February Couch QB Countdown - Top Fight Songs

The first installment of the Couch QB Countdown chronicles the top fight songs in college sports.  Arguments and criticisms are always welcome.  Without further ado, here are the lucky winners:

10.  "Aggie War Hymn" - Texas A&M University:  A fight song in every sense of the word, the Aggie War Hymn sounds like everything a fight song should sound like.  It's militaristic, patriotic, and the lyrics describe the emasculation of their rival's mascot.  When you include a line that reads, "saw varsity's horns off", you earn a spot on this countdown.

9.  "Fight CU" - University of Colorado:  Sure, I'm biased.  Of course I'll admit it, but this is still one of the most underrated fight songs out there.  It embodies everything a fight song should be.  The lyrics leave out the accouterments that make most school anthems cheesy, and it strips everything down to one simple message:  the Buffaloes are here to win.  The words "fight", "win", and "victory" make up more than 25% of the entire song, and the "shoulder to shoulder" mantra paints a three-word picture of the gridiron that sends chills down my spine.

8.  "Fight On" - University of Southern California:  A lot of college football fanatics can't stand this tune, but any song will drive you nuts when you hear it played on repeat every Saturday.  I'm no Trojan fan, but like "Fight CU", the Trojan fight song dispenses with the frivolous descriptive lyrics and offers up a simple, catchy tune about winning football games.  In the case of "Fight On", it looks like it might be working.

7.  "Rocky Top" - University of Tennessee:  Although "Rocky Top" isn't the official fight song of the University of Tennessee, its influence on the school's football program is undeniable.  This Appalachian anthem conjures up a sense of pride in its fans that puts it on any countdown of the greatest fight songs.

6.  "Boomer Sooner" - University of Oklahoma:  The whole damn song's comprised of 5 words stuck on repeat, but good lord this song is catchy.  "Boomer Sooner" earns its place at number six by offering up the most addictive tune in college sports.  I'd have an easier time quitting heroin cold turkey than I do getting this song out of my head.

5.  "War Chant" - Florida State University:  The War Chant isn't technically the fight song for the Seminoles, but there's no denying it's widespread popularity.  The melody is simple, ominous, and intimidating.  For years, the War Chant has made rival schools feel like Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  The accompanying tomahawk chop is synonymous with Florida State football, and it's simple enough to teach to toddlers.  So even if you can't read, write, or memorize two stanzas of a simple song, you can still cheer for the FSU Seminoles.

4.  "Texas Fight" - University of Texas:  We've already established that teams get bonus points for including the word "fight" in their fight songs.  "Texas Fight" uses the word six times in its first five lines, bashes its rival school, and puts the lyrics to a tune that is recognizable by even the most casual football fans.  When ESPN uses your fight song in its College Gameday commercials, you've got an historic and relevant song, worthy of a spot on this countdown.

3.  "Notre Dame Victory March" - University of Notre Dame:  Arguably the most recognizable fight song in the nation, you can make a strong case for the "Notre Dame Victory March" at number one.  The 3-spot is no knock on this classic, just a statement about the top two.  Regardless, the Fighting Irish have been the most important college football team for decades, and their fight song mirrors that historical importance.  The "Notre Dame Victory March", Rudy, and Touchdown Jesus mean more to college football than anything else we've discussed on this countdown thus far.

2.  "The Victors" - University of Michigan:  It's only fitting that one of the most storied football teams of all time has one of the most influential fight songs in history.  "The Victors" dates back to 1898, and it's powerful lyrics depict a time when college football was played by larger-than-life heroes, long before the Reggie Bushes and Cam Newtons of the world left their stain of dishonor on the game we love so much.  John Philip Souza, the godfather of the American march, has been quoted as claiming "The Victors" to be the greatest college fight song ever written, and his credentials are a little more impressive than mine.

1.  "Anchors Aweigh" - United States Naval Academy:  "Anchors Aweigh" isn't just a college football fight song.  This tune embodies the pride of the United States Navy, and its patriotic verse finds reverent use in musicals, cartoons, commercials, and countless other forms of American media.  A true fight song should evoke emotion, and there isn't a single song on this countdown that inspires as much pride as "Anchors Aweigh".  Not to sound cheesy, but this song isn't just about fighting for gridiron victory, it's about fighting to protect our way of life, and that puts it at the top of the list.

Honorable Mention:

• "Buckeye Battle Cry" - Ohio State University
• "Tiger Rag" - Clemson University
• "War Eagle" - Auburn University
• "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" - Chicago Bears (NFL)
• "When the Saints Go Marching In" - New Orleans Saints (NFL)

The Bottom Five:

• "Fairest of Colleges" - University of Denver (my alma mater, unfortunately)
• "Skol, Vikings" - Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
• "Miami Dolphins #1" - Miami Dolphins (NFL)
• "Ragtime Cowboy Joe" - University of Wyoming
• "Hail to the Spirit of Miami U" - University of Miami

-Sam