Choose the FIRST Anthem?

[nightrenegade00]

so i was helpin out at the Boston Regional this weekend and i heard the two songs that were made about FIRST...i was thuroughly amuzed and got the idea to want to play those songs live at nationals with students on robotics teams...personally i want nerds to do it :P me being one myself (unofficially official lol) unfortunately idk if im goin to make it to nationals...but i think it would be cool if we could get a band of nerds to play the FIRST songs...if any of the nerds know how to play drums, bass, and guitar...and sing too...let me know cause i wanna go up and rock out!!!

-Crash

[Jon K.]

Nothing like spelling out FIRST in the middle of the field... Yea I got to be the "T" That was amusing, as well as the giant chicken dance turned mosh pit esque field reset crew dance time... That was amusing. Field reset people really have the most fun at one of these events.

Edit: Oh and while I am sure FIRST loves the song if I hear it anymore any time soon I think I might run and hide... There is only so many times you can hear FIRST spelled out. /Edit

[Alex Cormier]

Edit: Oh and while I am sure FIRST loves the song if I hear it anymore any time soon I think I might run and hide... There is only so many times you can hear FIRST spelled out. /Edit
yes! i couldn't stand that by the awards and guess what played atleast 6 times for finalists, winners! the song. only play it so many times is good enough....................

[nightrenegade00]

ha ha ha i agree...they need to make it a full song instead of a 1.5 minute or so loop. i cant wait until the songs are available to download...although by then we will probably kill anyone that plays them lol.

-Crash

[Joe Matt]

Hmmmm.....

http://www.usfirst.org/wsurveys/FMPro?-db=wCollector_.fp5&-lay=web_survey&-format=start.html&t_spu=81-zbhc&-new

Can I choose "neither"? It seems to be trying way to hard, with the second one sounds way too much like Global Guts theme song, only with more lyrics. Can we get Blue Man Group to create one? ;)

Your thoughts?

[dhitchco]

I heard BOTH of the newly-released FIRST songs at the Boston Regional.

I can fully understand the FIRST organization wanting or needing to create their own music for both an "identity" plus i suspect that royalties are being paid to play the official FIRST playlist at a public venue each time.

Therefore, why don't we suggest to Dean that he contract with several music houses to come-up with FIRST songs that sound MOST LIKE .......(fill-in your favorite song).

By the way, I did indeed see people inthe stands lip-syncing the new FIRST tunes even after only hearing them played once or twice....are they "catchy"....?

[Tom Bottiglieri]

I voted for Number 2. It sounds like the Outback steakhouse song.

[Joe Matt]

I heard BOTH of the newly-released FIRST songs at the Boston Regional.

I can fully understand the FIRST organization wanting or needing to create their own music for both an "identity" plus i suspect that royalties are being paid to play the official FIRST playlist at a public venue each time.

Therefore, why don't we suggest to Dean that he contract with several music houses to come-up with FIRST songs that sound MOST LIKE .......(fill-in your favorite song).

By the way, I did indeed see people inthe stands lip-syncing the new FIRST tunes even after only hearing them played once or twice....are they "catchy"....?

There are lots of "catchy" songs, but it doesn't mean they represent FIRST well, or at all. I say talk to a good geek band (BMG, Weird Al, etc) and see if you can create something cool.

[Cory]

I think they both pretty much aren't very good at all.

[codeoftherobot]

Hmmmm.....

http://www.usfirst.org/wsurveys/FMPro?-db=wCollector_.fp5&-lay=web_survey&-format=start.html&t_spu=81-zbhc&-new

Can I choose "neither"? It seems to be trying way to hard, with the second one sounds way too much like Global Guts theme song, only with more lyrics. Can we get Blue Man Group to create one? ;)

Your thoughts?

I wouldn't mind a Blue Man Group song. :D Truthfully, if there was a neither, I would have chosen it mainly because by limiting FIRST to a single anthem is kinda silly and.........I didn't really like either one. I chose the second primarily because it sounded a little heavier in the bass.

Oh and contract directly with a band rather than a music house. It would be a lot cheaper and easier, plus you wouldn't get rootkits installed on your computer if you tried to play the CD. ;)

[Tim Baird]

I'm pretty sure that Hanson could come up with a good FIRST song.

Grady, what do you think? ;)

[dhitchco]

FYI,
this thread about the new FIRST songs should be tied-int the following thread about "popular" songs

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45840

[Madison]

F to the I to the R to the S to the T? OMG.

Seriously, this is really bad. That said, I voted for number 2, because, uh, see above.

Haha.

[ScottM]

F to the I to the R to the S to the T? OMG.

Seriously, this is really bad. That said, I voted for number 2, because, uh, see above.

Haha.

Oh, but number 2 had....

"F-I-R-S-T,
The kings and queens of the lab-ra-tor-y"

Personally, I'd vote for Mark Mothersbaugh doing the anthem....

[KyleGilbert45]

When I first listened to these songs, I wasn't really liking either of them. After listening to them a couple times I came to the conclusion that Song 1 sounded like it would be good in a commercial or promo video for FIRST and Song 2 sounded like they were trying to rip of Weezer. Since there wasn't a "neither" option I decided to vote for Song 1 because it seems like it could be used better then Song 2.

[Richard Wallace]

Anyone else recall this one from the early 80's? The original lyric is quintessentially geeky. The instrumental line might make a good FIRST anthem if the lyric could be reworked.

MAKE A CIRCUIT WITH ME
(Tim Worman - Phil Bloomberg)
THE POLECATS (MERCURY 6059.588, 1982)

A sweet romance is not for me
I need electricity
If you wanna make me flip
Hit me with a micro chip

[Chorus]
I'll be a diode, cathode, electrode
Overload, generator, oscillator
Make a circuit with me

Just plug in and go-go-go
I'll be a human dynamo
Signals in my power cord
Impuls on my circuit board

I'm an AC/DC man
You can read my circuit diagram
I feed on electric jolts
I need fifty-thousand volts

A sweet romance is not for me
I really need electricity
If you wanna make me flip
Come on and hit me with a micro chip

I'm an AC/DC man
You can read my circuit diagram
I feed on electric jolts
I need fifty-thousand volts

[BandChick]

I have to say I'm a little SHOCKED by these. Was this the best FIRST could come up with?
Why didn't they ask students/mentors to maybe work together to come up with lyrics for a possible theme song!
SCARY! I voted for the first one, because, it's less....pre-school?

[Koko Ed]

So these are going to be a permanent fixture at FIRST events....


meh.

[Dan Petrovic]

Wow... who came up with these? They are REALLY cheesey. Do we really need a song?

What happened to all FIRST music being unnamed techno? That's what it should be, or written by Styx.

I felt obligated to vote so I voted for Number 2 cause I actually sat through that one.

[Jessica Boucher]

<old school>I'm sorry, the only one that should be allowed to do a FIRST song is Off Kilter. Period.</old school>

Do we have to choose an anthem? I would rather have a whole CD full of FIRST songs, if that's where we're going.

If we can get Will Smith to do a 30-second bit, then I'm sure we could find a bunch of bands to do something instead of choosing one, you know?

[Andy Grady]

I'm pretty sure that Hanson could come up with a good FIRST song.

Grady, what do you think? ;)

How about no!

Just...no...no to 1, no to 2...just no.

I know they are trying really hard, and I appreciate the effort...but after hearing it a billion times in Boston...I was pretty much ready to jump off of the Bunker Hill Bridge.

I vote for Mr. Roboto...or any 90's Dance song.

