Athletic Anthems for the Ages

Music and sports have a long history together. They've become so intrinsically linked that many songs will forever be associated with certain sports memories. Walk into any stadium or arena and it's guaranteed that you'll hear an array of different pop and rock songs that are designed to pump up the crowd and inspire the players. Here is a list of my personal Top 10 sports songs:

"Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones
The first track of the Stone's 1980 release Tattoo You has somehow become the official opening kick-off song of every NFL football contest. The second you hear those opening guitar chords, you know one thing: it's game time.

"Centerfield" for John Fogerty
While the lyrics may be a tad nostalgic, it's hard not to smile and tap your foot along with John Fogerty's infectious ode to baseball. It's the perfect theme song for America's greatest national pastime.

"We Will Rock You" by Queen
The thunderous beat, the blistering guitar work, and the aggressive lyrics all add up to give this Queen classic the title of "the ultimate intimidation song."

"We are the Champions" by Queen
After the blitzkrieg of "We Will Rock You" comes the hushed elegance of "We are the Champions." Victory has never sounded so sweet.

"Heroes" by David Bowie
Despite the fact that many of the lyrics are a bit dark and obscure, the monumental chorus "We could be heroes/Just for one day" is forever linked with great athletic performances, and is almost always guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine.

"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns n' Roses
Used as motivational track for a variety of teams and cities, "Welcome to the Jungle" will always conjure up memories for me of L.A. Dodger's former closing pitcher Eric Gagne. When you heard the opening guitar riff and saw him walk out of the bullpen, you knew it was "Game Over."

"Don't Stop Believin''" by Journey
What do singers, smoky bars, the smell of wine and cheap perfume have to do with sports? Not a whole lot. But it doesn't matter because this song of hope has become the anthem for the fan who never stops believing in his or her team.

"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve
Maybe it was the song's appearance in a Nike commercial a few years back that forever married the Verve's most famous song with sports and athletic accomplishment.

"Wake Up" by the Arcade Fire
"Wake Up" is the most recent song on my list, but it already sounds like a classic. Whether listening to it as a spectator in the stands or on your iPod before a long run, this song will get you on your feet.

"The End" by The Doors
My high school football coach played this song before our last game of the season. We all sat in silence while Jim Morrison's apocolyptic tale of despair played over the loudspeaker. We lost the game 42-27.