Where did the Walkout Song Come From?
Some of my picks, favorites, and origin questions answered
I don’t know shit about football. American football, that is. I know many things about fútbol. I watch for the pop culture aspect of it all. The commercials, halftime show, and people getting riled up at the bar. A lot of questionable commercials this year and a great halftime show despite the lack of flashiness expected from that performance. Something else that was questionable was John Hamm. While some laughed at his voice crack while introducing the Kansas City Chiefs, I couldn’t get over the fact that he’s not even a fan of that team? He roots for the Cardinals and the Blues. All I could think was thank goodness for Bradley Cooper’s redemption with introducing the Philadelphia Eagles. Another thing I was thinking was when we were gonna get to the music. Music MAKES sporting events during stadium anthems, to get the fans going, and of course, when the team/player walkups.
ORIGINS - BASEBALL
Walkups songs were first mentioned in 1970.1 Before then, the musical of games, baseball, was accompanied by pep bands and the classic organ. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “Charge!” were two of the organ classics of the time and remain classics to this day. After so many years of tradition, a reluctant Nancy Faust took the job of organist with the White Sox. She was hired because sports management personnel had recommended her directly. During the radio broadcast of the game, the reporter would say: “Listen to that organist!” The crowd roared as the instrument played again. During one specific game, she played “Carry Me Back Old Virginia” for her shoutout as one of the players was getting announced. The organ was positioned near the audience and the feedback was incredible. Nancy decided to keep playing the more modern tunes moving forward. When Dick Allen went up, she’d play “Jesus Christ Superstar”. When Frank Howard went up, she’d play “I Feel the Earth Under My Feet”.
This idea of the walkup continued displayed mostly during baseball games. Take a look to the current Yankees team, each player has his own song- it’s just that the genres have changed. Austin Wells goes for the classic rock hit “Whole Lotta Love”.2 Oswald Peraza walks up to Bad Bunny’s “Neverita” each night he pays homage to his Latin heritage. Yankees Captain Aaron Judge’s track is “Swag Surfin” by F.L.Y. While the organ is still around, it is no longer the main way to keep the crowd engaged. Despite this, the idea of the walk up song made its way to other sports.
PRESENT DAY - WRESTLING
The walk up song became the walk out song when it reached wrestling. In baseball, you could see all the players on the team’s pitch area. With wrestling, you don’t see them until they are coming out to fight. The grandiosity of it all matches with some classic walk out songs. The WCCW 80’s sibling trio, the Von Erich brothers, used Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” as the walked to and entered the ring. This was such an iconic walk out song it was featured in A24’s biopic of their story, as decided by music supervisor Lucy Bright.3 This wrestling star turned actor also had a walkout song. Dwayne The Rock Johnson’s actually has used several songs. He was also honored with his own theme song “Electrifying”. Another figure that had his own theme song was John Cena. “The Time is Now” went o to become a meme, especially popular during the Vine era of the 2010’s.
While I don’t know much about the current state of WWE, I am in love with fan favorite Rhea Ripley. You know I had to talk about my girl. The Australian wrestler is the character who is a embodying the main story of this era of the WWE. Her walkout song is “Demon In Your Dreams” by Motionless of White- another original theme! I think it’s truly awesome how we’ve moved from rally songs to themes that are specific for each athlete as it helps establish their traits. It allows someone who doesn’t know the wrestler to get what they’re all about- for lack of a better word, vibe.
MY FAVORITE - WORLD CUP ANTHEMS
Watching the World Cup has always been a magical summer activity. In 2010, my uncle went to South Africa to see it live and he brought me back a vuvuzela (which is the coolest because they were banned after that summer due to distracting players). 2014 I watched from Atlanta, Georgia. In 2018, I watched the final at my friend’s house. The most recent Wold Cup in 2022 was the only thing getting me through my accounting class, dead serious. Each World Cup has meant a lot to me and has a unique soundtrack to each one. While they are not walkout songs, they are specific to each World Cup rather than individual players.
My favorite anthem is “Waka Waka” by Shakira because I’m a biased Shakira fan seeing her in the summer. That song instantly gives me chills and transports me to being eight years old playing in my grandma’s backyard. The music video also featured the players competing in the tournament. Other incredible tracks that have come from the World Cup are: “Wavin’ Flag”, “We Are One”, “La La La” and “La Copa de la Vida”. This tournament features many latine artists so I’ve always loved that and would LOVE to help create a song for the World Cup.
MY PICKS - WALKOUT TRACKS
Metallica - Enter Sandman
Daddy Yankee - Gasolina
Beyoncé - Diva
Shakira - Loba
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
I wanted to include half time shows in this music in sports post, but I think it deserves its own post. I need to talk about Prince’s half time performance ASAP. Let me know what your walkout song would be, I’m so curious.
Thanks for reading! Follow Dani Is Dizzy for all things pop culture, music, entertainment, and Nueva York living. Social links below:
Instagram: danielastorres
TikTok: canyonmoonlvr
Pinterest: daniisdizzy
-Daniela Torres
https://www.mlb.com/cut4/the-complete-history-of-the-walk-up-song'
https://www.mlb.com/yankees/ballpark/music
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3875636/mediaviewer/rm1387002881/?ref_=nm_ov_ph