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Picture this: the stadium lights (or Saturday sun) shining brightly, the crowd cheering in anticipation, and your little one stepping up to the plate with their favorite tune blaring in the background. All the feels!
There’s no denying that walk-up music can set the stage for a pumped-up performance.
But what makes a great baseball walk-up song?
Upbeat and Energetic: The ideal walk-up song should be vibrant and full of energy. It should get adrenaline pumping and help focus on the at-bat ahead. Look for songs with catchy beats, lively instrumentals, and inspiring lyrics that can motivate your child to give their best performance.
Personal Connection: A great walk-up song is also one that resonates on a personal level. It could be a track from a favorite artist, a song that reminds kids of a special moment, or one that simply reflects their personality and playing style. When they feel a connection to the music, it can boost confidence and create a positive mental state.
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Appropriate Lyrics: While we all love our favorite tunes, it’s crucial to ensure the song’s lyrics are appropriate for a family-friendly environment. Keep it clean, avoiding any explicit or offensive language that could be unsuitable for the little league atmosphere. Thus, while some of the songs mentioned below might not be 100% clean, you can clip them down to clean segments for that 5-10 second walk-up.
Recognizable: The best walk-up songs often are distinct and recognizable. That initial burst of sound can get the crowd excited and add an element of anticipation as kids make their way to the plate. Consider songs with iconic openings that can leave a lasting impression.
Rhythmic Pacing: A well-paced walk-up song can sync with steps as kids walk towards the batter’s box. A song with a consistent rhythm and beat can them find their stride and build excitement as they approach their turn to bat.
Boost Team Spirit: Walk-up music is not just about the individual player; it’s also an opportunity to uplift the team spirit. Encourage teammates to choose walk-up songs carefully so the entire lineup feels motivated and ready to conquer the game together.
(Actually, “Just Eat It” by the great Weird Al Yankovic might be a good fit here, but I digress.)
Now, let’s dive into some kid-friendly baseball walk-up song suggestions! Below you’ll find a table that is searchable and sortable. In addition, though, I’ve embedded a Spotify playlist so you can take a listen to any song in consideration!
| Song Name | Artist | Genre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Happy" | Pharrell Williams | Pop | Uplifting and universally loved |
| "Can't Stop the Feeling" | Justin Timberlake | Pop | Energetic and dance-worthy |
| "Eye of the Tiger" | Survivor | Rock | Classic pump-up anthem |
| "Uptown Funk" | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | Funk/Pop | Funky and catchy |
| "Shake It Off" | Taylor Swift | Pop | Empowering and fun |
| "Walking on Sunshine" | Katrina and the Waves | Pop/Rock | Bright and optimistic |
| "Thunder" | Imagine Dragons | Pop/Rock | Powerful beat and lyrics |
| "Best Day of My Life" | American Authors | Alternative/Pop | Positive and cheerful |
| "Party in the USA" | Miley Cyrus | Pop | Patriotic and catchy |
| "Roar" | Katy Perry | Pop | Empowering and bold |
| "Happy Now" | Zedd & Elley Duhé | Electronic/Pop | Energetic with a catchy chorus |
| "On Top of the World" | Imagine Dragons | Pop/Rock | Uplifting and optimistic |
| "Can't Hold Us" | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Hip Hop | High-energy and motivational |
| "Firework" | Katy Perry | Pop | Empowering and bright |
| "Celebration" | Kool & The Gang | Funk/Disco | Classic feel-good song |
| "Wake Me Up" | Avicii | EDM/Pop | Energetic with a memorable beat |
| "Move Along" | The All-American Rejects | Rock/Pop | Motivational and catchy |
| "High Hopes" | Panic! At The Disco | Pop/Rock | Uplifting and modern |
