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‘Cowboys 4Ever’ didn’t seem to ask a Cowboy

Published: Friday, September 4, 2009

Updated: Friday, September 4, 2009

Earlier this year, Oklahoma made national headlines when state legislators refused to acknowledge The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” as the state’s official rock song.
“Do You Realize??” won an online contest and despite the best intentions of the Oklahoma legislators to associate the band’s fashion taste with communism, the song survived efforts to dismiss the 21,000 votes cast for it.
The public backlash against the state legislators was immediate and intense, and rightly so.
The student backlash against “Cowboys 4Ever” as a new OSU school spirit song seems just as immediate and just as intense — and rightly so.
“Cowboys4Ever” touches a nerve with OSU students, namely because no one bothered to ask them what they might want to hear or what might fire them up before a big game.
Where thousands of Oklahomans voted for “Do You Realize??,” no one offered OSU students anything resembling a say in the matter.
Instead, the song, the creative child of singer-songwriter John Martin, has stirred more controversy than awe. Too many students express confusion at the lyrics, wondering just how familiar that “prairie wind” is supposed to feel. The music, while well produced, seems to get the sports vibe wrong. That, however, should come as no surprised considering Aaron Johnson of The Fray produced the song.
It seems the athletic department outsourced our OSU spirit song to a Baylor alum and the son of our associate athletic director.
Perhaps if OSU students had a say in such decisions, there would not be a “Stop Cowboys 4Ever Now” Facebook group with 5,486 fans.
The next time we decide to outsource such an important task, we might do better to at the very least ask a Cowboy.
— The Daily O’Collegian Editorial Board

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Thu Oct 1 2009 01:34

Interesting, there's no guy at all named Dave on the team...which makes me wonder how the hell you'd know that "the song does quite the opposite of pumping up the team" If the boys are relying on a song to get pumped up than we have bigger issues. If you were all true OSU fans like you think you are, you'd support the song. Regardless of the lyrics and whatever else you're complaining about. When I hear the song I feel a sense of pride like "hell yeah we are the Cowboys and we're freaking forever" But clearly all you haters aren't forever. What would sound better? Some red neck country song...a rap song?? Its a good medium between not being soft but not being too intense like a rap song. God it's like you all just wanna get mad about something because you can. Boone Pickens has done so much for this stadium to make it a beautiful and enjoyable atmosphere...and you all have to go find SOMETHING to complain about. Ever heard of sticking up for your best friend when you know they're wrong? Try supporting your school even when you may not entirely agree with everything! I would so not be friends with any of you!! The audacity to Boo for something like that floors and disappoints me! YOU ALL SUCK.

Wed Sep 9 2009 12:36

I like the new song very much and I know that the founder of the Spirit Rider program would have liked it also. The reason that I know this to be true is because my husband, the late Dr. Eddy Finley, would have been so proud to see the program become such an icon on the OSU campus. I think that the video that goes along with the song is very well done. I would, however, like to see the original flag being carried by the Spirit Rider. However, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This just happens to be mine.

Tue Sep 8 2009 16:13

This song was TERRIBLE. They are also trying to get rid of ORANGE because "it doesnt sell." I understand that people are greedy, but you cant waltz around changing every tradition known to OSU because your paycheck isnt big enough. We dont need some cheesy wanna-be song blasted so loudly that we are forced to listen to every bit of it, and we dont need to get rid of orange because it isnt making enough money for the greedy marketers.And we sure dont need the Spirit Flag to be changed to the new song to try and force it upon us! We dont like it, we wont change our minds. end of story.
There are traditions, and pride goes along with them, if you lose them, you lose your pride, and everything OSU stands for.
ORANGE POWER.

Tue Sep 8 2009 00:53

I agree! I think it is horrible and dis-respectful to change the flag. Please don't change the traditions that make OSU unique. If you feel you must, lets take a vote!!

