War Chants
BEST IN AMERICA
7.
University of Hawaii
“HAKA”
The Haka War Chant before Hawaii’s game by the team players is absolutely spectacular.
The only reason it’s not higher on the list is that it is only performed by the players — not the fans.
It is a poster child for creating a ritual that defines belonging and being one with a tribe.
Truly unique and a fantastic expression of the Hawaiian culture and tradition.
6.
LSU
“NECK”
A pure intimidation cheer, “Neck” is a group chant full of nasty and anger.
The language is horrible — and, because of that, we probably shouldn’t be celebrating it. But it is an example of “belonging”; that a stadium will sing something that they normally would never say in real life, but they’ll say in this moment because they’re “belonging” to something.
All that being said, it is one hell of a powerful, inclusive moment at a LSU game.
5.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
“ILLINI WAR CHANT”
Although the university retired the Illini War Chant in 2017 out of respect to the Native American tribe that their mascot is based on, this empowering chant has a long history in college football and deserves a spot on this list.
The Illini War Chant was primarily played at Illinois football games when opponents faced third down and are characterized by its blaring brass melody and prominent tribal drum beat.
Anytime the Illini War Chant would echo through Memorial Stadium on game day, it was sure to make the visiting team sweat knowing the pressure was on from the Illini nation.
4.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
“RAMMER JAMMER”
Depending on what side of the scoreboard you’re on, there is no college football tradition more loved or hated than the University of Alabama’s Rammer Jammer.
If Alabama’s “Millions Dollar Band” is playing this tune, it means that a Crimson Tide victory is within reach.
Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of this chant, you must admit, this catchy, upbeat, and brassy tune does exactly what it is meant to — pump up Alabama fans and push the team to victory.
3.
USC
“TRIBUTE TO TROY”
Tribute to Troy is an epic ‘war chant.’
It was composed in 1965 by Ronald Broadwell, the director of USC’s Spirit of Troy Marching Band. Described as “reminiscent of rallying the citizenry to guard the perimeter of the ancient Troy city-state,” it is traditionally performed at USC Trojan football games following each USC defensive stop.
It’s memorable, it engages all the USC fans to participate — and his has real attitude. Home run.
2.
PENN STATE
“ZOMBIE NATION”
With a stadium that seats more than 106,000 fans, Penn State fans never fail to get loud. The Penn State “Zombie Nation” chant is no exception to this rule.
“Zombie Nation” is played more than almost any other song on Penn State gameday. Titled “Kernkraft 400” by Zombie Nation, a.k.a., “Zombie Nation” is an electronic piece of music played over the stadium speakers and is accompanied by a variation of the original chant lyrics.
The most notable change made by Penn State fans is the addition of the “We Are Penn State” yell.
“Zombie Nation” plays when the Nittany Lions football team comes out of the tunnel, after every Penn State touchdown, and about 100 more times throughout the game.
1.
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
“WAR CHANT”
For anybody that has had to walk into Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee and hear the roar of the FSU War Chant, I’m sorry.
The FSU War Chant is without-a-doubt the most intense and intimidating song in college football.
The song appears to have begun with a random occurrence that took place during a 1984 game against Auburn.
Most agree the chant came from the school’s fraternity section, but many Seminole fans added the hand motion to symbolize the brandishing of a tomahawk.
The chant continued among the student body during the 1985 season, and by the 1986 season, it was a stadium-wide phenomenon. Of course, the Marching Chiefs refined the chant, plus put their own special brand of accompaniment to the “war chant,” for the current sound that shakes the stadium on game day.