Chicago Cubs: Cubs songs you might not know by heart

Fans of the Chicago Cubs know all the favorite ballpark tunes served up during the games, but how familiar are you with these other Cubs songs?

Many Chicago Cubs fan-favorite songs can be heard right during the game. Before we explore some of the great Cubs songs you might not have heard outside the park, let’s take a look inside Wrigley Field at some of the music that makes fans chant, sing and stomp their feet.

The seventh-inning Stretch – Whether it be a guest singer or Harry Caray himself, brought to life virtually on the big screen in Wrigley Field, everyone stands and sings, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” While the song is sung in many ballparks throughout baseball, it’s most popular at the Friendly Confines in Wrigley Field. Harry Caray, the famous sports announcer, used to sing it for the Chicago White Sox at old Comiskey Park.

White Sox owner, Bill Veeck Jr., heard Caray singing it one day in his booth and had Caray’s microphone turned on so he could sing for the park. The tradition remained when Caray became the announcer for the Chicago Cubs in 1982. The song was initially written by Jack Norworth and  Albert Von Tilzer back in 1908.

Today, a virtual Harry Caray leads fans in the seventh-inning stretch and the singing of the classic hit.

Home Run Song – Sometime during the 2015 season, there was a 90’s week at Wrigley Field, and the traditional home run song, “Sweet Home Chicago” was switched up to the 1993 staple “Whoomp! (There It Is)” written and performed by the Miami bass group Tag Team. Fans loved the song so much it was played almost half the time in 2016 with “Sweet Home Chicago.” By 2017, the song was adopted as the Cubs home run song.

Opposing Pitcher is relieved – The tune often heard when the opposing team pulls their pitcher is the Village People’s 1978 hit, “YMCA” which is cued to a spot in the song and timed when the pitcher is about to leave the mound. The section that begins playing is a friendly sort of, “That’s okay – you did your best,” notion to pitchers being relieved and goes:

"Young man, there’s no need to feel down I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground I said, young man, ’cause you’re in a new town There’s no need to be unhappy…"

The only other song used for opposing pitcher changes is “Hit the Road Jack,” performed by Ray Charles in 1961. A little less friendly than “YMCA,” the rhythm and blues classic hit message are clear:

"Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back No more, no more, no more, no more Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more…"

Interestingly enough, when the Chicago Cubs change a pitcher, Wrigley Field gets to hear Angus Young’s guitar riff from the 1980’s AC/DC song, “Have a Drink on Me,” from the award-winning album “Back in Black.” The song is supposed to relay the notion of doing a great job and earning a drink from teammates and fans.

Let’s take a look at several more great Chicago Cubs songs, including one that gets played after every winning game.