Dear person who plays the recorded music at Michigan Stadium during football games,
Sorry for the vagueness. I have no idea who you are, and I have no idea what the rest of your job is. But I know that someone chooses the tunes that fill some of the down time during Michigan games. And while I'm sure you're a good person, there's one thing you do that I beg you to stop.
Journey. "Don't Stop Believin.'" "Born and raised in south Detroit."
Seriously. You are making me crazy.
Such a nice stadium. Why would you want to ruin it with Journey music?
Daniel J. Brenner | AnnArbor.com file photo
Those piano chords that have created a sick feeling in my gut since I was in high school. Then that voice—Steve Perry's grating whine— "Just a city boy ..."
And then—here it comes—100,000 people singing along, "Born and raised in South Detrooooiit..."
Make it stop? Please?
First, there's the well-documented fact that there's no such place as South Detroit. And the fact that the song already gets way too much exposure at sporting events that are actually in Detroit. And the fact that Journey has no connection to Michigan.
Then there's the song. It's just terrible.
Journey has no soul. Journey is plastic, processed and packaged. Journey is the McDonald's of music. I'm tempted to compare Perry's voice to fingernails on a chalkboard, except that sound doesn't make me want to jab an X-acto knife into my temple.
At least that's how it sounds to me. I know lots of people like Journey, and to them I apologize. I think we all have bands/songs that generate this kind of reaction, and unfortunately this happens to be mine.
I'm actually going to the game today, which is why I'm bringing this up now. But it's not just about me. It's Senior Day, the last home game for Denard Robinson and other Wolverine stalwarts. If you can't do it for me, do it for Denard.
This is Michigan. Leaders and Best, right? You're better than this, and it's time to take a stand.
Yours sincerely,
Bob
P.S. Next season, could we maybe talk about "Seven Nation Army" too?
P.P.S. If you're looking for a replacement with a regional shout-out, here's one option:
So, am I wrong? Let me know what you think about the song in the comments and / or vote in the poll below:
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com whose favorite bands in high school included the Beatles, the Clash, and Ann Arbor's own Bob Seger. Follow him on Twitter @BobNeedham.