San Francisco Giants Get 'Love' From Michael Franti

Posted on Nov 3rd 2010 9:38PM by Benjy Eisen
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Anna Webber, WireImage

Hearing musicians give props to their favorite sports team is nothing new but 16 years after Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish) admitted that the Miami Dolphins made him cry -- and just weeks after Jay-Z watched the Yankees end their season -- Michael Franti & Spearhead have released a reworked version of their platinum-selling single, 'Say Hey (I Love You),' in support of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are Major League Baseball's 2010 World Champions after defeating the Texas Rangers earlier this week.

"From across the Bay, to across the world, the San Francisco Giants are Number One!" proclaims Franti at the start of the reworked track. Titled 'Say Hey (I Love You, Giants),' the song includes references to ace pitcher Tim Lincecum, star closer Brian Wilson ("not to be confused with...") and rookie catcher, Buster Posey, among others. It was released just in time for Giants fans to use it as part of their soundtrack to the citywide celebration in San Francisco on Wednesday.

But the unofficial theme song for team during the playoffs -- and Wednesday's ticker tape parade -- was Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing.' Frontman Steve Perry waved to Giants fans along the parade route as tens of thousands sang the chorus to his 1981 anthem. Another Bay Area musician -- the Grateful Dead's late Jerry Garcia -- was quoted by the mayor during the ceremony that followed the parade.

As for Franti, he was along the tour path in upstate New York and couldn't make the parade -- but, a longtime Giants fan and Bay Area native, he's participating in the victory celebration by offering up this track. Check out 'Say Hey (I Love You, Giants)' by clicking here.