The lights go down. A low, rhythmic synth pulse begins to vibrate through the floor of the United Center. Then, that iconic brass blast hits. You know it instantly. Even if you aren't a basketball fan, those first few notes of the Chicago Bulls opening music trigger a specific kind of Pavlovian response. It’s the sound of dominance. It’s the sound of the 1990s.
Honestly, it’s arguably the most successful piece of branding in the history of professional sports.
But here is the thing: the song wasn't written for Michael Jordan. It wasn't even written for basketball. The track, titled "Sirius," was a deep cut on an art-rock album by The Alan Parsons Project. It’s a strange, atmospheric instrumental that almost didn’t happen. Yet, for decades, it has served as the psychological warfare soundtrack that told visiting teams they were about to lose.
The Weird Origin Story of Sirius
In 1982, Alan Parsons was struggling. He was a legendary producer—the guy who engineered Dark Side of the Moon, for crying out loud—but he needed a lead-in for his band’s new album, Eye in the Sky. He had this tiny, circular guitar riff played on a Fairlight CMI computer. It was cold. It was mechanical.
He didn't think much of it.
"Sirius" is barely two minutes long. It was designed specifically to crossfade into the upbeat title track of the album. If you listen to the record today, the transition is seamless. However, Tommy Edwards, the Chicago Bulls’ legendary public address announcer, heard something different.
Back in the late 70s and early 80s, NBA introductions were boring. Truly. A guy with a microphone would just monotone his way through the starting lineup while the crowd clapped politely. Edwards wanted theater. He tried using "Eye of the Tiger." He tried Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Nothing quite fit the "big" feeling he was chasing.
Then, while sitting in a movie theater, he heard "Sirius" playing in the background. It clicked. He went out, bought the record, and the Chicago Bulls opening music was born.
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Why It Worked So Well
It isn't just a catchy tune. There’s a psychological build-up to "Sirius" that matches the tension of a live sporting event perfectly.
- The Intro: Those first 45 seconds are just a pulsing delay. It builds anxiety.
- The Climax: When the drums and the "Staccato" horn section kick in, it releases that tension.
- The Voice: You can't separate the music from Ray Clay’s voice booming, "And now... the starting lineup... for YOUR Chicago Bulls!"
The tempo is roughly 110 beats per minute. That’s slightly faster than a resting heart rate but slow enough to feel "heavy." It commands attention. It’s not a dance track; it’s a march.
The Michael Jordan Effect
We have to be honest here. If the Bulls had been a mediocre team in the 90s, "Sirius" would just be another forgotten stadium anthem. But because this music was the backdrop for six NBA championships, it became synonymous with greatness.
Imagine being a member of the New York Knicks or the Utah Jazz in 1997. You’re in a dark tunnel. You hear that synth start. You know that within three minutes, a 6'6" guy from North Carolina is going to try to dismantle your entire career. The Chicago Bulls opening music became a signal. It told the audience—and the opponents—that the "Main Event" had arrived.
The Ritual of the Introduction
The Bulls didn't just play the song. They choreographed it. They were one of the first teams to fully dim the lights and use spotlights to highlight individual players. This seems standard now, but in 1987? It was revolutionary.
The sequence usually went:
- The lights cut out.
- The "Sirius" loop begins.
- The video package shows a thundering herd of bulls running through the streets of Chicago.
- The guest team is introduced (quickly and with little fanfare).
- The home team emerges through a cloud of dry ice.
It turned a basketball game into a rock concert. It turned athletes into gods.
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Why the Bulls Never Changed It
Most sports teams change their intro music every few years. They want to stay "current." They want the latest hip-hop hit or a trending TikTok sound. The Bulls? They’ve stayed remarkably loyal to Alan Parsons.
There was a brief period where they experimented with other tracks, but the fan backlash was swift. People didn't just want music; they wanted the tradition.
The Royalty Question
You might wonder if Alan Parsons is sitting on a mountain of gold because of the Bulls. Kinda, but not exactly how you'd think.
Public performance licenses (through organizations like ASCAP or BMI) cover music played in stadiums. While Parsons definitely gets a check, he’s famously noted in interviews that he doesn't get "Bulls money" directly from the team. He has, however, expressed immense pride that his little studio experiment became a part of sports history. He even visited the United Center to see it in person, which must have been surreal for a British prog-rocker.
The Technical Breakdown: Why It Slaps
If you analyze the music itself, it’s remarkably simple. It’s a four-bar loop. The guitar riff uses a "delay" effect where the note repeats itself, creating a wall of sound.
Most modern stadium music is too "busy." It has lyrics, drops, and complex melodies. "Sirius" works because it is an open canvas. It allows the announcer's voice to sit on top of it without clashing. It’s basically the ultimate "hypeman" track.
The song also utilizes a "pedal point"—a recurring note in the bass that stays the same while the chords change above it. This creates a sense of "grounding." It feels stable and unstoppable. Just like the 96 Bulls.
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Common Misconceptions About the Intro
A lot of people think the song is called "The Chicago Bulls Theme." It isn't. Some people think it was commissioned by Jerry Reinsdorf. It wasn't.
Another big one: people think "Sirius" is the only song. Usually, the sequence transitions into "On the Run" by Pink Floyd or other high-energy tracks during the actual tip-off, but "Sirius" is the one that stays in your head.
Also, it’s worth noting that the Bulls aren't the only team to use it. The Nebraska Cornhuskers have used it. The Ricky Steamboat "The Dragon" used it in wrestling. But the Bulls own the "vibe" of it. When you hear it, you see the red jersey. Period.
How to Experience the "Sirius" Magic Today
If you want to understand why the Chicago Bulls opening music matters, you can't just listen to it on Spotify. You have to see it in context.
Go watch the intro to The Last Dance on Netflix. Or better yet, find a grainy YouTube rip of the 1998 NBA Finals intros. The way the crowd roars when the first beat drops—it’s visceral. It’s a piece of 20th-century Americana that managed to survive into the 21st.
Actionable Takeaways for the Super-Fan
If you are looking to recreate that energy or just dive deeper into the history, here is what you should actually do:
- Listen to the full album: Check out Eye in the Sky by The Alan Parsons Project. Hearing "Sirius" transition into the vocal track "Eye in the Sky" is a totally different experience than hearing it at a game. It's actually quite mellow.
- Check the PA history: Look up Tommy Edwards and Ray Clay. These are the two men responsible for the delivery of the music. Without their specific vocal cadences, the music is just a cool rock song.
- Visit the United Center: Even if the team isn't winning championships right now, they still do the intro. The lights still go out. The hair on your arms will still stand up.
- Study the "Delay" Effect: If you’re a musician, "Sirius" is a masterclass in using a digital delay pedal to create a rhythmic texture. It’s a great case study in "less is more."
The Chicago Bulls opening music is more than just a song. It’s a psychological tool that defined an era of sports excellence. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best choices are the ones that happen by accident in a movie theater or on a B-side of a British rock record. It proves that in the right hands, a simple guitar loop can become the sound of a dynasty.
Next time those lights dim, just listen. You’ll feel 1991 all over again.