Go, Cubs, Go

Infobox Single
Name = Go, Cubs, Go


Cover size =
Caption = "No Big Surprise" (1994) was the first album to include Go, Cubs, Go
Artist = Steve Goodman
from Album =
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 1984
Format = 45
Recorded = 1984
Genre = Folk rock
Length = 2:51
Label = Red Pajamas Records
Writer = Steve Goodman
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =
Last single =
This single = "Go, Cubs, Go"
(2008)
Next single =
Misc ="Go Cubs Go", "Go, Cubs, Go" or "Go, Cubs, Go!" is a song written by Steve Goodman in 1984.cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071005&content_id=2251957&vkey=ps2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title='Go, Cubs, Go' a staple in Chicago: Song has been brought back for wins at Wrigley after hiatus|accessdate=2008-09-20|date=2007-10-05|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|work=MLB.com|author=Zarefsky, Marc] At various times the Goodman version of the song has been the official Chicago Cubs team song and the official Cubs victory song. The Goodman version of the song is now referred to as the official Chicago Cubs victory song. The Goodman version has been included in both a 1994 Steve Goodman anthology album and a 2008 Cubs songs and sounds album. An alternate 2008 version by Manic Sewing Circle has also been released.

History

Infobox Single
Name = Go, Cubs, Go!


Cover size =
Caption = Manic Sewing Circle 2008 version cover art
Artist = Manic Sewing Circle
from Album = Go, Cubs, Go! (2008 version)
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 2008
Format = Digital download
Recorded = 2008
Genre = Rock music
Length = 2:23
Label = OhBoy Records
Writer = Steve Goodman
Producer =
Certification =
Chart position =
Last single =
This single = "Go, Cubs, Go"
(2008)
Next single =
Misc =Goodman was a lifelong Cubs fan.cite web|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/1355421911.html?dids=1355421911:1355421911&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+5%2C+2007&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=E.9&desc=Song+Makes+a+Comeback+Along+With+the+Cubs|title=Song Makes a Comeback Along With the Cubs|accessdate=2008-09-21|date=2007-10-05|work=The Washington Post] The song was written by Goodman at the request of WGN (AM),cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-10-03-67235437_x.htm|title=Go Cubs Go: Cubs anthem by late folk songwriter making a comeback|accessdate=2008-09-20|date=2007-10-03|work=USA TODAY|author=Babwin, Don] which is the Cubs' radio broadcast partner. Goodman had in 1981 recorded "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request", a song about the historic failures of the Cubs franchise, but had been banned from playing it at Wrigley Field.cite web|url=http://www.clayeals.com/GoCubsGo.asp|title="Go, Cubs, Go"|accessdate=2008-09-21|author=Eals, Clay] That song described the team as "doormat of the National League" and referred to Wrigley Field as an "ivy-covered burial ground."

"Go, Cubs, Go" first became popular during by|1984 when the Cubs won the 1984 National League East Division Championship and subsequently lost in the 1984 National League Championship Series. That season (and for several afterwards) it was the official team song. It was first aired on WGN on Opening Day and played every gameday for the rest of the season. During that season, Goodman lost his sixteen-year battle with leukemia four days before the Cubs clinched the division title. In the next three years, 60,000 copies of the song were sold with proceeds going to charity. Some 1984 Cubs players can be heard performing the refrain.

In 1987, the song gave way to The Beach Boys' "Here Come the Cubs". Later team songs included songs such as Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" and KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get Down Tonight". The song was eventually included on the "No Big Surprise: Anthology", which was released on September 15, 1994. [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Big-Surprise-Anthology-Steve-Goodman/dp/B000000DM7/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1221974610&sr=8-1|title=No Big Surprise: Anthology|accessdate=2008-09-21|date=2008|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.]

At the time that WGN Program Director Dan Fabian requested the new song, "It’s a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game" by The Harry Simeone Songsters was the theme song. He had been motivated by Cubs manager Dallas Green's effort to change the team spirit. Goodman happened to be in town for a WGN radio talk show and was receptive to the idea of writing the team a new song.

