Tribute to Troy

"Tribute to Troy" is an epic fanfare most frequently associated with the University of Southern California (USC), whose fans use it as a fight song. It was composed in 1965 by Ronald Broadwell, the director of USC's Spirit of Troy marching band. Variously described as "an incessant stanza of pounding drums and blaring horns," and "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.[1][2] A count in 2011 found that the song was played nearly 600 times over the course of that year's football season.[3]

"Tribute to Troy"
Song
Written1965
GenreFight song
Composer(s)Ronald Broadwell
Audio sample
26 seconds performed by the Spirit of Troy (USC marching band)
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Though the song has no lyrics, some fans of opposing teams sing along the invented lyrics "this is the only song we know, it's boring and it's slow".[4] "Hardcore" alumni and fans of USC have been known to make "Tribute to Troy" the ringtone on their mobile phones, while opposing football teams often play the song on a loop over loudspeakers during practice to acclimate themselves prior to games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[5][6]

The song has inspired both derision and acclaim. The Phoenix New Times has named "Tribute to Troy" one of the "top 10 most annoying college football fight songs," while a columnist with The Seattle Times once referred to it as "almost as annoying as Nancy Grace".[4][7] ESPN, however, has commented that "'Fight On,' USC's official fight song, is a little cornball, but the Spirit of Troy more than makes up for the hokum with the stirring 'Tribute to Troy'", while USA Today has described the tune as "a great tradition that fans and non-fans alike can appreciate".[8][9]

"Tribute to Troy" is often erroneously referred to as "Conquest".[3][5] "Conquest," a different song, is performed following USC football victories and is adapted from the score of the 1947 film Captain from Castile.[3]

See also

References
  1. Beck, Stan (2013). College Sports Traditions. Scarecrow Press. p. 89. ISBN 0810891204.
  2. Bofah, Kofi. "The 5 Best College Fight Songs". cheatsheet.com. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  3. "Press Pack" (PDF). usc.edu. USC Spirit of Troy. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  4. Meyer, Mike (30 September 2010). "The Top 10 Most Annoying College Football Fight Songs". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  5. Withers, Bud (9 November 2011). "Help, somebody get this song out of my head..." Seattle Times. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  6. Moehringer, J.R. (1 December 2007). "23 Reasons Whya Profile of Pete Carroll Does Not Appear in This Space". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  7. Withers, Bud (27 August 2011). "The newcomer's guide to the Pac-12". Seattle Times. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  8. "Perfect football game day". ESPN. 30 November 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  9. Litman, Lakem (18 September 2013). "USC students tarnish one of the best fight songs in the nation". USA Today. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
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