If you’ve ever spent a humid July evening at Citi Field, or maybe the old Shea Stadium back in the day, you know the feeling. The game is about to start, the organ kicks in, and suddenly thousands of people—who usually can't agree on anything—start belt-out a tune that sounds like it was ripped straight from a 1960s laundry detergent commercial.
It’s the Meet the Mets fight song.
It isn’t just a song. Honestly, it’s a time machine. While other teams have tried to pivot to aggressive rock anthems or trendy pop hits, the Mets have stuck with a piece of songwriting that is so aggressively cheerful it almost feels defiant. It represents a specific kind of New York optimism—the kind that survives 100-loss seasons and heartbreak.
The Weird History of How We Got Meet the Mets
Most people assume the song was some corporate mandate from the team's first owner, Joan Payson. That isn't quite right. In 1961, before the Mets even took the field for their disastrous inaugural season, a songwriter named Ruth Roberts was tasked with creating something that would help New Yorkers forget the Dodgers and Giants had just abandoned them for California.
Roberts wasn't some huge baseball scout. She was a prolific songwriter who penned hits for Dean Martin and Jimmy Durante. She teamed up with Bill Katz and Stanley Clayton to write "Meet the Mets," and what they captured was pure, unadulterated 1962 energy.
Think about the context. The "Lovable Losers" were about to go 40-120. They needed a distraction. They needed something that made the Polo Grounds feel like a party instead of a funeral.
The song actually exists in two major versions. Most fans are familiar with the 1963 "swing" version recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra (under the direction of Ray McKinley). It’s got that brassy, big-band bounce that feels like a parade. There was an earlier 1962 version too, but the '63 update is the one that really stuck in the collective consciousness of Queens. It’s got that specific "New York" brass sound—loud, slightly chaotic, but perfectly on beat.
Why the Lyrics Actually Matter (Even the Cheesy Ones)
"East side, West side, everybody's coming down..."
It’s a simple opening. But for a team trying to bridge the gap between former Brooklyn Dodgers fans and New York Giants fans, those lyrics were a strategic masterstroke. It was an invitation.
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The Meet the Mets fight song doesn't brag. It doesn't talk about crushing the opposition or being the greatest team in history. It basically just asks you to show up and have a good time. "Bring your kiddies, bring your wife," the song suggests. It’s an anthem for the working-class fan base that defined the Mets' early identity.
You’ve got to love the instructional nature of it, too. "Guaranteed to have the time of your life." That was a bold claim in 1962. Even in the dark years of the late 70s or the collapse of 2007, hearing those lyrics provides a weird sort of comfort. It’s a reminder that being a Mets fan is supposed to be a community experience, not just a win-loss tally.
The 1984 Update: A Polarizing Remix
By the time the mid-80s rolled around, the Mets were changing. The "Bad Guys" era was beginning. Doc Gooden was throwing heat, Darryl Strawberry was hitting moonshots, and the team had a swagger that didn't necessarily fit a 1920s-style big band jingle.
So, they updated it.
The 1984 version of the Meet the Mets fight song is a peak 80s artifact. It’s got synthesizers. It’s got a drum machine. It sounds a bit like the theme song to a sitcom about a group of friends living in a loft. While some purists hated it, that version became the soundtrack to the 1986 World Series run. For a whole generation of fans, that is the definitive version.
However, if you go to a game today, you'll notice the team has largely reverted to the classic 1963 arrangement for the main pre-game festivities. There’s something timeless about the original that a synth-pop remix just can’t touch. It’s like the team realized you can’t improve on a classic.
The Cultural Impact Beyond the Ballpark
What makes this fight song different from, say, "Go Cubs Go" or the "Aggie War Hymn"? It’s the sheer "sing-ability" of the hook.
Musicologists—okay, maybe just very bored baseball historians—have noted that the melody follows a very traditional "AABA" song structure common in Tin Pan Alley songwriting. This makes it incredibly easy for the human brain to memorize. You hear it twice and you know it for life.
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It has popped up in movies, TV shows, and even random pop culture references that have nothing to do with baseball. It’s become shorthand for "New York City Resilience."
The Compositional Secret
The song is written in a major key, which usually signifies happiness or triumph. But because it’s played with such a fast, driving tempo, it creates a sense of urgency. It’s a "hurry up and get to the stadium" vibe.
