Helmets on. Pads strapped to your torso. Waiting behind the inflatable resembling your school’s mascot. The home crowd anticipating your every move.
There’s no feeling quite like rushing out onto the field before a game. With the season kickoff looming, there are plenty of songs to pump up the student-athletes.
These are the ones guaranteed to get some HYPE:
Humble — Kendrick Lamar
It can be argued that the Kendrick is the great rapper of all time. He even won the Pulitzer Prize for DAMN, the record that featured “Humble”. Literary prizes don’t mean much on the gridiron. Instead, Lamar knows how to get teams the dub, as he has irl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvTRZJ-4EyI&feature=emb_title
Seven Nation Army — The White Stripes
Sure, it’s overplayed at every soccer game. The simplistic bass line is infectious, leading the crowd into chanting the chords. The indie rock anthem has been sung from every college stadium, all the way to the World Cup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J2QdDbelmY
Bulls On Parade — Rage Against The Machine
To be fair, you could put any Rage song here and it works. The angry alt rockers created one of the most recognizable opening hooks in any jam, that will get the home fans going.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L4YrGaR8E4
OutKast — B.O.B.
The Atlanta duo released such a sports banger, that it catapulted them to one of the best selling acts in Y2K. It’s a little political, but the surging rhythm has transformed it into a stadium requirement on any team’s playlist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVehcuJXe6I
Eye Of The Tiger — Survivor
This one might be for the old hats. However, “Eye Of The Tiger” is the best movie song in history. Period. Type your arguments below. But we’re pretty sure Survivor singlehandedly motivated Rocky to beat Mr. T in Rocky III.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4
Stronger — Kanye West
Sure, the former Mr. West-Kardashian has went off the deep end in the last couple years. There’s no denying the power of prime Ye. Also, RIP Daft Punk. Any excuse to revisit these boogying robots is okay by us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO6ZnUZI0g
We Will Rock You — Queen
Probably the most obvious and timeless classics, the stomping and claps makes you participate, whether you like it or not. Nearly 50 years old, there’s something generational about the Freddie Mercury classic, brainwashing everyone into the simplistic melody. Also, pretty hard not to know the chorus, even for new listeners.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk&feature=emb_title
Party Up (Up In Here) — DMX
Whoever thought that DMX would be considered classic hip-hop. The Swizz Beatz production will get all home fans on their feet. Fun fact: the late Dogfather actually shot the music video in Galveston.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIVtEOtlWM&t=2s
Sirius — Alan Parsons Project
It’s synonymous with the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls. An immediate go-to introduction for all teams. The first few bars instills championships aspirations. After all, it helped his Airness… why not the student athlete?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkC_oi0ksuw
Thunderstruck — AC/DC
Another classic rock tune. The guitar riff is instantly recognizable, followed by the repeated chants of “Thunder”. “Thunderstruck” is easily the best crowd-pleasing bop to come out of Australia. It’s also the theme to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders dance at Dem Boys’ games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2AC41dglnM
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