In the annals of music lore, tales of songs created for commercials but never used are often relegated to footnotes. However, sometimes these discarded gems resurface, offering a unique glimpse into the creative process and the quirks of the advertising world. This is precisely the case with a recently unearthed collection of “Fighting Songs” crafted by Stephen Malkmus and his band in the 1990s for a Nike commercial, now available for your listening pleasure. These aren’t your typical stadium anthems; they are short, sharp bursts of instrumental energy, designed to ignite the spirit – even if they ultimately didn’t make the final cut for the sportswear giant.
The Nike Commission and the Birth of “Fighting Songs”
The story begins, as many intriguing stories do, with a phone call. Sometime in the hazy days of the 90s, advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy, known for their groundbreaking work with Nike, reached out to Big Steve (Stephen Malkmus) with a proposition: create football fight songs for a Nike commercial. The band, presumably Silkworm given the credits and context, responded with characteristic nonchalance and a healthy dose of skepticism. The question wasn’t about selling out, more about scoring some free shoes and much-needed cash in a pre-internet economy where riches were far from guaranteed. The deal was struck: shoes and money in exchange for “fucking AWESOME fight songs.”
And awesome they are. Imagine the brief: sonic snippets perfect for a scoreboard eruption, distilled into seconds of pure, unadulterated energy. The band delivered exactly that. They threw everything at the autoharp, pushing every button imaginable. The result is a sonic melting pot: hints of skinhead ska, a nod to the ubiquitous grunge of the era, a touch of Interpol-esque Joy Division gloom, all blended together and coated in what they jokingly describe as “Crust panko.” These aren’t conventional fight songs; they are experimental, quirky, and distinctly Malkmus in their off-kilter brilliance.
Shelved for Scandal: Why Rock and Roll Part Two Won Out
Despite the band’s efforts in creating these unique “fighting songs”, Nike ultimately opted for a different direction. In a twist of irony, or perhaps a commentary on the risk-averse nature of advertising, they chose Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part Two” instead. As the band wryly notes, Nike “went with the known pedophile over the unknown non-pedophiles, like it usually goes in the ad game.” This decision, while controversial in retrospect due to Glitter’s later crimes, highlights the often unpredictable and sometimes questionable choices made in commercial music licensing. The “fighting songs,” despite their creative merit and suitability to the initial brief, were relegated to the archives, gathering dust on DAT tapes.
Rediscovery and Release: “Have At It”
Fast forward to February 2023. While digging through DAT tapes in search of material for upcoming reissues of Silkworm’s Firewater and Developer records, these forgotten “fighting songs” resurfaced. Like sonic ping-pong balls bouncing back into the light, they were rediscovered and deemed too good to remain unheard. Despite the songs being tied to American football teams, none of which were in the 2023 Super Bowl (and one, the Houston Oilers, no longer exists under that name), the band decided to release them into the wild. Tim Midyett, in the liner notes penned in February 2023 in Chicago (despite being a Packers fan), encourages listeners to “HAVE AT IT.”
This release offers more than just a collection of short instrumental tracks. It’s a time capsule, a quirky anecdote from the 90s music scene, and a testament to the creative output that often lies hidden behind the scenes of commercial endeavors. Whether you’re a fan of Stephen Malkmus, Silkworm, indie rock history, or simply appreciate unconventional instrumental music, these “fighting songs” are worth exploring. Download them, stream them, and imagine the Nike commercial that could have been – a commercial soundtracked by the wonderfully weird and energetic “fighting songs” that never were.
Track Listing:
- Houston Oilers
- Chicago Bears
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Carolina Panthers
- Detroit Lions
Credits:
- Stephen Malkmus – probably guitar, some singing
- Tim Midyett – likely bass, mouth
- Andrew Cohen – gotta be more guitar, throat
- Michael Dahlquist – definitely drums, good old “vox”
Recorded by James Hale at House of Leisure, Seattle, sometime in the 90s (fuck if they remember when).
License: all rights reserved
