Why Do Michigan Football Fans Sing "Mr. Brightside" at Every Home Game?

Here's what to know about the interesting tradition of Michigan football fans singing "Mr. Brightside" at every home game since 2016. The Gist: Most people know at least some of the lyrics to the wildly popular 2003 song "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. The tune has shown up all over the place since the early

Here's what to understand in regards to the fascinating tradition of Michigan football fans singing "Mr. Brightside" at every home game since 2016.

Source: Getty Images

The Gist:

  • University of Michigan is understood for being a Big 10 football faculty greater than the rest.
  • At every football game since 2016, the song "Mr. Brightside" pumps up the gang.
  • The tradition has curious roots that don't seem to be even fully understood by the one who began it.

Most other folks know at least one of the vital lyrics to the wildly common 2003 tune "Mr. Brightside" through The Killers. The music has shown up in every single place because the early 2000s, from appearing within the film The Holiday to being sung at University of Michigan football games.

What's the maintain the latter, which is a part of a practice relationship again to a 2016 matchup with Wisconsin? Keep studying for the entire main points on the Michigan football custom.

Source: Getty Images

So, why do Michigan football fans sing "Mr. Brightside" at games?

Football fans in all places the country have some attention-grabbing traditions. Singing “Mr. Brightside” at the end of the third quarter at Michigan home video games is one in all them, in keeping with Sports Illustrated.

The tune first inspired fans in 2016, when the Wolverines faced off towards University of Wisconsin.

Per M Live, Kurt Wisenbaugh was once the director of game presentation at that time, and he's the one who picked the track to play for the packed stadium.

“The objective wasn’t important to hype them up,” Kurt mentioned about his reasoning in the back of selecting "Mr. Brightside."

“We obviously have moments, particularly on defense, after we need to get them hype and get them loud, but we additionally wish to create moments of fun and unity," he added. He also said, "Most folks enjoy sing-along songs so we wanted to check out some other ones.”

Interestingly, Kurt noted that early 2000s songs seem to in point of fact resonate with scholars. “I don’t know why to be truthful," Kurt said.

However, since that game in 2016, "Mr. Brightside" has been played at every home game — except in 2000 when the COVID-19 pandemic led to empty stadium seats.

Mr Brightside from the Rose Bowl #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/zs76spMJC1

— Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) January 2, 2024

The lyrics of "Mr. Brightside" make the song an especially head-scratching choice for Michigan fans.

OK, so none of the members of The Killers went to Michigan or even have ties to the state.

But perhaps even more curious is that the lyrics of the song are seemingly about a person worrying they are being cheated on.

"It started out with a kiss/How did it finally end up like this?" singer Brandon Flowers croons in the hit tune. "It was just a kiss, it was once only a kiss/Now I'm falling asleep/And she's calling a cab/While he's having a smoke/And she's taking a drag."

For the first time in 2024, “Mr. Brightside.” The crowd loves it. pic.twitter.com/0iujXVpAak

— Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) January 2, 2024

"Now they're going to mattress/And my stomach is ill/And it is all in my head/But she's touching his chest now/He takes off her get dressed now/Let me cross/And I simply can't glance, it's killing me/And taking keep watch over," Brandon goes on to sing.

Then comes the super-catchy chorus: "Jealousy, turning saints into the ocean/Swimming thru in poor health lullabies/Choking to your alibis/But it is simply the associated fee I pay/Destiny is looking me/Open up my keen eyes/'Cause I'm Mr. Brightside."

Not exactly conjuring up photographs of first downs and field goals right? But in any match, the tune has stuck and is clearly a respected custom among scholars and alumni.

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