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Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
The daughter of the guy who wrote the anthemic "OK Blue Jays," remembers how the little song that could exploded into Toronto baseball lore. She heard it long before any of us ever did. But nobody expected it to become what it did.
"My favourite jingle was one he’d written (with Jack Lenz) before I was born: "OK Blue Jays.” Yes, the official song of the Blue Jays was a jingle, written in 1983 by ad guys for ad guys working for a relatively new MLB franchise with very little chance of success.
Somehow that feels very Torontonian. But the Jays had staying power. By the time I was old enough to watch baseball, the first verse of the song was being played at least 81 times a year in the SkyDome during the seventh-inning stretch."
My dad wrote the song that defined Canadian baseball. Now, more than ever, it’s the anthem we all need
- Binson Echorec
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
I've always been under the impression Keith Hampshire wrote this tune, did not know it was actually Tony Kosinec.
- torontostan
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
It’s stale and should be retired quite frankly……
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
I remember Lorne Honickman of City TV used to sing (to the newsroom only) his own version when the team wasn't doing very well.
"Oy vey! (Oy vey!)
Blue Jays! (Blue Jays!)
When are you gonna play some ball?"
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Thread Starter- paterson1
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
Tony Kosenic also had a hit on the CHUM chart that got to number 10 in the September 8 1973 edition. All Things Come From God stood out with a unique sound and lyrics..,vid:wy4qzNqwFv8,st:0
Last edited by paterson1 (October 16, 2025 8:32 pm)
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
paterson1 wrote:
Tony Kosenic also had a hit on the CHUM chart that got to number 10 in the September 8 1973 edition. All Things Come From God stood out with a unique sound and lyrics..,vid:wy4qzNqwFv8,st:0
The song was first played on CHUM FM and got to be a staple there. That's where I got to know and like the song.
Here is an article from Beetle Magazine. Oct 1973. Says that Murry The K helped him secure his first recording contract. Not sure why the writer uses banality with reference to CHUM FM in 1973, 1977 yes but not 68 to 74. Kosinec ran in some hip circles at the beginning. He played a song for John and Yoko.
Ironically there is an ad with Keith Hampshire. Sorry I know the article is hard to read in spots. I belive this same writer wrote for one or more Toronto Newspapers.
Last edited by Fitz (October 16, 2025 9:27 pm)
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Re: Daughter Of "OK Blue Jays" Composer Remembers How The Song Was Born
The daughter of the guy who wrote the anthemic "OK Blue Jays," remembers how the little song that could exploded into Toronto baseball lore. She heard it long before any of us ever did. But nobody expected it to become what it did.
"My favourite jingle was one he’d written (with Jack Lenz) before I was born: "OK Blue Jays.” Yes, the official song of the Blue Jays was a jingle, written in 1983 by ad guys for ad guys working for a relatively new MLB franchise with very little chance of success.
Somehow that feels very Torontonian. But the Jays had staying power. By the time I was old enough to watch baseball, the first verse of the song was being played at least 81 times a year in the SkyDome during the seventh-inning stretch."
My dad wrote the song that defined Canadian baseball. Now, more than ever, it’s the anthem we all need
What a good article. I know a lot of people could care less about baseball and do not understand the excitement that people (me included) are feeling about their home team. Not only do I love watching the game, but it is a distraction from all the negativity that is going on right now.
OK, Blue Jays, let's play ball!!