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Waldocounty (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
1mizzoufan: None that are known. "Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech.," "On, Wisconsin," the Notre Dame song, Yale's "We Are Poor Little Lambs,;" a few others became very popular, but the "Maine Stein Song" is the only one ever to make it onto the pop charts, which are calculated based on sales (in those days mostly sheet music, but also on recordings). That's chiefly due to Rudy Vallee and his wildly fanatical, immense fan base at the time.
biohazardsperm (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
The first thing they did at UMaine Freshman orientation was to take us into the field house and teach us this song, that is how important it is, even today.
RReady555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Very good question! I think "Ramblin' Wreck" (Georgia Tech) may have made the hit parade in the '20's--but not to #1. ;)
1mizzoufan (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Do you know if any other school "Fight" songs had been made into Top 40 "pop" hits?
RReady555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Long-term memory--even 80 years or more ago--can be startlingly resilient in Alzheimer patients...happy birthday to your Aunt Grace from Rudy & RR! ;)
jzoren64 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
im 43 i have never heard of this but my 92 yr old w/alzheimers was singing it 1 day and i was able 2 find it on lime wire she duz not remember much but knew every word 2 this song we thought it was very amusing 7/30/08 she is 92 today happy birthday aunt grace !!! i have since found the "78" its weird 2 hear this and 2 hear how music has evolved over time
RReady555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Thanks, Waldo--thanks very much for that history and those insights. I've updated the information box to include composer Sprague.Glad it's survived the bluestockings...just as it survived Prohibition.Far and away the best American college song!
Waldocounty (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
genia106: Yes, still sung. But several years ago, some "politically correct" imported prof launched a campaign to bowdlerize the lyrics because he deemed it glorification of excessive drinking. Thankfully, after a struggle, sensible heads prevailed and the original lyrics (by author-journalist Lincoln Colcord 1907, Searsport)remain. Music by Colcord's room-mate, music major Adelbert Sprague.
RReady555 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Thanks, genia...almost too jolly a piece to be a march. ;) Check out the "Related Videos" window to the right--there's a MAINE STEIN SONG 2008 video which underscores the continuing popularity of the song. ;)Best,-RR
genia106 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)
Rudy was great and so is this inspriational Stein Song! Would you know if the students at Maine U. still sing this song? I hope they do. :)Thank you. |