-Andy Grady

[Koko Ed]

Personally if I were to pick a FIRST anthem it would be Rush's "The Mission"

Hold your fire
Keep it burning bright
Hold the flame 'til the dream ignites
A spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

I hear their passionate music
Read the words that touch my heart
I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart

When I feel the powerful visions
Their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct
I wish I had that drive

Spirits fly on dangerous missions
Imaginations on fire
Focused high on soaring ambitions
Consumed in a single desire

In the grip of a nameless possession
A slave to the drive of obsession
A spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

I watch their images flicker
Bringing light to a lifeless screen
I walk through their beautiful buildings
And I wish I had their dreams
But dreams don't need to have motion
To keep their spark alive
Obsession has to have action
Pride turns on the drive

It's cold comfort
To the ones without it
To know how they struggled
How they suffered about it
If their lives were exotic and strange
They would likely have gladly exchanged them
For something a little more plain
Maybe something a little more sane

We each pay a fabulous price
For our visions of paradise
But a spirit with a vision is a dream
With a mission

[Tim Baird]

I know they are trying really hard, and I appreciate the effort...but after hearing it a billion times in Boston...I was pretty much ready to jump off of the Bunker Hill Bridge.
I would have been more accepting if they played it a few times and that was it. When it was played over and over and over again to the point where the words were being burned into my mind, they got old really fast. I need to be warmed up to new things like this, not force fed.

[Micah Siegel]

Why do they feel the need to make up new meanings for the letters in FIRST? Why not put lyrics that actually describe things that we do in FIRST?

[Emily Pease]

Personally, I'd vote for Mark Mothersbaugh doing the anthem....

Ha! I can't really see him doing a sports anthem type of song! But I think pretty much anything he'd create would be preferable to the two songs they played on repeat at the Boston regional.

[buss]

I hate to be so negative, but these are awful. Really awful. They are very childish.

[Koko Ed]

How about no!

Just...no...no to 1, no to 2...just no.

I know they are trying really hard, and I appreciate the effort...but after hearing it a billion times in Boston...I was pretty much ready to jump off of the Bunker Hill Bridge.

I vote for Mr. Roboto...or any 90's Dance song.

-Andy Grady
Now I'm glad I didn't go to Boston.

[Katie Reynolds]

How about no!

Just...no...no to 1, no to 2...just no.I agree.

[CrazyCarl461]

Personally if I were to pick a FIRST anthem it would be Rush's "The Mission"Yes! Maybe they could get Geddy to sing it in Atlanta. Or even better, Neil Peart could write a new FIRST song and they could reveal it live during opening ceremonies.

[BoyWithCape195]

...I like them *hides under table*

[StephLee]

...I like them *hides under table*

They're...growing on me. Around the fifth time, I've started to sing along...they're definately corny...

[Nawaid Ladak]

I would vote for no. 2. if i actually liked them but i was loooking for more of a techno approch. i think i could grt some sort of band together and we could come up with something better.

hey, i got a idea. what about a CD Anthem. now that would be hot.

EDIT: I just thought of a better idea. if nationals are in Atlanta, who better than Ludacris to do a 60 sec bit repin FIRST. just like the promo he did for EA Sports Madden 2000.

[Ian Curtis]

Why not the song from Beatty's video? It might have been rap, but it is better than these two songs.

BTW, I voted for the first one. It sure is corny, but in the stands you don't hear the words that much anyways, just the beat.

[Koko Ed]

Now I'm glad I didn't go to Boston.
Oh Lord! Are they playing this at all the regionals this weekend (most notably GTR)? I need to know so I can remember to bring my headphones in!

[ScoutingNerd175]

By the end of finals at Boston we wanted to shout at the winning teams to go through the line faster so they wouldn't play it a 7th time... well, they did. I would vote for one but I will probably jump out the widow if I have to listen to them in order to pick which is less offensive. Seriously though. It was mildly amusing the first few times during competition, but the repeat during finalist awards and regional winner awards? Sure fire way to make you hate it. God, I wish I had something positive to say here....

I may not like the songs, but I love FIRST! :) (post was getting to be a downer)

[Dave Flowerday]

I think we need to hear a Dean Simmons and the Kamens version of these... :p

[bbguy5]

well if you listen to those lyrics for the beatty video, aka Salt N Pepa "Push It"
you'll understand why it's not the anthem.

[Adam Richards]

well if you listen to those lyrics for the beatty video, aka Salt N Pepa "Push It"
you'll understand why it's not the anthem.Wrong Beatty video. They were referring to http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44260

[Joe Matt]

They decided that if they put up the lyrics it would be better. WRONG!

These are straight off the FIRST site, as they say, truth can only be stranger than fiction.

F-We're gonna write the future
I- -a little inspiration
R-rock the bleachers
S-T- scientifically.

First- we're gonna kick a little
First-gonna give a little
First- it's gonna take a little energy

First-cause we got the vision
First-than we're gonna build it
First- gonna make a difference
We are gonna be...

F-I-R-S-T

First- did you ever wonder
First-The facts we uncover
First- We gotta crunch the numbers
Now let's work it
First- cause it's now or never
First-let's put it all together
First-it's time to pull the leather
Watch who winds up...FIRST.

FIRST -because the future is ours to be

FIRST- rocking out scientifically


F for fun

I inspiration

R rewarding

S sophistication

T for the top cause that's where we will be, oh yeah


FIRST the kings and queens of the laboratory

And we are FIRST rocking out scientifically


F for facts

I investigation

R research

S for the summation

T the theory that we want to test, oh yeah


FIRST we use the latest in technology

Cause we are FIRST in rocking out scientifically

[Madison]

Okay, so I think how horrid these songs are is clear.

Let's make this positive. Write the lyrics to your own FIRST anthem and, if you dare, the music, too.

Let's see how well y'all can do at crafting something that's not quite so magnificently cheesy ;)

[Tetraman]

second one is better for chanting and possibly memorizing. Might want to ask FIRST to make a real song.

[sw293]

That's wack. :eek:

The beatty video is infinitely better than these.

FIRST ought to stay off the mic if they are going to do stuff like this. FIRST is good with no anthem and a bad one won't make it better.

[Erin Rapacki]

I like the concept, but these songs need a REAL artist to perform them.
What about...

They Might be Giants!!! :)

[rangersteve]

No way. These are so bad. I like the idea of a song but it has to be good. If one of these is picked it will be played with every promotion and event, casting a cheesy, fake, childish shadow over everything FIRST. :ahh: :mad:

[Nuttyman54]

I say the Beatty song, a BMG song, Wierd Al, TMBG...anything but those 2. I'll work on writing one (i'm a musician and composer in my....well what spare time i used to have)

[Ryan Dognaux]

LOL.

That's what I have to say about these songs... ack, they are just Bad. I guess if I had to pick one, it'd be the second one since it's more rock. But dang, I think they need to give it another shot.

[Jeremy Roberts]

Why FIRST? Why? So...There should hopefully be a "neither" button by tomorrow.

[Koko Ed]

Why FIRST? Why? So...There should hopefully be a "neither" button by tomorrow.
No. I don't think so.
FIRST is making us choose either or. Not whether or not. They are in complete denial and think because it say FIRST that were supposed to love it with all of our heart and soul. So it looks like were gonna be stuck with one of these trainwrecks from now on.

[Rick TYler]

Come on everybody. Relax. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Send your soul to your happy place. It will be OK. It's only a song we are talking about here.

On the other hand, does anyone have Al Yankovic's phone number?

[Erin Rapacki]

The vote is "either - or" because Dean wants one to play during this year's Atlanta. I doubt they'll compile a different song in three weeks.

[artdutra04]

Okay, enough ranting in this thread. How about a positive suggestion?

I wonder if someone (umm **cough**Kevin Kolodziej**cough**) would mind doing a remix of these songs? I don't know if that violates any copyright laws that FIRST might have on these songs, but a good techno remix of these songs might liven them up and make them better/more bearable.

