Quick history of the Eagles fight song, ‘Fly, Eagles Fly’
Just make sure to get the words right. The creation of the classic battle cry is credited to Philadelphia ad men Charles J. Borrelli and Roger Courtland in the 1950s.
“Fly, Eagles Fly” was conceived as a fight song, but has evolved into an anthem.
Variations of it can be heard throughout the country during the football season, and in the offseason. It’s been recited in a church, a Texas Walmart, and a crib.
In Glendale, Ariz., where the Eagles take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12, it will be ubiquitous.
And, as Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts proved Sunday, singing talent is not a prerequisite to joining the fun.
But where did it come from?
The creation of the classic battle cry is credited to Philadelphia ad men Charles J. Borrelli and Roger Courtland in the 1950s. Originally called the “Eagles Victory Song,” the song lasted five minutes and went “Fight, Eagles Fight,” which is still a part of the song but is often left out of the street versions.
In the `60s, it was performed inside the stadium by a 200-member marching band, calling itself the Eagles Sound of Brass.
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But by the late `80s, the song had fallen out of favor with the Eagles faithful.
It was rechristened in the late ‘90s, adding the notorious first stanza, as well as a slower tempo and new key. It was also shortened to 33 seconds, punctuated at the end with the spelling of the team’s name.
And it was given to a new ensemble, the four-member Eagles Pep Band. The song was taught to tailgaters and played in the stadium after touchdowns, its lyrics splashed across the scoreboards for those who might not be able to remember.
In 2014, it was named one of the 10 top NFL fight songs by Billboard. “Super-short and instantly memorable, ‘Fly, Eagles, Fly’ works more like a great jingle than a great fight song. There’s not much musical pizzazz, but everybody at an Eagles game knows all the words,” wrote Billboard’s Jason Lipshutz.
It has been covered from everyone from the Roots, to the Philadelphia Orchestra, to our own in-house artist Cynthia Greer, with help from SoundBible and inspiration from former defensive end Chris Long.
And it remains pretty darn catchy.
Just make sure to get the words right:
Fly, Eagles Fly!
On The Road To Victory! (Fight! Fight! Fight!)
Fight, Eagles fight!
Score a touchdown 1, 2, 3! (1! 2! 3!)
Hit ‘em low!
Hit ‘em high!
And watch our Eagles fly!
Fly, Eagles Fly!
On The Road To Victory!
E-A-G-L-E-S!
Eagles!