My Top Sports Related Songs

Sports are entertainment. There is no questioning about it. Sure, as a player, coach, or sports executive, you can learn a lot about people, money, and all facets of life, but at the end of the day, sports is about entertainment.

And that's why sports and music almost go hand and hand. Music is the focal point of sports pre-game warm-ups, halftime shows, awards presentations, and even the athletes themselves tend to dibble and dabble in the world of music production.

Needless to say, sports wouldn't be the same without music's heavy influence on the games that we love to play and watch. Here are some of the songs that have come to be a big part of the sports world. And believe me, this is no comprehensive list. And feel free to post some of your favorites that I may have omitted.

My faves:

Queen - "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" - If you're a youngin', the first 15 seconds of this song will make you want to throw up incessantly. But even as a youngster, if you give it just a few more seconds, Queen hits you with one of the best ballads to every be introduced to the world of sports. And that soft, delicate, beginning serves as the perfect build up to the most beloved refrain in all of sports: "We are the champions, my friends...We will keep on fighting till the end... We are the champions... We are the champions... No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions, of the world!"

Is there any song that can make a sports champion feel better than that? Sure, it doesn't do much for loser, but that's what makes this song so great; it's a direct mocking of the losing team. I know we're not supposed to condone mocking, but if Queen can do it, why can't the rest of the sports world!

Steam - "Na-Na, Hey-Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye" - It doesn't get much sweeter than telling one of the key players of your favorite team's archrival to be quite and take a seat, and while Steam may not have had that in mind when composing this song, I've never seen a song more tailored to one specific aspect of sports. Whether it's telling a hockey player to take a seat in the penalty box, or waiving good bye to a basketball player on his 5^th or 6^th foul, there is no better way to do say it than with a little "na-na, na, na... hey, hey-hey... goodbye!"

Black Eyed Peas, "Let's Get It Started" - This song first hit my ears during the 2004 NBA playoff games, and ever since, it has become a cornerstone of sports. I don't think there is a singe sports movie you can find where this song isn't played during some tenuous training sessions that the protagonist is going through. It's lyrics are make it the perfect introduction song to the start of a game, which is why I can't count the number of sports teams that I heard come out to this song as they take the field or court.

Other Notables:

AC/DC, "Hells Bells" - I'm not sure what freak ever decided that this song should be incorporated into the sports world, but I'm sure glad he or she did. It's a perfect way to mess with the opposing team when you turn down the lights in pressure moments. There are some venues in sports that make use of this song and that strategy really well.

Archie - "We Ready" - Is there any better way to tell a team that you're not afraid of them. I've heard this song played in the locker rooms of underdogs hundreds of times, and while I haven't exactly pulled out any scientific data on this, I have to believe that the chances of an upset are increased when the dogs play this song prior to the game.

T.I. - "Big Things Poppin' (Do It)" - T.I. did a great job of mixing this song for ESPN and their "Who's Now" segment, and I think it will be etched in sports history forever just based off that debut alone.

More Sports-Related Songs of Notes:

Jack Norworth - "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

Reel 2 Real - "I Like to Move It"

Hank Williams Jr. - "Let's Get Ready for Some Football"