Modern resurgence

The song has had a resurgence for a combination of reasons that includes the success of the 2007 and 2008 Chicago Cubs, who won consecutive National League Central Division regular season championships, [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=280920116|title=Chicago Cubs win Central again|accessdate=2008-09-21|date=2008-09-20|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|work=Yahoo! Sports|author=Gano, Rick] and the May 2007 release of the biography of Steve Goodman which was entitled "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music". [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Steve-Goodman-Facing-Clay-Eals/dp/1550227327|title=Steve Goodman: Facing the Music (Paperback)|accessdate=2008-09-21|date=May 2007|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.] In addition, the local television broadcasts of the game have begun delaying postgame commentary until after a few minutes of live feed of the stadium's public address sound system, which enables viewers to hear Goodman and watch fans at Wrigley singing along. Cubs management decided to incorporate the song into the stadium experience following the annual winter conference in which attendees dropped everything they were doing to sing along.

In the first week of October 2007, it was the most popular folk music digital download on iTunes. During that season, it was known as the unofficial Chicago Cubs victory song and it was played at Wrigley Field after each Cubs victory. There were 44 such victories during the 2007 regular season. On October 5, 2007, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn declared the day "Steve Goodman Day" throughout the state..

On August 1, 2008, WGN Radio and Vibes Media released a ringtone version of the song for purchase by text message for a cost of US$2.99. At that time it was described as the official Cubs victory song.cite web|url=http://wgnradio.com/index.php?id=41180&task=view&option=com_content&Itemid=1|title=WGN Radio and Vibes Media team up to bring iconic Cubs anthem "Go Cubs Go" to mobile phones|work=WGN Radio|accessdate=2008-09-20|date=2008-08-01] Also, in 2008, the song was included on the 2008 album Take Me Out To A Cubs Game which was subtitled "Music For The Cubs Fan". The album is a 17-song album with a total run time of 55 minutes and 35 seconds that includes the September 21, 1997 Harry Carey performance of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", which was his last. The album was produced in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cubs 1908 World Series victory and contains sounds and songs of the Cubs and Wrigley Field. [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Take-Out-Cubs-Game-Music/dp/B001EVMRDM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1223602728&sr=8-1|title='Take Me Out To A Cubs Game' Music CD|accessdate=2008-10-10|date=2008|publisher=Amazon.com, Inc.] cite web|url=http://cubhub.net/Cubs-Music/|title=Take Me Out To A Cubs Game CD|accessdate=2008-10-10|date=2008|publisher=CubHub.net] The album is an officially licensed Major League Baseball music CD. Neither of Goodman's other notable songs about the Cubs ("A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" or "When the Cubs Go Marching In") was included on the album.

Also in 2008, the song was released by Manic Sewing Circle. Their cover version of the song was produced with proceeds going to official charities of the Chicago Cubs and WGN radio: Cubs Care and Neediest Kids Fund. [cite web|url=http://cdbaby.com/cd/manicsewing3|title=Manic Sewing Circle|accessdate=2008-10-10|date=2008|publisher=CDBaby.com] The Manic Sewing Circle version of the song is also available on iTunes by digital download, and they publicized this version throughout Chicago. Although the original Goodman version of the song is 2:51, the new Manic Sewing Machine version is only 2:23 long.

Thematic issues

The song is perceived as an upbeat one that leaves listeners with a happy feeling. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Eddie-Vedder-ready-to-go-All-The-Way-with-new-?urn=mlb,109107|title=Eddie Vedder ready to go 'All The Way' with new Cubs song|accessdate=2008-09-20|date=2008-09-19|publisher=Yahoo! Inc.|author=Brown, David] It is described as having catchy riffs and exuberant vocals that characterized the essence of Cubs fandom while, noting in the lyrics, "You can catch it all on WGN." A favorite verse for the fans is the one that includes "So stamp your feet and clap your hands". The new Manic Sewing Circle cover is a rock music version instead of the original folk music.cite web|url=http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Manic-Sewing-Circle-perform-Go-Cubs-Go=1&blockID=55863&feedID=222|title=Manic Sewing Circle perform "Go Cubs Go"|accessdate=2008-09-21|date=2008-09-12|publisher=Tribune Interactive |work=WGNTV.com]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.theandrewhughes.com/2008/06/go-cubs-go-lyrics/ Lyrics]
* [http://wgnradio.com/index.php?id=41180&task=view&option=com_content&Itemid=1 Ringtone]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dQPiCi38po 2007 Go Cubs Go video]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrlLmTh32KI&NR=1 2008 Go Cubs Go video]