Two of my absolute favorite things in the world are sports and music. There's no doubt of the importance of sports to individuals across the world, whether it's for team building, physical health or the glory. Likewise, music has a way of showcasing some of the best storytellers and creating some of the catchiest songs and lyrics we can ever remember. You could sit here all day and rattle off some of your favorite songs, and vice versa with your favorite sports moments.
But when you combine the two walks of life together, it can be a something magical. I'm sure you could think of a time, as a fan, where a song came over the sound system and it resounded inside you and your excitement was overflowing. Just imagine what is going through the athlete's mind?
As a former basketball player for Beebe High School, so many of my memories come from before tipoff and postgame. I can remember running through the line of cheerleaders and looking into the stands, and seeing the place sold out and boom, our walk out song is blaring throughout Badger Sports Arena. I get goosebumps thinking about it.
All of these thoughts came into my mind after watching the pregame for game six of the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the pregame, "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins came on, and you could see the emotion and facial expressions of the players change, players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James. And that got me to thinking, just what exactly is the best sports pump up song?
10. "We Dem Boyz" - Wiz Khalifa
Oh Wiz can make a great, ahem, song, (i.e. rap) with one heck of a beat. Not only that, my team, the Dallas Cowboys, walk out to this song. A great rap with a catchy beat can go along way in your pump-up-age. (Pump-up-age is a new word for this article).
9. "Remember the Name" - Fort Minor
"You Ready? Let's Go." Those four words of the opening lyric of the song, and you know it's go time. One of my all time favorite songs to walk out to.
8. "Dragula" - Rob Zombie
I'm not one for one heavy rock, but this song changed my opinion of that mainly because you can understand the words that Zombie is saying. The guitar work in this song is fantastic, providing a strong case for pump-up-age.
7. Metallica triple threat- "Enter Sandman," "The Memory Remains" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
It's Metallica. Enough said.
6. "Heart of a Champion" - Nelly
The title is enough to be on the list, add in Nelly slaying as he did and does, plus it's just awesome. This made high school basketball a lot more fun and memorable.
5. "John Cena Entrance Music" - My Time is Now
You may not be able to see him, but deep down, you know you get a little excited and happy every time you hear the horns and the countless memes that have been created. Plus, it's equally a great pump up song. Maybe I'm biased at this point? Okay, moving on!
4. "In The Air Tonight" - Phil Collins
These last four songs each make a case to be the best pump up song. I mentioned the song earlier. This was my dad's walkout song for Friday night football. This song just builds and builds, and then you get to the incredible drum solo, and the entire mood changes.
3. "Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns N' Roses
I love classic rock. I really do, and to me this is one of those songs that when you say classic rock, this is what you think of. You can't help but get pumped up when you hear this song.
2. "Lose Yourself" - Eminem
Questionable for this song to be number two? Absolutely not. I guarantee you that every athlete has had this song on repeat on their iPod and their mood changes instantly. This song is for real. But there is one song that withstands even that song. It's one that is engraved in our hearts forever.
1. "Your School's Fight Song" (for me, Beebe High School, Arkansas)
(fast forward video to 8:07)
There is no better choice for number one. Athlete or not, when you attended a sporting event during high school, a pep rally or anything, when your fight song started playing, it meant something to you. Whether you are wearing a helmet and pad, or a simple jersey, hearing your fight song is something that always gave a sense of happiness. This is the one song you knew every word to, and the student section would go crazy singing it. The players got goosebumps every time they made their way out onto the field or court, and you knew when that song plays, you have an entire community behind you, supporting you 100 percent. Your high school fight song is the best.
Agree with my list? Were there any songs you remember that got you pumped for the big game, or as a spectator? Let us know in the comments!
