Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Ben and Steelers Offense Need “Renegade” Like Inspiration Too

Roethlisberger And The Offense Need A Tribute Song

A new season is on the horizon and there has been a lot of change with the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers. In the theme of change I am suggesting the Steelers make another one by doing something different in the 2013 season. Since the early 2000’s the Pittsburgh Steelers have used  a song called “Renegade” by Styx as a theme song for their defense. Renegade whips the Heinz Field crowd into a frenzy and inspires the defense when a big defensive stand is needed. Renegade was written and sung by guitarist Tommy Shaw on the 1978 Styx album entitled “Pieces of Eight”. Renegade made it to #16 on the record bill board charts. Renegade is the story of a man who pens a letter to his mother telling her that he has committed a crime, got caught by the law while on the run and is going to the hanging gallows to die.

What does any of that have to do with the Pittsburgh Steelers Defense? Nothing. It simply rocks. That’s it. As long as it inspires the defense and the crowd which it has for more than a decade, who cares.

The cover for the Styx 1978 album “Pieces of Eight”. The album produced “Renegade”, a #16 billboard hit but more famously would become the Steelers defensive theme song more than 20 years later. Courtesy Styx and bing images.

Why Doesn’t The Offense Have A Theme Song?

It would be great to have a theme song for the offense too. As successful as Renegade has been for the defense why is there no song for the offense? Certainly there are times in every game when the offense needs a spark, but yet no song. Why? I don’t know the answer to that question but I am offering a solution.

Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Ben

I usually don’t care for sixties music as I am partial to the 70’s music I grew up with. For the Steelers offense tribute song I am going back ten years earlier than Renegade to a timeless song that rocks in any and every era. In Bob Seger’s early years before he became a mainstream persona in the mid 1970’s, Seger put out an album titled “The Bob Seger System Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” in 1968. The single track Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man topped out at #17 on the bill board charts which is one slot lower than Renegade would do 10 years later.

The cover for the 1968 album “The Bob Seger System Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” which produced the self titled song “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” a hard driving rhythm thumping song which personifies the play of Ben Roethlisberger and the way Big Ben runs the Steelers offense. “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man” made it to #17 on the billboard charts.

Every time I hear this song I think of Ben Roethlisberger. Reading the lyrics (below) doesn’t give the song justice. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man is 2:22 of  upbeat, churning, hard driving, non stop full fledged power rocking smack you in the face song. Kind of like Roethlisberger’s style of quarterback play and how the fans love to see their Steelers play. It is a classic rock song that rocks like Renegade. The only difference being is that if a couple of the words changed in Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man it would not only fit Roethlisberger and the Steelers offensive style of play, it could fit Roethlisberger off the field as well.

The words to Renegade don’t really relate to anything specifically about the Steelers defense. The actual meaning of the song Renegade now is more relevant to former New England Patriot TE Aaron Hernandez. This season the Patriots offense ought to play Renegade when whenever one of their tight ends make a touchdown catch.

Roethlisberger is a ramblin’, gamblin’, scramblin’ man of a quarterback. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Since the loss to the Packers in the Super Bowl, Roethlisberger’s come from behind magic has seemed to somewhat dissipate. So this season when the offense needs to control the clock using the run game or needs a score or two for a comeback win, like Renegade inspires the defense, maybe Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man is just what the fans, the offense and Roethlisberger need to hear.

(Click to listen: Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man – Bob Seger)

Yeaaaah, I’m gonna tell my tale

Come on, a come on, hah.

Ahh give a listen, cause I was born lonely

Down by the riverside.

Learned to spin fortune wheels and throw dice.

I was just thirteen when I had to leave home.

Knew I couldn’t stick around, I had to roam.

Ain’t good lookin’, but you know I ain’t shy.

Ain’t afraid to look a girl, in the eye.

So if you need some lovin’

And you need it right away,

Take a little time out and maybe I’ll stay.

But I got to ramble, ramblin’ man.

Gamble, gamblin’ man.

I got to ramble, ramblin’ man.

I was born a ramblin’ gamblin’ man.

Yeaah awww yeah yeah  yeaaaaah  yeaah ha ha a

Bring it on come down, yeaaah alright.

Here we go now now now.

Money’ cause you know I need some.

Ain’t gonna’ run on lovin’,  hey I might as well run.

Gotta keep movin’, never gonna’ slow down.

You can have your funky world, see ya’ round.

Cause I got to ramble, ramblin’ man.

I got to gamble, gamblin’ man.

Yeaaahh I got to ramble, ramblin’ man.

Yeaah I was born a ramblin’ gamblin’ man.

Ohhh I got to ramble, I’m just a gambler.

Come on just sing along.

Cause I’m just a rambler , ramblin’ man.

I just got to gamble, I’m a  rambler……