GRIDIRON GROOVES

IU Football's first home game is this Saturday, Sept. 4. To get in the spirit of things, Weekend asked our staff and a Hoosier football player to give their picks for great tailgating songs: DOUG EVANS, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
Hammer is the man when it comes to songs that make you feel like you just can't be touched, and our football team needs just that.

"Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J
When you want some intimidation on your side, LL is the man for that, and his grandma will tell you to kick your opponent in the jewels.

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
The theme song for "Rocky III." Need I say more?

NATE BETHEA, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER
"Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses
Maybe it's just the fact that throughout my childhood I always wanted to be the guy who blew the whistle at the beginning of the first verse, but this has always been one of my favorite party songs. It's not particularly inventive or observational, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't at least know the chorus.

"Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden
This song is a lot more terse than any other Iron Maiden smash-up, but rather than being bombastic or Satan-themed, it's just fun. They make a lot of noise, the song is exciting (and the verse's riff is strummed in a way that sounds like a galloping horse), and if you've had enough to drink, you will definitely try (and fail) to sing in that ass-metal falsetto.

"Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and Rich
I have never in fact heard this song, but at one point a friend of mine told me if I were ever to encounter a large group of girls with extremely tanned skin and light hair, I should make mention of how this song is my favorite in the world. Well, I did that once (and simultaneously a sudden gust of wind happened to pop the collar up on my polo shirt) and before I knew it, I was the life of the party and my reproductive organs were burned with overstimulation! I'll certainly play this at any tailgates I attend this year!

NICK BURTON, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER
"Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol
When tailgating, it's all about picking songs that people are either familiar with or can figure out after hearing once or twice. The fact that you can mumble almost anything and the girl that you're trying to impress will think you know it by heart doesn't hurt either.

"Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy
Any song that starts off like this one deserves to be heard at pre-game boozefests everywhere. The harmonizing guitar solo at the end will be a sure hit with the guy that already tried to relieve himself in your cooler.

"Any Way You Want It" by Journey
Truthfully, any Journey song would work because, quite simply, they ruled the world from 1978-1981 and are solely responsible for my conception.

JOHN ROGERS AND MATT GLENESK, IDS SPORTS EDITORS
"Final Countdown" by Europe
Whether it's the beginning of an NBA overtime game or outside an empty Memorial Stadium, adrenaline races around as the synthesizer beat catches your attention. You get a feeling as if something big is about to happen -- and then there it is. The sausages and burgers are done, and the only pigskin you care about is smothered in relish and mustard.

"We Will Rock You" by Queen
The song kicks on and the feet start stomping. You can't help it. It just sweeps through you. A sense of "Hey I don't care that we're dead last in the Big Ten, I think we have a chance today" springs into your head. The screaming ensues when the chorus chimes in, and, who knows, maybe we'll only lose by a couple of touchdowns today.

"You're the Best" by Joe Esposito from "The Karate Kid" Soundtrack
The theme song of any underdog who needs that little nudge to boost their esteem. You're down on your luck, the team is struggling, but wait -- what was that? "You're the best around. Nothing's ever gonna keep you down." Of course, soon after kickoff ...

LANCE BENNETT, IU RUNNING BACK AND CO-WRITER OF WILL SMITH'S "BLACK SUITS COMIN' (NOD YA HEAD)"
"Lose Yourself" by Eminem
It specifically gets you in the zone to lose yourself in whatever mission you set out to accomplish. Of course, it has the hip-hop/rock beat to get you charged.

"In The Club" by 50 Cent
It's a smooth song with a nice swagger to it. As intense and serious as the game seems to be, the best athletes must have that calm and cool swagger during the competition.

"Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z
Hard but still smooth at the same time. It reminds you of the struggles that you went through to reach this point.