Baseball's Top Ten Songs - Best Tunes for America's Game

10. Glory Days: Bruce Springsteen - One our greatest rockers ever, Springsteen sings about the better days of life. The song itself isn't totally about baseball, but he does refer to a friend who plays baseball in high school who had a vicious fastball. I think it's a great song to listen to at the ballpark or when your out with friends enjoying the summertime. You really can't go wrong with a hot dog, a cold one and Bruce while watching your favorite team play ball.

9. "I Love Mickey" - Teresa Brewer - Mickey Mantle is by far one of the greatest hitters ever to play the game. He is actually in this catchy 1950's tune. I love the flow of this song and the 50's was a great era for baseball in America. Mantle is one of my top five players ever, so this song is right here simply, if for no other reason than that alone.

8. Say Hey(Willie Mays Song): Treniers - This song is a great rock-swing jam. It was released in 1955 and it included a dialog from Willie Mays. This tune made my list because of who it's about also. In my opinion if the song is representing a huge figure in baseball as well as a favorite player of mine, it should be on my list. Not to mention the rock & roll of the 50's was so smooth and a clean joyful sound.

7. "Who's on First?" Abbott and Costello- This has to be on my list because of the funny antics by two great comedians of our time. Abbott and Costello performed this skit many times in their career and was featured in the film One Night in the Tropics. I love the fact that comedy can be included with people who love the game. Baseball was made to be fun and an outgoing scene, what better way to do that than laugh along with a great piece of comedy.

6." Catfish": Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan wrote and recorded this song in 1976 about pitcher Catfish Hunter. The song wasn't released until 1991 though on, "The Bootleg Series, Volumes 1-3: 1961-1991." Dylan's slow studious melody with the song puts it in as one of the best tunes for baseball. It was directed toward a great pitcher and the song really went with how catfish approached the game.

5. The Cheap Seats: Alabama - Alabama released this song on RCA Records in 1993 on the titled album, Cheap Seats. This song is about having a good time at a ball game and enjoying "the cheap seats." The band refers to drinking beer "flat as can be" and eating hot dogs with "mustard and relish." It reminds me of being at my local minor league game cheering on the Asheville Tourist. It's really just a great down home baseball mix for anyone who loves baseball.

4. "A Dying Cubs Fan's Last Request" by Steve Goodman - This song is about a boy who grows up loving the cubs and watches them all the time, but time and time again they lose. It's a heart felt song about the cubbie's and a fan's will to see them win and the anguish of their losing ways year after year. I just love the words to the song and it's nice to know people love their favorite teams through good and bad times. Even if those bad times last 100 years.

3. "We Will Rock You" by Queen - OK, this is by far one of the best songs ever made for sport's in general. I can remember being at an Atlanta Braves game and hearing the "boom, boom, clap" come over the speakers and immediately started pumping my fist. It's a great song to get you fired up for the next pitch or get the blood boiling for a great comeback for the home team. It was very hard for me to choose the top three songs, this one was right there with my other two choices. Queen released this song in 1977 on the album News of the World.

2. "Centerfield" by John Fogerty - This song was released on the titled album Centerfield in 1985. It's been used in some films including Little Big League, which was released in 1994. The song reminds me of being in little league and wanting to play so badly, just waiting on the coach to put me in. Centerfield has a terrific sound and will lighten up a crowd.

1. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" by Jack Norworth- "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," was written in 1908 by Jack Norworth. Many since then have put it to music and made a rendition of the song. Is there any question about this being the greatest baseball song ever made? I think not. Harry Caray made it popular at Chicago Cubs games when he was their television broadcaster. All over the country when the seventh inning stretch come around, people in every stadium stand and chant the ever beautiful chorus of, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

Sources:

Pat Abdalla, The 10 best baseball songs ever, YorkBlog

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