If you’ve been to a professional baseball game (or basketball or many other sports), you have experienced the walk-out song — where the voice of the announcer calls out a player’s name, and then they come out from the tunnel or the dugout or the on-deck circle and join the rest of the team or stroll to the plate to take an at-bat.
It’s usually some recognizable, high-energy tune with an indelible riff and/or sing-along chorus.
A couple of classic, obvious examples are Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes. Nowadays, I feel old when I go to a game, as I often don’t recognize the song a player walks out to — but most of the (younger than me) roused, cheering crowd seem to know it, and that’s what’s most important.
For the first ever Earworms and Song Loops poll:
Tell us what your walkout/walk up song would be and why. in the comments. If you prefer to email me your walkup song, you can email me at earworm@substack.com.
My pick is Madness - One Step Beyond. The part after the spoken-word intro, when the horns come in.
I imagine myself skanking out in my uniform, the crowd going wild, moments before losing their minds again, when I hit the ball one step beyond the outfield fence.
I played a couple years of pro ball and I was a pitcher - walked out to the song “Closer” by Kings of Leon. It was awesome. But the coolest one I ever heard was my teammate in college who walked out to “Your Love” by The Outfield - he was a hitter so the song played 4-5 times per game, and by the end of the season the crowd would all sing along
Congrats on the tickets! I just listened to Les being interviewed on Marc Maron's WTF podcast. I hadn't heard this one in decades -- thanks for the blast from the past! And a great video I hadn't seen before.
I was unfamiliar with this song - just played it. Love it! And hilarious video! Yes, this could be your first walk up song and then you can add 26 additional tracks. I do think some players have multiple walk up songs. It could also be adjusted to what is happening in the game. Meaning, one song when there are two outs and no one on base and another late in the game with the bases loaded. It can definitely be a situational song choice.
I'm adding a second song. I just saw this amazing live video of IDLES "Gift Horse" and now want the section where they all scream "Look at him go!" playing when I walk up to the plate.
Haha, love this. I have this conversation every time I go to a ball game. One step beyond is a great choice.
My typical answer is "It's Raining Men" since it would be funny and sorta subversive to sports culture. There's quite a few Spinal Tap songs that would be funny- Sex Farm, Bitch School, Gimme Some Money....Jazz Odyssey?
Jason Werth used "Werewolves of London" which was great. Geraldo Parra turned the most annoying possible song "Baby Shark" into a world series winning anthem, also, great.
I'd pick "Big Bottom." And damn you for making look up what "Baby Shark" was, as I wasn't familiar with it and now my life will forever be ABS. After Baby Shark.
To counter your "It's Raining Men," I might walk on with Martin Mull's "Men"......it starts around 1:55, but there's humor before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WUCM4Au174
Ha! Thanks for sharing. That was a good series, I think the Astros were still dealing with karmic repercussions. I imagine the baby shark stuff was super annoying to opposing fans. I'm also a Rockies fan which is a constant state of ambivalence.
Hype songs, home run celebrations....sometimes I wonder who thinks these up, and somewhere along the line of the dozens of "Hey, whadaya think"s, you'd think someone would step up and say............"uh, no." Like the shark thing, or the alligator chomp with both arms, or putting on a crown in the dugout after a homer.....Little League, fine. Grown men for some of this stuff? Yeesh!
It's one of the few I had to lower the pitch, just a tad, on the karaoke machine (have the KJ do it, more to the point), but like most of my song choices, it fell on deaf, drunk ears! If it wasn't "Royals" or "Don't Stop Believin'" 85 times a night, they weren't having it!
I love that epic 6 plus minute songs are choosable in karaoke. My friend sang "November Rain" by Guns n' Roses once (almost 9 minutes) and brought a squirt gun up with him and would spray the audience with water. It was amazing.
The database for the karaoke company that had the space at the Canary Roost/Austin, had a catalog of some 60,000+ I was once told! And, I loved using every square inch of it! From "Driving the Last Spike" by Genesis to Wax's "Bridge to Your Heart" to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (no, not Whitney's arrangement, but they had it.....Canada's These Kids Wear Crowns' arrangement)!
