USC Fight Song “Re-ordered”, Not Changed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Get ready, USC’s fight song, isn’t exactly the same this year, in fact it has been re-ordered. “We will play the first part of the fight song and then do the spell out,” says Rebecca Phillips, Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. But don’t worry, the song is still the same. “Not it’s not changed, it’s the same fight song you’ve always had, we’ve just put the spell out, where you will be able to participate,” says Phillips. But, why reorder the song? “When the band would play our fight song in the past, they would start with what’s called the spell out, spelling out Carolina, and because it was a spoken cheer, without any playing other than the drums, the crowd never knew it was going to happen,” says Phillips Yet, this isn’t the first time the school’s fight song has changed. The original version of the fight song titled, “The Carolina Fight Song,” was changed in the 1960’s, when the current fight song, “Step to the Rear,” was adopted. But the original is still played, just keep an eye out for it at the end of the next game. Changes for the band this year include, a larger band, a new pre-game show, where part of the Alma Mater will have a march. Also, a different half-time show will be performed at each game. The band will also bring back oldies but goodies to the program this season, but you’ll have to go to the games to find out what those are.