By Steve Springer
Many University of Louisville football fans associate a different tune with certain time frames in Cardinal sports history. Anthems for their time, if you will. Since I hit the half-century mark of my Cardinal fanhood a couple of weeks ago, I’ll date myself a little with some examples.
Fourth quarter/late second half. Joker and the Thief. Enough said.
Mickey Clark’s “Cardinal Cannonball” spans generations of Cardinal teams at this point.
Of course, for the last few years, you couldn’t leave L&N Cardinal Stadium without having Trick Daddy’s “Let’s Go” and Ozzy’s “Crazy Train” riff as an earworm all the way home.
For those so chronologically inclined, who can forget Code Red’s “Cardinal Crunch” when Brian Brohm, Micheal Bush and Mario Urrutia were scoring their way onto the national title scene for Bobby’s squads after thrashing Miami and surviving the Eers blackout visit in 2006. That song still gives me goosebumps when I play it.
Archie Eversole’s “We Ready” makes you want to wring out your socks after drowning the Noles in 2002.
Back the time machine up to 1986 to when I was ten years old and physically in Reunion Arena, we were swaying and smiling to Queen’s “We are the Champions” and hugging people that we didn’t know in the stands. Can’t hear that song and not go back there in my mind, no matter who’s holding up a trophy. Almost as if that song was made for Denny, Milt and Pervis and everybody else is stealing it for their moment.
And this trip down Memory Lane wouldn’t be complete without the O.G. of Cardinal anthems, Kenny Loggins’ “This Is It” as Cardinal Basketball arrived on the scene in 1980, if you can go back that far.
Now it might just be time for a new one.
Louisville Fan is going to have to crowd Jack Harlow and Twinjabi over a bit to make room for a new Cardinal chorister, Louisville’s own Frankie Moody.
Moody has released a handful of singles at this point, available on most platforms. His latest lyrics should put him squarely in the latest category of Cardinal nostalgia to be blasted in the Planet Fitness Purple Lot for years to come. Moody’s “Hell of a Game” just dropped yesterday on YouTube and drop whatever you’re doing and turn it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YarR98YWcXU&t=204s
Now meet the man behind the mic:
UofLCardGame: Your new song Hell of a Game tells a little of your story growing up as a Card fan. Can you go into more detail about your experiences going to games and such?
Frankie Moody: Growing up a Louisville fan was kind of the heartbeat of my childhood. My dad and I had our whole routine—he’d throw on his old red U of L sweatshirt, I’d be in a jersey, and we’d hit the road for the stadium. I remember the drive down I-264, just so excited to get there,
Walking through those gates felt like stepping into another world. It didn’t even matter who the Cards were playing, it was the energy—the smell of the concessions, the sea of red, the sound of the band and the roar when the team came out. Some of my best memories are just sitting there with my dad, shoulder to shoulder, high-fiving strangers after a big play.
As you get older you realize it wasn’t just about football. It was about time with him. I remember years later, going back to the same seats with him as an adult, and it hit me how much those moments shaped me. That’s the kind of feeling I wanted to capture in Hell of a Game—not just the scoreboard, but the bond, the tradition, and how those game days stick with you forever.
ULCG: What are two or three of your favorite memories from football games in the past?
FM: So many great memories, but if I had to pick two I’d start with Louisville/Miami in 2006. I remember showing up getting in the stadium early with my Dad to watch warmups. I was probably around 15 years old. I remember the crowd being so hyped pre game because we were playing a big brand like Miami. Then the whole Miami team started stomping on the Cardinal logo. (I’m sure every cards fan remembers this haha) Needless to say bad move for Miami as we beat them 31-7. Great game, electric atmosphere but I’ll always remember seeing the score at the end of the game and my Dad saying “it doesn’t get any better than beating Miami 31-7.
The other big football moment that stands out was the Sugar Bowl in 2013. I was actually a little older and in college at UofL for this one. My Dad and I made the trip to New Orleans and what Hell of a game it was. From the pick 6 to start the game to the end it was one of my favorite moments. Especially to see UofL reach that level. Very special as I’m sure it is with most Cards fans that made the trip
ULCG: How did you get into playing music?
FM: My Dad actually was a big influence on that too. He was a huge Garth Brooks fan and would play his concert VHS tapes all the time. I was hooked and Garth was my hero as a kid. Started taking guitar lessons when I was 6. Played in bands and actually drifted more into rock as teenager. However in 2010 as a birthday present to my Dad I took him to see Garth Brooks in Nashville. That was it. I had the same feeling as a young kid and knew I wanted to pursue a career in country music. I know live in Nashville and actually perform regularly at Friends In Low Places Bar owned by Garth Brooks so it’s I guess you could say it’s come full circle.
ULCG: Where are you from and where did you go to school?
FM: I’m born and raised in Louisville, Ky and went to St. Xavier High School and 3 years at UofL
ULCG: How old are you?
FM: I’m 34
ULCG: Who are some of your musical influences that shaped who you are as a musician?
FM: Garth Brooks, George Straight, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Morgan Wallen
ULCG: Some people are trying to make HOAG the new Cardinal Anthem? How do you feel about that?
FM: That would honestly be a dream come true! I will always be a huge Cards fan and would be honored for HOAG to be part of Cardnation
ULCG: How can UofL fans support you and your career if they like it and want to help?
FM: Follow my Spotify page (Frankie Moody) and add me to playlists, Instagram (@frankiemoodymusic), Facebook (Frankie Moody Music) and TikTok (@frankiemoody758)
I also perform regularly in Nashville and Louisville so come out to a show. My schedule is posted on my socials.
HOAG cut me deeply the first time I listened to it. Blessed to head out from the mean streets of the Brohm’s Fern Creek to I-264 myself to Freedom Hall and Cardinal Stadium from 1975 on up, I was witness to the best of the Glory Years for Cardinal Athletics. The Lyrics hit hard, and I swear someone started cutting an onion in my office the moment Moody drops “fast lane 264, couldn’t wait to hear the roar” and “me and Dad cheering on the home team”.
“Heaven inside those stadium gates, didn’t matter who won or who we played. Yeah, if I could go back, there ain’t a damn thing I would change” made me man up and admit there was no vegetable being sliced, it was pure precipitation and emotion being pulled out by Moody’s melody the third, fourth and fifth listen to write this article. My apologies for any keyboard malfunctions, my desk is getting a little slippery.
Every Louisville fan that’s been to the top of the mountain and the depths of the valleys will recognize and relate to the tune. And if you’re blessed enough to have done it with your father (and in my specific case, my mom too), then you’ll have a new favorite Cardinal Anthem moving forward.
I have a feeling I speak for a multitude of red-and-black donned fans.
Thank you, Frankie.
Go Cards
