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Happy Birthday Rocky Top! Tennessee Vols’ unofficial fight song turned 50 today.

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 15: A Tennessee Volunteers cheerleader performs prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 15: A Tennessee Volunteers cheerleader performs prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols had an important birthday to celebrate today, Monday, Aug. 28. The Volunteers’ unofficial fight song ‘Rocky Top’ turned 50 years old.

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Since the start of the month, officials and fans with the Tennessee Vols have noted the 50-year history of the school’s unofficial fight song, ‘Rocky Top.’ Now, that song finally has actually turned 50 years old.

In Room 388 of the Gatlinburg Inn, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant wrote the song while taking a break from working on another album.

According to a report from WKRN, they recorded it after bickering about writing too many slow songs.

In December of that year, the Osborne Brothers released their recording of the song. It climbed the charts and was first played by the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band in 1972 as the Tennessee Vols faced the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Former Tennessee football quarterback Andy Kelly narrates the full story of the songbelow.

Of course, the song is now the most famous one among Tennessee Vols fans. Opposing teams and fans hate everything about it.

Meanwhile, fans can’t resist singing it as much as possible, throwing in the ‘Woo!’ too.

For me, the most memorable Rocky Top moment is the late Pat Summitt dressing up like a cheerleader to sing the song as Tennessee basketball hosted the Florida Gators.

There are many other great memories plenty of fans likely have of Rocky Top. The ironic thing is it’s still not technically the fight song for Tennessee.

That remains ‘Down the Field.’ In case you need a reminder of what that sounds like, here’s a clip of it.

That one usually comes after touchdowns, while Rocky Top comes after the PAT. Both are a great part of the Tennessee football tradition.

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But for today, we celebrate Rocky Top and it’s impact on the program. This famous country song has become one of the most important parts of the Tennessee Vols. From Summitt to Peyton Manning directing the band, it has given Vols fans many great memories the last 50 years. Here’s to 50 more years of excitement.

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