Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved Anthems and Pump-Up Tracks That Overflow with Power
At those crucial moments—like during daily practice or right before an important match—music stays by our side and gives us tremendous strength.
Many of you probably listen to your favorite songs to boost your spirits as you head into those special moments.
In this article, we’ve picked out uplifting, heart-stirring anthems that raise your motivation.
From upbeat tracks that fire up your fighting spirit, to relaxing numbers that wrap you in a sense of calm, to athletes’ personal favorites—we’ve gathered a wide variety of songs.
We hope you’ll find them helpful.
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Songs to Play Before a Match: Athlete-Approved!? Power-Packed Anthems and Victory Tracks (111–120)
LOVE 2000hitomi
An up-tempo tune by hitomi with an irresistibly impactful chorus.
Just like the title says, it was released in 2000, and it’s also famous as a song that Naoko Takahashi loved listening to when she won the gold medal in the marathon at the Sydney Olympics! hitomi’s clear, expansive vocals feel so good and really lift your spirits.
It always brings back a fresh, invigorating feeling, so I find myself wanting to listen when I don’t want to forget my original mindset.
After 20 years, it was self-remade as “LOVE 2020,” so it’s fun to compare the two—feel your own growth and get pumped up before a big moment!
[Songs to Listen to Before a Match] Beloved by athletes too!? Power-packed fight songs and anthems (121–130)
tailwindSHE’S
Written as the theme song for a drama starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, this piece marks a milestone commemorating SHE’S 10th anniversary.
Its structure—where a sense of loneliness-tinged electronic sound unfolds in a dazzling way—feels like a distillation of the band’s journey.
The lyrics, which sing about the importance of moving forward after overcoming failure, resonate beautifully with the drama’s theme.
Released in February 2021, the song is sure to strike a chord with listeners as an anthem that gives you the courage to take a new step.
Why not listen to it to lift your spirits before an important match or a turning point in your life?
Let the flowers in your heart bloom.ikimonogakari
Ikimonogakari, known for creating many heartwarming songs, produced “Let Your Heart Bloom” as a support song for the National High School Soccer Championship.
The lyrics convey that if you keep striving, your dreams will surely come true in the first half, and in the second half they express how sports can make life even more wonderful.
Although it’s a ballad, it gradually picks up tempo toward the end, making it a track that lifts your spirits.
It’s perfect both for relaxing and for boosting your mood.
Go my waySandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ayaka Takahashi won Japan’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in badminton.
Before matches, she often listened to “Go my way” by Sandaime J Soul Brothers.
No matter how tough things get, if you believe in yourself, don’t give up, and take that first step, the world—and you yourself—will change! That kind of powerful, encouraging message is woven into the lyrics.
Takahashi says she drew strength from this song whenever she felt down.
Why not give it a listen yourself when you’re on the verge of losing heart before an important match or during practice?
Unstoppable Ha~HaYazawa Eikichi
Eikichi Yazawa’s signature classic “Tomaranai Ha~Ha” is a song every Japanese person has probably heard at least once.
It was used as the entrance theme for kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa when he was with RISE.
The intro guitar, the surge of energy as it hits the riff, and Eikichi’s rock vocals—all of it adds up to a flawless rock sound.
It’s perfect as an entrance theme, of course, but also great for pumping yourself up before a match.
Full driveKANA-BOON
This is their third single, released in 2014.
Its simple melody and playful, witty lyrics make a strong impression.
It especially hypes up during the chorus, so it’s become a staple at live shows.
It’s also perfect before a game.
every little thing every precious thingLINDBERG
A four-member rock band that enjoyed enormous popularity in the 1990s J-pop scene and drew attention with their 2014 reunion, LINDBERG released this as their 25th single.
In addition to being used as a TV show theme and in commercials, it’s also known for being the entrance song of former Hanshin Tigers pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa during his playing days.
The string-featured arrangement and the piercingly straightforward vocals have a calming effect on athletes—such as swimmer Kosuke Hagino—while igniting their fighting spirit, which makes perfect sense.
With its catchy melody and sweeping grandeur that truly resonate, it’s a track you’ll want to play when you need to relax.
