Go, Cubs, Go

"Go Cubs Go!"
No Big Surprise (1994) was the first album to include the song.
Single by Steve Goodman
Released	1984
Format	45
Recorded	1984
Genre	Folk rock
Length	2:51
Label	Red Pajamas Records
Writer(s)	Steve Goodman

"Go, Cubs, Go!"
Manic Sewing Circle 2008 version cover art
Single by Manic Sewing Circle
from the album Go, Cubs, Go! (2008 version)
Released	2008
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2008
Genre	Pop punk
Length	2:23
Label	Oh Boy Records
Writer(s)	Steve Goodman

"Go Cubs Go", "Go, Cubs, Go" or "Go, Cubs, Go!" is a song written by Steve Goodman in 1984. At various times the Goodman version of the song has been the official Chicago Cubs team song and the official Cubs victory song. The Goodman version of the song is now referred to as the official Chicago Cubs victory song. The Goodman version has been included in both a 1994 Steve Goodman anthology album and a 2008 Cubs songs and sounds album. Following the team's 2016 World Series victory, the song peaked at number 3 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. An alternate 2008 version by Manic Sewing Circle has also been released.

Goodman was a lifelong Cubs fan. The song was written by Goodman at the request of WGN/720, which was the Cubs' radio broadcast partner. Goodman had in 1981 recorded "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request", a song about the historic failures of the Cubs franchise, but had been banned from playing it at Wrigley Field. That song described the team as "doormat of the National League" and referred to Wrigley Field as an "ivy-covered burial ground."

At the time that WGN Program Director Dan Fabian requested the new song, "It's a Beautiful Day for a Ball Game" by The Harry Simeone Songsters was the theme song. He had been motivated by Cubs manager Dallas Green's effort to change the team spirit. Goodman happened to be in town for a WGN radio talk show and was receptive to the idea of writing the team a new song.

"Go, Cubs, Go," recorded at the Chicago Recording Company with several of the team members participating in the chorus, first became popular during 1984 when the Cubs won the 1984 National League East Division Championship and subsequently lost in the 1984 National League Championship Series. That season (and for several afterwards) it was the official team song. It was first aired on WGN on Opening Day and played every gameday for the rest of the season. During that season, Goodman lost his sixteen-year battle with leukemia four days before the Cubs clinched the division title. In the next three years, 60,000 copies of the song were sold with proceeds going to charity. Some 1984 Cubs players can be heard performing the refrain.