Here it is. I’m surprised, too, so let’s look at how the Giants made it all the way to the top spot to claim the glory of ‘Best Club Anthem in the AFL’.
The fact that this goes to the newest of the clubs makes a nice bookend to these articles, because all those atrocious duds from the beginnings of the AFL era, now peppering the bottom of this countdown, may have been in part responsible for the masterpiece that is the GWS club song.
Surely, upon commissioning a new club, a serious analysis would have been undertaken to reflect on the blunders and brilliance of the existing songs.
I’d like to think the painful lessons learnt by hearing the Power, Eagles and Crows songs were blatant enough that those routes were avoided, and helped lead us instead to ‘There’s a big big sound’.
Harry Angus of Cat Empire fame is the man responsible.
The fact that he’s a popular entertainer, song-writer and has equal chops in the fields of both vocals and trumpet (the instrument of choice for club song composers and MCG buskers alike) made him a perfect choice, and whoever called him up in the first place deserves a pat on the back.
Harry himself summed it up best when he was defending the newly-unveiled song to the players of the club it was going to represent, asking them whether they wanted a song that’s modern now but outdated in 10 years, or whether they wanted something timeless.
We’ve heard (and I’ve whinged about) so many tunes that fell the wrong way when facing that same question.
It’s not just the best song in the league, but it’s easily the best sounding song. The masterstroke was to keep it old-fashioned in it’s arrangement, but mix it so that it’ll come out of the stadium speakers louder and clearer than any other.
Its production has also avoided many pitfalls that mar some of the others: there are no synths forced in there in a misguided attempt to stand clear of the VFL classics, no revolting digital reverb to lock it forever into a time period.
In fact, in years to come it will be hard to tell when the song was written or recorded because it sounds so good.
It’s in the highest echelon of catchiness and surely takes the top spot of any song for foot-stomping, tankard-swinging raucous camaraderie.
It’s also the fastest paced of the club anthems – perhaps in response to the fact that AFL fans and players are all notoriously terrible at keeping time when singing along in victory. When the subconscious preference is to rush headlong into one verse before the other has finished, why not try and beat them at their own game and crank up the temp?
They can get away with the bravado and boastful lyrics because they’ve only ever won three games, but soon will come a day when other teams may well be quaking in their boots before the Giants.
There’s nothing at all I dislike about this one. It’s amazing.
Now, as I mentioned in yesterday’s article, it was the closest race possible between the Swans and Giants.
All you Swans fans, don’t feel bad – your song is extraordinary, as is this one. Everyone should get along to the Battle of the Bridge next season and get a spot near the loudspeakers to get an earful of these gems.
Lastly, thanks to all who have stuck with me through these articles. Particular thanks to those who have chimed in with their comments along the way.
Slightly-less-but-still-particular-thanks to those who have given me an earful in those heated moments when it’s come time for their club’s song to get a work-over.
There’s no greater form of artistic expression than music, and no greater demonstration of physical magnificence than the perfect AFL game.
So get fired up for the grand final, crank the speakers up and let the best song win!
Geoffrey
Roar Pro
Surely! In order of awesome: GWS, Sydney, Richmond, Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, St Kilda, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Fremantle, North Melbourne, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Adelaide, West Coast, Port Adelaide. Thanks for reading along, all.
me, I like football
Guest
could someone post the full list
Max Opray
Roar Rookie
When you started this list Geoff I was worried you'd lump the Giants song in with the other new trash, so well done for recognizing its merit. Great list, don't agree with all your choices but you explained them well.
Franko
Guest
Much as it pains me to say, I have had the line "riding the bumps with a grin - at hawthorn" in my head all bloody day :( I guess Mr Frankln better get his cossack on.
JR Salazar
Guest
Liar!
Dylan
Roar Pro
yea ya do.
Stewie
Guest
I friggin love the song, it has syncopation in spades, it's something the supporters can scream from the stands, so damn catchy!
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
'Harry Angus from The Cat Empire is the man responsible'?!! Is that a boast or an accusation?
bilbo
Guest
Thanks Geoffrey for your listings. I remember Angus saying he had studied anthemic clubsongs and thought them a genre of their own, quite separate in their effect and intention to pop/rock. He wanted to have a go himself, rang up the Giants and said "have a listen to this, whaddaya reckon". Giants (Sheedy) promptly said "we want it". There was no ifs ands or buts or 'we'll get back to you'. Of course Sheeds knew a good one when he heard it - harking back to his Richmond days (#3). I'll never forget the look on Callan Ward's face when he introduced the clubsong to the Giants players. There was no 'ticking of the face' but the nervous trepidation was plain to see. Not much of a lead-in, just "here it is fellows - the Board has decided". Love to know the reaction of the players at its first hearing. Darley's Cossack dance in the video priceless. Lets just say it will grow on us. In comparison you could probably say the Suns went for 'safe and conservative'. The Giants went for bold and imaginative. Your thread Geoffrey has opened up the door for the poorer offerings to be re-visited by their clubs, much the same as Freo re-jigged theirs. [ Eagles and Crows pleeeeeze.............]
ciudadmarron
Guest
Subconsciously or consciously the melody is very reminiscent of the old tune "streets of Cairo", aka the "snake charmers song" (a snatch of which can also be heard in "Istanbul not Constantinople". Thanks for the countdown Geoff, enjoyed it. I find it interesting that a couple of them aside they were largely put together post war, even if some if the tunes are older. So it's funny that the expectation is for the songs to have a certain sound which is actually not that old. If it weren't for the fact that a lot of them sound that way they probably would sound dated themselves anyway (some would argue they still do!)
Allan
Guest
I don't hate AFL.
Richard
Guest
Yellow and black. {daylight} Original Swans {more daylight} The rest
Steve
Guest
Angus actually gave the Giants something comparable to YELLOW AND BLACK with the NEVER SURRENDER line towards the end of the song. It's slightly out of time and made to be yelled. I can only think it was deliberate.
Shmick
Guest
It will be interesting to revisit these rankings in 10 years or so. For mine, I think that Richmond's "Tigerland" deserves to be number 1, although I agree that the two Sydney clubs are right up there.
Shmick
Guest
Surely that is the entire thrust of the article Allan? Take the West Coast song for example - it has aged poorly because it tried too hard to be 'modern' and used sounds and arrangements that became quickly outdated. The GWS song deliberately went for something 'timeless' and that's exactly why the author loves it. Take popular music for example. Skrillex had a couple of massive hits 2-3 years ago that everyone went nuts for. In 50 years time, what will date better, Skrillex or a timeless sounding group like Queen or Led Zeppelin?
Gurudoright
Guest
I'll be surprised if the players knew the song, how rarely they get to sing it in victory.
Australian Rules
Guest
Allan..! You've been missed! How's that Aussie footy-hating coming along?
Australian Rules
Guest
Geoff, this series of articles was original, controversial and fun to read. Whilst it's undoubtedly a great song, I couldn't give the Giants the top gong myself - but you explain your reasons well. Cheers
Allan
Guest
Why is a song that sounds like it belongs in the 1930's being played in 2013 ?
rami
Guest
While I agree with what you're saying, I do think that the fact that it is new song gets your attention all the more. Does this song have lasting power? Who knows. I think that, the longevity of the song and how it makes people when singing it makes it a good song. I love the tigers anthem and there is a reason a lot of other club fans do to. When the tigers win and the fans scream yellow and black, it feels awesome. Even mates that I go to watch footy with and dont follow the team love hearing it. Good list, but I think you got number 1 wrong for now. Its like listening to a top 40 hit and claiming it to be the best ever.