| "Magic" | B.o.B ft. Rivers Cuomo | Hip Hop/Pop | Fun and catchy |
| "September" | Earth, Wind & Fire | Funk/Disco | Classic and dance-worthy |
| "Geronimo" | Sheppard | Pop | Energetic and catchy |
| "Life is a Highway" | Tom Cochrane/Rascal Flatts | Rock/Country | Upbeat and memorable |
| "Dynamite" | Taio Cruz | Pop | Energetic and dance-worthy |
| "Stronger" | Kanye West | Hip Hop | Empowering and catchy (ensure clean version) |
| "Good Time" | Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen | Synth-pop/Pop | Fun and cheerful |
| "Don't Stop Believin'" | Journey | Rock | Timeless anthem with an uplifting message |
| "Footloose" | Kenny Loggins | Pop/Rock | Dance-worthy and energetic |
| "Sugar" | Maroon 5 | Pop | Sweet and catchy |
| "Livin' on a Prayer" | Bon Jovi | Rock | Classic rock anthem with a powerful chorus |
| "Call Me Maybe" | Carly Rae Jepsen | Pop | Infectiously catchy |
| "We Will Rock You" | Queen | Rock | Iconic clapping rhythm |
| "Happy Together" | The Turtles | Pop/Rock | Classic feel-good song |
| "Counting Stars" | OneRepublic | Pop/Rock | Energetic with a memorable chorus |
| "ABC" | The Jackson 5 | Pop/Soul | Fun and dance-worthy |
| "All Star" | Smash Mouth | Pop/Rock | Upbeat and memorable |
| "Shut Up and Dance" | WALK THE MOON | Pop/Rock | Dance-worthy and energetic |
| "I Gotta Feeling" | The Black Eyed Peas | Pop | Perfect for setting a celebratory mood |
| "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" | Traditional | Traditional | Classic baseball anthem |
| "Single Ladies" | Beyoncé | Pop/R&B | Catchy and dance-worthy |
| "Wannabe" | Spice Girls | Pop | Fun and energetic |
| "Let's Groove" | Earth, Wind & Fire | Funk/Disco | Dance-worthy with a classic groove |
| "Mmmbop" | Hanson | Pop/Rock | Upbeat and nostalgic |
| "Jump" | Van Halen | Rock | Energetic with a memorable synth line |
| "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" | Queen | Rockabilly | Upbeat and dance-worthy |
| "Just Dance" | Lady Gaga | Pop/Electronic | Energetic and modern |
| "Wake Up" | Arcade Fire | Indie Rock | Uplifting and anthemic |
| "Budapest" | George Ezra | Folk/Pop | Cheerful and catchy |
| "Valerie" | Amy Winehouse | Soul/Pop | Upbeat and soulful |
| "Twist and Shout" | The Beatles | Rock | Classic and dance-worthy |
| "Safe and Sound" | Capital Cities | Synth-pop | Energetic with a catchy trumpet line |
| "Billie Jean" | Michael Jackson | Pop | Iconic beat and dance-worthy |
| "Karma Chameleon" | Culture Club | Pop | Colorful and catchy |
| "Dog Days Are Over" | Florence + The Machine | Indie Pop | Uplifting and energetic |
| "Sweet Caroline" | Neil Diamond | Pop/Rock | Classic sing-along chorus |
| "Pumped Up Kicks" | Foster The People | Indie Pop | Catchy and modern (ensure understanding of lyrics) |
| "Hey Ya!" | OutKast | Hip Hop/Pop | Energetic and dance-worthy |
| "You Make My Dreams" | Hall & Oates | Pop/Rock | Upbeat and feel-good |
| "Smooth" | Santana ft. Rob Thomas | Rock/Latin | Catchy guitar riff and vocals |
| "Viva La Vida" | Coldplay | Pop/Rock | Uplifting and anthemic |
| "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" | Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell | Soul | Motivational and soulful |
| "Electric Feel" | MGMT | Psychedelic Pop | Groovy and modern |
| "Walking on a Dream" | Empire of the Sun | Synth-pop | Dreamy and catchy |
| "Locked Out of Heaven" | Bruno Mars | Pop/Rock | Energetic with a memorable beat |
| "Dancing Queen" | ABBA | Pop/Disco | Classic dance anthem |
| "Float On" | Modest Mouse | Indie Rock | Upbeat and optimistic |
| "Rather Be" | Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne | Electronic/Pop | Energetic and modern |
| "Here Comes The Sun" | The Beatles | Pop/Rock | Bright and optimistic |
| "Kids" | MGMT | Psychedelic Pop | Energetic and modern |
| "Cake By The Ocean" | DNCE | Pop | Fun and dance-worthy |
| "Feel It Still" | Portugal. The Man | Pop/Rock | Groovy and catchy |
| "Stayin' Alive" | Bee Gees | Disco | Iconic dance groove |
