Kelly Clarkson releases Cowboys anthem
Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesDallas Cowboys fan Kelly Clarkson has teamed with Pepsi to launch the NFL Anthems project.The “American Idol” winner has been making powerful, woman-power anthems for a decade now, and this week, she releases one for her hometown football team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Clarkson has teamed up with Pepsi to help launch the Pepsi NFL Anthems project, and she’s one of a few contemporary artists -- Kid Rock (Detroit Lions), Ice Cube (Oakland Raiders) and Travie McCoy (New York Giants) -- who have created fresh, new anthems to celebrate their teams.
The idea was kind of inspired by Wiz Khalifa’s big hit, “Black and Yellow,” which celebrated the Pittsburgh Steelers. (In fact, he’ll release a remixed version of that song soon.)
Starting today, Clarkson’s song “Get Up” will be available for free download at PepsiAnthems.com. Other songs will be rolled out weekly.
Playbook talks with Clarkson about this project.
You’re known for creating and recording these big anthems for women, but you’re teaming up with Pepsi to do an anthem for the Dallas Cowboys. What goes into a great anthem?
"I think a great anthem is if you sing along. It’s like a message that can translate to all different types of people. When my manager called me and he said ‘Hey, I have this opportunity to write for the Cowboys and are you interested?’ I flipped out! That night I literally wrote the song. Luckily they all liked it. I honestly can’t wait. I’m a nerd and I can’t wait to perform it at a game."
What went into that? Did you watch any old footage? Any clips? Did you think about the Cowboys, growing up?
"Yeah -- all of that came into play. I’ve been watching games since I was a baby. Cause in Texas, all we do is football, really – that and barbecue. I thought about all the things that I loved as a kid, and one of those things was the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. They were big influences because I thought that when I was a kid, I was like, ‘Oh my God! They’re so famous.’ Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders are almost as famous as the Dallas Cowboys. I thought the one cool thing about the Cowboys is that when I go overseas all the time, they’re kind of the only American football team that’s really known around the world. I tried to incorporate that into this song as well. It’s very much like a cheer, like a chant and then in the choruses it’s very much that Kelly Clarkson anthem."
You’ve performed at halftime, you’ve performed pre-games, what does it do for you to perform at these athletic events?
"I love it. I grew up in sports, so I’m a big sports fan. I just think it’s fun. It’s different from my regular tour and corporate things you do on the side. You get to go and you perform, but you also get to drink and have a hot dog and watch a great game!"
Put it out there: what are the Cowboys going to do this year?
"Well, obviously I’d like us to go to more than just the playoffs. I’d like us to actually go to the Super Bowl. I guess that’s everyone’s dream for their team, though. Right?"
So up next is this football anthem ...
"Honestly, I can’t wait for them to hear this song, because I think that this is such a fun, kind of anthem song. It’s new music and my fans get excited about anything new, and I’m excited about not only just performing at the games, but on the road as well. Hopefully people get into it. I know Texans will!"
When are you going to first perform this? Home opener?
"Man, I don’t know. I’m sure all the other artists that are involved with this program are excited to perform for their home team as well. So I’m sure it’ll happen sooner than later."
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