's phenomenal cover of a Afrika Bambaataa classic. Another of my flag football pregame staples. "Bulls on Parade" is also completely acceptable, especially if we ever see a backfield of Thomas Rawls and Stephen Hopkins.
"Baba O'Riley" by The Who
Yes, "Baba O'Riley" is a stadium staple across the country. Tell me you wouldn't still get hype hearing this crescendo over the stadium speakers. If you said no, that's fine, because you'll be listening to the radio broadcast on your headphones anyway. /reverse get off my lawn
"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
For two reasons: (1) Queen is the greatest arena rock band of all time, and if you argue for KISS I will sock you in the nose, and (2) the profound effects of this song are perfectly captured in a Shaun of the Dead zombie-killing spree.
Others: "Thickfreakness" by The Black Keys (if Ohio wants to steal The White Stripes, I'll gladly steal The Black Keys); "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival; "Street Fighting Man" by The Rolling Stones.
Funky Music (White Boys Optional)
Section inspired by this blog's unabashed love for the rump-shaking "Across 110th Street" instrumental.
"Chocolate Buttermilk" by Kool and The Gang
My gawd, that horn arrangement. Can the band please play this? They need to get on that yesterday.
"Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown
If the Godfather of Soul can't convince you to stand up and move around a bit, or at least shake your ass in your seat, I declare you legally dead.
"Look-Ka Py Py" by The Meters
Booker T. and the M.G.'s rightfully get credit for being pioneers among instumental funk groups; unfortunately, this means The Meters often get overlooked. Educate yourself.
"Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band
Simply put, the funkiest collection of individuals to ever hail from Scotland, barely edging out, um, er... [crickets].
Others: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson; "Dance To The Music" by Sly & The Family Stone; "Low Rider" by War.
Other
A few songs that didn't fit into any of the above categories.
"Midnight City" by M83
An über-popular song that's actually good. Treasure those.
"Halfway Home" by TV On The Radio
Appropriately fills the dead air after the band's halftime show is over.
"Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish
For some reason, this gem from the 90s ska revival is only played by the basketball pep band, as far as I know. It's actually not the best Reel Big Fish song—that would be "Beer"—and I'm going to stop talking before you all figure out that I went through a ska phase in high school.
One man's musical taste, of course, may send you screaming towards the exits with blood shooting out of your ears. Commence your evisceration in the comments.
I'm sorry, I don't buy the "recruits like it, we must do it" angle.
Recruits like a winning program, a coaching staff that has their best interests in mind, facilities befitting the quality of the program, a great education, and the chance to play in front of the largest crowd in America. We offer all of these things in spades.
If a kid's breaking point is whether or not we're dropping Kanye over the PA...
Pearl Jam.
Would rock.
Look, we all grumble about the same old songs over and over, such as; Lose Yourself, 7 naton army, Welcome to the Jungle, Thunderstruck, Sweet Caroline, etc. There is a reason that every stadium in the country plays these though.....they work.
I think the biggest issue, isn't that fact that they suck, it's that the 80 year old pushing play, can't figure out what time is appropriate. For instance, I can remember particularly when on defense, on 3rd and longs last year, when I would have loved some Lose Yourself, or Welcome to the Jungle, and instead got a lovely song about a mythical location called South Detroit.
For me, this is my biggest issues. Would we love some unique music, sure, does it have to come from a detroit artist, no.
Since no Detroit techno mentioned yet, I submit a few classics:
Matthew Dear -- Hands Up For Detroit (start it around 1:40ish)
Inner City -- Good Life (I wouldn't argue with Big Fun either)
Model 500 -- No UFOs
Rhythim is Rhythim - Strings of Life
White Stripes song that already hasn't been overused.
The RATM cover of Kick Out The Jams is pretty rockin.
Also, we need some Chili Peppers somewhere in there.
and you young whippersnappers need to understand that some of us well past 30, 40, or even other decade milestones enjoy many/most of these as well (and went through our own ska phases in the 90s...). Actually not sure the first two rap snippets would translate well or if they'd just get absorbed by the stadium.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer to hear more from the MMB, and maybe some additional tunes from the band, but I like the idea of coming up with some new, unique things for a Michigan difference from the canned music as well.
And at least you didn't suggest Hell's Bells...
Another local boy. Has he done anything that hasn't been commercialized or isn't a ballad that would work?
I'd agree that this stuiff needs to have a good beat if people are not familiar with it. Queen stuff is fine but overused. Great idea but I was not sold on some selections. Some Motown would be good.