The 1963 recording features:
- A driving snare drum rhythm.
- A bright trumpet section that carries the main melody.
- Group vocals that sound like a group of neighbors singing on a porch.
This "neighborly" sound is intentional. It was meant to contrast with the "Corporate" feel of the Yankees across town. The Yankees had "Here Come the Yankees," but it never quite achieved the folk-hero status that the Mets' anthem did.
The Lost Verses and Variations
Did you know there are actually verses people rarely sing? Most fans know the chorus, but the full song has a bit more narrative.
"Mets are really humming..."
"They've got the hits and runs and coming..."
Wait, the lyrics are actually kind of clunky when you look at them on paper. "Coming" and "humming" is a bit of a lazy rhyme, honestly. But when the horns are blaring, nobody cares. The song is about the energy, not the poetry.
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There have been countless covers over the years. From punk rock versions played by local Queens bands to jazz interpretations, the song has been stretched and pulled into every genre imaginable. Yet, the core melody remains indestructible. It’s one of the few pieces of sports branding that has survived multiple stadium moves, ownership changes, and the total evolution of the sport itself.
Why It Still Works in 2026
We live in an era of high-definition scoreboards and pyrotechnics. You’d think a song from 1961 would feel out of place next to a 100-foot LED screen. It doesn't.
Actually, it feels more necessary now than ever. Baseball is a game of tradition and long, slow summers. The Meet the Mets fight song anchors the experience. It tells the fans that no matter who is playing shortstop or who owns the team, the soul of the franchise hasn't changed.
It’s also a great way to weed out the casuals. If you don't know when to clap, or if you don't know the "East side, West side" line, you're probably just there for the Shake Shack.
How to Properly Experience the Song
If you want the full effect, you can't just listen to it on Spotify. You have to be there.
- Get to the stadium early. The song usually plays about 20 minutes before first pitch during the player introductions and warm-ups.
- Watch the montage. The Mets usually pair the song with a video of historical highlights—Seavers’s fastball, Mookie’s grounder, Piazza’s post-9/11 home run. It’s designed to make you emotional, and it works.
- The Clap. There is a specific rhythm to the clapping during the chorus. Watch the season ticket holders in the 100-level. They’ve been doing it since the Carter administration. Follow their lead.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're a new fan or just visiting NYC, don't dismiss the song as "old people music." It's the key to understanding the team's DNA.
- Learn the 1963 version first. That’s the "Gold Standard." It’s the one you’ll hear most often and the one that carries the most weight with the fan base.
- Check out the 1984 version for the vibes. If you want to understand the cocky, dominant Mets of the mid-80s, that synth-heavy version is your gateway.
- Listen for the organist. At Citi Field, the organist often teases the melody between innings. It’s a subtle "we’re still here" signal to the crowd.
- Respect the history. Ruth Roberts passed away in 2011, but her contribution to New York sports culture is arguably as big as any player's. She gave the team a voice before they even had a win.
The next time you hear those opening horns, don't roll your eyes. Lean into the nostalgia. Being a Mets fan is about embracing the quirks, the history, and the slightly cheesy but incredibly earnest belief that "the Mets are really humming."
Go find the original 1962 recording on a vintage vinyl or a deep-dive YouTube playlist. Compare it to the 1963 swing version. You'll hear the evolution of a brand in real-time. Then, go to a game, stand up, and sing it loud enough for the people in the Bronx to hear you.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Original Songwriters: Ruth Roberts, Bill Katz, and Stanley Clayton.
- Most Famous Version: Recorded in 1963 by the Glenn Miller Orchestra (Ray McKinley).
- The 80s Remix: Released in 1984 to modernize the team's image.
- Usage: Played at every home game since 1962, making it one of the oldest continuous traditions in MLB.
Stop worrying about the standings for three minutes and just enjoy the music. That’s what being a Mets fan is actually about.
Next Steps for Fans
- Stream the original: Look for the "1963 Ray McKinley" version on music platforms to hear the definitive brass arrangement.
- Visit the Hall of Fame: When at Citi Field, check out the Mets Museum to see memorabilia related to the team's early branding and the song's sheet music.
- Practice the lyrics: Memorize the "East side, West side" opening so you can lead the chant in your section during the next home stand.