Dad Rawk and Michigan Stadium

Submitted by StephenRKass on

So, this week there were quite a few comments on "Dad Rawk" and the Michigan Stadium experience. The kind of music that Jimmy might have listened to. I'm in that age range. In fact, I'll be 56 this week, definitely qualifying as being "over the hill." Brian et al like to mock the music of older eras. Especially Dad Rawk.

But as I listened to the Podcast, and the comments about "music" and "rawk" and Pop Evil, it got me wondering:  are there songs that work in the stadium across generations? So here are a bunch I was curious about. Umm, I'll go on record to say I don't listen to ANY of these. Actually, none of them. And I really am tired of a bunch of them. And it is painful to compile this list. But I've heard them all in sports environments. And I'd love to hear from you young whippersnappers about which of these songs are definitely "dad rawk," and which of these have "jumped the shark" and should never be used under any circumstances in Michigan Stadium. Being from Chicago, I've heard a bunch of these at Bulls and Blackhawks games.

  • Lose yourself
  • Here comes the Boom
  • it's my time
  • Let's get it started
  • All I do is win
  • In the air tonight
  • Seven Nation Army
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Whomp (There it is)
  • Start Me Up
  • Thunderstruck
  • Rock and Roll Part 2
  • The Final Countdown
  • Get Ready for This
  • Song 2
  • Eye of the Tiger
  • Jump
  • Jump Around
  • Battle without Honor or Humanity
  • We Will Rock You
  • I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night
  • Old Time Rock and Roll
  • We Built this City (worst. song. ever.)
  • Sweet Caroline (this was Dad Rock or old even when I was a student!)

So, my question is NOT whether these are good songs. Nor am I asking whether or not you like them. I'm really more interested in which of these are "dad rawk," and which "dad rawk" songs are still ok to be used (and which should be banned in Michigan Stadium).

EDIT:  It really is easy to say what you DON'T like. I'm sure there are a bunch of you who hate this whole list. Like I said, I don't listen to any of these songs for personal enjoyment. HOWEVER . . . I don't think rawk music is leaving the stadium. I don't think we are going back to just the Michigan marching band. That being the case, make suggestions on what music you think you would like, and would be appropriate, and would work across several generations.

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Ronnie Kaye

September 23rd, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^

You're forgetting AC/DC's "Hell's Bells." Sometimes things become a cliche because they just work. Those deep *glong* sounds give me chills before a big defensive play, especially coming out of a timeout. I don't even need the guitar riff that follows it.

Joined: 05/09/2015

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flashOverride

September 23rd, 2015 at 6:58 AM ^

For the exact same scenario you describe, I also love to hear, "All aboarrrrrrrd, ha ha ha ha!," followed by those staccato opening bass thumps of "Crazy Train". Also cliche as all hell, but gets the blood pumping, especially in the waning minutes of a close game (even though the blood is certainly already pumping, but you know what I mean). Though I would kinda prefer to hear it only at pro events...

Joined: 08/04/2013

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smarch

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:00 AM ^

I'd say anything by phil collins is definitely dad rawk.

 

Don't forget some Wolfmother - Joker and the Thief.  Can't help but get stoked by that opening riff.

Joined: 09/11/2011

MGoPoints: 14

The Mad Hatter

September 23rd, 2015 at 8:44 AM ^

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent.

I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums.

Christy, take off your robe.

Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress.

In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism.

Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little.

Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.

Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole.

Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds.

Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it.

But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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skurnie

September 23rd, 2015 at 8:55 AM ^

Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston had 4 number one singles on it? Did you know that The_Mad_Hatter??

It's hard to choose a favorite amont so many great tracks, but "The Greatest Love of All" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, The_Mad_Hatter, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message, crucial really. And it's beautifully stated on the album. 

Joined: 07/31/2013

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Everyone Murders

September 23rd, 2015 at 9:11 AM ^

Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically.  The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

StephenRKass

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:12 AM ^

Yeah, what can I say. Phil is definitely Dad Rawk. Having said that, do you think he should be banned? Or is "in the air tonight" ok for a UTL game?

Regarding "Joker and the Thief," that song has been ruined for me by being in Chicago. Why? Because of the Blackhawks, every time I hear that opening driving guitar, I hear "Chelsea Dagger." And I associate that just with the Blackhawks. For good, or bad.

Joined: 07/15/2008

MGoPoints: 23004

B1G_Fan

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:16 AM ^

 Ok I'm old, I'll be 40 next month. My daughter is attending BGSU working on a degree in marine biology ( no reason to add that other than proud Dad), She'll be 20 in October also. The music played in Michigan stadium is before my time really. It should be referred to as Grandpa Rock, because most of the people who rocked out to KISS and Journey when it was new are 60ies now.

You just have to hit all generations or a majority of your crowd when playing music. If you're going to single out a group, it should be the Student section. Get them loud and pumped up for the game, that being said, I don't think any of the songs listed mean anything to the students or fit inthe Pumped up category.

Joined: 10/11/2012

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robpollard

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:22 AM ^

Lose Yourself, Seven Nation Army, Let's Get It Started are not 'dad rawk' -- they came out in the early 2000s, so today's college students would have been aware of them when they were new as little kids. I guarantee most the undergrad girls danced to "Let's Get it Started" in a dance class or cheer competition while they were growing up. They'll associate those songs with their youth, not with their dads.

Much of the rest of the list *is* dad rock, and like you, I'm sick to death of much of it. That said, some of those songs just work. The intro to Hells Bells, Welcome to the Jungle, Enter Sandman, We Will Rock You are finely crafted by artists to explode in a stadium format -- and thus, they work at a football game.

Beyond "Enter Sandman", you also forgot "Crazy Train", "Fuel", "Right Now", "Living on a Prayer" and "Slow Ride".

The grunge/alternative-era largely gets skipped, mostly b/c of its use of minor keys/dissonant tones and depressing and/or personal lyrics, I suppose. But "Smells Like Teen Spirit" gets some play. I'd be up for some "Cherub Rock", "Animal" or "Thunder Kiss '65" and think they would translate.

..and We Built This City should never be played unironically. I don't know if I've ever heard it a stadium. Because it is god awful.

Joined: 06/03/2009

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gobluefan474

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:32 AM ^

Kanye, big Sean & Drake have been become popular. Get me hype.

Still got the oldies
Neil diamond sweet Caroline
Acdc

Heard rocket man by Elton in like 2010 at the big house
And don't stop believing



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Joined: 09/27/2009

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Blueblood2991

September 23rd, 2015 at 1:51 AM ^

I'm relatively new to the blog (and became hooked really quick), but to be completely honest I never paid any attention to the piped in music before I heard the constant complaining on here. 

There is still no other football experience like a Michigan Stadium experience, and we take it for granted.

It's a deflection of anger toward 8 years of shitty teams.  I guarantee on Oct 17th and Nov 28th, if Michigan is winning, every person on this blog would dance their ass off to whatever music Special K is blaring.

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robpollard

September 23rd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^

I have to imagine it was. Cameron Crowe, who literally went on tour with band's like Zeppelin, wrote the script so he would have known those albums cold.

Perhaps they couldn't get the rights to Black Dog or something? Or maybe they wanted to show what a screw up Ratner was? I have to imagine it was intentional.

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