Milwaukee Record is proud to present Public Domain. The music video series features musicians adapting some of the world’s best-known songs in ways they’ve never been heard before. Watch the entire series here.
It’s strange to think that there was actually a time before “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” existed. However, that was the case up until lyricist Jack Norworth and composer Albert Von Tilzer—who had never been to a baseball game in the lives at that point—joined forces in 1908 to write the most famous sports song of all-time. While it’s now considered the official anthem of baseball in North America, it actually wasn’t played during a baseball game until 1934. After fans finally heard it, though, things were never the same.
In the 110 years since it was published and 85 years since it played at the World Series for the first time, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” was recognized as one of the top 365 songs of the 20th century by the National Endowment For The Arts. In 2008, it received the Towering Song Award from the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame. Perhaps most impressively, the song somehow managed to achieve national notoriety despite nearly no one being aware of its two verses. Verses or not, the rousing chorus of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” has been performed by the likes of Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Goo Goo Dolls, Dr. John, Carly Simon, Harpo Marx, Billy Joel, Bill Murray, Barney the dinosaur, and the late Harry Caray.
Through the generations, it’s also been sung by thousands of celebrities at Wrigley Field and by millions upon millions of baseball fans in ballparks everywhere. Now, The Eradicator is the latest to take his turn with this timeless song with his special squash-themed rendition, “Take Him Out Of The Squash Court,” that he performed at X-Ray Arcade. Even if it’s been covered too many times to possibly count, we can safely say it’s never sounded like this before.
The video was shot, directed, and edited by Cheston Van Huss. Public Domain is sponsored by Colectivo Coffee, Lakefront Brewery and Transfer Pizzeria Café.