I vote for "Heavy Music".
That said, I'm in the group that would rather it just be the band, sort of how I'd prefer that Blackhawks games be mostly stuff on the organ (I can live with Chelsea Dagger).
And "hype music" generally needs to be stuff most people know, and all-age appropriate, which is why it's the same damn stuff everywhere. Much as "Snap Your Finger Snap Your Neck" by Prong, or "Walk" by Pantera, or a bunch of other RAWK that could work, it doesn't fit in as hype music.
Love Reign o'er me or 5:15... should be the Who song
Haven't been to Rick's since my student days, but it featured semi-unbelievable to unbelievable blues acts in the mid- to late-80"s....Gatemouth Brown, Matt Murphy, Lonnie and Ronnie Brooks, Son Seals, others I've forgotten all came through and you could see 'em for free by rolling in on a Thurs or Fri night before cover (and the line). Sad to hear what the place is said to have become.
I think the band could blow the doors off with a good enough arrangement of Turnt Up by Roscoe Dash. I know there are mixes of it that use trombones already so, its not even a stretch.
Other viable Band arrangeable rap song:
- X Gon' Give It To Ya (DMX)
- Where the Hood At (DMX)
Tech9 Has some good ones, too. Just need non-squares making decisions. Good luck with that.
How about "Spottieottiedopaliscious" by Outkast (starting around :35 mark). I know not many people have ever heard it but damn that would be cool to hear the MMB play at the Big House
Nice. Just chillin during a play review or something...yeah man.
1.) Brick sounds pretty close to big.
2.) With the new renovations, the Big House is mostly brick from the outside.
Although none of their songs would be appropriate, I have a feeling the younger generations would go pretty crazy if they heard "Flint Town" or "No Future".
For ACDC - It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll). Anything from Back in Black is going to be overplayed. That said, Bon Scott ACDC wins everytime. They can cut out before the rock n' roll bagpipes, but I'd prefer not.
For White Strips - Black Math. Listen to the opening riff and tell me that you aren't ready to destroy something.
Bonus Detroit Band: Electric 6 - Fire in the Disco. That is NOT JACK WHITE AT ALL singing the chorus.
Especially right after the 1st quarter, perhaps.
The problem is, it's difficult to be too terribly musical in a stadium. You've gotta be LOUD. I also think you could appeal to every era by going back and getting some classic rock from the era where loud was key that people still like. Some of it's payed out, but some of the classics never really go out of style.
I don't think you can go wrong with a little I Love Rock & Roll. Who doesn't like a Joan Jett classic?
In the same vein, You Really Got Me - Kinks. Yeah, way overdone, but c'mon. It's supposed to be blared and it does not go out of style.
Blue Collar Man - Styx. Hate on Styx if you want, but cue this one up and crank your earbuds up. This one brings power right from the opening lick and doesn't diverge so artsy like some of their others.
Again, I know I'm reaching way into the past here, and hitting some sorta played out stuff, but it's all beloved, works well at high volume, and well known.
How about Heart's barracuda?
I like how the first comments on this post were all negative and were 8 minutes after Ace posted it. There's no way you've heard all of this music, I certainly hadn't, and can you really form an opinion in 8 minutes? How about you listen to a few.
Love some of the suggestions, Ace. Til I collapse would be incredible and is just as hype as Lose Yourself. Love the Rage, but I just can't see that going over well. You can't plau anti-establishment music when you're the establishment
You've made my work day though, this is my playlist for the afternoon.
"There's no way you've heard all of this music,"
Yes, there is. Ace isn't throwing out anything that was only on some random bootleg. Those are all pretty well-known songs. Hell, I grew up in the middle of corn fields and have heard all of those.
...how long does it take to listen to the rest? Besides, you don't have to listen to the whole track. The whole track is never going to get played in the Stadium. You're going to get 30 second snippets. If it doesn't inspire in that much time, it's a stadium FAIL. This isn't club jams, going to buy the album, it has a nice beat and I'd dance to it. It's can it get the fans going during a commercial break. The only time you're going to hear all of it is after a big victory at midnight. At that point, anything sounds good.
Unfortunately, it seems the director thinks "loud" = "bad", at least from where I sit in the south endzone. I remember never getting up during halftime because I loved the show. At this point, I leave half the time because I can't hear it anymore. Also, bring back the walking brass section playing throughout the stadium please.
Back in the day there was "Blue suede shoes" for Grbac.. But I always thought that "A little Less Conversation" (a little more action) would be a cool tune to play. The remix by JXL is a little more stadium friendly too.
