What song played for Illinois in DNC roll call ceremonial vote? Bulls fans might know it
The celebratory and hopeful energy of the Democratic National Convention continued Tuesday with a series of rousing speeches from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Doug Emhoff, Michelle Obama, former president Barack Obama, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and many others.
“Do not boo. Vote!” Barack Obama admonished the crowd at one point in his speech when talking about legislative failings and tax breaks for the rich under the administration of former president and candidate Donald Trump.
When Pritzker took the stage, he mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris’ connection to Illinois, as the presidential candidate lived in Evanston for a stint as a child.
One of the governor’s most noted remarks of the night was “take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity.” Pritzker was named the richest politician in office in the U.S. in 2024 by Forbes.
The night’s speeches were kicked off by a high-energy ceremonial roll call that featured rose-colored descriptions of the history and spirit of all 57 delegations. The seven additional delegations include places like Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Hosted by New York City native DJ Cassidy on stage with secretary of the DNC Jason Rae, each delegation had their own introduction music.
Known as a “walk-up song,” each tune blasted as delegations crowded together and passed around a microphone to tout the beauty, history and contributions of their home region.
The reimagined roll call evolved from a pandemic-era approach taken in 2020. Described by the DNC as a celebration under the theme of “coming together,” 2024 is the first in-person convention in eight years.
“The roll call is a beloved and time-honored tradition, and we’re proud to bring it back in a new and fun format,” said Jaime Harrison, DNC chair, in a press release.
Which song did Illinois play during DNC roll call?
But which song was chosen for Illinois in the celebratory roll call that felt a bit like a dance party at times, and why?
Fashioned as a tableau of joy and hopefulness, two of the most oft-invoked themes of the Harris-Walz campaign, each song was picked to represent place and energy. Many delegations played decades-old, familiar classics from the likes of Lynrd Skynrd, Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Tom Petty and others.
Illinois’ roll call song was “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project, which Time Magazine reports is associated with the Chicago Bulls and Micheal Jordan. The British rock band released the song in 1982.
“Sirius” has been used as introduction music by the NBA team and has also appeared in Disney movie “Flubber,” a documentary about Micheal Jordan, the film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and more, according to the band’s website.
Illinois has more than 170 delegates this year at the DNC, including some Pritzker staffers, state representatives, state senators and more.
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