Image via Complex Original
Sports and music go hand-in-hand. Whether we're watching a hockey game, taking in a soccer match, or hanging out at the ballpark, when fans sit down in their stadium or arena of choice, we want something other than the in-game action to get our blood pumping. Maybe it's something lighter like Blur's "Song 2," or perhaps we want to let out a little bit of pent-up anger by yelling along with Brian Johnson on Thunderstruck. Whatever the case, as fans, when we watch a game in person, we have a responsibility to our team to bring some energy of our own to the table, and get the stadium rocking. Music is what helps us get there.
What are your favorite tracks to hear when you're watching your team go head-to-head with its most bitter rival? What song do you think should be playing when they've secured their latest victory? Whether it's a low-stakes preseason game or the last quarter of the NFL's Big Game, we sat down and figured out the 20 Best Stadium Anthems of All Time to get you guys thinking about what gets you going when it's game time. Time to get aboard the "Crazy Train."
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"Victory"
Artist: Puff Daddy f/ The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes
Year released: 1998
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 68
If it's a late game situation, especially in the NBA playoffs, chances are you'll hear the late Biggie say, "One, one two. Check me out right here yo." Not only is the instrumental produced by Diddy and Stevie J of the Hitmen amazingly climactic, but the song also features one the best nba references in rap history.
"Real quick, real sick, raw nights, I perform like Mike/Anyone—Tyson, Jordan, Jackson, action, pack guns" #nuffsaid
"Start Me Up"
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Year released: 1981
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 2
When the pregame is starting to wind down, and the players are beginning to step out onto the field, the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" serves as the perfect background music to get the action going. Really, it's all in the name with this one. "If you start me up/I'll never stop," lead singer Mick Jagger proclaims in the track, serving as the perfect mantra for any sports nut looking to get themselves ready for gametime.
"Seven Nation Army"
Artist: The White Stripes
Year released: 2003
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 76
As soon as your hear the bass line for "Seven Nation Army," you can be sure that everyone with you in the crowd will be chanting along with it in no time. Released off of The White Stripes' Elephant record, the song became popular at sporting events when the World Cup-winning Italian team adopted it as the unofficial anthem for their championship run. Since then, it's been a staple for sporting events everywhere.
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
Artist: Jack Norworth, Albert Von Tilzer
Year released: 1908
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: N/A
The O.G. stadium anthem, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" has been playing in ballparks across the country for over a century now. Penned by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer, the tune is a stand-by for seventh inning stretches everywhere, most notably with Harry Caray and the Chicago Cubs. As long as we have baseball, you can be sure that we'll always have this song to soundtrack your day at the ballpark.
"Song 2"
Artist: Blur
Year released: 1997
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: N/A
Brit-pop sensations throughout the '90s, the Damon Albarn-led outfit, Blur, managed to pen one of sports' catchiest anthems when they put out "Song 2" on their self-titled 1997 album. In the sports sphere, fans first took notice of the song when it was used as the title music for EA Sports' FIFA: Road to World Cup 98. Since then, we've heard a variety of teams pull out it during a game, including the San Francisco Giants, the St. Louis Blues, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and many, many more.
"Sweet Caroline"
Artist: Neil Diamond
Year released: 1969
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 4
Granted, "Sweet Caroline" is a stadium anthem that's specific to the Red Sox, but its play during the eighth inning at Fenway has become so iconic that it's basically impossible to leave off of this list. The tradition began back in 2002, but Boston had been playing the song for years before that. No matter how you feel about the Red Sox, it's hard to argue that this isn't one of the best feel-good anthems ever made. And as far as goosebump-inducing sports moments go, was there anything cooler this year than seeing
"The Final Countdown"
Artist: Europe
Year released: 1986
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 8
Is there any synth riff more memorable than the one that Swedish glam rock band, Europe, broke out for their 1985 hit, "The Final Countdown?" Along with this catchy keyboard jam, the song has always managed to earn some play in arenas and stadiums because of how powerfully it lays out the stakes. It's the final countdown. Is your team ready? Of course, we all know that, at the end of the day, the greatest use of this tune will always be as the stage music for Gob Bluth's magic show.
"Thunderstruck"
Artist: AC/DC
Year released: 1990
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 5
Released off of Razor's Edge in 1990, "Thunderstruck" is the type of music that was made for brewing up storms. With an unforgettable opening guitar riff, and the hard-bit growl of lead singer Bryan Johnson setting the tone, "Thunderstruck" brings an absolutely electric energy to any setting, whether it's on a key third down play or the last few seconds of the NBA Finals. The song has been used regularly in a number of stadiums for years now, for teams such as the Chicago White Sox, the L.A. Kings, and the Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team.
"Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"
Artist: Steam
Year released: 1969
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 1
What better feeling do you get as a fan than getting to sing this song to the losing team? It's one of sports' more traditional taunts to send off the visiting team to this song, with the ritual originating with the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team, and the Chicago White Sox. Over the years, it's maybe gotten a little bit played out, but as long as there are winner, losers, and Miami Heat fans, you can be sure that this song will always have a place in sports stadiums around the world.
