Rock walk-up songs are a crowd-pleaser in baseball, whether they’re older classics or newer hits. If you’re looking for top rock walk-up songs, here are some of the best options for players from any position. We show both classic rock hits, as well as popular metal songs.
“Bad To The Bone” by George Thorogood
Song Year: 1982
Featuring an instantly-recognizable opening riff, “Bad To The Bone” is one of George Thorogood’s most iconic songs. Although not specifically sports-focused, the notion of a competent “bad boy” remains popular in music and helps this song stand out as something you’ll hear in baseball stadiums across the country.
It works particularly well for power hitters and any player who can maintain a consistently high performance when up to bat.
“Sweet Dreams” by Marilyn Manson
Song Year: 1995
Somewhat psychedelic in its mix of rock and metal elements, “Sweet Dreams” is a haunting but powerful song. The focus on dreams and ambition works well for sports, and it’s perfect for players who are determinedly moving towards personal goals.
“Sweet Dreams” is also a frequently-covered song, with Eurythmics’ version being particularly well-known. If you want this song with someone else’s vocals, there’s a good chance you can find something that matches your style.
“Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top
Song Year: 1983
Especially good for any player known for excellent personal style, “Sharp Dressed Man” is one of the best rock hits of the 80s and a solid choice as a walk-up song. It’s not as over-the-top as some songs, but it’s distinctive, memorable, and enough to get a crowd’s attention at any time.
“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Song Year: 1992
Easily one of the most popular metal walk-up songs in history, “Thunderstruck” benefits from an attention-getting intro and an audience sing-along portion that most people watching a baseball game are happy to join in on.
A great walk-up song matches a player’s style and personality, telling the audience what they can expect to see from the next few swings. “Thunderstruck” is great for power hitters, where the sharp crack of hitting the ball echoes the song’s lyrics.
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Song Year: 1974
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic country rock hit is easily one of their most popular songs, and famous enough that people of almost any age have probably heard it. That’s more than you can say about most songs, and it stands out because popularity is a good metric all by itself for selecting a walk-up song.
Although ostensibly about Alabama, this song works particularly well for any players native to the southern part of the United States. It may not be a good match for players from other parts of the country, though, as it’s a celebration of one specific region.
“Enter Sandman” by Metallica
Song Year: 1991
Metallica is a band that needs no introduction, and their heavy metal hit even less so. The song opens with about eighteen seconds of gentler guitar work before upping the sound and the excitement.
It takes more than a minute to even get to the lyrics, which makes this an excellent option for players who need a lot of time to get to the plate and anyone who wants an instrumental-only section of a great rock song but doesn’t need the whole tune.
“I’m Broken” by Pantera
Song Year: 1994
Pantera isn’t quite as well-known as some of the other artists on this list, but their outstanding work on “I’m Broken” earned them a Grammy nomination for the best metal performance. The early part of the song fades in and out, which is naturally attention-grabbing, while lyrics like “Look at me now” can resonate with any athlete.
“Before I Forget” by Slipknot
Song Year: 2004
Slipknot’s Grammy-winning song has just a brief intro before moving straight into energetic guitar work. It’s powerful, in-your-face, and the focus on primal power is perfect for hitters who know how to blow balls across the park. The in-and-out segments of the lyrics are especially potent on stadium speakers, as no one will be able to ignore them.
“Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
Song Year: 1970
Easily one of the best classic metal songs, the slow beating of this song’s intro can make people forget what song it is until the lyrics pop up. Then it all comes rushing back, reinforcing the idea of a player who’s an implacable force at the plate.
Rock songs work for most players, so it’s probably no surprise that the best rock music tends to be among the best walk-up song choices as well.
“The Game” by Motorhead
Song Year: 2001
Motorhead may not be as well-known as some other bands, but they’re strong contenders if you’re looking for good walk-up songs. The lyrics are perfect for baseball, but the real secret of this song’s value is its origin.
Unlike any other song on this list, “The Game” is specifically written as an intro song. Motorhead originally wrote it for wrestler Triple H, but its strong instrumentals and excellent lyric work make it applicable to athletes in practically every situation imaginable.
“Inis Mona” by Eluveitie
Song Year: 2008
Ideal for somewhat older players, “Inis Mona” is from a band that’s not nearly as well-known as most of the others on this list. However, being less famous also means there’s a much lower chance of any other player wanting to use the same song in a game, and that’s what some players are looking for.
This song uses a collection of Swiss and Celtic instruments, including the bagpipes, alongside the electric guitars that help make this a metal song. The result is a distinctively European rock song and a good contrast from the American and Hispanic songs that usually dominate walk-up choices.
Top Rock Walk-Up Songs, Final Thoughts
It’s hard to go wrong with rock walk-up songs. Whether you’re looking for something new or old, there are a ton of great songs to choose from. Even better, rock is always a crowd-pleaser, and there’s enough variety to suit any player’s preferences.