Maxed-Out Hype! Popular Western Songs Used as Baseball Chants and Walk-Up Music
In Major League Baseball, pro baseball, and high school baseball, the songs chosen as fight songs or player walk-up music are really important.
Just hearing a familiar tune at the ballpark can get a lot of fans hyped.
Broadcast theme songs are often super cool as well, and if you’re a baseball fan, there’s probably at least one that’s stuck in your head.
In this article, we’ll introduce a bunch of Western songs connected to baseball—tracks used during games and the theme songs from broadcasts.
It’s a lineup of classics that instantly bring back the excitement of the game just by listening.
Tension MAX! Popular Western songs used as baseball cheer songs and entrance themes (1–10)
Party Rock AnthemLMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock
LMFAO’s signature track, “Party Rock Anthem.” Featuring singer Lauren Bennett and record producer GoonRock, the song became a mega-hit with its upbeat melody and fast tempo exceeding 130 BPM.
It was a massive success in countries around the world, so many people will likely recognize it.
This track was also used as the walk-up song for Ichiro, one of Japan’s most iconic Major League Baseball players, in 2012.
Fight SongRachel Platten
Rachel Platten is an American singer-songwriter.
Her 2015 release “Fight Song” is known as one of her signature works.
It may not be very familiar in Japan, but overseas it’s famous as an empowering anthem and has been used as entrance music by various athletes.
In Major League Baseball, she performed it during the halftime show of the 2016 All-Star Game.
The uplifting lyrics leave a strong impression, so be sure to check out the Japanese translation as well.
Kernkraft 400Zombie Nation
When it comes to iconic songs in American sports, many people probably think of Kernkraft 400.
Released by Zombie Nation in 1999, the track became a global hit, reaching No.
2 on the German dance music chart.
In the United States, it’s used in Major League Baseball and the NBA.
In MLB, it’s played as a melody between innings.
Separate WaysJourney
“Separate Ways,” used as the theme song for WBC broadcasts on the TBS network—the tournament that determines the world champions of baseball—was included on the album “Frontiers,” released in 1983 by Journey, the American rock band active since the 1970s.
Its passionate band sound, which conveys a strong resolve heading into battle, really strikes a chord.
The band’s bold vocals match the intensity of heated games, making it a rock number that amplifies the electric atmosphere of a vast stadium.
Give it a listen—you’ll find yourself wanting to thrust your fist into the air.
Wrapped UpOlly Murs
Olly Murs, a UK-born artist who came to global attention after finishing runner-up on the sixth season of the popular audition show X Factor, has a distinctive musical style that blends pop with reggae and ska.
His song Wrapped Up, which showcases that sound, is used as the walk-up music for Shohei Ohtani when he bats in the majors.
While walk-up songs are often intense or heavy, this track stands out for its catchy, very accessible, and light melody.
Pretty FlyThe Offspring
The Offspring is a U.
S.
pop-punk band known for their dynamic live performances.
Their signature song “Pretty Fly” was released in 1998 and made its way onto music charts worldwide.
In Japan, it’s often used as a cheer song for high school baseball, so some of you may already be familiar with it.
Its punchy, punk-infused band sound fits baseball tournaments and games perfectly.
Don’t miss the unique call-and-response between male and female vocals! Why not give this track—also performed by cheer squads and brass bands—a listen?
Take Me Out to the Ball GameJack Norworth
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” famously sung by the crowd during the seventh-inning stretch at MLB games, features lyrics written in 1908 by American songwriter Jack Norworth.
Accompanied by lively piano, the vocals bounce with a rhythmic charm.
True to its title, the lyrics sweetly express the wish to be taken out to a baseball game.
It’s a perfect pick for a baseball date with your sweetheart.
Be sure to give this classic anthem—beloved in American ballparks—a listen.