For a song to become a stadium tradition, it must be a tune that fans want to sing many times over. Even the most casual viewers have become accustomed to hearing songs by legendary artists, such as “We Will Rock You” by Queen, “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, and “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC. However, while these are the kinds of tunes you will hear all over sports, there are some surprising songs that have become very specific to certain teams.
Sometimes a tradition is born out of an epic entrance. Other times, a track is used to celebrate the thrill of victory. Then, some are perfect for keeping the fans and players engaged when things are getting close to an end. Either way, a fan base can take an iconic song and make it part of their history, making the two go hand in hand. While a lot of traditions develop over time, some recent additions are just beginning, looking to make as much of an impact as the legendary ones.
10
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Album: Elephant (2003)
Arriving in 2003, “Seven Nation Army” became a highly recognizable song thanks to its iconic guitar riff. The song made The White Stripes a household name, cementing their legacy in the music industry. Although they have disbanded, it hasn’t changed how much the song is admired. Even when some of the biggest names in entertainment came together for the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special, Jack White was there to perform the tune.
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Throughout many sporting venues, you’ll find this song being played. As soon as that first note hits, crowds know what to do as they start singing “woah oh oh oh oh” along with the instrumental. It truly is a spectacle when done in sync, but perhaps the place that perfected it the best was Penn State football. The Nittany Lions crowd has been known to create an intimidating scene for rival teams when cheering on their team before the game begins.
9
Dropkick Murphys – I’m Shipping Up To Boston
Album: The Warrior’s Code (2005)
It was very fitting that “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” was on the album titled The Warrior’s Code. As soon as the opening instrumental kicks in, this tune makes listeners feel energized. Certainly, Dropkick Murphys used their Celtic punk roots well, as the song strongly reflects the genre. For a band that is from Massachusetts, they have proudly lent the song to Boston sports teams, representing all the major franchises, but it didn’t stop there.
Beyond the Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox, other teams looked to use the song for inspiration. Some of the bigger ones include the Philadelphia Flyers and Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish football team, who were just College Football National Championship finalists, have been known to use the song before kickoff. There is no denying that when this plays, it lets the other team know it’s about to be a struggle.
8
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
Album: Hot Fuss (2004)
Quickly establishing themselves in conversations with legends, The Killers burst onto the scene in 2004 with one of the best debut albums of all time, Hot Fuss. The two major hits from it were “Somebody Told Me” and “Mr. Brightside.” In some ways, you wouldn’t think “Mr. Brightside” would be a song fit to be a stadium anthem. Given what the music video makes the song revolve around, it is interesting how the song has connected with sports fans.
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Perhaps what makes it resonate is the title and the overall concept. There is nothing wrong with being optimistic and hoping for the best, especially in sports. Two of the franchises the song is connected with surely have fans who know about never giving up. First, there is the Michigan Wolverines, whose football fans frequently enjoyed singing this song during the third quarter. Then the Buffalo Bills picked up the tradition only a few years ago, but their crowd has embraced it just as Michigan’s fans did.
7
House Of Pain – Jump Around
Album: House Of Pain (1992)
Not all memorable acts last a long time together. House of Pain broke up after only a few years. Although they released just three albums, their debut single ensured they would always be remembered. Produced by DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, “Jump Around” became an instant hit, landing on six different Billboard charts, including the third spot on the Hot 100.
Not only did the song have a catchy beat, but the lyrics demanded movement. Starting as a dance hit, it made its way into sports, as it was the perfect song to get crowds on their feet. Over the years, this tune has been heard a lot at basketball games, but it extends beyond the hardwood onto the gridiron. Making the tradition a memorable part of their third quarter is the Wisconsin Badgers football team. Some of their most historic players, like J.J. Watt, have touted the importance of the song blasting through the stadium speakers.
6
Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
Album: Escape (1981)
It took some time for Journey to find their perfect sound, but once they added Steve Perry as the lead singer, everything changed for them. After achieving success, the band did something that every musician dreams of by creating one of the most well-known songs ever. At 18x platinum, “Don’t Stop Believin'” is a tune that continues to be passed down through generations. As the title states, a song all about hope has become ideal for sports.
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One of the more famous uses of the song came in 2005 when the Chicago White Sox embarked on a World Series run. It was the perfect example of how this tune could propel a team that sports pundits didn’t view as champions. On a more consistent basis, both the Detroit Red Wings and the San Francisco Giants have incorporated the song into their stadium traditions. In fact, Steve Perry is a Giants fan and has led the crowd in a sing-along before.
