[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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- 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
[Hype-Up Songs] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! A Curated Selection of Motivation-Boosting Tracks (11–20)
Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi
Things like spirit and motivation are something that well up little by little, aren’t they? Kenshi Yonezu’s “Uma to Shika” is a song that gradually lets you feel that rising exhilaration.
It was used as the theme song for the drama “No Side Game.” With this passionate track, blow away your tension and anxiety and move forward.
My Adidas: Aspirations as a Human BeingTakehara Pisutoru
Folk singer Pistol Takehara.
If you’re a man, surely his lyrics pierce straight into your heart, don’t they? Among his songs, the one I especially recommend is “My Adidas ~A Person’s Aspiration~.” Although Pistol Takehara gained popularity for a time as part of Yakozen, after the group disbanded he once again had to work his way up from the bottom.
At that time, it was Hitoshi Matsumoto—who is also active as a film director—who brought him a chance.
This song portrays the struggles he faced as his career took off again thanks to an appearance in the film “Saya Samurai,” along with his gratitude toward Hitoshi Matsumoto and his renewed resolve.
Because it’s a work born from real experience, every line of its lyrics carries a soul.
Listen to it, and you’ll definitely feel fired up.
Divine Wind -KAMIKAZE-AK-69
AK-69, who commands overwhelming support not only within hip-hop but also from many athletes.
His song “Divine Wind -KAMIKAZE-” blends lyrics infused with a fierce resolve to live as if ready to die with an aggressive beat that ignites the listener’s fighting spirit.
It’s included on the 2019 album THE ANTHEM and was chosen as the theme song for AbemaTV’s “Grand Sumo LIVE.” With a weighty presence that mirrors the intensity of sumo, it was also selected as a rugby support song—truly an anthem for warriors.
When you’re facing a do-or-die moment or need courage, it’s sure to give you a powerful push forward.
Empire feat. Novel CoreNovelbright
A high-octane, powerful rock track brimming with speed and energy! This ambitious piece marks the first time Novelbright has featured a guest artist, with the genre-defying TeddyLoid joining as the arranger.
Vocalist Yudai Takenaka takes on rap for the first time, and the sharp bars from Novel Core add an aggressive, forceful edge to the song.
Don’t miss the music video’s dark atmosphere and intense performance, either! Powerfully voicing the importance of recognizing your own worth and staying unfazed by criticism, this track is guaranteed to boost your motivation before a crucial match or any high-stakes moment.
A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY
A hot track with an exhilarating melody and lyrics that grab listeners’ hearts and won’t let go! Included on the March 2017 album “HomeBase ~Arigatou~,” this song gained popularity as a walk-up tune for pro baseball players.
It’s an empowering anthem that strongly pushes forward anyone chasing their dreams or hitting a wall.
You can almost hear the cheer, “You can absolutely do it!”—it gives you courage.
Listen to it before an important game or challenge, and it’s sure to get you fired up!
High HopesPanic! At The Disco
Panic! At The Disco is a rock band from Summerlin, near Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
At the Billboard Music Awards held on May 2, 2019, their sixth album, Pray for the Wicked, won their first Top Rock Album award.
This song is an anthem that teaches us to keep high ideals no matter the circumstances and to believe that we are capable of achieving them.
[Pump-Up Songs] A Must-Listen for Athletes and Sports Fans! Carefully Selected Tracks to Boost Motivation (21–30)
one’s true feelingssumika
Honne by the rock band sumika was written as the official cheer song for the 99th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
Sumika is popular for lyrics that speak directly to listeners and for their powerful vocals, and table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto has openly said he’s a fan.
In Honne, they sing about the weaknesses and frustrations that almost inevitably arise when chasing a dream—the candid “true feelings” laid bare—and about the friendships that grow among teammates.
Whether it’s an individual or team competition, relationships with teammates are crucial in sports.
This is a song that makes you feel, “It’s because we support each other that we can keep going.”