But I don't see why everybody is against 7NA. For years, opponents regularly stated how not loud the Big House was. I don't really think they can say that anymore after the OSU & UTL games this year. And the loudest part of those games was after they played 7NA or "Not Afraid". (Right Eminen song?) Most of the people on this board complaining were likely yelling their heads off during those songs. To me, that's the most fun I've had at the Big House.
And while singing "Don't Stop Believing" as we waited on the Fitz Non-TD ruling was pretty lame, it was also alot of fun.
Also, while I know you Detroit fans look at the Blue Jackets as the laughingstock that they are, they already play "For those about to Rock" after goals so might want to take that off your list as to not steal a Columbus tradition.
How about the "S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y" song by the Rollers. Everyone could spell the word Saturday and yell "HEY!" after each spelling. It is both educational (for those youngsters that cannot spell) and yelling "Hey!" is fun for the whole family.
Off topic: Your local ties section made me think of the news that Tree City is playing at Top of the Park this summer. It should be an great event for a local group and a nice mix up from the usual at TotP.
On topic: I loved all of your selections Ace but that may just be because I'm a fellow Ann Arborite/Pioneer. While I agree to an extent some of these songs may be a little mellow for a stadium atmosphere at least you have reasoning for choosing them. "Can I Kick It" is especially great in a humorous way, definitely should be played during a timeout meant to ice the opposing kicker.
annie's song by john denver
end of list
I guess I'm not one of those 90%. I actually like this list. I love your rap and hip hop choices and timing of when to play them. Needs more ska haha.
Perfect for the RAWK section.
I like most of your list, but I think you are missing the "frighten the children" element. I might suggest some Rammstein. Just listening to Rammstein makes you feel bad ass. Should also be played in German cause it sounds even more bad ass. Bonus - if we are all dedicated and learn the German words to the songs we would scare the shit outta opposing fans, especially if we played clips from the "saw" movie line during breaks; or we could just keep playin "Sweet Caroline."
I could go either way really.
No matter what way you slice it, people will not be pleased with the music selection. I'd venture to guess at least 20% of the Big House prefers (cringe) country on any given Saturday fergodsakes. Us internet-savvy folk have a far younger and polarized view on music anyway.
I think the only real solution to this is to let the players pick the music played. They're the ones being pumped up, and that in turn will pump up the fans, old alumni be damned. They're going to be upset with any music selection.
Case in point: baseball teams. I highly doubt most of the Detroit Tigers fanbase wanted to hear the latin jams coming out when Cabrera et al first came up to bat, but the fans have grown to associate the song with the player like a Wagnerian leitmotif (musicology ftw).
This is the best idea I've heard yet. It's their game, after all. And I doubt any of the players are getting fired up listening to Sweet Caroline before a big 3rd down. I know the crowd isn't.
The only music I ever like to hear at Michigan Stadium
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=Michigan+Marching+Band
All piped in music is garbage.
Fishbone - Sunless Saturday
Freedom come For us now Light our sky Burn away these clouds
Andrew WK went to Michigan. We should play ALL ANDREW ALL THE TIME!!!!
That dude's songs are like permanent caps lock.
LET'S PARTY, PARTY, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PARTY TONIGHT
LET'S GET A PARTY GOING, LET'S GET A PARTY GOING, PARTY HARD
I'm pretty sure he never attended the University of Michigan, but did grow up in Ann Arbor as his father is a professor at Michigan. Nonetheless, more AWK plz
Michigan Law to be exact. His father is also an author of a widely used 1L Property book. Good stuff.
To Ace's list, add something from Kid Rock and/or Bob Seger.
Stand alone suggestion, just grab Jock Jams (the original) and push play.
RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE YOUR MUSIC TASTE DOES NOT PERFECTLY ALIGN WITH MINE AND I MUST TELL YOU ABOUT IT!
50 miles from Canada and no RUSH?
WHAT WHAT WHAT!
/ nerd exile
If you are wondering what songs to play from Rush, just wander by any engineering dorm. At least that was the case in the late 80's.
As for me, if I was special K, I'd rotate between Rush, Iron Maiden, and any song that an MLB closer uses for entrance music.
Check out The Sights, The Dirtbombs, The Hentchmen, Howling Diablos just for starters. All would easily have a a song or two that no one plays but would be awesome.
Make this happen.
Scottie Doesn't Know- Matt Damon
if Matt Damon is referring to "Scott"ie Frost RE: his comments about 97 Nebraska beating 97 Michigan.
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