The Backstory Behind a Popular Sports Anthem

A soccer field is surrounded by a large audience of people mostly dressed in red.
Many may think that Queen created a hell of a sports anthem back in 1977, but the truth is, twenty-five years later, a little-known Detroit area duo called The White Stripes came out with "one better." They made a driving rock song with such an addictive riff!

Seven Nation Army

 First things first, to clear up a popular misconseption, the (ta-da-da-ta-ta-taaa-taaa) riff is NOT played via a bass. Instead, Jack White used a semi-acoustic guitar plugged into a Whammy Pedal that had been lowered an octave. The hit became the White Stripes' signature song.

But how did it get to be associated with sports anyway?

 While the song has no boom-boom-clap rhythm (a la We Will Rock You), the driving bassline is often times sung by crowds at sporting events - mostly soccer games. It's usually sung using "ohs," but sometimes may even use an athlete's name. The song has even been converted into an organ riff for baseball and hockey games!

What's the story?

 It all began in October of 2003 when fans of Belgium's Club Brugge began singing it at their match against A.C. Milan as part of the UEFA Champions League. Club Brugge won the game and with the next UEFA season, the riff became their "unofficial sports anthem."

But it doesn't stop there. Three years later, Club Brugge lost to A.S. Roma, of the latter which fans began to adopt the chant. This then made the riff A.S. Roma's "unofficial sports anthem." That very year, as we know it, Italy won the Germany-hosted World Cup and for about a week, the riff was chanted by fans marching throughout the streets of Rome. To this, Jack White said, and I quote, "I am honored that the Italians have adopted this song as their own. Nothing is more beautiful in music than when people embrace a melody and allow it to enter the pantheon of folk music."

The theme since then has become adopted by various NFL teams including the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions.

By the way, did I mention that the White Stripes have a female drummer?

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