THE BULLPEN

     Well, it won't be long until your Pittsburgh Pirates return to PNC Park to begin another exciting season of baseball. With the new year comes anticipation of what the season will bring. Mrs. Black-N-Gold is hoping it will bring a division title and trip to the World Series, at least. What Mrs. Black-N-Gold also is wishing for is a new Pirates theme song. She feel it's time to retire the Buzz Poets' "A New Pirate Generation". For one thing, it's not so new. It's been around quite a while. For another it sounds extremely generic and reminds Mrs. Black-N-Gold of a commercial. That's probably because the Bucs use it in all their commercials, as well.

      Actually, Mrs. Black-N-Gold has been kicking the tires on this idea since the end of last season. She read an article ranking MLB's victory songs. Surprisingly, "A New Pirate Generation" ranked as high as #18. Now don't get me wrong. Mrs. Black-N-Gold always root, root, roots for the home team and she always supports live local music which the Buzz Poets are. I've never had the pleasure of catching their act but this song certainly doesn't entice me to do so.

     What the Pirates need is a song that will 1)inspire fans to cheer on the Buccos and/or 2)instill some home town pride in the fans in the stands. The former would be the feeling you get that fires you up when an AC/DC-type rocker comes on the radio. The latter is what you comes over you when you hear the Clarks or Donnie Iris playing. "A New Pirate Generation" doesn't cut it.

     I also recently read an article during last season's playoffs that encouraged the teams still in the postseason to invite local talent that have gone on to greater heights to sing their hometown team's national anthem. If we put that in the same context as the victory song, there are some good options available.

     No, I don't mean "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera. I don't even mean "Lightning Strikes" by Lou Christie (that one is a bit dated, although I like it). I personally like the tried-and-true "Beat 'Em Bucs" by the Benny Benack Band from the championship season of 1960. Thing is, I'm sure that one would go over like a lead ballon with the younger crowd.  How about "Love Is Like A Rock" by Donnie Iris? I really like the Clarks' "Cigarette" because of it's opening guitar chords but the politically-correct police wouldn't allow it. Of course there is the Wiz Khalika anthem "Black & Yellow". Sure it's really Black-N-Gold but it's a hit song from this century by a local guy who's gone on to international fame. I also dig the tune by Gene The Werewolf "I Only Want To Rock & Roll". I know hardly anyone outside of Pittsburgh has heard of them but it is a rocking good tune. And that's what people want to hear after a Pirates win, as they're raising the Jolly Roger. Not some bland song that they always hear on the Pirates commercials.

     Got any good suggestions? I'm all ears. Who knows, a new song may help lead the way to a Pirates World Series this year. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!