Sorry Kevin, but your FURC music is pretty good. ;)

As for suggestions for new songs, what is FIRST's target audience? If these songs are meant for promotional videos and the like, a softer song with lyrics might be better. But if FIRST is looking for a good anthem to play at competitions, it has to be a good techno / dance / rock song (with less lyrics) that people will like. If you want some good suggestions, look on the FIRST DJ playlists and pick something. Maybe like these:

Get Ready For This, by 2 Unlimited

Rock and Roll Part II, by Gary Glitter

Welcome to the Jungle, by Guns n' Roses

any of the Vengaboys party music

Blue Man Group :cool:

[Billfred]

Alright, I'll have to agree: both need work. #2 was kinda catchy, and is closer to the mark than #1 in my book.

As a person who gets picky about music (yet also play William Shatner at least once a week), I think my main gripe about this exercise is that both of the songs sound derivative. They sound like about half of the songs on the radio--that's a bad thing, in my book. (How many bands have used that odd drowned-out sound effect as seen in #2? And how many have token scratching like #1?)

Personally, I'm of the opinion that with 1,100 teams in this shin-dig (not even counting FLL and FVC), we can do better. Perhaps pass the hat to fund a scholarship for the best student-created FIRST anthem, then accept entries in the fall?

[Joe Matt]

To FIRST:

You might be scratching your heads, you might be wondering "Why, we thought they were good, we thought that's what you guys liked."

You had us help design the games, you had us help do other things for FIRST in the past, so why not a song writing competition? Why not get with other FAMOUS composers and write something?

As for WHY this, uh, SUCKS, look at all the GOOD songs of the past. None of them are like this, none of them have a similar song structure, none are as blatant or horrible. This is the Superbowl Shuffle of geek songs, sort to speak. We DON'T NEED A BLOODY SONG TO INSPIRE PEOPLE! We don't need a jingle to spread the word! When I tell people about FIRST I never have to break into song or dance to express it, unlike other organizations. WHY? Because the concept and execution of FIRST is totally unique and amazing. People are captivated by it. FIRST is true inspiration and excitement, it doesn't need a jingle to get it across. I see it in kids eyes when I go to the competitions.

FIRST, ditch the song. Ditch the idea. You don't need a song, you're not an insurance company or car dealer, you're the life of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You create careers and improve lives, not sell a fad product. And sure has heck don't stand for the ideas of pop songs.

[Andy Grady]

I think that its fairly safe to say that we've been pretty brutal when judging these songs. I mean, its not every day where we get to become the "Simon Cowell" of the FIRST world. I think one way to approach this is to figure out what went wrong with this...

I don't know about you, but when I first heard the song, I almost felt like my inteligence was being insulted. The song kinda came off like one of those songs I used to hear on like...the Lambchop show on PBS. Honestly...if you want kids to have a good time, and dance, and sing...you really don't need to make up a song just for them...even if they end up dancing to a song about a different organization.

The basic idea behind the song was to make something similar to YMCA that everyone could do a similar dance to. While in theory, the idea may have seemed cool...in the end, honestly, we already have YMCA...we don't need another. While we're at it...we also already hava a cha-cha, train, electric slide, chicken, and cotton eyed joe. I think...a first song would be good if it was high energy, not gimicky, and just something thats good to listen to...maybe ONCE possibly twice a competition.

FIRST already puts on a great show...in my humble opinion, it would serve the program better if the energy put into making the song went towards something that made a little more of a difference...like figuring out a way to give dying teams money.

I may sound like a kill joy...but hey...even Simon Cowell, as miserable as he is, knows what can make a star.

-Andy Grady

[galewind]

We need a new recipe.
Mix:

1 Part Daft Punk
2 Parts John Flansburgh
1 Part Andrew WK

Stir gently and enjoy.

[pathew100]

I think we need to hear a Dean Simmons and the Kamens version of these... :p

I wholeheartedly agree. These songs would be much better with a harder sound to them.

For those who don't know, here's their website

http://www.deansimmonsandthekamens.com/

They most recently tore it up live at the monkey house at Milwaukee Zoo for the Wisconsin Regional. A most excellent show.

[Tristan Lall]

So what's the deal, here? I've spent several minutes scrutinizing these songs, and yet, I can't find much redeeming value in them. Has FIRST had enough of the usual ceremonial anthems, and decided to substitute their own? Is this an elaborate ruse to distract us from this weekend's regionals? I vote the latter, simply because anything else is too painful to contemplate.

Whatever the reasoning, these songs (ridiculous excuses for acrostic poetry, at best) remind me of the Mickey Mouse Club theme, more than anything else. The comparison to Lamb Chop wasn't all that unfair either; these songs are simply non-tuneful, non-memorable, non-inspiring, and so very contrived.

Perhaps FIRST is trying to create something with mass appeal, and yet, once all is said and done, all they have to show for it are two examples of less-than-mediocre drivel. Fundamentally, given a random sample of people, how many actually greatly enjoy the same specific types of music? Maybe, for that reason alone, mass appeal is their mistake. Furthermore, is FIRST trying too hard to get the message out, at the expense of its presentation? It sure seems like it to me.

Traditionally, to create a dignified atmosphere through music, a certain style is used. Maybe a march, maybe a chorus, maybe a memorable tune—in fact, combinations of the three have been used with great success over the years. But this is just too blatant. Imagine if La Marseillaisse were sung like these brutal efforts. If FIRST is going to try this, they have to realize that barring some truly exceptional circumstances, their anthem will be relegated to ceremonial use only—it's got to be good for that sort of thing, first and foremost. Whether or not it appeals to popular sensibilities is necessarily a secondary concern.

If FIRST needs an anthem—and I'm by no means convinced that it does—they ought to take the example of the Olympics, or of the European Union; hold a contest or a assemble a panel to find something with a little dignity and panache, ensure that its musical merits are unimpeachable, and if it needs lyrics, hire someone who understands both verse and FIRST. It doesn't have to be classical in style (though that would be my personal preference); just don't make it into a demo tape for the Mickey Mouse Club.

I really hope this is a joke, because if it isn't, like someone said earlier, it's wack.

[Jeremy Roberts]

I really hope this is a joke, because if it isn't, like someone said earlier, it's wack.

Maybe someone will pop up in the next day and say April Fools. If not, I hope FIRST HQ re-evaluates the need for an anthem/jingle. There are many better ways to spread the mission/spirit of FIRST (if that is the intention).

[Elgin Clock]

Well.. <sigh> I'm gonna have to agree with most of you and say that although it was a good attempt, I think they are both lacking something.

But, I give a gold star for effort, and this definitely deserves one.

As for my vote, since these are currently the only 2 choices, I would have to go for a cross.

Number one, I can barely understand the words, but I like the beat. If they re-release another version well spoken, I would vote for that one I guess.

Number two, I can understand the words perfectly, but the beat is a bit lacking, and reminds me of a pre-school song, not a song based in High School, or Middle School.
Also, when you hear it played 6 times in a row during an award ceremony (re: Boston regional) it gets annoying.
edit: Looks like this version isn't gonna be released anytime soon going by the mp3's ID3 tag anyways.
Year: 2935 :p

Also, I don't think anyone touched on this yet, but who actually is the singer/s behind these songs for FIRST?

I'd like to know that.

Also, just for the heck of it I decided to update the lyrics so I can have it karaoke style in my winamp plugin called minilyrics.
http://www.philocode.com/minilyrics/

Anyways, here's the info for the first version.


