[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit
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!
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[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that fires you up (21–30)
We Will Rock YouQueen
Heavy-beat songs seem to suit tug-of-war, don’t they? In that case, how about Queen’s “We Will Rock You”? If you pull the rope to this track—with its dusty, hard-stomping feel—you’ll probably sync your breathing and feel the power surge.
It seems some schools now include a short dance before the event, so doing something like body percussion is also a great idea.
Soul RevolutionSuperfly
When it comes to songs that fire you up with motivation and fighting spirit, “Tamashii Revolution” has to be it.
At school sports festivals, tug-of-war is one of the most exciting events, right? To unite your class and go for the win, try listening to this track to raise your spirits.
Superfly’s soaring vocals feel amazing to hear, and the soul-stirring lyrics will pump you up too.
If you’re unsure about the BGM for tug-of-war, “Tamashii Revolution” is highly recommended.
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA
At this point, there’s no doubt that this is the perfect song for tug-of-war at school sports days: “Yatte Miyou” by the three-piece punk band WANIMA.
Paired with the dynamic visuals of the well-known “Santaro” characters from the mobile phone commercials, it sounds incredibly dramatic, doesn’t it? The song is simple and straightforward, and I think its powerful performance and vocals drive the athletes’ excitement higher and higher.
It’s a reliable track that makes you clench your fists and face that make-or-break moment with determination!
Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE
Aoi to Natsu is the theme song for the film Ao-natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-nichi.
The track is by the five-member co-ed rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE.
Capturing a summery youth vibe, this song is perfect for a tug-of-war scene! Even though sports festivals are in the fall, playing popular J-pop definitely boosts students’ motivation.
It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—be sure to give it a listen!
Be The OnePandora
The theme song for Kamen Rider Build was written and composed by none other than Tetsuya Komuro.
Kids who watched Kamen Rider must have been thrilled.
It’s a very catchy tune, so I think it appeals to all generations.
The vocals and overall style are quite powerful, making it a perfect fit as background music for a tug-of-war competition.
Hey MickeyToni Basil
A track released by Toni Basil in 1981.
Since it’s used as background music in many places, many of you have probably heard it.
It’s an upbeat song, so it would suit not only tug-of-war but a variety of events—an especially versatile tune.
ECHOLittle Glee Monster
This song was chosen as NHK’s rugby theme in 2019 and became a hot topic because Ayumu Goromaru appeared in the music video.
When it comes to songs that fire you up for sports, “ECHO” is the go-to.
Little Glee Monster’s members are young, fresh, and powerful, making it perfect as BGM for a school sports day.
Listen to this song that stirs your fighting spirit and aim for victory in the tug-of-war.
It’s sure to get everyone hyped.
Unite your hearts like the members of Little Glee Monster and take on the tug-of-war.
The heartfelt lyrics are another great point of this track.