| "HandClap" | Fitz and The Tantrums | Indie Pop | Energetic and clap-worthy |
| "Sweet Home Alabama" | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Rock | Classic rock anthem |
| "Riptide" | Vance Joy | Indie Folk | Catchy and cheerful |
| "Treasure" | Bruno Mars | Pop/Funk | Funky and dance-worthy |
| "Rolling in the Deep" | Adele | Pop/Soul | Powerful vocals and beat |
| "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" | Wham! | Pop | Upbeat and dance-worthy |
| "Take on Me" | a-ha | Synth-pop | Iconic synth line and catchy chorus |
| "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" | Cyndi Lauper | Pop | Energetic and fun |
| "Drive By" | Train | Pop/Rock | Catchy and feel-good |
| "Superstition" | Stevie Wonder | Funk/Soul | Groovy with a memorable riff |
| "Radioactive" | Imagine Dragons | Rock/Electronic | Powerful and modern |
| "Bennie and the Jets" | Elton John | Rock | Iconic and sing-along worthy |
| "Love Shack" | The B-52's | New Wave/Pop | Energetic and fun |
| "Don't You (Forget About Me)" | Simple Minds | Rock | Classic and anthemic |
| "I Want You Back" | The Jackson 5 | Pop/Soul | Upbeat and dance-worthy |
| "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | The Police | Rock | Catchy and uplifting |
| "Moves Like Jagger" | Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera | Pop | Energetic with a catchy whistle |
| "Africa" | Toto | Rock | Iconic chorus and beat |
| "Wake Up" | The Vamps | Pop/Rock | Energetic and modern |
| "I Will Wait" | Mumford & Sons | Folk Rock | Uplifting with a catchy banjo riff |
| "No Tears Left to Cry" | Ariana Grande | Pop | Energetic and modern |
| "Footprints" | Sia | Pop | Uplifting and anthemic |
| "Shape of You" | Ed Sheeran | Pop | Catchy beat and vocals |
| "Shiny Happy People" | R.E.M. | Rock | Upbeat and cheerful |
| "Brave" | Sara Bareilles | Pop | Empowering and catchy |
| "Can't Feel My Face" | The Weeknd | Pop | Groovy and dance-worthy |
| "Marry You" | Bruno Mars | Pop | Upbeat and cheerful |
| "Walking on Air" | Katy Perry | Pop | Energetic and modern |
| "Something Just Like This" | The Chainsmokers & Coldplay | Pop/Electronic | Uplifting and anthemic |
| Song Name | Artist | Genre | Notes |
| "Batter Up" | Nelly | Hip Hop | A nod to the game with a catchy chorus |
| "Centerfield" | John Fogerty | Rock | Often referred to as "Put Me in Coach" |
| "Glory Days" | Bruce Springsteen | Rock | Recounts the story of a former baseball player |
| "Cheap Seats" | Alabama | Country | Celebrates the experience of minor league games |
| "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" | Count Basie | Jazz | Tribute to the legendary Jackie Robinson |
| "Talkin' Baseball (Willie, Mickey & The Duke)" | Terry Cashman | Pop | Celebrates baseball's golden era |
| "Joe DiMaggio's Done It Again" | Billy Bragg & Wilco | Rock | Tribute to the legendary Joe DiMaggio |
| "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request" | Steve Goodman | Folk | A humorous take on a Cubs fan's final wishes |
| "Catfish" | Bob Dylan | Rock | Tribute to the pitcher Catfish Hunter |
| "Right Field" | Peter, Paul and Mary | Folk | About the experiences of playing in right field |
| "The Greatest" | Kenny Rogers | Country | A touching story about a young boy's baseball dream |
| "The Ball Game" | Sister Wynona Carr | Gospel | Draws parallels between baseball and life |
| "The First Baseball Game" | Nat "King" Cole | Jazz | A humorous take on baseball's origins |
| "Baseball Boogie" | Mabel Scott | R&B | A fun and dance-worthy baseball tune |
| "Baseball Blues" | The Intruders | Soul | About the joys and challenges of the game |
| "Baseball Card Lover" | Rockin' Richie Ray | Rock | Celebrates the hobby of collecting cards |
| "Baseball Dreams" | John McCutcheon | Folk | About the aspirations of young players |
| "Baseball Furies" | The Baseball Project | Rock | Inspired by the game and its players |
| "Baseball's Sad Lexicon" | T.S. Eliot | Spoken Word | A poetic tribute to the game |