[00:09.00]F-I-R-S-T
[00:14.00]F- We gonna write the future
[00:17.00]I- A little inspiration
[00:19.00]R- We gonna rock the bleachers
[00:22.00]S-T- Scientifically.
[00:29.00]First- We gonna kick a little
[00:31.00]First- We gonna give a little
[00:34.00]First- It's gonna take a little energy
[00:39.00]First- Cause we got the vision
[00:41.00]First- Then we gonna build it
[00:44.00]First- We gonna make a difference
[00:46.00]We are gonna be...
[00:52.00]C'mon first things first y'all
[00:56.00]C'mon c'mon first things first y'all
[00:58.50]F-I-R S-T scientifically.
[01:13.00]First- Did you ever wonder
[01:15.50]First- The facts we uncover
[01:18.00]First- We gotta crunch the numbers - Now let's work it
[01:23.00]First- Cause it's now or never
[01:25.50]First- Let's put it all together
[01:28.00]First- It's time to pull the leather
[01:31.00]Watch who winds up...FIRST.


I rounded all the times, so it's not that exact, but it's darn close.

Also, I'm trying to decide whether the word leather from the FIRST site is supposed to be lever or not.

I don't get the "time to pull the leather" statement.
What do you all think it should be / is?



Version 2 coming soon.

[Koko Ed]

Well if they want to fashion a theme after another song how about the America theme from Team America (just much much cleaner). If your gonna be dopey go all out.

[dhitchco]

Wow,
four (4) whole pages of responses to this thread in less than 24 hours! That must mean that we're passionate about our music and what gets played at FIRST events.

Let's be POSITIVE about what FIRST can do to "go back to the studio". As Dean himself said in Boston, these two songs were a) very rough cuts and b) were inspired by a 3rd-party studio who did them for free or nominal charge as an experiment (isn't that what science is all about anyways?).

As I said in a prior thread, I highly suspect the reason that FIRST wants to use some of its own music is to avoid paying royalties. I'm 99% sure that you can't play "YMCA" at any public venue without copyright concerns.

So, let's be POSITIVE, not negative, and start to brainstorm some catchy lyrics and suggest a danceable beat (e.g. something that has the same beat as a Michael Jackson tune.....etc)...So, keep the suggestions coming.

[hansTP2S]

I haven't heard the music, but I read the lyrics. Let me break it down for the first one.

F-We're gonna write the future
I-a little inspiration
R-rock the bleachers
S-T- scientifically.

Not only are these inconsistent, but S and T don't get their own lines. Seriously, they could have at least done S-Science & T-Technology, to reference what FIRST originally stood for. Secondly, How does one go about "rocking" bleachers, especially when most of the regionals/nationals don't even have bleachers to be rocked. I'd imagine rocking the bleachers could be very dangerous, because there should be people in the bleachers.

First- we're gonna kick a little
First-gonna give a little
First- it's gonna take a little energy

In all of the FIRST anything that I have ever gone to, I have never seen anything kicked, unless someone was angry. Secondly, doesn't first take a lot of energy and time? Not only that, but using the words gonna and little three times in three lines just sounds stupid.

First-cause we got the vision
First-than we're gonna build it
First- gonna make a difference
We are gonna be...
F-I-R-S-T

We got the vision, than we're gonna build it. Now I'm no English professor, but I was taught in 6th grade that "than" was reserved for comparisons, like "Whoever wrote this is worse at writing songs than Nickleback." For those of you who like Nickleback, I'm sorry...that you like Nickleback. I really wish Nickleback's music would somehow be erased and that the members of the group would become paralyzed from the neck down, but I digress. In addition, I'm sort of embarrassed by reading those lyrics, much less hearing them.

First- did you ever wonder
First-The facts we uncover
First- We gotta crunch the numbers
Now let's work it

No, I have never wondered what facts you uncovered, plus, wonder and uncover don't even rhyme.
If this was a real song, "Now lets work it" would logically be followed by an instrumental solo, but I don't have the music, so maybe someone could fill me in. If the musical tastes of the people on this forum are close to the musical tastes of whoever wrote this crapfest, it would more likely be some synthesized J-Pop bebooping loop for around a half a minute that a drunk orangutan could make in fruity loops. I hope someone could fill me in.

First- cause it's now or never
First-let's put it all together
First-it's time to pull the leather
Watch who winds up...FIRST.

Alright, I'll admit, I cheated a little bit. I broke up the last stanza into two parts. At our last team meeting before the robot shipped, one of the freshman was sitting around, doing nothing. I walked up to him and said "Jeremy, it's time to pull the leather." He immediately jumped up and started working on the robot, after filling out 13 college applications for mechanical engineering. Man, he was so inspired by that. What does pulling leather have to do with FIRST at all? Do you even pull leather? I mean, seriously. I went to rhymezone.com and came up with a few other words that rhymed with together, and made additional lyrics and are offering them to FIRST free of charge.
First-Now here's Joe, with the weather
First-my favorite sport is tether...ball
First-let's have a team get-together
First-i found an eagle feather
None of these make any sense or relate to First, except number three, but that was an accident. All of these would be just as good in the song as it's time to pull the leather.

For all of you that are complaining that you can't hear the lyrics, you should thank god instead.

edit: I vote for MC Chris for the re-writing/re-recording.

[Rick TYler]

If FIRST needs an anthem—and I'm by no means convinced that it does—they ought to take the example of the Olympics, or of the European Union; hold a contest or a assemble a panel to find something with a little dignity and panache,

Unfortunately, you might end up with the Olympic Hymn, which is a real snooze-a-rama. The best songs are written by a person with passion for the topic. Roboticists, start your MIDIs.

[Nawaid Ladak]

What about some Linking Park, Techno super remix

how much should it cost for an hour or two in the studio with linking park. and some DJ (I perfer DJ Assault do the mixing, because he's good.)

[Elgin Clock]

edit: I vote for MC Chris for the re-writing/re-recording.

My backpack's got jets. I'm Bobba The Fett..

I chill in deep space, a mask is over my face.

Hehehehe.. gotta love rhymes.

[akshar]

How about no!

Just...no...no to 1, no to 2...just no.

I know they are trying really hard, and I appreciate the effort...but after hearing it a billion times in Boston...I was pretty much ready to jump off of the Bunker Hill Bridge.

-Andy Grady

i agree
neither of them are 'catchy' and they are way to cheesy

[Kevin Kolodziej]

I don't think this has anything to do with royalties for the music at the events. FIRST hires DJ's and those fees are covered in there...unless you're going to completely eliminate DJ's from the competition, you're never going to avoid those fees. Unless we want to hear a non-stop 8 hour mix of Shiny Dirt (http://people.msoe.edu/~kolodzik/shiny%20dirt%20(FURC%20Mix).mp3) :D

Musically I like the second one better, but I heard them say F-I-R-S-T the first time...ugh.

Someone mentioned Will Smith. Seriously...he knows about FIRST, he's given the speech for the Championship...why HASN'T this happened yet??

The music in the promo videos that they are running at the regionals isn't half bad - was that custom made for the videos?

Kev - who is interested to see where this goes...and is brushing the dust off his recording equipment...

[dubious elise]

I'm going to have to agree with what Joe Matt said. FIRST shouldn't need to stoop to the anthem-writing level. I understand that this was a free/donated venture into the unknown, and I applaud them for giving it a shot, but I guess this just wasn't the right idea to try.

No, I have not listened to the songs yet, but to all of the critics inside of everyone, no matter how cheesy the songs sound, think about the age range here. FIRST isn't just about high schoolers. There are FLL teams in the 8 year old range while we have a mentor on our team in the 78 year old range - that is a huge spread and a wide variety of musical tastes to accomodate.

Yes, I'm going to say that I don't like them already, based off of the lyrics, but I am still interested to see what other people can come up with - let's give Kevin and the other composers some time and see what they can do, eh? ;)

[Heretic121]

this was the better song UNTIL THIS POINT!!! and 5 of us volunteers standing around the field were just like "OMG THAT KILLED IT!!!!"

i still go with niether... they need to making something from scracth not try to follow other things...