"Rock 'N Roll, Part 2"
Artist: Gary Glitter
Year released: 1972
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 7
Also known as the "Hey Song," Gary Glitter's "Rock 'N Roll, Part 2" first made its debut in the sports setting at a game for the minor league hockey team, the Kalamazoo Wings. Soon thereafter, the Colorado Avs added the tune to their in-game playlist, and before long it became a track that you just couldn't escape at a sporting event. It's the type of track that gets hands clapping, feet stomping, and people yelling. What more could you ask for from a stadium anthem?
"Jump Around"
Artist: House of Pain
Year released: 1992
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 3
Produced by Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs, "Jump Around" became a huge hit in 1992 for its high-energy vibes, and demands for you to get hype. In stadiums, its best known for its associations with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where Badgers faithful play it at every home football game between the third and fourth quarters. Similar traditions with song have been started for the UNC Tarheels' men's basketball team, the L.A. Angels, and Arsenal FC.
"Kernkraft 400"
Artist: Zombie Nation
Year released: 1999
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 99
The thumping, bass-heavy robo-drone of "Kernkraft 400" may make the song seem like an unlikely candidate to make this list, but once that hook kicks in, and the tempo begins to rise, so too do the chants and energy of any sporting spectator taking in a game.
"Whoomp! (There It Is)"
Artist: Tag Team
Year released: 1993
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 2
Since this track dropped in 1993, Tag Team's "Whoomp (There It Is)" has played at stadiums and arenas in nearly every sports, particularly basketball and hockey. Included on the original Jock Jams compilation, the song serves as the perfect punctuation mark to any home run, slam dunk, or big hit. Certified as quadruple platinum, the track is Tag Team's most popular song by a mile and while the duo broke up in 1995, they can at least take comfort in the fact that they've secured their musical legacy in sporting venues everywhere for the foreseeable future.
"Welcome to the Jungle"
Artist: Guns N' Roses
Year released: 1987
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 7
On a pure intimidation level, few anthems can stand up to what Axl Rose and his band bring to the table with "Welcome to the Jungle." As a fan, there's really no better way to try and rattle another team than telling them, "You're in the jungle, baby! You're gonna die!" If there's one place where hard rock and hair metal like this will always be able to remain relevant, it's in a stadium.
"Crazy Train"
Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
Year Released: 1980
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 9
The first single off of Ozzy Osbourne's debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, sports and music fans alike are most familiar with "Crazy Train" because of its pulse-pounding opening guitar riff. Released in 1980, the song undoubtedly stands out today as Osbourne's most recognizable track. Some stadiums may opt to play Trick Daddy's "Let's Go" just to keep their playlist fresh, but if anyone is ever wondering where that thrashing lead guitar came from, give respect where it's due and point them right to "Crazy Train."
"Eye of the Tiger"
Artist: Survivor
Year released: 1982
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 1
The theme song for Rocky III, Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" is the king of cheesy sports anthems, but that doesn't mean it isn't one of the greatest either. Punctuated by three, quick power chords, the song is a classic tale of rising up to meet the challenges that lie ahead. With sales of over nine millions copies since its release in 1982, "Eye of the Tiger" has managed to stand the test of time from one generation of sports fan to the next.
"Lose Yourself"
Artist: Eminem
Year released: 2002
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 1
It may not be Eminem's best song, but "Lose Yourself" is arguably his most popular. Created for his movie, 8 Mile, the song has since gone quintuple platinum, and netted him five Grammy nominations, as well as the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It's popularity in stadiums traces back to 2003, when the English national rugby union team used it as their pump-up song in the lead-up to their World Cup Final match against Australia. They would, of course, go on to win the test against the Aussies.
"We Are the Champions"
Artist: Queen
Year Released: 1977
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 4
When the confetti is falling, and the champagne is flowing, this will always be the anthem that you hear the winning team play. It's simple, it's catchy, and it makes the most important thing clear: we are the champions. Used as the official song for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, "We Are the Champions" has proven itself time and time again to be the ultimate victory jam.
"Sirius/Eye in the Sky"
Artist: Alan Parsons Project
Year released: 1982
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: No. 3
If there's one song that defines the mystique of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, it's "Sirius/Eye in the Sky." Used during the pre-game intros for the teams, it's difficult not to hear this song and get the chills. See for yourself: Jordan, Pippen, Jackson, and some killer Starter jackets. What else is there to say?
"We Will Rock You"
Artist: Queen
Year Released: 1977
Peak U.S. Billboard chart position: N/A
Is there any song more recognizable from its opening few seconds than Queen's "We Will Rock You?" As soon as anyone hears that stomping and clapping, they immediately know what's going down. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when the song took off in stadiums, but we do know that it's going to be around for years to come. This one has been, and always will be, a classic.