[Hype Songs] A must-listen for athletes and sports lovers! A curated selection of tracks that boost motivation
It’s no exaggeration to say that music is an essential element in enjoying sports.
For athletes, especially those facing an important match, music plays a crucial role in daily mental care as well.
This time, we’ve selected a variety of tracks—both Japanese and international—for people who enjoy sports regularly and for athletes alike.
Rather than focusing on sports-related themes, we picked songs based on lyrics and sounds that boost motivation, so if you like high-energy tracks, you’re sure to find some favorites.
Now then, please sit back and enjoy!
- [Fuel Your Fighting Spirit] An Adrenaline-Pumping Fight Song
- [To All Athletes] Inspirational Sports Anthems & Empowering Theme Songs
- Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- Power songs that fill you with energy just by listening. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
- Recommended music for marathons: uplifting songs that give you the courage to power through
- Entrance Songs for Athletes | A Comprehensive Introduction to Athletes’ Game-Day Anthems!
- Perfect for sports or driving! High-energy, fast-paced tracks that will get you pumped
- [Baseball Songs] A collection of cheer songs and theme music for high school baseball, professional baseball, and Samurai Japan
- [2026] Entrance Music for Sports: Cool Western Songs and Entrance BGMs
- Songs that make you feel positive when you listen. Top recommended cheer and positive tracks.
- [Fighting Spirit] Fired up! Spotlight on entrance themes of fighters and martial artists
- Take the first step!! Songs that give you courage, songs that make you persevere when you listen
[Pump-Up Songs] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! Carefully Selected Motivation-Boosting Tracks (71–80)
To the place of dreamsw-inds.
Released in 2005 as w-inds.’ 14th single.
The song was used as the image song for NTV’s 83rd All Japan High School Soccer Tournament and reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It’s an uplifting track that encourages players as they train, dreaming of reaching the National Stadium, the sacred stage of high school soccer.
Flying BAK-69
AK-69, a rapper representing Nagoya.
With his melodic flow and nationwide popularity despite being independent, he’s one of the most popular rappers in Japan.
Among his works, the track I particularly recommend to athletes is “Flying B.” It portrays someone clawing their way up from rock bottom to success, and it continues to be supported by many listeners, especially men.
Be sure to check it out.
earnest desireSUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER’s deeply moving masterpiece that sings about the importance of human connections is included on their album “Ongaku,” released in February 2024.
The song gently conveys how an individual’s happiness is built with the support of many people and the warmth created by a chain of smiles.
The album “Ongaku” also features several tie-in tracks, including the theme song for the film Tokyo Revengers 2 and the anthem for the 103rd National High School Rugby Tournament.
It’s the perfect song for cheering on those practicing for sports days and field days, or for reminiscing about the memories of working up a sweat with your friends.
[Hype-Inducing Tracks] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! Carefully Selected Motivation-Boosting Songs (81–90)
Get fired upDaikoku Maki
Maki Ohguro’s songs can really fire you up.
Just like the title suggests, this track seriously raises your energy and voltage.
It was even used as an Olympic theme song.
It’s an incredibly cool song, and I hope you’ll listen to it when you want to get pumped up—before a match or during practice.
life-formHoshino Gen
A powerful song that awakens your fighting spirit.
Written, composed, and arranged by Gen Hoshino, this track delivers a life-affirming message that resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in August 2023 and selected as the theme song for both the World Athletics Championships and the Asian Games, it teaches the importance of discovering yourself amid competition and choices, and of affirming your own way of life and existence.
It’s perfect to play before an important match or any high-pressure moment—and equally recommended for those times in everyday life when you want to fire yourself up.
Why not give it a listen?
Story of Our LifeHirai Dai
This is a track from the album “ON THE ROAD.” Hirai’s soothing voice and the sound of an acoustic guitar are a perfect fit for a commercial promoting eye drops for tired or aging eyes that have become less clear with age.
Early in the lyrics, there are words that convey a sense of tiredness.
Dai Hirai’s “Story of Our Life” was chosen as the CM song for Lion’s eye drops “Smile 40 Premium.” The song starts playing in the latter half of the commercial, softening the overall mood.
The ukulele’s tone is wonderfully comforting, resonating through the body and mind.
This one is also recommended when you want to relax.
superstarKetsumeishi
This song features a captivating blend of hip-hop and pop, filled with messages of positivity and encouragement.
It celebrates everyone’s innate talents and charms, emphasizing the importance of believing in one’s potential.
Released on November 4, 2020 as Ketsumeishi’s 33rd single, it was also selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi anime Crayon Shin-chan starting October 3 of the same year.
The music video, filmed entirely in India, visually expresses its brightness and uplifting message.
Perfect as a cheer song for school sports days and athletic festivals, this track energizes listeners and gently supports those striving toward their goals—truly an ideal anthem of encouragement.