[Dr.Bot]

Hey I've written the FIRST Anthem - unfortunately the Music it is based on,

Addicted to Love - Has been banned from FRC - (Too sexist or something.)

Here are my Lyrics to Addicted to FIRST:

With apologies to Robert Palmer:

Addicted to FIRST!

----------
Your lights are on, but your voltage's low,
You can't get autonomous mode.
Your finger's twitch, your body aches
Another match is all it takes.

You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another match is all you need.

Ohh oohh
you like to think that math and science are tough
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
you know you're gonna have to face it
you're addicted to FIRST.

You see the score, but you can't read
You're gearin' at the wrong speed.
You motors smoke, the belts they strip,
Don't give me any lip, you're losing grip, not very hip.

You can't be saved
Another round is all you crave
If there's some action left for you
You don't mind if you do

Ohh oohh
You like to think that math and science are tough
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough,
you know you're gonna have to face it
you're addicted to FIRST

Might as well face it, you're addicted to FIRST(5x)

Your lights are on, but your voltage's low
You can't get remote control,
Your joystick's stuck, your feeling sink
Your drive trains lost another link.

Ohh oohh
you like to think that math and science are tough
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
you know you're gonna have to face it
you're addicted to FIRST

Might as well face it, you're addicted to FIRST(5x)

---------

(I tried to talk one of Dean's Director buddy Paul into producing it, but he said he wouldn't do it unless he could get super models riding Segways!)

[Dave Scheck]

Hey I've written the FIRST Anthem ...Sounds like the next DSK hit! You should try and pitch it to them.

[KenWittlief]

We need to do what they did back in the old days, commission someone with talent and experience to write a FIRST anthem

someone like, I dont know..... Austin Powers?

Woodie
Flowers
Make bots with me!

Turning out panels
Made of PVC!

PVC one, PVC two, PVC three, PVC four

BTW, is it just me or is it a little weird that after all these years FIRST has not found a song thats already out there that we can adopt as our own?

Im mean, are we so strange that no musician has ever wrote about what we are all about? There is nothing already out there that makes us stop and say "hey, thats us dude!"

[lemoneasy]

By the way, why is the first anthem a rock song? The whole competition is non-stop happycore and techno. I think FIRST should commission joshua(www.joshuahardcore.com) to make the FIRST theme. An hour long happy hardcore techno song would make a much more fitting theme...

[MattK]

I think someone's face @ FIRST is turning really red after reading this thread and realizing this might not have been the best idea- however they prob have not paid for these songs yet... most likely they put up a project an companies are currently bidding on the project and giving first samples of what the song will sound like.

[Not2B]

I think the songs should have no reference to robotics. FIRST isn't robotics. FIRST is insperation.

But I DO fear these songs.
I fear hearing them over and over.
I really fear people from outside of FIRST hearing them. It would be a disaster. For years now, people are starting to understand FIRST. People are starting to forget battlebots. People are starting to think FIRST is cool.

These songs would be a setback.

Maybe we should do a camp song we can all sing along to.
Oh Camp Ivy
How we love your leaves
Your itchy-ness makes us happy
Your beds are full of fleas

[Jason Morrella]

Ok - after listening to each song, I've come to the following conclusions (and yes, I did listen to each of them all the way through).

1. That's 4 to 5 minutes of my life I will never get back. A bit upset, yes, but nothing I can do about it now.

2. Mr. Gilbert pointed out the link of the web page to the survey, so my wishful thinking that this was an elaborate April Fool's joke doesn't appear very promising

3. I hope a couple more options are added to the survey answers - like "neither of the above" or "please, please, please don't play these at any week 5 events or the Championship"

4. must reference # 1 again

[The Lucas]

I voted for #2 just because #1 reminded me of South Park's "Getting Gay with Kids" singing group. But seriously there should be a "no theme song" or "try again" option.

This has probably been said before in this thread: They should have asked the teams to try to write a song for an award (like animation) that could possibly be used as the theme song. It would be more connected with the FIRST community than a few independent song writers trying to do it. They would have more than 2 songs to choose from and one would be better than these. FIRST members are a multi talented group and there is substantial musical talent out there. My team produced a couple team songs a few years ago (more techno remixes of of our cheer than a songs but whatever). I am sure Dean Simmons and the Kamens or Beatty (that video was good) would be frontrunners in this music competition. You could keep the competition running for a few years even, until FIRST gets the right song (or one that can be rewritten into the theme song). How cool would it be if your team wrote the theme song? You would be forever immortalized in FIRST History.

[Clark Gilbert]

Ok - after listening to each song, I've come to the following conclusions (and yes, I did listen to each of them all the way through).

1. That's 4 to 5 minutes of my life I will never get back. A bit upset, yes, but nothing I can do about it now.

2. I can't find this survey on the actual FIRST web page, or any reference to these songs anywhere, and have heard nothing of them at 4 weeks of Regionals so far....so on to number three

3. I'm "hopeful" (EXTREMELY hopeful) that this is an incredibly clever and well executed April Fool's joke - if so, kudos to those who pulled it all together, job well done.

4. must reference # 1 again

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9845/untitled5sx.jpg

[TheNotoriousKid]

YEa pretty much they making FIRST stand for corny ..................if anything they should have the teams come up with anthems and pick from the teams........................................if someone already suggested that my bad i didnt read the whole thread.

[Adam Y.]

Hmmmm.... It's a much better April fools joke than some of the other years. Didn't they say one year that Nationals was canceled? Then again they could be serious. If that is true I say we rebel and write our own. There are plenty of nerdy songs out there that we can tweak.

[lukevanoort]

Dream On from Aerosmith seems pretty good for the purpose all it needs is a few small changes. (If that)

[Joe Matt]

Hmmmm.... It's a much better April fools joke than some of the other years. Didn't they say one year that Nationals was canceled? Then again they could be serious. If that is true I say we rebel and write our own. There are plenty of nerdy songs out there that we can tweak.

That was a prank on CD, not from FIRST.

[GaryVoshol]

Are these really Silly Songs with Larry?

[chrisinmd]

I'm gonna agree with most of you in saying that they both were pretty bad.
I thought the first one sounded like it would work good in a commercial, a 30 or 60 second spot would fit the song and it wouldn't drive you crazy! I have to say I voted for the second one because I didn't think it was as bad as the first one. Or should I say the F to the I to the R to the S to the T.

-Chris

[Arkorobotics]

#2

[psych0gambit]

Even though there wasnt a neither button, I imagined myself clicking the neither button before I felt like pummeling you for making me listen to them, and the screaming :ahh: , and losing all hope in life. Now I shall hope-pray-beg that when I wake up the next day, this was an amazing april's fool joke or some bad dream or Im just going crazy and imagining all this in my head.

[dlavery]

Please, please, please let this be an April Fools joke. Please.

<sigh> If either of these are to become an official anthem, then I would suggest that we immediately adopt an unofficial anthem that MUST be played immediately following the official one:
Lobotomy, lobotomy, lobotomy, lobotomy!
DDT did a job on me
now I am a real sickie
guess I’ll have to break the news
That I got no mind to lose
all the girls are in love with me
I’m a teenage lobotomy

Slugs and snails are after me
DDT keeps me happy
now I guess I’ll have to tell ’em
That I got no cerebellum
gonna get my ph.d.
I’m a teenage lobotomy

Lobotomy, lobotomy, lobotomy, lobotomy!
DDT did a job on me now
I am a real sickie guess
I’ll have to break the news
That I got no mind to lose
all the girls are in love with me
I’m a teenage lobotomy
-dave

[Koko Ed]

Well if they want to fashion a theme after another song how about the America theme from Team America (just much much cleaner). If your gonna be dopey go all out.
FIRST Robotics...
FIRST Robotics...
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
Coming down, to save the future yeah,
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
Gracious Professionalis is the only way yeah,
Greed and Selfishness your game is through cause now your gonna have to answer to,
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
We're kickin in the door, and changin the culture,
FIRST ROBOTICS, FIRST YEAH!
Science and Technology are the key to the future,
it’s the dream that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FIRST YEAH!

