[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions
Cheer songs and background music are essential for sports days and athletic festivals! Classic staples that make you want to start running the moment you hear them are a given, but it’s also long been common to rewrite the lyrics of popular J-pop songs and sing them as parodies.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of Japanese songs that are perfect for cheering at school sports events! Of course, we’ve also picked out songs that will hype up the crowd even if you sing them as-is.
Be sure to read through to the end!
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- [Youth Songs] Songs that liven up sports days and athletic festivals. Music that adds color to the event.
- Recommended cheer-up songs for middle schoolers: Classic Japanese hits that will empower student life
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- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- Let's send our teammates a powerful cheer! A roundup of cheer calls for sports day.
[Sports Day Cheers] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions (41–50)
Runnerbakufū suranpu
Bakufu Slump, a rock band that led the Japanese music scene in the 1980s and 1990s, is known for Sunplaza Nakano’s powerful yet emotional vocals.
Among their songs, the one that’s perfect for school sports days is “Runner.” Ever since its release in 1988, it has been loved across generations.
Many of you probably recognize that intro that makes you want to start running.
With its straightforward, driving melody and his raspy delivery, it sets your heart ablaze.
It’s a track that makes you want to feel the same heat and sweat as the athletes competing right now.
[Sports Day Cheer Songs] A roundup of classic cheer songs and recommended tracks for parody versions (51–60)
Zankyo SankaAimer
For marquee events like relays and tug-of-war, exhilarating rock is a must! ‘Zankyosanka’ was released by singer Aimer in 2022 and was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc.
It’s an upbeat tune featuring the bright tones of a brass band.
Her powerful yet delicate husky voice is soothing.
The fiery, dynamic band sound perfectly matches the excitement of a sports day! Give it a listen when you’re cheering on the athletes with all-out gestures.
Kitearashi
It’s a message song that makes hope for the future well up inside you.
It’s a track by the national idol group Arashi, released in 2020 as their 58th single.
The lyrics and composition were handled by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu.
Its grand yet somehow nostalgic tone is distinctive.
Strangely enough, it makes you want to cherish where you are right now and feel grateful to the people around you.
If you were to make a parody version, you could swap out the title word “Kite” for a team name or a person’s name.
Galop of the ClownsD.B.kabarefusukī
This is a classic BGM often heard at sports days and athletic festivals.
I remember hearing it frequently during events like ball rolling and tamaire (ball toss).
It really makes you feel like you have to roll faster and beat the other team! This is also a staple cheer song and a great choice for parody lyrics.
Csikos PostHermann Necke
Speaking of sports festivals, there are lots of running events, and when it comes to background music for running, many people probably think of this song, right? In fact, once you hear it, you just can’t help but start running (lol).
The title might not ring a bell for many, but it’s that classic, go-to song for sports days.
It’s a staple at school sports festivals, and since it has no lyrics, it’s also perfect for parody versions.
Odoru Pompoko RinB.B. Kuīnzu
Because it’s the opening theme of the popular anime “Chibi Maruko-chan” and has been used for many years, it’s widely known not just among children, making it easy to create parody lyrics.
Using it for dance-style events at sports days or for the entrance of lower-grade students makes things even cuter and more exciting.
Dragon NightSEKAI NO OWARI
A signature song by SEKAI NO OWARI, and it also marked their first appearance on the Kouhaku music show.
The build-up from the opening to the chorus is superb, and when the other sounds fade in, everyone can have fun jumping to the beat! The lyrics convey the idea of “the battle coming to an end,” so it’s a perfect track for the finale.