Nashville SC will begin life in MLS in just over a week's time but fans of the team from the Music City can now truly start getting pumped up for kick off with the release on Friday of the club's official anthem performed by Tennessee's own Judah & the Lion.
The anthem, "Never Give Up On You," was created in conjunction with the club's Supporters' Collective and is available to listen here and on all digital music platforms, including Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify. YouTube Music and more. A lyric video of the song can be watched below.
As befitting the history and traditions of the city that continue to this day, music figures to play a key part in the atmosphere at Nashville games, beginning with their opener against Atlanta United at Nissan Stadium on Feb. 29 (8 pm ET | FOX in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada).
“A club anthem is so much more than a chant. It’s something that can allow everyone to feel part of the club,” said Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre in a team release. “You might be in the stadium at a game, watching on TV or listening on the radio, and when you hear it and sing it, you are a part of our club and our family, because this is OUR song.
“When we first connected with Judah & the Lion about them writing our anthem, we loved that they are also fans of soccer and importantly of Nashville SC," he continued. "Having them alongside us as we make history is incredible, and I believe this anthem will become a unique part of who Nashville SC become not just in Major League Soccer, but around the world in the global football family."
The song is far from being Judah & the Lion's first connection with the club. In 2019, the alternative band based out of Nashville performed at the club's brand launch.
“Being from Tennessee and knowing Tennessee sports from growing up in this state... this was an honor to be asked to do,” said Judah & the Lion’s lead singer Judah Akers. ”Watching new teams come to Tennessee was really fun and exciting to see as a kid. Now seeing soccer come to Nashville feels so special — the camaraderie of the sport is incredible.
“With the anthem, I wanted to highlight the loyalty of the fans of Nashville. A lot of the lyrics are based off family, community and unity,” he added. “When you are at a game it doesn’t matter who the person is to your left or right, they are your family during that game. This song is about that.”
In line with the spirit of a club born out of its supporters, the anthem was a true collaboration between Judah & the Lion and The Backline Supporters Collective, the club's official supporters' group, who provided feedback throughout the songwriting process
“In the small room where we gathered to listen to ‘Never Give Up On You’ for the first time, the guys from Judah & the Lion were genuinely invested in the creation of something special,” said Chip Wilkins, a member of The Backline. “They were fanlike in their enthusiasm and revealed an anthem that has a deep meaning and forever connection to our team, the fans and the city of Nashville.”