Dean Kamen, FIRST YEAH!
Woodie Flowers, FIRST YEAH!
1992, FIRST YEAH!
Sportmanship, FIRST YEAH!
Team givaways, FIRST, YEAH!
Tigerbolt FIRST Chat, FIRST YEAH!
Kickoff, FIRST YEAH!
Chief Delphi, FIRST YEAH!

FIRST YEAH!

Mountain Dew, FIRST YEAH!
Disney world, FIRST YEAH!
Pizza, FIRST YEAH!
Team buttons, FIRST YEAH!
Spirit, FIRST YEAH!
Andy Baker, FIRST YEAH!
Rookie All Star, FIRST YEAH!
Taco Bell, FIRST YEAH!
Dewalts, FIRST YEAH!
All nighters (FIRST yeah, FIRST yeah)

Chairman's Award, FIRST YEAH!
Webhug, FIRST YEAH!
IRI, FIRST YEAH!
Band-aids, FIRST YEAH!
Off Seaon events, FIRST YEAH!
Pre ship Scrimmages, FIRST YEAH!
Regionals, FIRST YEAH!
Dave Lavery, FIRST YEAH!
Ship Night, FIRST YEAH!
Water game (water game)
(first yeah, first yeah)
Cotten Eyed Joe
Red Herrings

[Andy Grady]

Though I like Ed's rendition of FIRST Yeah (though I think its absolutely hillarious that anyone would even make mention to Team America on this board), I have another suggestion...

Whatever it takes
We'll make it by tommorow
Whatever it takes
You know it can be done
Something Something
Nothings gonna stop us
Do you accept the challenge today?
Do you accept...

Oh wait...that song has been done too ;)

Too bad 90% of you will not get this joke. But that one was for the old timers. :p

-Andy Grady

[Steve S.]

FIRST Robotics...
FIRST Robotics...
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
Coming down, to save the future yeah,
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
Gracious Professionalis is the only way yeah,
Greed and Selfishness your game is through cause now your gonna have to answer to,
FIRST Robotics, FIRST YEAH!
We're kickin in the door, and changin the culture,
FIRST ROBOTICS, FIRST YEAH!
Science and Technology are the key to the future,
it’s the dream that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FIRST YEAH!

Dean Kamen, FIRST YEAH!
Woodie Flowers, FIRST YEAH!
1992, FIRST YEAH!
Sportmanship, FIRST YEAH!
Team givaways, FIRST, YEAH!
Tigerbolt FIRST Chat, FIRST YEAH!
Kickoff, FIRST YEAH!
Chief Delphi, FIRST YEAH!

FIRST YEAH!

Mountain Dew, FIRST YEAH!
Disney world, FIRST YEAH!
Pizza, FIRST YEAH!
Team buttons, FIRST YEAH!
Spirit, FIRST YEAH!
Andy Baker, FIRST YEAH!
Rookie All Star, FIRST YEAH!
Taco Bell, FIRST YEAH!
Dewalts, FIRST YEAH!
All nighters (FIRST yeah, FIRST yeah)

Chairman's Award, FIRST YEAH!
Webhug, FIRST YEAH!
IRI, FIRST YEAH!
Band-aids, FIRST YEAH!
Off Seaon events, FIRST YEAH!
Pre ship Scrimmages, FIRST YEAH!
Regionals, FIRST YEAH!
Dave Lavery, FIRST YEAH!
Ship Night, FIRST YEAH!
Water game (water game)
(first yeah, first yeah)
Cotten Eyed Joe
Red Herrings

yeah! mountain dew and pizza!!! FIRST dinner of choice ^-^

[phrontist]

Kraftwerk should do our theme song. Perhaps they already have... (http://kraftwerk.technopop.com.br/data_lyrics.php)

[MrBlack298]

To continue with Ed's theme:

Everyone has FIRST!
FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST FIRST!

But in all seriousness, lets just forget the theme song. no matter what it is, it's going to make anyone who likes good music want to curl up and die.

[paulcd2000]

Wow... who came up with these? They are REALLY cheesey.

Amen! so much cheesiness... still i picked #2, because, ya know, just in case you don't know how to spell "FIRST" :p but really, it's because it used better (more creative) acronyms

[AmyPrib]

You know - this sounds a lot like the people on stilts from Disney championship days. I have watched many old videos from those days, and there was a group that closed the show that sang some cheesy kiddie songs.

I vote also for DSATKB to rock one out. There is a group of talented, creative, story-telling, lyric-writing, passionate folks in that group.

[Cyberguy34000]

Alright I think 6 pages of bashing is enough to get the idea of what we all think about the songs. Now what are we going to do about it? We all hate them, so...

Howabout a song writeoff? Lets let the community write something that everyone can rally around. We've got some talented people around here, I think all they really need is some inspiration, and if the horrific idea of these songs becoming permanent is enough to get that creativity flowing...

Still... Dean has quite a bit of influence and knows many people in high places, perhaps he could bring in a record label to kick off a FIRST songwriting contest, maybe a few celibrities could come in? Cash prizes? Label Deals? What would it take?

The basic idea is this: What can we do to come up with something better?

[Koko Ed]

Alright I think 6 pages of bashing is enough to get the idea of what we all think about the songs. Now what are we going to do about it? We all hate them, so...

Howabout a song writeoff? Lets let the community write something that everyone can rally around. We've got some talented people around here, I think all they really need is some inspiration, and if the horrific idea of these songs becoming permanent is enough to get that creativity flowing...

Still... Dean has quite a bit of influence and knows many people in high places, perhaps he could bring in a record label to kick off a FIRST songwriting contest, maybe a few celibrities could come in? Cash prizes? Label Deals? What would it take?

The basic idea is this: What can we do to come up with something better?
I already did! (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=481374&postcount=84)

[Psychoflood]

Haha to the Team America theme..
that's hilarious! It's a great attempt, but i think if FIRST is going to have a theme song it needs to have original music.

[FourPenguins]

At Palmetto, we were listen into to "Jump On it," and after singing the Atlanta verse over and over again in anticipation of Championships (Wazzup Atlanta? Wazzup?) my friend thought it would be awesome if FIRST got the rights to make a new version of the song, but with a verse for every regional and nationals. It could probably never happen, but it'd be awesome.

On a more related note, I hate both of those original FIRST songs, they sound like '90s elementary school "hip" educational videos (you know what I mean, recycling raps and all that)

[Nuttyman54]

Now I may be wrong here, but I think that parodies are not covered by copyright. Not sure of the details (ie, the lyrics/melody may not be protected but the instrumentals are, etc). Anyone up for checking this?

[Koko Ed]

Now I may be wrong here, but I think that parodies are not covered by copyright. Not sure of the details (ie, the lyrics/melody may not be protected but the instrumentals are, etc). Anyone up for checking this?Cpoy/pasted from here (http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/help/parodylaw.aspx).
Parody. The law regarding parodies is based upon the "fair use" doctrine under the U.S. Copyright Act. Under this doctrine, certain uses of copyrighted works, which would otherwise be considered infringing, are permissible.

