Why don't we ever sing here in America?

x34truth34x · Post #1 » by **x34truth34x** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:09 am

In other countries (especially Europe), for most sports (especially football/soccer) the largest difference between here and there is that the fans across the pond sing! They sing for every occasion, they co-opt old pop songs, they co-opt songs from old musicals, they write songs for their favorite players, and even insult their opponents with these songs. Why don't we do this here? Wouldn't think get the crowd in the game more than chanting Defense would? Is there something intrinsically different with the way we watch a game? Is it because football pitches are outside?

How much fun have we had singing na na na hey hey hey goodbye to the Lakers? Imagine the crowd singing along to songs we have created for our club.

Some examples of songs fans sing that create great atmosphere in England particularly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11MQnQ8QjJs (You'll Never Walk Alone, Liverpool FC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvuOtlpSAeY (I'm forever blowing bubbles, West Ham United FC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDdsq8NmOWg (Play up Pompey, Portsmouth FC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luNlbZd_n64 (Fernando Torres Liverpool's Number 9, Liverpool FC)

Everything under the sun they sing, can this type of atmosphere be made in stadiums here? We have the kind of history and a great musical tradition in this country. Thoughts?

Post #2 » by **Spin Move** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:20 am

I agree, it really gets people into the games, we don't sing in bars here either,drunk singing is a good thing in my opinion.

Cyclical · Post #3 » by **Cyclical** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:29 am

We're lame. It's always embarrassing during the olympics when an opposing country's fans have a dozen different ways to cheer their team while we just keep chanting "USA, USA". It's a little better in college games - the bands and cheers make it more lively, but pro sports? Lame. If I never see another D+[cutout of a fence] sign I'll be just fine.

The most annoying thing is that the announcer has to get the people going... Most annoying cheer? "Ev-ry bo-dy clap-your-hands". Weak... Can anyone past the age of 5 get into that one?

TheSheriff · Post #4 » by **TheSheriff** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:45 am

We sing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUA_H_UV9uI

MyInsatiableOne · Post #5 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:59 am

I like the fact we don't sing. When I hear European football (soccer) crowds sing I think of drunks, hooligans, and fan rioting...we don't have that **** here (except in Detroit or wherever Artest is!) :lol:

Tricky Ricky · Post #6 » by **Tricky Ricky** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:06 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:I like the fact we don't sing. When I hear European football (soccer) crowds sing I think of drunks, hooligans, and fan rioting...we don't have that **** here (except in Detroit or wherever Artest is!)

x2

Post #7 » by **ParticleMan** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:58 pm

i think singing at sporting events is lame.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #8 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:20 pm

ParticleMan wrote:i think singing at sporting events is lame.

This

what next, a yearning for a "wave" revival?

Cyclical · Post #9 » by **Cyclical** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:27 pm

^
I suggest at some point in life, when you a a chance, try going to a european arena game - it's a great experience that will put things in perspective for you. I'm still a much bigger fan of the NBA game but the fans and atmosphere? No contest. To think it's only about drunks and hooligans is ignorant.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #10 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:47 pm

Cyclical wrote:^
I suggest at some point in life, when you a a chance, try going to a european arena game - it's a great experience that will put things in perspective for you. I'm still a much bigger fan of the NBA game but the fans and atmosphere? No contest. To think it's only about drunks and hooligans is ignorant.

Stereotypes exist for a reason, man...what would I know, I'm just an arrogant American, right? :roll:

Anyhoo, I'd rather focus on the GAME than the other auxilliary crap that goes on around it...it's bad enough as it is...we don't need **** sing-a-longs and "team themes"...that seems super gay...

Cyclical · Post #11 » by **Cyclical** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:55 pm

"Super gay"? Nice one.

To each is own I guess.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #12 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:07 pm

Ok, change it to "lame"...I still think taking a popular song and writing lyrics to make it a theme song is super stupid...it would be so dumb, in my opinion...but to each his own, I guess...

Banks2Pierce · Post #13 » by **Banks2Pierce** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:07 pm

I'm down to learn some anti-Varejao , perk is a beast, and dick bavetta sucks songs....Someone start writing...

MyInsatiableOne · Post #14 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:18 pm

Banks2Pierce wrote:I'm down to learn some anti-Varejao , perk is a beast, and dick bavetta sucks songs....Someone start writing...

Yeah...or an evil death march ala Darth Vader for Emperor Stern! :lol:

Cyclical · Post #15 » by **Cyclical** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:20 pm

^
That's the spirit!

Hemingway · Post #16 » by **Hemingway** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:59 pm

I think you have to look at our reluctance to sing on a more general level, not just in a sports context. Americans both love music but as a spectator not a participant. It is interesting to look at the evolution of american music. Starting around the depression we have a lot of folk music and a lot of church music. In both cases people can sing along. Songs are typically set in vocally friendly keys. With the beginning of the radio era, we associated music with our celebrity hero worship. The vocal stars were singing in keys the average person could not. Most songs on the radio today are sung in keys too high for most people to reach therefore most people are not serious about singing.

Im sure there are other reasons. I doubt this is the biggest reason, just a reason.

SuigintouEV · Post #17 » by **SuigintouEV** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:33 pm

too much different variety in today's music.

only holdovers from the 70s like "we will rock you" have simple and memorable enough chorus' that everyone can sing along

threrf23 · Post #18 » by **threrf23** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:10 pm

The US on a general level tends to provide for a celebration of individuality (which is arguably in perfect line with the competitive spirit). In Europe there tends to be a more narrowly defined collective.

Music is more about self expression than about collective ritual in the US (compared to elsewhere). Sporting events are more about competition than a "team spirit."

I don't think those are bad things.

BillessuR6 · Post #19 » by **BillessuR6** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:20 pm

It is a cultural thing. If MyInsatiableOne was living in Europe he would probably be the loudest singer at a game... :lol:

TheCardinal20 · Post #20 » by **TheCardinal20** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:40 pm

European/South American soccer fans, and the whole "fan" experience across the pond, imo, puts every American sporting event to shame. It is a shame, really...

The drums, the chants, it's awesome.

I've only been to a few dozen professional "football" games in Spain and England, and one in Mexico, but the experience is incredible, even though I really didn't care who won the game.