Morning Edition

50 years since Steam was No. 1 with ‘Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye’

These days, you might best know the song "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" as a chant at sports games, but fifty years ago it was a number one hit for a group known as Steam.

The song was actually recorded as a throwaway B-side to a more serious release by singer Gary DeCarlo. He and two friends slapped the song together using some old lyrics they'd written and a lot of filler.

DeCarlo’s label loved the recording, and released it as a single under the band name Steam. Accounts differ as to why the trio never toured as Steam to promote the song, but a different band was eventually recruited in their place, and Steam had no other Top 40 hits.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
BBC World Service