In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., which involved 2 Live Crew's parody of Roy Orbison's famous song, "Pretty Woman." In determining that the song at issue was a parody, the Court emphasized the "transformative nature" of the parody. The Court did not set forth a bright-line rule for determining when a parody will be protected, but stated that each parody must be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Courts consider four factors in determining whether a parody constitutes fair use and thus is not an infringement:

the purpose and character of use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
the nature of the copyrighted work;
the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

In addition, courts may consider any other relevant factors not specifically enumerated under the Copyright Act. In general, the following principles have emerged from the law on the doctrine of fair use:

Parodies generally enjoy a high degree of protection under the law. Courts generally view parodies as important means of expression that should be protected.
Parodies for nonprofit purposes are more likely to be deemed fair use than those for commercial purposes. This factor, however, is not determinative.
The more the author of the parody changes the original work in creating the parody, the more likely the parody will be considered fair use.

In summary, the law surrounding parodies is factually based. Accordingly, any use of a copyrighted work claiming to be a parody should be reviewed by legal counsel.

[Jack Jones]

You know - this sounds a lot like the people on stilts from Disney championship days. I have watched many old videos from those days, and there was a group that closed the show that sang some cheesy kiddie songs.

I vote also for DSATKB to rock one out. There is a group of talented, creative, story-telling, lyric-writing, passionate folks in that group.

I take it you haven't heard. "Scoring code done dirt cheap?"

[petek]

Add my vote for the missing option [neither].

Both sounded like a throwaway song played by a daytime Disney TV "garage band". Speaking of GarageBand (http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/), I'm kinda surprised that no one on CD has thrown an alternative together for us to vote on yet.

[Elgin Clock]

You know - this sounds a lot like the people on stilts from Disney championship days. I have watched many old videos from those days, and there was a group that closed the show that sang some cheesy kiddie songs.

I would ask if that cheesy group was Mandy Moore, but there is no way she is even tall enough to be mistaken for someone wearing stilts.

Ahh... the fun we had in 02'.


On a more related note, I hate both of those original FIRST songs, they sound like '90s elementary school "hip" educational videos (you know what I mean, recycling raps and all that)

Hey you.. Don't Copy That Floppy (http://www.archive.org/details/dontcopythatfloppy)!!!!! HA HA HA!!

<thinks to self> I wonder how many people will actually "get" this? </thinks to self>

edit: Added link to video to not keep people in the dark. It's RAD!!! lol :rolleyes:

[Justin]

A few things before this thread gets locked...

1- A quote I heard at Boston sums it up well..."This song is an insult to my 12 years in FIRST."

2- The lesson FIRST should be learning here is INVOLVE THE TEAMS you have a community and a pretty passionate one...use it. Imagine the statement that would be made from a collaborative effort that spans across multiple teams, perhaps even recored by people form multiple teams we are the world style? Far more powerful than FIRST saying "here is your anthem."

3- Cotton Eyed Joe is the FIRST song...PERIOD. Always has been. Always will be.

Justin

[knuckledragger]

OK, so same as everybody else, i love dean kamen. but both him and the people who wrote this song should be arrested NOW!!!

[Richard Wallace]

OK, so same as everybody else, i love dean kamen. but both him and the people who wrote this song should be arrested NOW!!!Yeah, I guess Dean is the boss and, in FIRST as in any organization, whatever sucks is the boss's fault. However, I think it's also fair to assume that Dean has several other things on his mind right now that are more important than a FIRST Anthem; who knows, maybe (like many of us) he doesn't even like the idea of having a FIRST Anthem. In any case, cut the man some slack -- he's probably delegated this to some incredibly overworked person on the incredibly undersized FIRST staff. It'll get straightened out, in a time frame determined by its relative urgency -- which is not very high.

Anyway, arresting Dean would be impractical -- you'd have to catch him first!

[dipmeinaluminum]

if FIRST needs something, make it a jingle ! not a fully song. they both sound bad, i would vote for 2 if i had to ..

[AdamW]

I have been really Really REALLY scared by the fact that one of those songs is going to be a theme song.
Like THIS scared :ahh: .
Then again, how good do theme songs get?
They usually are repetitive, simple, not much of a melody, no solos or complexity, and can get pretty annoying if heard too much.
So, unless we can come up with a chart-topper, perhaps we should stick to what we're good at.

R-O-B-O-T-S

[Koko Ed]

A few things before this thread gets locked...

1- A quote I heard at Boston sums it up well..."This song is an insult to my 12 years in FIRST."

2- The lesson FIRST should be learning here is INVOLVE THE TEAMS you have a community and a pretty passionate one...use it. Imagine the statement that would be made from a collaborative effort that spans across multiple teams, perhaps even recored by people form multiple teams we are the world style? Far more powerful than FIRST saying "here is your anthem."

3- Cotton Eyed Joe is the FIRST song...PERIOD. Always has been. Always will be.

Justin
No. Cotten Eyed Joe is not the FIRST song.

[Stuart]

No. Cotten Eyed Joe is not the FIRST song.

the original or the techno remix?

[Koko Ed]

the original or the techno remix?
I'll go with C. Niether.

[Billfred]

I'll go with C. Niether.
But Ed, we've been over this! Neither is not an option! :p

[Koko Ed]

But Ed, we've been over this! Neither is not an option! :p
How about Hell no?

[Stuart]

what about if we got BMG to do a version . . would that work?

[RoboMom]

After coming off two weeks of wearing a blue shirt and made to stand on the field and dance (thanks to 173 for bringing me up to speed on cotton-eyed-joe in Philly), I played them both and tried to dance. #2 I tried the ol' YMCA, only with FIRST.

Arghhhh....

Forget it.

[evanisthat!]

This is the the single worst FIRST thing I know about. I am a bit biased being in an orchestra, however, this sucks. no other word can describe it. Someone said FIRST should let the students/mentors write the lyrics, I say and the music. For those who were at Palmetto, some of the techno music was written by a SOAP kid, and it ruled over this. FIRST needs to stick to robots and let musically talented students (who would probably do it for free) write the FIRST anthem.

[Billfred]

I searched the thread, and it turned up no results, so I'll go ahead and throw it out there:

What about a version of NL's "Aim High" (http://www.hammond.k12.in.us/TeamHammond/aimhigh.html) for the anthem?

[Richard Wallace]

I searched the thread, and it turned up no results, so I'll go ahead and throw it out there:

What about a version of NL's "Aim High" (http://www.hammond.k12.in.us/TeamHammond/aimhigh.html) for the anthem?Second that.

[TimCraig]

I thought you were a veteran? You don't wear earplugs all through the regionals? Especially when the kids are whining about why the robot doesn't work? :D

[Koko Ed]

I thought you were a veteran? You don't wear earplugs all through the regionals? Especially when the kids are whining about why the robot doesn't work? :D
What? Kids whine? :p

[JVGazeley]

They reallly need a "neither" option on the poll as I have to agree with what seems the concensus here in liking neither.

[Elgin Clock]

I searched the thread, and it turned up no results, so I'll go ahead and throw it out there:

What about a version of NL's "Aim High" (http://www.hammond.k12.in.us/TeamHammond/aimhigh.html) for the anthem?

That song only applies to this year with Aim High being the game name and all.

[Billfred]

That song only applies to this year with Aim High being the game name and all.
I tried to think of a way to argue against that idea, Elgin, and I came up with a few possible arguments:
Argument #1: Hey, Dave could just name the next 47 games "Aim High" as well.
Argument #2: "Aim High" is sufficiently in the vocabulary of most folks, which means FIRST could get away with it--even if it was the game from four years ago. ("Triple Play" or "Zone Zeal" might not be able to do that.)
Argument #3: While the song name may be "Aim High," the message contained within it is definitely year-neutral (even if it isn't quite team-neutral).
Argument #4: It still beats the two FIRST posted.

[Jack Jones]

How about Hell no?

Don't be so negative Ed! Number two wouldn't be so bad if they did a re-mix with a few guitar licks - some Fuzz & Wa-Wa?

