The Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney (2010)

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass
I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads
Standin' in the huddle listenin' to the call
Fans goin' crazy for the boys of fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall
The kings of the school, man, we're the boys of fall

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want the ball
And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash
It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, I got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
The boys of fall

In little towns like mine that's all they got
Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops
The old men will always think they know it all
Young girls will dream about the boys of fall

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want the ball
And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash
It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
The boys of fall

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want the ball
And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash
It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, got your back
When you back's against the wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
The boys of fall

We're the boys of fall
We're the boys of fall

Source: azlyrics.com

Analysis

This, to me, is the most emotional sports song ever made. It describes the writer reminiscing on his days of playing football. It begins with something as small as smelling fresh, cut grass taking him back to the days of being a player. From there, the songs is focused on what "the boys of fall" really is. It first describes it as a club—where only every last ounce of blood and sweat will let you in. Then, it emphasizes its important on more than just the players—but the old men in the town and the young girls who dream about the players. The chorus, however, is focused on teamwork. It describes how the boys are a group and if you mess with one of them, you will get them all. This is the theme of this song. Teamwork is an essential part of sports, and it is what holds the team together.  

The first literary element I noticed was the rhyming. It follows an AABB rhyming scheme. However, each stanza ends with "the boys of fall". This is to emphasize the title and what it means to be a member of this group. Another element used in this song is imagery. As the author reminisces on his playing days, he uses great detail to allow the listener to envision it. For example, "I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads/ Standin' in the huddle listenin' to the call/ Fans goin' crazy for the boys of fall". I quickly remembered being in that exact position as a younger player. The tone is very lyrical, as he puts emotion into each word, attempting to allow the listener to feel what he feels.  

The music video also has a very motivational speech before the actual song is played. It has videos of sports being played. It was excluded from this analysis, but it is worth the watch if you are a a sports fan—you may cry.