How 10 minutes of songwriting became Tennessee’s unofficial fight song – The Daily Texan

When songwriting duo Felice and Boudleaux Bryant came to the Gatlinburg Inn on August 28, 1967 to write a few songs, they couldn't have imagined the impact they would have on the state and the University of Tennessee.

Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, many artists have visited the hotel over the years to find inspiration, and according to the Gatlinburg Inn, it was no different for the couple when they were looking for a place to finish music for Archie Campbell.

Felice, however, wanted to work on something new. She wanted to write music at a faster tempo than her typical slower songs. A guitar strum from Boudleaux introduced a 10-minute sequence in which the pair could write a country and bluegrass song called “Rocky Top.” The song has since become the signature song of a university's most celebrated traditions.

The song was recorded and sung by the Osborne Brothers later that year, but did not make its debut at Neyland Stadium for the Volunteers until 1972.

At a game against Alabama on October 21, 1972, then-band director WJ Julian decided to have the Pride of the Southland Band play the song at halftime. While the tune caught on in Knoxville, the song was refined by the school's pep band in 1974. The 1974 version is the one you hear today, 52 years later.

While Tennessee's “Down the Field” remains the school's official fight song, “Rocky Top” is the university's unofficial fight song. It is played several times during Tennessee games pregame and after touchdowns, field goals, and postgame.

During his time as a volunteer, NFL star Peyton Manning was seen conducting the band through “Rocky Top” numerous times after big victories.

“We finally beat Alabama and the band leader said, 'Hey, do you want to conduct Rocky Top?'” Manning told ESPN. “I said, 'Sure, I'd love to.' I went over and got them right in the rhythm.”

Since then, Hendon Hooker, now a Detroit Lion, has been seen conducting the band following his graduation night in 2022.

“This has always been my dream,” Hooker said in a press conference after his last game. “To come here and see Peyton standing up there conducting the band, that was always the coolest thing ever for me.”

The song can be heard behind Neyland Stadium on Tennessee's campus in Knoxville. It is also played at weddings and parties throughout the state. In 1982, the song was declared the state song by the Tennessee government.

Boudleaux and Felice Bryant have since passed away, but their musical legacies live on throughout the state, especially through the University of Tennessee volunteers who sing “Rocky Top” at every occasion.