[Baseball Songs] A Collection of Cheering Songs and Theme Music for High School Baseball, Professional Baseball, and Samurai Japan

Don’t give upZARD

“Wind Ensemble Hits” Don’t Give Up / ZARD

When it comes to cheer songs, this track is absolutely indispensable! It came out before today’s high schoolers were even born, yet you still hear it all the time as a classic, so I’m sure many high school students know it.

Izumi Sakai’s gentle, refreshing vocals paired with the breezy, rock-tinged sound will surely soothe you if you listen during a break.

Released in January 1993, this song became ZARD’s first million-selling smash hit.

It was also used as the entrance theme for the 1994 Summer Koshien tournament, making it very popular as a baseball cheer song as well.

I recommend listening to it when you’re facing difficulties or need courage before an important match.

Eat some sushi!Shibugakitai

Shibugakitai – Eat Some Sushi! (1985)

It’s the 17th single, released in 1986.

Because it was featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” as the song for December 1985 to January of the following year, it was performed at the 1985 Kōhaku Uta Gassen even before its release.

Thanks to its catchy phrases and distinctive sound, it has often been played as a baseball cheer song.

Combat MarchMiki Yūjirō

Waseda Jitsugyo Combat March — Summer Koshien 2022

It’s a standard piece composed by the Waseda University Cheerleading Club.

This song is said to be the first to appear as a “chance theme” in baseball cheering, which had previously consisted of fight songs, clapping, and chants.

In professional baseball, it was adopted as the cheer song for Akinobu Okada—an alumnus of the Waseda University baseball team—during his time with the Hanshin Tigers, and it has continued to be used as a chance march since then.

Kinnikuman Go Fight!Kushida Akira

KINNIKUMAN OP – Kinnikuman Go Fight! Vocal cover

The song sung by Akira Kushida is known as the theme for the anime Kinnikuman.

Its lyrics, depicting intense battles, and its powerful melody are striking, and it’s also popular as a walk-up song for professional baseball players.

Released in November 2003, the track has captured the hearts of not only anime fans but baseball fans as well.

With lyrics that sing of courage, justice, and the importance of love, it’s sure to fire up the players’ spirits.

Listening to it before a game or during practice is guaranteed to boost motivation.

Summer is just getting started!fukumimi

Lucky Ears / Summer is just getting started!

It was released as the fifth single by Fukumi, a unit composed of artists from Office Augusta.

It was selected as the unified theme song for Asahi TV’s “2008 Summer High School Baseball” and as the theme song for the network’s “Nettou Koshien,” making it well known as a song associated with high school baseball.

Passion ContinentHakasé Tarō

Konan cheer song: Shima Uta, Jonetsu Tairiku, Hiyamikachi-bushi

This is a piece composed by Taro Hakase as the opening theme for a documentary program of the same name.

It’s believed that Kounan High School’s player Tairiku Kuniyoshi boosted the song’s popularity, and it is sometimes referred to as “Kuniyoshi Tairiku.” Whenever Kuniyoshi reached base, people would reportedly shout, “Successful landing!”

SAMBA DE JANEIROBelini

Bellini – Samba de Janeiro (videoclip)

Because it’s upbeat Latin-style dance music, it brings Brazil to mind, but it’s actually the debut single by the German band group Bellini, and it’s also very popular as a soccer cheer song.

The way the chants are shouted varies by school, so that’s something to enjoy as well.