You’re standing in Lincoln Financial Field. The Linc is shaking. Saquon Barkley or A.J. Brown just crossed the goal line, and suddenly, 70,000 people are screaming the same rhythm. It’s not just noise. It’s a ritual. If you grew up in Philly, the Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song is basically your second national anthem. It’s loud, it’s aggressive, and honestly, it’s a little bit cheesy in the best way possible.
Most fans just call it "Fly, Eagles Fly." But the history of this fight song is actually a bit more complicated than just a catchy tune written for a football team. It has survived ownership changes, stadium moves, and even a few lyrical tweaks that fans still argue about at the tailgates.
Where did Fly, Eagles Fly actually come from?
Back in the late 1950s—1958 to be exact—the song didn't even have the name we use today. It was originally titled "The Fight Song." It was composed by Charles Borrelli and Roger Courtland. If you listen to the original version, it sounds exactly like what you’d expect from that era: a big, brassy marching band track that felt more like a college fight song than a professional anthem.
The Eagles were playing at Franklin Field back then. It was a different world. The lyrics were slightly different, too. For a long time, the song sort of faded into the background of the Philly sports scene. It wasn't the ubiquitous "everybody knows every word" phenomenon it is now.
It wasn't until the mid-90s, specifically around 1997, that the team really leaned into it. Under Jeffrey Lurie’s ownership, the team brought in a fresh arrangement. They sped it up. They made it punchier. They also changed the key to make it easier for a crowd of (often beer-fueled) fans to belt out without hitting too many flat notes. This was the birth of the modern Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song experience.
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The lyrics every fan needs to know (and the one part they get wrong)
Let’s look at the words. They are simple. That’s why they work.
"Fly, Eagles Fly, on the road to victory! (Fight! Fight! Fight!)
Fight, Eagles Fight, score a touchdown 1, 2, 3! (1! 2! 3!)
Hit 'em low, hit 'em high, and watch our Eagles fly!
Fly, Eagles Fly, on the road to victory!"
Then comes the spelling. E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!
Here’s a weird bit of trivia: in the original 1950s version, the line wasn't "Fly, Eagles Fly." It was "Fight, Eagles Fight." The team eventually swapped them because "Fly" just felt more thematic with the mascot. Also, there’s a persistent debate among older fans about the "1, 2, 3" part. In the stadium, the scoreboard prompts everyone to shout "1! 2! 3!" after the touchdown line, but some purists still just scream "Fight!" through the whole thing.
Honestly, at the Linc, it doesn't matter. The sheer volume of thousands of people screaming "Hit 'em low, hit 'em high" is enough to intimidate any visiting cornerback.
Why this song is an SEO and cultural powerhouse
People search for the Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song because it represents the identity of the city. It’s one of the few NFL fight songs that has remained genuinely popular. While other teams play generic stadium rock or Top 40 hits after a score, Philly sticks to the tradition.
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The song serves as a psychological reset during the game. It doesn't matter if the defense just gave up a 50-yard bomb in the previous quarter. When that song hits, the momentum shifts. It’s communal. It’s one of those rare moments where a guy in a suit in a luxury box and a guy who spent his last $100 on a nosebleed seat are doing the exact same thing at the exact same time.
The "Rocky" Connection and Post-Touchdown Playlists
While "Fly, Eagles Fly" is the official song, the Eagles game day experience is a whole ecosystem of sound. Usually, right after the fight song finishes and the extra point is kicked, the stadium transitions into other staples.
You’ll hear "Gonna Fly Now" (the Rocky theme) because, well, it’s Philadelphia. It’s legally required at this point. Sometimes you’ll hear "Dreams and Nightmares" by Meek Mill, which became the unofficial anthem of the 2017 Super Bowl run. But the Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song remains the anchor. It’s the constant. Coaches come and go. Quarterbacks get traded. The song stays.
The Super Bowl LII Impact
The 2017 season changed everything for the song’s legacy. When the Eagles beat the Patriots in Super Bowl LII, "Fly, Eagles Fly" wasn't just a stadium chant anymore. It was everywhere. It was on the news. It was being sung in grocery stores.
I remember seeing videos of fans singing it in the streets of Center City until 3:00 AM. That’s when it transcended being a "sports song." It became a victory march. If you look at the streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, the song usually spikes in the Philadelphia region every Sunday, but during that playoff run, it was charting globally. It’s kind of wild when you think about a 1950s marching band tune competing with modern pop hits.
Common misconceptions about the song
Some people think the song was written after the 1960 Championship win. Nope. As mentioned, it predates that. Others think it’s a rip-off of a college song. While it shares the vibe of a college fight song, it’s an original composition.
There’s also a misconception that it’s played after every score. Not quite. While it’s the Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song, it usually isn't played for a field goal unless it’s a game-winner. A field goal gets a polite cheer; a touchdown gets the full orchestral treatment.
The Eagles Pep Band is also a huge part of this. They are one of the few remaining professional sports "pep bands" that actually move around the stadium and play live. It adds a layer of authenticity that a digital recording just can't match. Seeing the brass instruments glinting in the sun while the crowd screams "E-A-G-L-E-S" is a core memory for any Philly kid.
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Practical steps for the full Eagles experience
If you’re planning on attending a game or just want to fit in at an Eagles bar, you can’t just mumble the words. You have to commit.
- Learn the "Fight! Fight! Fight!" timing. It happens right after the first line. If you miss it, you look like a tourist.
- The Spelling Bee. The "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant at the end is the most important part. It’s rhythmic. It’s not a race. Follow the lead of the guy with the most face paint in your section.
- The "1-2-3" count. Shout it with your fingers in the air.
- Don't sing it if they lose. It’s bad luck. It’s a song for winners.
The Philadelphia Eagles touchdown song is more than just a piece of music. It’s a piece of civic history that links the 1958 team to the current roster. It’s the sound of Sunday in Philadelphia. Whether you love the Eagles or you're a frustrated Giants fan wondering why your stadium is so quiet, you have to respect the tradition.
To truly understand the impact, you have to be there when the pyrotechnics go off and the first notes hit the speakers. It’s a wall of sound. It’s Philly.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the game day atmosphere, your next move should be looking up the history of the Eagles Pep Band or checking out the official lyrics on the team's website to ensure you have the "Hit 'em low, hit 'em high" section down perfectly. You can also find the various historical arrangements on YouTube to hear how the song evolved from a jazzy 50s tune to the modern anthem used today.