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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

When you hear “music for tug-of-war at a school sports day,” does any song come to mind?

You might easily imagine tracks for relays or sprints, but when it comes to tug-of-war, nothing quite clicks—that’s probably true for many people.

So in this article, we’ll introduce songs from a wide range of genres—popular J-pop, international pop, video game music, and more—that seem like a great match for tug-of-war.

From powerful, driving tunes to high-energy tracks that stoke your fighting spirit, we’ve gathered plenty of punchy songs.

Use this as a reference when choosing your BGM!

[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that fires you up (81–90)

S.P.LThe Birthday

The Birthday – S.P.L

S.P.LThe Birthday

The Birthday’s song is a work that fuses the intensity of rock with poetic lyrics.

This piece depicts the power of love, with striking imagery like pink-colored love and the beauty of the world.

It was released in April 2024 as part of the EP “April,” followed by a vinyl edition in July.

The band has also provided music across a wide range of media, including the opening theme for the film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK.

With its exhilarating pace and energetic lyrics, it’s a perfect BGM choice for a tug-of-war at a school sports day.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to stoke their fighting spirit.

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Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas – Pump It (Official Music Video)

Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas

Pump It, with its memorable and striking intro phrase, really sticks in your head.

Widely used across various media, this track was created by the American music group The Black Eyed Peas.

It delivers a unique sound that blends surf music and rock instrumentation with hip-hop, evoking images of the seaside and sandy beaches.

Its fresh yet passionate melody is perfect for energizing an intense tug-of-war.

It’s also a great pick for clap-along cheering over its lively beat.

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Splattack!Minegishi Tooru

Splattack! – Splatoon 3 OST

Splattack!Minegishi Tooru

“Splattack!”, composed by Toru Minegishi as the main theme for the game Splatoon.

In the game, it’s used as the background music during matches, and it’s a rock number featuring a passionate band performance.

As the theme song of a game beloved by people of all ages, it also fits perfectly with a tug-of-war where both sides pull with all their might.

Packed with fiery fighting spirit, it colors scenes where teammates work together.

How about choosing it as BGM for a school sports day event, linking it with the game’s content that encourages playing hard and never giving up until the end?

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A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

Ukasukazy “A Victorious Smile With You” Music Video

A victorious smile with youUkasukaji

A fusion sound of J-pop and hip-hop overflowing with youthful passion and sportsmanship.

Created by Ukasuka-G, the duo of Kazutoshi Sakurai from Mr.Children and GAKU-MC, this piece sings of the bonds between friends and the courage to take on challenges.

Its powerful message—conveying the resolve to face towering obstacles and the trust in your teammates—resonates deeply.

Released in May 2014 as a lead single from the album AMIGO, it was adopted as an official support song by the Japan Football Association and featured in various tie-ins, including Kirin’s “Japan Linking Arms” commercial song.

It’s a reliable track not only for school sports days and athletic festivals, but also for any moment when you want to strengthen teamwork or strive toward a goal together with your friends.

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Street DreamsZeebra

Street Dreams

Street DreamsZeebra

This track by Zeebra, a legend in Japanese rap.

It’s a classic, but it still enjoys strong popularity.

Released in June 2005, it reached No.

16 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and stayed on the charts for 11 weeks.

It was also used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s “69★TRIBE.” Not just the rap—the track itself has high vibes.

It’s a truly rousing song about the importance of pursuing your dreams and the strength to overcome hardships.

Perfect for when you need that extra push.

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ENVYcoldrain

coldrain – ENVY (Official Music Video)

ENVYcoldrain

With powerful vocals and fierce guitar riffs, this track fires up the listener’s fighting spirit.

Centered on the anguish of toxic relationships, it portrays disappointment and inner conflict toward self-centered behavior.

Featured on the album “FATELESS,” released in October 2017, it marked the band’s first work with Warner Music Japan.

This song is also perfect as background music for tug-of-war.

Played in moments when everyone needs to pull together, it’s sure to boost team morale.

Use it for a tug-of-war event at a school sports day, and the entire venue will undoubtedly heat up!

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[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: Powerful BGM That Fires Up Your Fighting Spirit (91–100)

COME and GOsutoreitenaa

Straightener – COME and GO

COME and GOsutoreitenaa

An ambitious work by Straightener that fuses a driving, fast-paced rock sound with emotional lyrics.

Centered on themes of life’s journey and inner conflict, it portrays the rapid changes and chaotic conditions of modern society.

Released in August 2024, it was also selected as the ending theme for the sequel to the drama Golden Kamuy.

This song gives you the courage to overcome the past and move forward into the future—perfect for moments when you want to fire yourself up, like before a tug-of-war at a school sports day.

Be sure to check out this track packed with Straightener’s bold new challenge.

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