5
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
Album: Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show (1969)
Across his 32 studio albums, Neil Diamond has sold over 130 million copies worldwide. This has made him one of the best-selling artists of all time. Over his career, which has spanned six decades, “Sweet Caroline” is arguably his most recognizable song. This soft rock tune features easy lyrics for fans to remember, making it one that’s fun to sing. Whenever it plays, it’s a guarantee to hear the words “Sweet Caroline” followed by the added “ba, ba, ba,” sung loudly.
The tradition of this dates all the way back to 1997, when an employee played the song in honor of her friend who had a baby named Caroline.
One of the most famous crowds known for singing this tune is the Boston Red Sox. The tradition of this dates all the way back to 1997, when an employee played the song in honor of her friend who had a baby named Caroline. After a few years, it caught on so much that, in 2002, it was made a permanent part of the eighth inning. To celebrate the iconic Fenway pastime, Neil Diamond even made a rare appearance in 2022 to sing with the crowd.
Album: Metallica (1991)
Over the course of their career, Metallica have established themselves as one of the best bands of all time. They have become known for their incredible live shows, where they sell out the largest venues in the world every night. Metallica’s career is defined by their hit songs, which are meant to be played loudly and felt by thousands. Metallica didn’t just create simple tunes, they made anthems. One of their biggest is “Enter Sandman,” which features an iconic opening.
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This song playing at sporting events is not a strange occurrence. It is common for stadiums to play it loudly, as it’s one that fans don’t just hear, but feel. One of the best uses of this came at Yankee Stadium when their closer, Mariano Rivera, would make his entrance. This was the perfect track for it, and that is also why the Virginia Tech football team started using it as well. This was the tune that helped lead them on the field. It became so well-known, even Metallica themselves took notice of it.
3
John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads
Album: Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971)
Sometimes, a smooth acoustic sound and a strong voice are all that is needed to create a superstar. Over the course of his career, Denver released upwards of 300 songs across 33 albums. What he accomplished in thirty years will always be celebrated, but perhaps one of the biggest remembrances of Denver occurs during West Virginia football games when the crowd joins in unison to sing “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
With the song released in 1971, this West Virginia tradition quickly came together at the same time. The tune mentions the state a few times, with the beginning stating, “Almost heaven, West Virginia.” Then, most famously, the chorus declares, “Country roads, take me home / To the place I belong / West Virginia, mountain mama / Take me home, country roads.” The singing by the Mountaineer fans became so popular, Denver came to a game to perform alongside the crowd in 1980.
2
Frank Sinatra – Theme From New York, New York
Album: Trilogy: Past Present Future (1980)
In the history of performers, Frank Sinatra is one of the most well-known. Having sold over 150 million records worldwide, he was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. In one of the most impressive feats in music, Sinatra recorded an astonishing 59 studio albums in his career. This makes it even more interesting to see that one of his best songs was a cover of the theme from the 1977 musical film, New York, New York.
Generations of fans have heard the song as they have left Yankee Stadium.
Of course, Sinatra is iconic with the “City That Never Sleeps.” He was as beloved there as the New York Yankees. That’s why a partnership between the two just made sense. In 1980, then-Yankees owner George Steinbrenner asked permission from Sinatra to use the song, and it has stuck ever since. Generations of fans have heard the song as they have left Yankee Stadium. While they used to play it no matter what, the team will now only do it after victories, perhaps making it even more special.
1
Randy Newman – I Love L.A.
Album: Trouble In Paradise (1983)
Writing a hit song for their hometown is not something every artist can achieve. However, for Randy Newman, it happened with his classic tune “I Love L.A.” That’s what makes the success of this stadium tradition so grand. Rather than a place adopting a song, or a singer finding the perfect tune for their city, Newman created it. The catchy hook of “I love L.A. (we love it)” has become synonymous with the city and its sports teams.
As it is, Los Angeles has a slew of different teams, so the fact that Newman has songs used by multiple franchises is impressive. The Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, Kings, and Galaxy all use the tune at their stadiums. It’s even more iconic now that it is associated with the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series win. Newman’s track has become a part of the city’s history, and when there is a gathering in Los Angeles, this song won’t be far behind.
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