OTOH, I'll have to agree that the lyrics are totally lame. I guess that's because the author only had the inspirational speeches to go by, rather than having the insight of mentoring a team or lurking on ChiefDelphi.

What's needed are some lyrics that truely capture the essence. We can write them. If we each write a verse, it could end up longer than the Inagodadavida - baby! Here's one: ( :rolleyes: ;) :o ;) )



F I R S T –we get upset when the parking’s not free

F I R S T- don’t like when they accept graciously

F you too

I’m all that

R reward me

S students built it

T for the trash talk cause that will impress them, oh yeah

[Stuart]

I think the real problem I have is the "light alt pop rock" style both songs have . . .

jack is right if they re did one of the songs with some hard guitar rifts . . . a drum solo . . mabe get that guy from ACDC to do the vocals . . .

[Jack Jones]

I think the real problem I have is the "light alt pop rock" style both songs have . . .

jack is right if they re did one of the songs with some hard guitar rifts . . . a drum solo . . mabe get that guy from ACDC to do the vocals . . .

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK!!!

[Richard Wallace]

I thought you were a veteran? You don't wear earplugs all through the regionals? Especially when the kids are whining about why the robot doesn't work? :DI've got grey hair. When the whining starts, I've noticed it's as likely to come from mentors as from kids. Music at events is a good way to drown all that out -- I say crank it!


That song only applies to this year with Aim High being the game name and all.I'll buy Billfred's arguments #2, #3, and #4 on this one. Also, I like NL's "Aim High" precisely because I don't think it will stand up over time (i.e., it will start to sound dated after a couple of years) -- that will motivate someone to write a new anthem.

Fresh material is one of the keys to sustaining FIRST. That's the reason we need a new game, new rules, new KOP elements, new teams, etc. every year.

[Travis Hoffman]

I'm sure U2, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Boy George, etc. are all bored....soooo.....

Let's all whine about the plight of those who are without FIRST and organize a massive fundraiser concert called "FIRST Aid" (48 has actually staged three such concerts locally) and recruit all these 80's icons to perform and write a song about FIRST ala "We Are the World", "Feed the World", etc.........

Can you imagine people like Andy Baker, Karthik, Copioli, Patton, Cokeley, Dillard, Lavery, Heidi, Woodie, Dean, Morrella, Warren, Boucher, Beatty, Olivera, Grady, etc. holding hands, swaying back and forth to the music, and singing a song like this? I smell music video....

So lame....

There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the nerds must come together as one
There are schools that need us
And it's time to lend a hand to FIRST
The greatest program of all

We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
Dean's great big family
And the truth, you know robots are all we need

[Chorus]
We are the nerds
We are the mentors
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're improving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your kitbot
So they'll know that someone cares
And their minds will be stronger and free
As Dean has shown us by giving us AIM HIGH
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]
We are the nerds
We are the mentors
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're improving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me


When your school has no team
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus]
We are the nerds
We are the mentors
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're improving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

[JaneYoung]

If y'all aren't careful I'm going to have to make another Walton response and delete myself again.....

This is just sad but I am laughing b-i-g belly laughs in my quiet law office. :ahh:
Jane

[Richard Wallace]

Let's all whine about the plight of those who are without FIRST and organize a massive fundraiser concert called "FIRST Aid" (48 has actually staged three such concerts locally) and recruit all these 80's icons to perform and write a song about FIRST ala "We Are the World", "Feed the World", etc......... Can you imagine people like Andy Baker, Karthik, Copioli, Patton, Cokeley, Dillard, Lavery, Heidi, Woodie, Dean, Morrella, Warren, Boucher, Beatty, Olivera, Grady, etc. holding hands, swaying back and forth to the music, and singing a song like this? I smell music video....<sways, sings>
"We are the weird!
We are the nerdly!
We wanna change the culture while we can, so we'll start early!
When we rise to the challenge, we can do anything we try!
So bring it on, we're gonna get it done, just you and me!"

[Stuart]

I'm sure U2, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Boy George, etc. are all bored....soooo.....

Let's all whine about the plight of those who are without FIRST and organize a massive fundraiser concert called "FIRST Aid" (48 has actually staged three such concerts locally) and recruit all these 80's icons to perform and write a song about FIRST ala "We Are the World", "Feed the World", etc.........

Can you imagine people like Andy Baker, Karthik, Copioli, Patton, Cokeley, Dillard, Lavery, Heidi, Woodie, Dean, Morrella, Warren, Boucher, Beatty, Olivera, Grady, etc. holding hands, swaying back and forth to the music, and singing a song like this? I smell music video....


. . as long as its not the FIRST suffle(da BEARS)

[windup zeppelin]

i was cracking up when i heard the first song

[Elgin Clock]

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK!!!

No no no..

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO BUILD...

WE IN SPIRE.. WE IN SPIRE.. WEEEEE INNNNNN SPIIIIRE.. YEAH!!!!

That's more of a mentor's theme though I guess. LOL

[firstrocks06]

the songs are horrible......they need to put more thought into these and not put up little jingles that took 5 minutes to make

[Tim Arnold]

Hmmmm.....

http://www.usfirst.org/wsurveys/FMPro?-db=wCollector_.fp5&-lay=web_survey&-format=start.html&t_spu=81-zbhc&-new

Can I choose "neither"? It seems to be trying way to hard, with the second one sounds way too much like Global Guts theme song, only with more lyrics. Can we get Blue Man Group to create one? ;)

Your thoughts?

Does anyone have a mirror of the MP3s from the above link (I can't get it to load)? I know they are terrible, but I wanted to keep them for records.

[Elgin Clock]

So.. I guess the thought of the anthem being announced in Atlanta was a false one eh??

Guess everyone forgot about these songs? Maybe it's better that way?

Sorry I bumped this to everyone who didn't/doesn't like the songs. :rolleyes: :p :yikes:

[TF8]

Though I like Ed's rendition of FIRST Yeah (though I think its absolutely hillarious that anyone would even make mention to Team America on this board), I have another suggestion...

Whatever it takes
We'll make it by tommorow
Whatever it takes
You know it can be done
Something Something
Nothings gonna stop us
Do you accept the challenge today?
Do you accept...

Oh wait...that song has been done too ;)

Too bad 90% of you will not get this joke. But that one was for the old timers. :p

-Andy Grady


Andy you did not just go there...you are now showing your age...

[Koko Ed]

So.. I guess the thought of the anthem being announced in Atlanta was a false one eh??

Guess everyone forgot about these songs? Maybe it's better that way?

Sorry I bumped this to everyone who didn't/doesn't like the songs. :rolleyes: :p :yikes:
Thanks to Sara and Dez anyone who attended PARC didn't.

[Daisy]

does anyone know where the songs can be found?

The link works no longer.

I missed the chance the first time around, and now that I have the requirements, I'd love to give it a listen.

Thank you

Daisy

[Athleticgirl389]

does anyone know where the songs can be found?

The link works no longer.

I missed the chance the first time around, and now that I have the requirements, I'd love to give it a listen.

Thank you

Daisy

I have the 2nd one.
http://www2.usfirst.org/videos/FirstTwo.mp3

Not sure what the other one is. I liked the 2nd one better, so I added it to my playlist lol.

[artdutra04]

does anyone know where the songs can be found?

The link works no longer.

I missed the chance the first time around, and now that I have the requirements, I'd love to give it a listen.

Thank you

DaisyHere they are:

http://www.team228.org/media/The-Real-FIRST.mp3

http://www.team228.org/media/FIRST-Two.mp3

And yes, I have permission from FIRST to post archived FIRST documents, digitalized files, and media on my team's website. (This was sent in an email to me from FIRST back in April when I asked permission to begin creating a large 'digital library' of archived FIRST materials on my team's website. This digital library is currently another project of mine in the pipeline.)