Mon Sep 7 2009 21:50

Is it just me or is anyone else appalled by the break in tradition of having the Spirit Rider carry a "Cowboys 4Ever" flag instead of the OSU logo!!! I don't like the song, but would never boo as it is an insult to our team. The best reaction is absolute silence. But more importantly, we have always suffered from a lack of tradition and now we change the flag to our "flavor of the month" song which will change again next year? The Athletic Dept needs to go outside GIA and take a look at the bronze statue. They will see the Spirit Rider carries an OSU logo flag, NOT a song advertisement. I hope the O'Colly editorial staff feels the same and issues a reaction in the newsprint as soon as possible.

Mon Sep 7 2009 16:51

The song itself isn't completely horrible, it's just that it's kind of cheesy and definitely doesn't help to get everyone stoked about the game, it's definitely better suited for some kind of promo video or post game leaving the stadium type song. Also, I completely agree that students should have been consulted, and what is up with giving the job to a Baylor alum?! Just because he has a tie to the athletic dept doesn't make him qualified, I think a student would've created a much better song than he did.

Sun Sep 6 2009 14:54

What's next? Are we going to trade Pistol Pete and Bullet for "RAINBOW BRIGHT" and a "MY LITTLE PONY"? I can honestly say never before in my life have I wanted to fist fight a song, but I'm at that point now. If I could......I would. Ohhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh PLEASE make it go away!!!!!!!

Sun Sep 6 2009 14:52

What's next? Are we going to trade Pistol Pete and Bullet for "RAINBOW BRIGHT" and a "MY LITTLE PONY"? I can honestly say never before in my life have I wanted to fist fight a song, but I'm at that point now. If I could......I would. Ohhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhhh PLEASE make it go away!!!!!!!

Sat Sep 5 2009 23:48

This song is in NO way a fight song, it is more like a dirge! Who is going to want to sing that????? You think it was bad a few years ago when the stadium was 1/2 empty by fourth quarter...wait til we are forced to sing THAT?!

Fri Sep 4 2009 21:02

The rest of the Big 12 always knew you Cowgirls were a little...shall we say silly in your shorts, but now we have proof. The prairie wind always seems to find its way up your skirts. Have fun watching your little 'pokes' this year.

Fri Sep 4 2009 17:48

How about "The Thunder Rolls" by our Garth Brooks. "Another team goes home, to a sleepless night"

Fri Sep 4 2009 15:49

This is total crap. How freakin retarded is this. I am a huge OSU fan but this is rediculous. I always support the cowboys and they shouldn't suffer because our of our idiot athletic department. Our players have pulled it together for a legitimate run at a BCS game and they have to deal with this. The song should be PULLED immediately. Don't embarrass our PLAYERS.

Fri Sep 4 2009 15:19

I am hoping that the Ath. Dept. will tak into consideration the responses to what I consider the worst song ever and to think that this was accepted with a thought that the players and fans would like it. I have been a Season Ticket Holder for over 30 years.I have never complained about Donations and /or ticket cost ever, but this song is a BURR IN MY SADDLE. OSU Ath. Dept. please do the right thing and DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ENTERTAINING THE IDEA OF THIS SONG when our TEAM takes the BATTLE GROUNDS. Hell I would rather you play this song after a victory for the opposing team. IT sounds like a damn funeral song !!!!!!!!

Fri Sep 4 2009 14:58

Don't boo, as it will be playing when our team runs out. Instead, we need to start 'orange power' or something along that line.

Fri Sep 4 2009 10:53

This song is an outrage. It makes me want to puke a little to think about our team taking the field to this. It makes me wonder if the assistant AD will lead them out of the tunnel, holding hands and skipping along to it? There are plenty of good cowboy themed songs to use, no need to force this be-bop b.s. down our throats. Garth! Help!

Fri Sep 4 2009 06:51

I hope everyone boos when this horribly atrocious song is played for its first time...

Fri Sep 4 2009 04:36

I couldn't agree more. This song does quite the opposite of pumping up the team, fans, and students of OSU football. I know that there will be quite a negative reaction coming out of BPS when that song plays on Saturday. I kept an open mind when I first listened to it, but I cannot help but feel bummed when I can imagine this song playing, while im getting pumped up to see those pokes run out of that tunnel onto the field. I always get the goosebumps seeing those orange jerseys run onto the field to a loud, fast paced, high intensity song. I just hope that that won't bring the moral of the whole stadium down....

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