[2025] Boost Your Motivation! A Collection of Classic Western Songs to Listen to Before a Match

Eye of the TigerSurvivor

Eye of the Tiger — Survivor

A song by the rock band Survivor, formed in Chicago, USA, in 1977.

The track became a worldwide hit as the theme song for the 1982 film Rocky III.

In Japan, it’s still frequently used in sports and variety shows, so you’ve probably heard it even if you aren’t familiar with the band or the movie.

Boosted by the film’s image, it’s the perfect number for focusing your mind and cranking your energy to the max before a battle begins.

Shape of YouEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Shape of You (Official Music Video)

This is Ed Sheeran’s song “Shape of You.” Perhaps because its quietly burning, determined vibe suits high-stakes moments, it’s often used as walk-up music by baseball players like Hideoto Asamura of the Seibu Lions and Akira Nakamura of the SoftBank Hawks.

In the lyrics, he repeatedly says he’s fallen for your body, so “Shape of You” could be taken to mean your body.

Looking at the lyrics, there’s something that stirs a man’s fighting spirit, which explains why it’s chosen as entrance music.

ShotsLMFAO

LMFAO – Shots ft. Lil Jon

With its heavy, low-slung beat and high-energy vibe, I think it’s the perfect track to listen to before a showdown.

The song “Shots” was made by LMFAO featuring rapper Lil Jon, and it’s often used as a walk-up song for baseball players.

LMFAO is an electro duo formed in California by Redfoo and Sky Blu.

True to their West Coast California roots, their music has a cheerful feel and every track gets you pumped, but they also have solid musical chops—good enough to earn a Grammy nomination.

Highly recommended before a big moment.

Can’t Be Touched feat. Mr. Magic & TroubleRoy Jones Jr

Can’t Be Touched (feat. Mr. Magic & Trouble)

Roy Jones Jr.

, a boxer who once ranked number one pound-for-pound thanks to his exceptional athletic ability, is known as a heavyweight boxer alongside Mike Tyson.

He’s also active as a rapper, and his track “Can’t Be Touched feat.

Mr.

Magic & Trouble” became a hit in the English-speaking world as one of his signature works.

Since it’s a song made by an athlete, it’s perfect for this theme of “Western music to listen to before a match,” delivering a track that lets you unleash your adrenaline.

The Final CountdownEurope

Europe – The Final Countdown (Official Video)

Everyone must have heard this song at least once: The Final Countdown by Europe, the hard rock band from Sweden in Northern Europe.

It’s often used as an entrance theme by boxers and fighters, and most famously as the entrance music for professional wrestler Keiji Mutoh.

Europe, which started performing in 1979, scored a massive hit with this song in 1986 and is said to have established the Nordic style of hard rock.

Indeed, within the hard, heavy sound, there’s a blend of dreamy melodies and chord progressions, creating a distinctive kind of hard rock that hadn’t existed before.

True to the “countdown” in the title, the intro gives a feeling of advancing step by step, which I think matches the mindset of athletes heading into a match.

EndorphinmachinePrince

Endorphine Machine / Prince

Speaking of K-1’s theme song, this is the track.

During the late 1990s, when K-1 reached the peak of its boom, Fuji TV— which broadcast the events— used this Prince song as its theme.

The guitar riff in the intro is striking, and even now, just hearing it brings back memories of the K-1 fighters’ matches from that era.

Cosmic GirlJamiroquai

Jamiroquai – Cosmic Girl (Official Video)

A fast-paced, badass track.

Strong Ferrari vibes—perfect for a high school girl.

Play this in the car on the way to the venue and you’re instantly in the zone.

The band that pioneered the jazz-funk band sound is packed with classics.

I also remember the music video being super stylish.