This is the official site of the world famous smash hit "Packarena."
"Packarena" (sometimes spelled "Packerena" or "Packerana") is a parody song performed by Jane Matenaer, former morning show host on 99.1 WMYX The Mix in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 1996 release of "Packarena" was a huge part of the fan frenzy leading up to the Green Bay Packers' victory at Super Bowl XXXI (Super Bowl 31 on January 26, 1997) over the New England Patriots.
(Sung to the tune of "Macarena" by Los del Rio)
(Intro With Announcers)
From the frozen tundra of Green Bay... Well, the Packers are going all the way this year, there's no doubt about it... Favre's in the pocket, pass complete, touchdown Green Bay! Boy, Lombardi would have loved this.
(Verse One)
We are cheeseheads cheering at the Lambeau,
This is the year we make it to the big show!
Favre passes, makes touchdowns,
And we will do the Lambeau leap in Titletown!
Move with us, chant with us,
And you will be a Packer fan just like us!
(Chorus)
Brett and-a Brooks and-an Edgar and-a Reggie,
Jackson and Chmura and-a Holmgren and-a Jacke,
Jones and-a LeRoy and-a Newsome and a-Dorsey,
Hey Packarena, Hut Hut!
(Verse Two)
Every time they cross the goal line,
They jump into the stands and its so fine,
It's White sacking, Brooks leaping,
All the league their fans they will be weeping,
Move with us, chant with us,
And you will be a Packer fan just like us!
(Chorus)
Brett and-a Brooks and-an Edgar and-a Reggie,
Jackson and Chmura and-a Holmgren and-a Jacke,
Jones and-a LeRoy and-a Newsome and-a Dorsey,
Hey Packarena, Hut Hut!
(Spoken)
Well, what was I supposed to do? The other team was out of town, and that Mark Chmura is so fine!
Cheeseheads: Residents of Wisconsin, the Dairy State.
Favre: Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, #4, the greatest quarterback in history!
Frozen Tundra: Nickname given to Lambeau Field after it froze during the "Ice Bowl" of 1967.
Lambeau: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Home of the Packers, named for founder Curly Lambeau.
Lambeau leap: When a Packer player celebrates a touchdown by jumping into the stands.
Lombardi: Vince Lombardi, head coach of the Packers from 1959-1967.
Titletown: The nickname given to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for its team winning 12 NFL titles, more than any other team.
Other names: Robert Brooks, wide receiver. Edgar Bennett, running back. Reggie White, defensive end. Keith Jackson, tight end. Mark Chmura, tight end. Mike Holmgren, head coach. Chris Jacke, kicker. Sean Jones, defensive end. LeRoy Butler, strong safety. Craig Newsome, cornerback. Dorsey Levens, running back.
Lead Vocals: Jane Matenaer
Backing Vocals: Brian Kelly, Ron Carter (billed as "The Armchair Quarterbacks")
Announcer 1, 3: Brian Kelly
Announcer 2: Ron Carter
Written By: Jane Matenaer, Brian Kelly, Jim "Mo" Morales, Mike Clemens, Dan Weber
Produced By: Ron Carter
One cold day in late December 1996, Brian Kelly, Program Director of 99.1 WMYX, and Carey Merz, General Manager, were doing what many Cheeseheads were doing - discussing the Packers and their remarkable 13-3 winning season.
At the time, the song "Macarena" by Los del Rio was at the height of its popularity. Ever the comedian, Brian joked that he was so thrilled with the Packers, he'd been doing the "Packarena."
Brian later shared the joke with 99.1 WMYX morning team Dan Weber and Jane Matenaer, who picked up the ball and ran with it, so to speak.
"I remember staring at the team roster trying to find names of players that rhymed," Jane recounted. "None of them did! But they were close enough."
Brian and Jane drove to WTMX in Chicago that weekend and produced the song with WTMX Production Director Ron Carter, who also provided backing vocals and an announcer voice.
The next day, morning team Dan & Jane played the song on the air and calls from listeners starting pouring in. "It was then I knew we had lightning in a bottle," said Brian.
99.1 WMYX printed up approximately 25,000 cassette singles of the song. They gave away a few thousand, and the rest were instantly snatched up by loyal Packers fans at $5 each. Over $100,000 was raised and donated to the Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Fund of Greater Milwaukee.
News coverage of the mania spread far and wide, leading to the inclusion of "Packarena" in popular culture, especially in Wisconsin, that endures to this day.
A photo of the original cassette single. Remember cassingles? (Click To Enlarge)
