What? You didn’t think a bunch of sports guys knew music? Okay if you’re like me you had that list of songs that no matter what you would always play before a game, match, etc. Here’s my personal list, now obviously there are plenty of classics that could be mentioned instead (We are the Champions, In the Air Tonight, etc). This is an interactive article (I want to hear what you have to say) so please comment with your playlists and lets see what you’re jamming to before you compete!
The Pre-Game Playlist
1. About a Girl- Nirvana
First off, I like to start my playlist with songs to clear my mind. This lesser known Nirvana song is my favorite by them and is perfect to have in your head when you find your rhythm within a game. Easy to follow it keeps the mind free enough to focus on the task at hand. With an infectious bass line, I always would go to this song while running distance and kept me consistent.
2. What I Got- Sublime
This is a pre-game kind of song only. Sublime was known for their chill vibes and summer feel and this is a perfect “forget the rest of your day” song. It always was able to relax my nerves and get me into a the right mindset for baseball games.
3. Fake You Out- twenty one pilots
There’s always been something about this song that has had a stadium feel to it. This the turnaround part of my pre-game playlist as I have cleared my mind and am ready to start warming up. This song is perfectly symbolic as Tyler Joseph’s vocals build up throughout and makes that gradual shift from relaxed to jazzed up.
4. Call it What You Want- Foster the People
This song is very similar to “Fake You Out” but has a little more sound to work with. It is just another step up to get ready and get the blood pumping during warm-ups. The song also is very simplistic with repetitive lyrics, so I never had to focus on what he was saying. This was a must listen to for me before track meets because of its infectious beats.
5. Radioactive- Imagine Dragons
I know, I’m cliche. In my defense I can’t the only who has used this as a pre-game song. This is another turning point in the playlist as I often listened to this one first after warm-ups were over. It never failed to get me into attack mode, especially in track. “Welcome to the new age” can be used as a rally cry in almost any instance and this song will be in playlists for years to come.
6. Yeah Yeah Yeah- New Politics
These insane guys from Denmark fuel up a perfect pre-game song with “Yeah Yeah Yeah”. The song is simple enough and boasts an abundance of noise and is simply irresistible before competing. As a leadoff hitter for a few seasons, this was often the song I had going through my head during the first at bat of a game. I fed off the energy and wanted to make a big splash to start us off.
7. This is War- 30 Seconds to Mars
Jered Leto as a singer is one of the most underrated things in the world. This was ALWAYS the last song I listened to before my events started regardless of sport. This is the one you isolate yourself and just take it in. While it may not be the song you have in your head the whole game like “Yeah Yeah Yeah”, it puts you in the perfect mindset to battle. By now, you are about to begin and the national anthem is playing afterwards. This song always made me feel I could take on any opponent.
Be sure to comment your pre-game playlists!
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