The ‘Brand New Lions’ Need a ‘Brand New Fight Song’
A lot has been said this year about putting the SOL (Same Old Lions) completely in the past, and fully embracing this new era in Detroit Lions Football. The image of fans wearing paper bags over their heads in the stands, and others in the "surrender cobra" pose after a close loss are all behind us, and we embrace the BNL (Brand New Lions) Fully!
But there's one thing still tying the team to the past, and you'll hear it nearly every time the Lions win... their Fight Song.
"Gridiron Heroes" is a familiar song for Lions fans. Whenever the team scores, you'll hear it over the loudspeakers at Ford Field, and some will even remember it at the Silver Dome.
But the history of the song goes back much further in the team's history, even before their championship runs in the 1960s.
'Gridiron Heroes' a 90-Year Lions Tradition
Wayne State University band director Graham T. Overgard wrote the song in the 1930s. He also happened to be the Lions Director of Entertainment then, and under the direction of team owner G.A. Richards, was asked to write the song.
And here we are, 90 years later, and it is one of the oldest team fight songs in the NFL.
Of course fans love the song, and for those that do remember better days with the team, it still invokes SOME happy memories. But for the past 30 years, the song has been echoing through the Detroit area less and less. Next thing you know, the "Same Old Lions" are playing that "Same Old Song."
People have tried to update the song, and modernize it in the past. Obviously, the version we hear at games now isn't the 1930s marching band version, but sounds more like some Grandpa behind his Casio Keyboard in his living room.
Late last year, an artist in the Detroit area, Motorcity Josh & The Big 3, attempted a reboot of the track, but it just... wasn't... right. Ya know?
It's such a familiar song at this point, that any other version just won't be the right version... but also, the "right version" is also part of the SOL.
So now, we're in the 21st Century, and I think the "Brand New Lions" are due for a "Brand New Song."
Use Detroit's Rich History in Music
Of course, we can't just ASK Eminem or Bob Seger to just pen a new fight song for the Lions. They're MASSIVE international performing artists. They don't have time for that... or do they? (side eye at Marshall Mathers)
But in all seriousness, Detroit, and Michigan have an incredible music history, and bands have written fight songs before. Pop Evil, from west Michigan, essentially wrote a fight song for the University of Michigan. So why couldn't we get Jack White, Iggy Pop, or Stevie Wonder to come up with something a little more modern, and with some energy behind it?
Use Existing Songs?
The other route the Lions could take is to pick a song that already exists. Many teams embrace it, too.
- Baltimore Ravens - White Stripes "Seven Nation Army"
- Dallas Cowboys - Wiz Khalifa "We Dem Boyz"
- Houston Texans - Rage Against the Machine "Bulls on Parade"
- New York Giants - AC/DC "Hells Bells"
- Pittsburgh Steelers - Wiz Khalifa "Black and Yellow"
I think if Dan Campbell had his choice, he'd pull out some old school metal, but there's a lot of cool options out there. So if you were to pick a modern song to be the Fight Song for the BNL, what would you pick?
We have a few suggestions below to get you started.
Modern Songs that could be the Brand New Lions Fight Song
Ted Nugent "Cat Scratch Fever"
How is this not perfect? Ted Nugent is a Michigan man, and the song is literally about a big Cat.
All Time Low "Running from Lions"
For Millennials from the emo scene, who are ALSO Lions fans, this is a banger.
Eminem "Lose Yourself"
I mean.... come on. Even the fans already embrace it.
Journey "Can't Tame the Lion"
One of the biggest rock bands in history, with a song about not being able to tame a Lion? Match made in heaven, and it's actually family friendly for the crowd.
Greta Van Fleet "Highway Tune"
This is such a jam, and the band is from Frankenmuth. Another Michigan connection.
... and finally...
The Lion King "Circle of Life"
Had to... SO MUCH HYPE!!!!
Amazing Transition From Wrecked Basement To Detroit Lions Man-cave
Gallery Credit: RODD Modern Design
Detroit Lions Logos Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Wikipedia/Canva