Today, I’m giving over my column to you, the readers. Because your voice should be heard on this incredibly important, life-changing issue.
OK, maybe, it’s not that vital to society. But it’s a fun topic. Recently, I wrote a column suggesting the Detroit Lions need a theme song, trying to find something that would get both the players and fans riled up, dancing and singing in Ford Field. Which was actually a blast to report. I talked to several players and got their opinions.
“Reaction was amazing,” I told defensive back Chase Lucas on Tuesday. “I got tons of emails.”
“I’d love to see the list of songs,” he said.
It ranged from hard rock to Motown, oldies to remakes, and several readers had a secondary suggestion: Please tell the Lions!
So, here we go:
“Tubthumping!” by Chumbawamba.
Several readers suggested this song and I have to admit I had never heard of it. Then, I played it and realized I knew every word: “I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never gonna keep me down.”
Which might be perfect for this team, as well as this city.
"Better find a defibrillator when you play this song, 'Burning Down the House' by the Talking Heads. The percussion would rattle the windows at Ford Field not to mention 120db from amped up fans." — Tim Cluney.
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"Here’s the song we need! 'We are Family' by Sister Sledge. This is always a stand up and dance tune AND everyone knows the words AND it’s intergenerational AND the message is PERFECT for the times!!!" — Dave McClary.
And that's a lot of ANDs!
"Drake’s 'Started from the Bottom.' That BASS in Ford Field would be booming! LION4LIFE" — Robert Shaw.
Agree, but, um, not exactly PG-13.
"'Born to Raise Hell' by Motörhead. We are the Motor City and Dan Campbell is a metal head." — Mike Simmons.
"I'd vote for 'Get Ready' by the Temptations. It's got the energy and message to the fans and the Lions are definitely "bringing it" in every game!" — Barb Miller.
"Check out the cover of 'We Will Rock You' by the Struts. Dare I say it tops the original. Play it loud!" — Bob Hahn.
"My suggestion is Peter Gabriel’s song 'Sledgehammer.'… Plus it’s about the players being sledgehammers. All you need to do is summon them and they’ll be there. Almost like our own superheroes of the gridiron." — John Cronyn.
Yes, I love how everybody is running with this.
"'Detroit Rock City' by KISS!Just hearing the guitars at the beginning gets everyone jacked up!" — Brent Smith.
"If you want the fans to go crazy, and electrify the team to Ironman mode, play AC/DC's 'THUNDER STRUCK'! Love my Lions for the last 66 yrs. Let's do this Detroit, all the way!" — Larry Horner.
Totally unrelated point: My (adult) kids got me playing the "Thunderstruck" drinking game at a recent wedding, and I have to give props to the inventiveness of today's youth. Back in the day, we thought shotgunning a beer was edgy.
"Having been a high school head football coach (now retired), a song that I used to hype the team and often quoted to exemplify the struggle to overcome adversity on the field and in life was Linkin Park’s 'New Divide.' If you read the lyrics it is about redemption and the fight to succeed after great suffering. There are two lines that echo a Dan Campbell mantra: “The voice was all I heard/Did I get what I deserve”?” … Listen to this song with a pair of headsets on and envision a packed Ford Field’s reaction to the opening chords, it would be electric."— Mark Tyler
"I am telling you the Lions theme song should be 'When Legends Rise' by Godsmack!!!!Listen to it. Perfect!" — Mark.
Many readers suggested a long list of songs without explanation:
“Let's Get it Started” by The Black Eyed Peas.
“Don't Stop Me Now” by Queen.
“Highway Star” by Deep Purple.
James Brown's “Get Up Off of That Thing."
"Trouble Man" by Marvin Gaye.
“Lose Yourself" by Eminem.
"WELCOME 2 DETROIT" by Trick Trick featuring Eminem.
Ted Nugent's “Stranglehold."
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
And Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger"
Which would be freaky, if you ask me, if they played that while playing the Bears.
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Oh my.
"'I Just Want to Celebrate' by Rare Earth. ... It’s funky, powerful, easy to sing and has some very relevant lyrics for the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan." — Cyndee Farlin.
"Should be 'Detroit Breakdown' the live version by the J. Geils Band. Old but good. Party hard." — Andrew.
"I think it should be 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. Think about it! Everybody knows it, and it's upbeat." — Jeff Feur.
"I thought of the song 'Time Has Come Today' by the Chambers Brothers, because their time has come." — Michael Moore.
"The song HAS to be Motown!!How about 'Get Ready' by the Temptations? Perfect intro, great beat — a classic!" — Morry Bornstein, Lions Fan since 1953!!
"'It’s My Life' by Bon Jovi. It has great lyrics, great beat and a great opening that I could imagine would move the crowd waiting for their team to arrive — Kathi Southfield.
"How about a throwback to the 60s ... the last time we can say that the Lions had great teams. How about 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' by the Tokens. It talks about how The Lion roams the jungle. Ford Field is the jungle where the Lion roams." — George Feld.
"I used to be a Pistons season ticket holder at the Palace. I remember this one signature moment when the team had been fighting to get to the top of the Eastern Conference standings ahead of Boston and Chicago. The night before this game they had finally made it and as everyone walked in to the Palace for that next game the Temptations' 'Standing on the Top' with Rick James kicked off, and the crowd went nuts. After all we have been through as Lions fans and to finally be 'Standing on the Top,' I think it would be quite fitting." — Marvin Y. (Lions fan since 1970s)
It's an important point. This has to happen organically. The Lions should play a variety of songs and see which one pops with the fans.
Finally, there is only one proper way to do this. With the Queen of Soul.
Aretha Franklin's "Respect."
Which works on just about every level, especially for a home game.
Just a little bit. Just a little bit.
Amen.
Contact Jeff Seidel atjseidel@freepress.comor follow him@seideljeff.