Summary

“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” is one of rock’s most improbable success stories—a deliberately throwaway song that became a #1 hit and enduring cultural phenomenon. Written in 1961 and resurrected in 1969 as filler for a B-side, the track was released under the fictional band name “Steam” because the actual singer, Gary DeCarlo, was contractually bound elsewhere. The song’s infectious “na na na na” chorus transcended its bubblegum origins to become the definitive sports arena taunt, played at stadiums worldwide whenever opposing players are ejected or defeated. Its journey from intentional garbage to timeless anthem represents one of pop music’s greatest accidents.

Core Facts

Timeline

• 1961 – Gary DeCarlo and Paul Leka originally write “Kiss Him Goodbye” as teenagers in Bridgeport, Connecticut
• 1969 (Summer) – Producer Paul Leka needs a B-side for Gary DeCarlo’s solo single and resurrects the old song
• 1969 (Recording Session) – The “na na na na” chant is added spontaneously to extend the track’s length
• 1969 (October) – Mercury/Fontana releases the single under the name “Steam” due to DeCarlo’s contract issues
• December 6, 1969 – Song reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
• December 13, 1969 – Holds #1 position for a second week
• 1969 – Achieves Gold certification from RIAA
• 1977 – Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust begins playing it to taunt opposing players, starting its sports anthem legacy
• 1980s-Present – Becomes standard farewell taunt at sporting events worldwide
• 2009 – Named one of the top sports stadium songs of all time by various publications

Historical Context

By late 1969, the bubblegum pop movement was in full swing, with manufactured hits dominating AM radio. Producer Paul Leka, already successful with hits like “Green Tambourine” by The Lemon Pipers, was working with singer Gary DeCarlo on a solo career. DeCarlo had been recording for Mercury Records but was contractually prevented from releasing material under his own name for competing labels.

When Leka needed a quick B-side for what he considered DeCarlo’s real single, he remembered a song they had written together eight years earlier as teenagers. The original “Kiss Him Goodbye” was a straightforward breakup ballad. To pad out the recording time, the session musicians spontaneously added a “na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye” chant—a throwaway addition that would define the song’s legacy.

Mercury Records executives heard the recording and, to Leka’s surprise, preferred the B-side to the intended A-side. They demanded it be released as the single. Because DeCarlo couldn’t be credited, Leka invented the band name “Steam” and hired actors to portray the “group” in promotional photos and on television appearances. The real musicians never performed the song live as Steam.

Musical Significance & Innovation

Musically, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” represents the bubblegum genre at its most commercially effective. The song’s structure is deceptively sophisticated: a melancholic verse melody in F major contrasts sharply with the jubilant, almost mocking chorus. This emotional dissonance—sad verses about lost love paired with a celebratory chant—creates an unusual but memorable listening experience.

The production features hallmarks of late-1960s pop: prominent piano, layered backing vocals, and a driving rhythm section. Paul Leka’s arrangement builds effectively, with the “na na” chant starting subtly and growing more insistent as the song progresses. The decision to make the nonsense syllables the hook rather than the actual lyrics was counterintuitive but proved genius.

The song’s most significant innovation was accidental: creating a participatory chant that required no knowledge of the lyrics. This accessibility made it perfect for crowd singing—a quality that would prove essential to its second life in sports arenas. The chant’s simplicity and universal applicability (anyone can be told “goodbye”) gave it cultural staying power far beyond typical pop songs.

Steam technically released a follow-up single, but without the lightning-in-a-bottle combination of circumstances, it failed to chart significantly. The “band” quietly dissolved, leaving behind one of the most recognized songs in American popular culture.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

The transformation of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” from pop hit to sports anthem represents one of music’s most remarkable second acts. Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust began playing the song in 1977 when opposing players were removed from games, and fans immediately embraced the taunting ritual. The practice spread rapidly throughout baseball, then to hockey, basketball, and football stadiums worldwide.

Today, the song is played at virtually every major sports venue when opposing players are ejected, teams are eliminated from playoffs, or visitors suffer embarrassing defeats. It has become so associated with sporting events that many younger listeners encounter it first in arenas rather than on radio. The song has appeared in countless films, television shows, and commercials, often specifically to invoke the feeling of dismissive triumph.

The track has been covered numerous times, most notably by The Nylons (1987), whose a cappella version reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Bananarama (1983), whose version was a significant UK hit. These covers demonstrate the song’s melodic strength beneath the novelty surface.

“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” has sold over 6 million copies worldwide and remains in constant rotation on oldies stations. Its BMI performance royalties have accumulated for decades, making it one of the most profitable “throwaway” compositions in music history. The song stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of popular success and the power of a simple, singable hook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who wrote “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”?

The song was written by Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, and Paul Leka. DeCarlo and Leka originally composed the melody in 1961 as teenagers in Connecticut. The famous “na na na na” chant was added spontaneously during the 1969 recording session to extend the track’s running time.

Was Steam a real band?

No, Steam was never a real performing band. It was a studio project name created because lead vocalist Gary DeCarlo was contractually prevented from releasing music under his own name. Actors were hired to portray the “band” in promotional photos and television appearances, while the actual recording featured DeCarlo, Paul Leka, and session musicians.

Why is “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” played at sporting events?

The tradition began in 1977 when Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust played the song to taunt opposing players being removed from games. The practice proved so popular with fans that it spread to stadiums and arenas worldwide. The song’s simple, participatory chant makes it perfect for crowd singing, and its dismissive message (“kiss him goodbye”) translates universally to sports contexts.

How did the song reach number one?

Released on Fontana Records in October 1969, the song’s catchy chorus drove rapid radio airplay. It climbed steadily up the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #1 on December 6, 1969. It held the top position for two consecutive weeks, becoming one of the last #1 hits of the 1960s.

What was the song originally intended for?

The song was written in 1969 as a deliberately mediocre B-side filler for Gary DeCarlo’s solo single. Producer Paul Leka intentionally tried to create something disposable. Mercury Records executives unexpectedly preferred the B-side to the intended A-side and insisted it be released as the single, leading to its unlikely success.

Who performed the song live if Steam wasn’t real?

Since DeCarlo couldn’t perform publicly as Steam due to contractual obligations, the label hired a touring band to perform as “Steam” at live appearances. These performers had no connection to the actual recording. Gary DeCarlo himself never performed the song live as part of Steam, though he did perform it in later decades at oldies concerts under his own name.

Has the song been covered by other artists?

Yes, numerous artists have covered the song. The most commercially successful covers include The Nylons’ 1987 a cappella version, which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Bananarama’s 1983 version, which was a top 5 hit in the UK. The song has also been recorded by various punk and rock bands, demonstrating its enduring appeal across genres.

Sources & Verification

• Billboard Magazine – Hot 100 Chart Archives (December 1969)
• RIAA Gold & Platinum Database – Certification Records
• Whitburn, Joel. “The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits” (9th Edition, 2010)
• Rolling Stone Magazine – “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list inclusions and commentary
• Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits” (5th Edition, 2003)
• BMI Repertoire Database – Songwriting Credits and Performance Data
• Chicago Tribune Archives – Nancy Faust interviews regarding White Sox organ music traditions (various dates, 1977-2010)
• AllMusic.com – Steam artist biography and discography
• Discogs.com – Fontana Records release information and catalog numbers
• ESPN Archives – Coverage of sports anthem traditions and stadium music history
• Goldmine Magazine – Interview features with Paul Leka (various issues, 1990s-2000s)
• SongFacts.com – “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” song history