"Go Cubs Go" is a song written by lifelong Cubs fan, Steve Goodman, prior the 1984 season. It was written at the request of WGN Program Director Dan Fabian who with Manager Dallas Green, was trying to provide a more positive environment for the franchise.
Green was not a fan of Goodman’s as he had written and recorded "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" in 1981. The song illuminated the historic failures of the Cubs franchise and had been banned from being played at Wrigley Field since it described the team as "doormat of the National League" and referred to Wrigley Field as an "ivy-covered burial ground."
"Go Cubs Go" was recorded at the Chicago Recording Company with several of the team members participating in the chorus. It first became popular when the Cubs won the 1984 National League East Division Championship and subsequently lost in the 1984 National League Championship Series.
During that season, Goodman lost his sixteen-year battle with Leukemia four days before the Cubs clinched the division title. He was 36 years old and had been scheduled to sing the National Anthem before the Cubs’ very first post-season playoff game in 39 years. His friend Jimmy Buffett performed in his place, dedicating his performance to Steve Goodman.
During the next 3 years 60,000 copies of the song were sold with all the proceeds going to charity. The record is rare and sought after by Chicago Cub collectors.
As wonderful as Steve Goodman is on record, he was better in concert, where his ingratiating personality exploded. Once at the Universal Amphitheatre, he opened for Steve Martin at the peak of the comic’s stand-up career. This is when people showed up with toy arrows in their heads, reciting his album monologues by heart, shouting “Excuuuuuse me....” The last thing they wanted to see was any opening act, let alone a short, balding, cherubic folk singer they’d never heard of.
Nonetheless Steve Goodman simply sang, told stories and won over the Martin fanatics...to their utter shock. It should come as no surprise that Steve Goodman opened for Steve Martin over 200 times.
Various Sources