I'd tell friends that if they ever heard me singing Journey in karaoke, "feel free to shoot me"! And, I wasn't imagining water, like your bud! Had I thought of that, I might've popped for filling the squirt gun with vodka! At least, before you slip and break your neck on the wet floor, and begin litigation against the reckless proprietor, you can get a good buzz! Priorities, Steve!
I tried once - and never again - to sing this at karaoke. I do not recommend this. It's also a huge earworm song, so don't be surprised to see it featured here....
I think alcohol had something to do with it. It's also why I tried to sing Barry Manilow's "Mandy" once at karaoke, and butchered it so bad, I'm sure half the crowd left screaming. Now Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" is the only song I'll sing at karaoke.
The opening riff to Rammstein’s ‘Asche Zu Asche’ (which, given the Brewers, is probably fitting), ‘Gasolina’ by Daddy Yankee, or this one: https://youtu.be/xq-8Xwjh1x0?feature=shared.
I played a couple years of pro ball and I was a pitcher - walked out to the song “Closer” by Kings of Leon. It was awesome. But the coolest one I ever heard was my teammate in college who walked out to “Your Love” by The Outfield - he was a hitter so the song played 4-5 times per game, and by the end of the season the crowd would all sing along
The Who, “My Generation”
Fun game. Tough decisions.
Excellent choice. Has the perfect energy to rouse both player and crowd.
This month, my walk up song for the month is https://youtu.be/aYDfwUJzYQg?si=-wHSFtug30yJssyo
That intro though!! Never mind once the song starts hahahahaha.
But, I made this my song for the month because I won tickets to go see Primus this summer in Cedar Rapids and I’m stoked as hell!!
Congrats on the tickets! I just listened to Les being interviewed on Marc Maron's WTF podcast. I hadn't heard this one in decades -- thanks for the blast from the past! And a great video I hadn't seen before.
I feel like my song would change every game, depending on my mood that week. But maybe a good constant would be Mike Doughty's 27 Jennifers! 😂
I was unfamiliar with this song - just played it. Love it! And hilarious video! Yes, this could be your first walk up song and then you can add 26 additional tracks. I do think some players have multiple walk up songs. It could also be adjusted to what is happening in the game. Meaning, one song when there are two outs and no one on base and another late in the game with the bases loaded. It can definitely be a situational song choice.
Mine would be "Show Don't Tell" from Rush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiIPe9ow-BI
Ha! I don’t know how I just saw your comment today, but great choice! And a great message for the writers in the audience.
Lol. This is awesome. Mine would be Jacob Banks - Chainsmoking.
I wrote one, on the new BS album. I hope someone will use it someday.
https://youtu.be/eu3sSTP7hxs?si=VRRv8owZXhwSkzM-
Fuck yeah! Awesome riffs!
CCR’s cover of “Midnight Special”
I like it. It's got a smooth, groovy cruising speed.
I’d saunter onstage to that!
2Pacs “How Do U Want It,” because it’s impolite not to ask
The right answer is hard and fast, right down the middle.
DOA by Bloodrock (no Steve I won’t stop mentioning this song to you) 😂❤️
Never heard of it!
Luckily for you we have DM’s now!!!!!
🙉🙉🙉🙉
I'm adding a second song. I just saw this amazing live video of IDLES "Gift Horse" and now want the section where they all scream "Look at him go!" playing when I walk up to the plate.
https://youtu.be/miab9-uYra8?si=Vi8sUPUeI8d7amTX
Haha, love this. I have this conversation every time I go to a ball game. One step beyond is a great choice.
My typical answer is "It's Raining Men" since it would be funny and sorta subversive to sports culture. There's quite a few Spinal Tap songs that would be funny- Sex Farm, Bitch School, Gimme Some Money....Jazz Odyssey?
Jason Werth used "Werewolves of London" which was great. Geraldo Parra turned the most annoying possible song "Baby Shark" into a world series winning anthem, also, great.
I'd pick "Big Bottom." And damn you for making look up what "Baby Shark" was, as I wasn't familiar with it and now my life will forever be ABS. After Baby Shark.