| "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio" | Les Brown & His Orchestra | Swing | Celebrating Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak |
| "Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" | The Treniers | R&B | Tribute to the legendary Willie Mays |
| "Sultans of Swing" | Dire Straits | Rock | Not directly about baseball, but captures the feel of playing in a band, similar to a team dynamic |
| "Van Lingle Mungo" | Dave Frishberg | Jazz | Names of baseball players are used as lyrics |
| "Yankee Doodle Boy" | George M. Cohan | Traditional | A patriotic song that references baseball |
| "Zimmer's Curveball" | The Baseball Project | Rock | About the game and its intricacies |
| "Swing" | Savage | Hip Hop | The title and chorus play on the word "swing" reminiscent of baseball |
| "Take Me Out" | Franz Ferdinand | Rock | While not about baseball, the title evokes the classic "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" |
| "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" | Meat Loaf | Rock | Features a baseball-themed interlude narrated by Phil Rizzuto |
| "We Are The Champions" | Queen | Rock | Often played at sports events, including baseball games |
| "Sweet Caroline" | Neil Diamond | Pop/Rock | A staple at Boston Red Sox games |
| "All The Way" | Eddie Vedder | Rock | A tribute to the Chicago Cubs |
| "My Oh My" | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Hip Hop | Tribute to Seattle Mariners' announcer Dave Niehaus |
| "Summer of '69" | Bryan Adams | Rock | While more about nostalgia, it evokes memories of playing ball |
| "Boys of Summer" | Don Henley | Rock | The title and theme can be reminiscent of baseball seasons |
| "American Pie" | Don McLean | Folk Rock | The line "The players tried to take the field" can evoke baseball imagery |
| "Jackie Robinson" | Chuck Berry | Rock 'n' Roll | A tribute to the legendary baseball player |
| "Rockin' the Paradise" | Styx | Rock | The title can evoke feelings of baseball paradise |
| "Wild Thing" | The Troggs | Rock | Iconically used in the movie "Major League" for Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn's entrance |
| "John Fogerty" | Deja Vu (All Over Again) | Rock | Played in the movie "For Love of the Game" |
| "Chariots of Fire" | Vangelis | Soundtrack | Often played during slow-motion replays or moments in sports, including baseball |
| "The Show" | Lenka | Pop | Used in the movie "Moneyball" |
| "This Used to Be My Playground" | Madonna | Pop | Theme song for the movie "A League of Their Own" |
| "The Power" | SNAP! | Electronic/Dance | Often played at sports events, including baseball games |
| "Song 2" | Blur | Rock | The "Woo-hoo!" part is often played after a big play or home run |
| "Enter Sandman" | Metallica | Metal | Famously used as Mariano Rivera's entrance song for the New York Yankees |
| "Jump Around" | House of Pain | Hip Hop | Often played to energize the crowd during games |
| "Lose Yourself" | Eminem | Hip Hop | Played to pump up the crowd, especially during intense moments |
| "In the Air Tonight" | Phil Collins | Rock | Used in dramatic moments or video montages |
| "Born to Run" | Bruce Springsteen | Rock | Captures the spirit of American pastimes, including baseball |
| "YMCA" | Village People | Disco | A staple at many sports events, with audience participation |
| "Tessie" | Dropkick Murphys | Punk Rock | Red Sox anthem, also featured in the movie "Fever Pitch" |
| "The Boys Are Back in Town" | Thin Lizzy | Rock | Celebratory song often played at games |
| "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" | Aerosmith | Rock | Featured in the movie "Armageddon" but has been played during emotional moments in sports |
| "The Distance" | Cake | Alternative Rock | The theme of perseverance can be related to baseball |
| "The Star-Spangled Banner" | Various Artists | National Anthem | Traditionally played before every baseball game |
| "God Bless America" | Various Artists | Patriotic | Often played during the 7th inning stretch |
