[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!
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- [Baseball Songs] A Collection of Cheering 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 Tracks] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! Carefully Selected Motivation-Boosting Songs (101–110)
ARIGATOB’z
Released in 2004 as B’z’s 37th single.
It was used as the theme song for TV Asahi’s “TV ASAHI NETWORK SPORTS 2004” and for TV Asahi’s coverage of the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The song is powerful, designed to give athletes courage and strength.
Thugz CryBizzy Bone
Bizzy Bone, a member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony who also gained popularity as a solo artist, is a truly “thug” rapper with a harrowing past—he grew up believing the criminal who kidnapped him was his parent.
His track Thugz Cry portrays the sorrow and anger born from that environment.
As a rap performance it’s exceptionally skillful—everything is top-tier, from rapid-fire delivery and tight rhymes to a smooth, pleasing flow.
It’s a work with outstanding listenability and vibes, making it a perfect choice to play before a match.
Raise your flagMAN WITH A MISSION
This is a song by MAN WITH A MISSION, a rock band formed by five ultimate life forms with the heads of wolves wearing wolf masks and human bodies.
Released in 2015 as their fifth single, it was chosen as the opening theme for the first season of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, and drew attention for powerfully portraying the boys in the series who raise a banner of rebellion in the face of dire circumstances.
Athletes, too, inevitably throw themselves into battles of winning and losing, and I believe they can project their own feelings toward hardships onto this song.
three mon coinsMOROHA
MOROHA is a unit that has earned a fervent following—particularly among men—for lyrics that cut to the essence of things.
Despite their simple setup of spoken-style rap and acoustic guitar, many of their works are brimming with tremendous intensity.
Among MOROHA’s catalog, a standout recommendation is Sanmonzen.
Its lyrics, which focus on the struggles and dilemmas of those who have yet to grasp success, leave a strong impression.
It’s a perfect track for athletes who have spent long years in the trenches.
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.
[Hype-Up Tracks] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! A Curated Selection of Motivation-Boosting Songs (111–120)
lightly; nimbly; flutteringlyGReeeeN
A GReeeeN song characterized by a melody that lifts the heart.
It portrays someone facing themselves while taking on their goals.
Released as a digital single in November 2023, it was chosen as the official theme song for the 55th All Japan University Ekiden.
Fitting for an ekiden theme, its encouraging message and brisk melody make it a perfect match for all kinds of sports scenes.
Imbued with a strong will to move forward despite anxiety and fear, this track is recommended for anyone looking to boost their motivation.
MomentSMAP
It was also the theme song for TBS’s London Olympics coverage.
Many songs by the now-disbanded SMAP are uplifting.
Among them, this track especially conveys in its chorus that we’ve put in tens of thousands of hours of effort for this very moment.
It’s truly a song that helps you reclaim your pride.