Let us not fool ourselves, music plays a huge part in the game experience. However the band is not the 12th player regardless of how adamant the band geeks may argue their cases.
Let us explore some patterns. First off, the intercom music.
The first thing to note is that for some reason, smaller sports programs tend to play more hip-hop, and larger programs tend to play more classic hits. My theory is this. In small programs, someone is simply told to fill the air with music, and whomever that happens to be, just creates a playlist. So, generally we get one person's taste, and without fail it is all about the beat. I am not, all about the beat, so I tend to kill time behind the bleachers where I can gut some sonic shielding.
Larger programs know that music gets the crowd charged up. They specifically choose classics which they know will be crowd pleasers, and they make sure that they bring an attitude. Attitude is important, and it varies by gender.
Men's sports tend to have songs that start slow and build up the pressure until it is in overdrive. They convey the feeling that we are about to completely cut loose and crush all that is in our way. Women's sports are a little different. The first notable difference is that, they choose female artists. Men never choose female artist. I guess, when you are trying to be as macho as possible, certain things must go. The second thing is that the women's songs tend to be high energy, but they are often things of which I have not heard. It must be the team's personal choice. It more likely than not turns out to be some dance mix. It's not bad, but its not my cup of tea. Then again the, teams are choosing the music for themselves, not me. I do admire a good ritual pump-up song though. At NIU, the volleyball team would play "Heartache Tonight." Yeah that is a good one to prep for the crushing. Still, notice the attitude. It's not the crazy adrenaline pumping overdrive. It is confidently taking pleasure in beating one's opponent. Hmm, men and women approach things with different mentalities. Who would have guessed? I'll talk more about the differences between Men's and Women's sports at a later musing.
Now, who can not mention the band? They may not be the 12th man, but they are fun, potentially. I am by no means a connoisseur of these things. I can tell you that Alabama State has crazy power. I can also tell you that Michigan generally underutilized its band. I was very pleased the last game when we brought the entire band on the field for half-time. We never do that. We did leave one person on the benches. I wonder what he did to earn that seat. I hope it is something to which the band will refer for the rest of the year as "The chicken nugget incident." The most important rule of band music is to get the crowd into it. That is why you can get away with only playing the fight song. Anything that is overly complicated or muddled just doesn't do the trick, even if it is a well known song. Play something clear and loud that will get the crowd to sing or dance. Is there any question why "Sweet Caroline" is a staple across the country? Why do band's play Lady Ga Ga, because it is clear and it gets the crowd moving. That is the purpose of the band, to get the crowd moving. It is not the 12th man. It is the loudest cheerleader. I guess we could make them all wear short skirts to drive home that fact. Nah, I like the uniforms.
Finally, songs to sing along to, because the lyrics mean something. "Don't Stop Believing." comes to mind. In Michigan this has a special meaning, because we like songs that mention Detroit. Although, isn't South Detroit technically Windsor Ontario? I digress. Usually, it is played when the team is down but not out. In Michigan Stadium, this year, it has been played after the first quarter, which does fit the aforementioned pattern. What it really means to Michigan is that we need to keep believing that we can still be champions. After years of losing to rivals, and really, just about everyone, we need to be reminded. Another important song was "Oh What a Night" played after the craziest last two minutes of any football game I have every witnessed. Its an instant classic when you attend the loudest and biggest party in the world. Isn't that what football games are? Big parties? There are guest lists, bouncer, crazy outfits, drunks, and live bands. Anyway, another song which should be sung for the lyrics, but just get's chanted, is "Seven Nation Army." Listen to the the lyrics some time, and try to come up with a reason, why that is not the perfect, defense song. I dare you.
Now I wil leave you with one song which I would like to submit: "Lightning Crashes." While I am pretty sure that this song was written about the life of River Song from "Dr. Who." She is a time traveler, so the fact that the song was written in 1994 and River was introduced in 2009 all works out, no wait, it doesn't. Anyway, when one is on the verge of taking back greatness, especially when one's first game is lightning-shortened, there are no more appropriate lyrics than,
"Oh, I feel it coming back again,
like a rolling thunder, chasing the wind
forces pulling from the center of the earth again
I can feel it."
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