NYTimes on Mr. Brightside
"How ‘Mr. Brightside’ Became a Generation’s Anthem" in New York Times Weekender
I found an archived version of the article. In the middle of the article:
"There’s even a football angle.
At a 2017 University of Michigan game against its rival Michigan State, in the midst of a torrential downpour, the song came over the loudspeakers at the end of the third quarter and everybody in the sold-out stands (capacity: 109,901) kept singing a cappella after the D.J. cut the music. Belting “Mr. Brightside” has been a third-quarter ritual ever since. You can even buy 'Mr. Brightside' Michigan-themed merch.
'It’s a weird song to have be a college football anthem,' acknowledged Alejandro Zúñiga, a Michigan alum who covers his alma mater for 24/7 Sports. 'The subject of the song is not related to sports, and it’s not a fight song.,' he added. 'But it just had so much momentum that it became what it is.'"
Personally, I wish that the article had linked to the MGoBlog store rather than Etsy for the Michigan-themed merch. Folks, you can buy the shirt here. (Although I checked out the Etsy stuff by A2 Printables and I liked the shirt that said "Leave Harbaugh Alone.")
My personal view is that Harbaugh's enthusiasm played a big role with this song. "Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind" causes the crowd to roar now.
That idea, along with the pain of losing before Harbaugh arrived, matches pretty well with the end of song:
"But it's just the price I pay, destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes, 'cause I'm Mr. Brightside"
Go Blue!
December 9th, 2023 at 9:19 AM ^
This was discussed already
December 9th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
I wish I could delete. I searched for it, I promise. And it was in the NYTimes Weekender (and you know it is now the weekend, so I thought it was an old article -- not two days old).
I will say that it kind of does not bother me that it was already posted in the sense that I check MGoBlog pretty often so let's talk again. But that's just cognitive dissonance. I like cognitive dissonance sometimes. Makes me feel better.
Let's give it up for the Michigan Daily article five years ago though:
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/how-killers-made-mr-brightside-one-most-enduring-rock-songs-all-time
December 9th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Coming out of my cage to tell OP no worries, you’re doing just fine.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
OP— I enjoyed the re-run and the Extra effort you put into the additional links.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:25 AM ^
NYT must find the topic compelling to write two articles about Mr. brightside.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
As do MGoBloggers
December 9th, 2023 at 8:34 PM ^
I was watching the Army Navy game today and I heard they were playing Mr Brightside on the stadium speakers in the third quarter. Gillette Stadium is trying to move in on our tradition...
December 9th, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^
And wuddya know the song still sucks.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:09 PM ^
Mr Brightside is Keith Jackson's favorite song
December 9th, 2023 at 9:20 AM ^
Third time in as many weeks? I think this Mr. Brightside thing might stick.
Anywho . . .
December 9th, 2023 at 9:42 AM ^
I think making those faces might be a requirement of playing the guitar.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
See Jonny Lang. I hope his voice returns one day.
December 9th, 2023 at 1:47 PM ^
Always like a Beato link.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
And of course this was already posted here:
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/siap-nyt-mr-brightside
I actually searched (I swear) for this, but it was on the second page. Also, the Weekender comes out on the Weekend (hence I saw the front page of the New York Times today online) but the article came out two days ago (buried online).
Anyway, to quote Fletch: it takes a big man to admit when he is wrong, and I am not a big man.
P.S. I did find the archived version and links to the "Leave Harbaugh Alone" shirt.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
It's going to be okay.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
Its a good thing we all like the song...
December 9th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
not the bunny:
the bunny is down on the song. same with our favorite skeleton
December 9th, 2023 at 1:26 PM ^
The "Weekender" is a featured compilation of articles from earlier in the week.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
I hate that dumb song and the article was already posted here:
December 9th, 2023 at 9:25 AM ^
And that guy was nice enough to say SIAP.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
I almost always SIAP because you know how this crowd gets....
December 9th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
It's the get out of jail (almost) free card.
December 9th, 2023 at 2:46 PM ^
Ya’ll better git off Don’s lawn!
December 9th, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
SIAP, but I hate that song too. Hey wait, you’re the guy!
December 9th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
Don hating Mr Brightside is the least surprising thing I've read on MGoBlog at least this week.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
Somebody has to hate dumb songs and I'm willing to do the job.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
A Michigan Man if there ever was one
December 9th, 2023 at 10:19 AM ^
*were
past subjunctive contrary-to-fact condition
December 9th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
The original phrase, "A Michigan Man if there ever was one," uses "was," which is the past tense form of "to be" in the indicative mood. This is the most straightforward and common way to express this idea.
The alternative, "A Michigan Man if there ever were one," employs "were," which can be an example of the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express wishes, hypotheticals, or conditions contrary to fact. In some instances, especially in more formal or traditional English, the subjunctive "were" is used instead of "was" in conditional clauses.
Both versions are grammatically correct and convey the same general meaning, though "was" is more common in contemporary usage.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Hey, I can't stand 7 Nation Army, like absolutely hate it, but after a morning of tailgating I'm singing along with everyone else at Michigan Stadium before every kickoff. Dumb songs are part of the experience.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Right? It's part of the experience. I mean, we sang Sweet Caroline for years, fer Godsakes!
THIS IS MICHIGAN!!!
December 9th, 2023 at 12:49 PM ^
They sing "Sweet Caroline" at Fenway Park, so I fucking refused to sing along when it played at the Big House. Also the Journey song that mentions "South Detroit" which is... actually Windsor? Journey sucked in the 70s and they suck now.
December 10th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Toledo?
But I really despise “Sweet Caroline”; Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life…
December 9th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
You just have to use google before posting.
mr brightside site:mgoblog.com
December 9th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
Compose your post
Refresh MGoBlog, people type fast here! If nothing was posted in the last 15 seconds hit 'Post'
Profit
December 9th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
It's part of the trilogy. Stay tuned.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:42 AM ^
Fans embrace the song, so it is what it is, but it would be great to have something that doesn’t scream alternative Michigan experience.
There’s times when it would be great to see some energy that screams the team is about to kick your teeth down your throat vs we are too polite to make you feel uncomfortable.
Just an observation - but maybe have the team enter for the second half of the game more along the lines of VA Tech and Enter Sandman?
December 9th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
At 6-6 maybe the Hokies should think about piping in Mr. Brightside.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:18 AM ^
I think Michigan Stadium has a much more engaged, vocal, and loud crowd than they have historically. It’s nice when an opponent has the ball - and they have difficulty communicating.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
Whoa Nellie!!! I can hear Keith singing now.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
It's just the price I pay. Destiny is calling me.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
I'm here for the snark.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Keith Jackson….the moon…Justin Feagen
December 9th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
I look forward to the day where this song and UM have 0 association with one another.
December 9th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
I’m coming out of my cage, and I’ve been doing just fine - but, it does seem like I’ve seen this before..
December 9th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
https://kcou.fm/mr-brightside-is-known-as-a-mizzou-anthem-for-everyone-except-its-creator/
Michigan did not start the tradition of playing “Mr. Brightside” at its football games. Michigan was not the first to do it, nor second, nor third. Schools have played this song basically since it came out, and Michigan was way late to the trend. Michigan started playing “Mr. Brightside” at its football games in October 2016. My Twitter searching found that Mizzou has been playing “Mr. Brightside” at basketball games as early as 2007. Mizzou borrowed its anti-KU adlibs from Kansas State, whose students chanted the song for even longer. Michigan does not own “Mr. Brightside.” Get out of my face with that.