Replacement Song for Swanee/Over There

[kla52]

I was reading the comments in the Quinnipiac thread and figured I'd start a new one so we can discuss what might be a better replacement tuba cheer. If we can come up with a few songs with the right cadence, I can forward the suggestions to the powers that be. From what I understand, the band really isn't 100% sold on playing Over There as it is.

Also, fun fact: this is my first ever post here, and the first time I've signed on since around 2008.

[Beeeej]

I'll start with what seems to me should be an obvious question: Why is it necessary to figure out what song the tubas can shove sideways into a nearly-decent approximation of the same cadence in order to perpetuate a seven-word cheer? If the song itself (Swanee) is too offensive to keep, maybe it's time to let the cheer die.

Excuse me... I mean, "let the cheer diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeee."

Perhaps the tubas could play the Budweiser song once per game as a showcase for their talents. Or perhaps it's time to come up with a new tuba cheer that doesn't have to be wedged into an old tuba cheer just for the sake of perpetuating something that isn't what it used to be anyway.

If you're hell-bent on keeping the cheer, I'll say this based on my experience at MSG this weekend: "Over There" is such a torturously unpleasant fit that I cringed from start to finish. I have a hard time believing there isn't a better option.

[kla52]

Sure - maybe we should just let the cheer die, that is certainly an option. I don't think anyone is hell-bent on keeping the cheer, but I do believe the band/tubas really liked playing Swanee, and I think it's still worth trying to come up with a better replacement than Over There. I figured I'd start the brainstorming venture here, since this forum has some former pep band members and regular game attendees.

The only plausible suggestion I've heard from a friend (so far anyway) was Goodnight Sweetheart, which is a cheer the bones often play outside of pep band.

[LGR14]

Maybe if the band leader (who I'm assuming made this decision) doesn't want to play Swanee, s/he shouldn't be leading the band.

Let's get rid of Gary Glitter, too. Then let's get rid of "Screw BU." Eventually get rid of Give My Regards to Davy.

[kla52]

I'm pretty sure that athletics strongly suggested that the band change the song. It's not about not wanting to play Swanee, it's about having to comply with the demands from a bunch of overly sensitive students (in my opinion).

Oh, and it seems like every year Andy Noel threatens to "not let the band play Gary Glitter" if the student sections keep swearing during the cheer...so far it's been an empty threat, but in today's world, who knows?

[Scersk '97]

I am of the opinion that those who run athletics have far too much time on their hands.

[abmarks]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)..and just now is there apparently someone finding it offensive in some way?

Makes me really want to know whether this is coming straight from athletics or the pep band themselves thought the change needed to be made.  If the athletic department mandated this, there isn't much that can be done since we know how they work.  If it's a student band decision though, well then I'm embarrassed as a band and pep band alum.

[Dafatone]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)..and just now is there apparently someone finding it offensive in some way?

Makes me really want to know whether this is coming straight from athletics or the pep band themselves thought the change needed to be made.  If the athletic department mandated this, there isn't much that can be done since we know how they work.  If it's a student band decision though, well then I'm embarrassed as a band and pep band alum.

Whether or not the song is offensive/unacceptable isn't really influenced by when people come to that realization, is it?

[abmarks]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)..and just now is there apparently someone finding it offensive in some way?

Makes me really want to know whether this is coming straight from athletics or the pep band themselves thought the change needed to be made.  If the athletic department mandated this, there isn't much that can be done since we know how they work.  If it's a student band decision though, well then I'm embarrassed as a band and pep band alum.

Whether or not the song is offensive/unacceptable isn't really influenced by when people come to that realization, is it?

So you are saying that it has always been offensive, but that no-one realized until now?   That's ridiculous.  

I have no idea whether it was one or many complaints or opinions influencing this as I have no more detail than what is on elynah.  That said, societally we are moving down the slippery slope of actively trying to find the far end of the "offensive" tail.

[LGR14]

Follows the trend of the Cornell "Botanical Gardens"

It's also the state song of Florida, by the way.

[Trotsky]

Follows the trend of the Cornell "Botanical Gardens"

I never realized this until just now.

People are fucking stupid.

No, I realized that before.  Just not what happened to the Plantations.

I've been arguing the butthurt over "political correctness" has been idiotic for 30 years.  Turns out I was wrong.  Huh.

There's always this.  Short and sweet.

[Jim Hyla]

Follows the trend of the Cornell "Botanical Gardens"

I never realized this until just now.

People are fucking stupid.

No, I realized that before.  Just not what happened to the Plantations.

I've been arguing the butthurt over "political correctness" has been idiotic for 30 years.  Turns out I was wrong.  Huh.

There's always this.  Short and sweet.

Yeah, then I could call the women who work in my office, girls; just like it used to be. Back when America was "Great". We want that "Again". :-D ::bolt::

[andyw2100]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)

This is just off the top of my head, but I am reasonably certain it hasn't been close to thirty years. If I had to set an over/under, I'd set it at fourteen.

If the band somehow decides to bring back "Swanee", could we also perhaps convince them to bring back "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (Fight, Maim, Kill) as well? My fuzzy recollection is that the band stopped playing that because it was considered too violent, but I could be mistaken.

[gonyr]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)

This is just off the top of my head, but I am reasonably certain it hasn't been close to thirty years. If I had to set an over/under, I'd set it at fourteen.

If the band somehow decides to bring back "Swanee", could we also perhaps convince them to bring back "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (Fight, Maim, Kill) as well? My fuzzy recollection is that the band stopped playing that because it was considered too violent, but I could be mistaken.

As far as I can remember from freshman year, I think both cheers were in existence in 1989-90. They were definitely used in 1992-93.

[abmarks]

That cheer has been played for what, close to 30 years now (at minimum)

This is just off the top of my head, but I am reasonably certain it hasn't been close to thirty years. If I had to set an over/under, I'd set it at fourteen.

If the band somehow decides to bring back "Swanee", could we also perhaps convince them to bring back "Mary Had A Little Lamb" (Fight, Maim, Kill) as well? My fuzzy recollection is that the band stopped playing that because it was considered too violent, but I could be mistaken.

As far as I can remember from freshman year, I think both cheers were in existence in 1989-90. They were definitely used in 1992-93.

And I said 30 years because it was definitely there when I started playing in pep band during spring of 1987...which in a month's time will be...you guessed it...30 years since then.

I agree with Trotsky. The butthurt sensitivity has always been appalling to me and people are only getting more sensitive.

Countdown until someone gets sensitive about the use of *butthurt* in this thread....