The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #146595   Message #3757028
Posted By: Brian Peters
09-Dec-15 - 10:03 AM
Thread Name: Can a pop song become traditional?
Subject: RE: Can a pop song become traditional?
"songs sung by fooball crowds fit that defintion, so YES"

We've discussed football chants on here more than once before, and of course they represent a modern singing tradition (though threatened these days by deafening music on the PA). I was an Old Trafford regular when songs like 'Na Na Hey Hey (Goodbye)' (Steam, 1969), 'Son of my Father' (Chicory Tip, 1972) and 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (1970), got turned into chants, joining the variety of old hits from the shows, the music halls, nursery rhymes, American folk, etc that were already going strong. Things Like 'She'll be Coming Round the Mountain', 'Polly Woll the Doodle', 'Knees Up Mother Brown', 'We Shall Not Be Moved', 'Knick Knack Paddy Whack', 'Clementine', loads more.

However, in just about every case, all that gets used is the chorus, usually with new words about the home team, opposition or referee. Has that song by Steam really "become traditional" when all that's left of it is:

"Na na na na
Na na na na
Hey Hey
Man United"