The accidental anthem that soundtracks sports dynasties and championship victories
In short: A simple riff composed on a Fairlight CMI became the sonic signature of the Chicago Bulls. From the NBA courts of the 1990s to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this instrumental has become the unexpected heartbeat of professional sports across North America.
Recorded for The Alan Parsons Project's 1982 album Eye in the Sky, "Sirius" was born from Alan Parsons' desire for a musical introduction to the title track. While working at home on a Fairlight CMI, Parsons developed a riff using a clavinet sample and tape delay. To ensure a seamless transition into the next song, the band re-recorded the track in the studio to match the key of D major, settling on B minor for compatibility. The keyboard arpeggio following the guitar chords was performed by engineer Haydn Bendall. This specific arrangement helped the track function as a perfect segue into the album's title track.
The track's cultural dominance began in the late 1980s when Chicago Bulls announcer Tommy Edwards chose it after hearing it in a local cinema. As the Bulls secured six NBA championships during the 1990s, the song's association with greatness spread, leading teams like the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs to adopt similar anthems. Its influence has since expanded to college football, notably serving as the Nebraska Cornhuskers' "Tunnel Walk" entrance since 1994. Beyond professional basketball, the song has been used by professional wrestler Ricky Steamboat since his 1985 WWE debut. It also serves as a signature entrance for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Interestingly, the band remained unaware of the song's massive sports popularity for approximately 20 years. Because venues pay blanket fees to performing-rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, the Bulls did not need to seek direct permission from Parsons. While Parsons noted he would have appreciated a personal request, the track has since become a versatile piece of pop culture, appearing in everything from the documentary The Last Dance to the 2023 film Air. The track's reach extends to various media, including the film Air and the documentary The Last Dance. It has even been sampled by artists like P. Diddy and Pitbull.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sirius (instrumental)
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