Big Bottoms! Wow. In a (very) short-lived college band, that was one of my three songs to 'sing'. That has definitely wormed its way into my head ...
Talk about mud flaps, that a good choice. Haha, considered it ear worm revenge.
Nice, Miter........me love me some baseball subversion! You might enjoy my shark snark I hurled in the direction of the Nats a handful of years ago: https://therunnersports.com/houston-astros-circle-washington-nationals-take-3-2-world-series-lead/
To counter your "It's Raining Men," I might walk on with Martin Mull's "Men"......it starts around 1:55, but there's humor before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WUCM4Au174
Ha! Thanks for sharing. That was a good series, I think the Astros were still dealing with karmic repercussions. I imagine the baby shark stuff was super annoying to opposing fans. I'm also a Rockies fan which is a constant state of ambivalence.
Men- what a concept!
Hype songs, home run celebrations....sometimes I wonder who thinks these up, and somewhere along the line of the dozens of "Hey, whadaya think"s, you'd think someone would step up and say............"uh, no." Like the shark thing, or the alligator chomp with both arms, or putting on a crown in the dugout after a homer.....Little League, fine. Grown men for some of this stuff? Yeesh!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkij4LvACZ0
Ha - I wouldn't have pegged you for a Babymetal girl! Excellent pick!
Being an incurable baseball fanatic, I’ve sadly thought about this a decent amount. I think I ultimately decided on ‘Burn’ by Deep Purple.
What a great riff! And Paice's drumming is off the charts!
Hell. Yes.
Ooooooooh.....that's baaaad! (Y'know, how the kids say it)! Nice pick, Peter! I loved singing that in karaoke!
The thought of someone singing Burn by Deep Purple in a karaoke bar is incredible!
It's one of the few I had to lower the pitch, just a tad, on the karaoke machine (have the KJ do it, more to the point), but like most of my song choices, it fell on deaf, drunk ears! If it wasn't "Royals" or "Don't Stop Believin'" 85 times a night, they weren't having it!
I love that epic 6 plus minute songs are choosable in karaoke. My friend sang "November Rain" by Guns n' Roses once (almost 9 minutes) and brought a squirt gun up with him and would spray the audience with water. It was amazing.
The database for the karaoke company that had the space at the Canary Roost/Austin, had a catalog of some 60,000+ I was once told! And, I loved using every square inch of it! From "Driving the Last Spike" by Genesis to Wax's "Bridge to Your Heart" to "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (no, not Whitney's arrangement, but they had it.....Canada's These Kids Wear Crowns' arrangement)!
I'd tell friends that if they ever heard me singing Journey in karaoke, "feel free to shoot me"! And, I wasn't imagining water, like your bud! Had I thought of that, I might've popped for filling the squirt gun with vodka! At least, before you slip and break your neck on the wet floor, and begin litigation against the reckless proprietor, you can get a good buzz! Priorities, Steve!
God I love this.
Blister in the Sun.
I tried once - and never again - to sing this at karaoke. I do not recommend this. It's also a huge earworm song, so don't be surprised to see it featured here....
Oh, no, no, no. This is not a karaoke song. I shudder to think of why that was thought a good idea!
I think alcohol had something to do with it. It's also why I tried to sing Barry Manilow's "Mandy" once at karaoke, and butchered it so bad, I'm sure half the crowd left screaming. Now Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" is the only song I'll sing at karaoke.
Your song is perfect 🤩
I think it has to be De La Soul's "Rocket Fuel" https://youtu.be/8XK7nzAW_b0?si=9gQFrYEgE1uKOBiV
I have no idea how I have never heard this before! It's a DJ Shadow tune apparently, featuring De La Soul. Thanks for turning me on to this one!
My walk-up song would be Foghat's "Slow Ride"
The opening riff to Rammstein’s ‘Asche Zu Asche’ (which, given the Brewers, is probably fitting), ‘Gasolina’ by Daddy Yankee, or this one: https://youtu.be/xq-8Xwjh1x0?feature=shared.
My stadium walk-up song would be "Master of the House" from Les Mis. ;)
Oh, this is a great one!
lol. Awesome.