Q1: Is "Rocky Top" the official fight song of the University of Tennessee?
A1: Technically, no. The university's official fight song is "Down the Field" (often referred to as "Here's to Old Tennessee"). However, "Rocky Top" is played far more frequently during athletic events and functions as the beloved unofficial anthem of the Volunteers.
Q2: Is Rocky Top an actual geographic place in Tennessee?
A2: The song was originally inspired by Rocky Top, a summit located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Appalachian Trail, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. In 2014, the town of Lake City, Tennessee, also legally renamed itself Rocky Top.
Q3: How many official state songs does Tennessee have?
A3: Tennessee has 10 official state songs. "Rocky Top" was officially adopted by the state legislature in 1982, joining other historic selections like "The Tennessee Waltz" and "My Homeland, Tennessee."
