 By the time of the single release , local Chicago radio stations and sports bars had begun to play the song in anticipation of the 2008 Cubs ' playoff run . The song is considered to be an earnest tribute to the Cubs . According to at least one source , the song is reminiscent of " A Hard Rain 's a @-@ Gonna Fall " by American singer @-@ songwriter Bob Dylan and much less upbeat than the song " Go , Cubs , Go " by American folk music singer @-@ songwriter Steve Goodman . The Huffington Post encourages listeners to compare the song to Goodman 's " Go , Cubs , Go " . Another source compares the song to American country @-@ folk singer @-@ songwriter John Prine 's 1974 song " Dear Abby " in terms of melody and cadence as well as the theme of Goodman 's " A Dying Cubs Fan ’ s Last Request " . 
