Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

The guy who wrote/produced "Real American" says he's happy with its success, but always thought Hulk Hogan's iconic entrance track deserved to be "more legit than just a wrestler’s theme."

Mel Magazine published an oral history on "Real American" and of course interviewed Rick Derringer. The musician talked about the song's origin and how he/his writing partner set out to record "the most patriotic song of all time" before it became Hulk's theme song. 

Once Hulkamania kicked into full gear though, the song became synonymous with the wrestler.

"We were really happy about all that," Derringer explained. "But still somewhere in the back of my mind I thought, 'Man, this song should be somehow more legit than just a wrestler’s theme song.' We had wanted to write this fabulous patriotic song for all Americans. We saw it somehow on a different level than a wrestler’s theme song, so in some ways I was a little let down."

That changed for Rick in 2008, however, when he found out Hillary Clinton used the song at a few rallies during the Democratic primary election. "It’s no commentary on Hillary, whether you like her or not, but we were excited because all of a sudden the song had become somehow a lot more legitimate than simply a wrestler’s theme song," he told the publication.

The song was then used by Newt Gingrich in 2012 during his run for the White House,  President Barrack Obama when he unveiled his birth certificate and President Donald Trump.

Derringer adds, "So we’re very excited in general that it’s a great wrestler’s theme song, but that it’s become almost a new national anthem in some points of view, and remains one of the most heard and recognized songs that’s never been released as a single."

Whether it's considered by some to be "a new national anthem" might be debatable, but there's no argument over whether this song rocks. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, BROTHERS!