Sitting around having a beer with a buddy tonight, I asked, “What would your walkup song be?”
“’Freeze-Frame’ by J. Geils Band.”
“Nice.”
Put me in, Coach! I'm ready to play!
Playing in the major leagues would be awesome. Five-gallon buckets of free sunflower seeds, a job where it’s not only acceptable but expected that you spit excessively in the workplace, and the freedom to readjust one’s “equipment” every 15 seconds in front of thousands of people.
But the best part of playing in the bigs would have to be the walkup song.
If you’re unfamiliar with the walkup song concept, it goes something like this: as a home team batter is walking up to the plate (because the plate sits on a plateau, apparently), a song of his choosing blares over the ballpark’s loudspeakers.
Sort of like how Darth Vader’s appearance cues “The Imperial March.”
Just think: one song to announce your presence, who you are, what you’re going to do.
Sweet, right?
But also a lot of pressure. One song. Thousands if not millions of people making a judgment of sorts based on what you choose.
Case in point. The other night I’m watching the Rockies game, and Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, one of the top players in the game today, strides confidently to the plate, bottom of the 13th, 2-2 game, the crowd going mad crazy, and playing in the background is… “Baby, baby, baby, ohhhh.”
Bieber?
Interesting choice. But hey, the guy scored the winning run busting his tail from first to home on a bloop single, and he’s the leading vote-getter among National League shortstops for the All-Star Game, so who am I to question his walkup choice?
But still: Bieber?
And then I got to thinking: what walkup songs would best represent the players on our home team?
Here’s the starting line-up:
Slim: “Star Wars Main Theme”/ “Rebel Fanfare”/ “Imperial March”
(May vary depending on his mood, but it’s gotta be one of the original Star Wars scores by John Williams. The kid is Jedi to the core.
As a side, I think a major leaguer walking up to “Cantina Band” would be hilarious.)
Perpetual Motion: “Fuel” by Metallica
(The tempo of this song is all P-Motion. Sunup to sundown, this kid’s on the move. Places to go, critters to catch, don’t stop, can’t stop, move, explore, live. A second choice would be “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver, because his soul needs space, and fortunately he’s got it.)
Hellcat: “Just a Girl” by No Doubt
(She has that Gwen Stefani-type sass. Nobody’s going to define her role for her. And if they try to, she’ll let ‘em have it. And even if they don’t, she might just let ‘em have it anyway. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” would work, too, because I swear the girl is trying to make the direct jump from 4 to 17.)
Eyes closed. This game is easy.
Tax Credit #4: “Centerfield” by John Fogerty
(As the youngest, #4 just wants in the game. Happy, carefree, Dude-let’s-just-get-outside-and-find-something-fun attitude. Yet, there is also a smidge of “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys because he’ll make his presence known by disrupting the best-laid plans of his siblings if they don’t let him play.)
Kick Ass Wife: “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
(Whoa, whoa, whoa! Take it easy. There’s a story here. Back in college, KAW and one of her cronies choreographed an entire dance routine to this song in their dorm room.
Since then it has made occasional appearances at wedding receptions, reunions, hell, even poolside in Vegas, and has gained legendary status in certain circles.
Let me tell ya, she flat drops it like it’s hot, and I’m not just saying that because she’s KAW. It’s the real deal.
But, just in case she’s not down with it, a safe second choice would be “S & M” by Rihanna.
I’m joking! Geez.
“Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground?
Okay, okay. We’ll pencil in “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show as an alternate. She’ll like that.)
Me: “Toes” by Zac Brown Band
(If I really was a major leaguer, I’d hope that the line ”life is good today” would help me keep in perspective that I’m getting paid to play a game, and I’d better have a damn big smile on my face when any little kid runs up and wants some of my time. Which is the same thing I need to keep in mind with my own kids, actually, because they look up at me like I am a major leaguer. They just want my time and attention. I should be able to do that.)
Of course other parts of my day have different walkup songs. First thing in the morning it’s all “I Can See Cleary Now” by Bob Marley. That usually lasts about 20 minutes. After that, ”Welcome to the Jungle” plays on a continuous loop.
Coming out of the bathroom? Easy: “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In the bedroom? “Eye of the Tiger.”
Oh, yeah. You feelin’ me, Survivor?
Wait, KAW just said something.
What?
Oh, real funny.
According to her, I’d best pick something by The Pretenders.
*****
This is awesome. I was just talking to CC the other day about how the puggles need a theme song. I would’ve picked “Baby Got Back” for me too, but not for choreographic reasons. Since it’s taken, Ima think about it & get back to you.
We want to know what you come up with for the dogs and for yourself.
Ok. Jack, our Special Ops puggle gets My Chemcial Romance’s “Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back.” Casey gets Public Enemy’s “Sophisticated Bitch”. I’m taking Fountains of Wayne’s “Stacey’s Mom,” and am planning to call #1 Stacey from here on out.
#1 Stacey is yours.
After the restless night Taz treated me to, are there any songs about sleep or lack of? How about Michael Jackson’s Leave Me Alone. That’s how I felt at 4am when Taz woke me for the 3rd time.
Ouch. “Thriller” and “I’m Bad” might work at different times for Taz and #4, too.
In my younger years, it would have been “In-a-gadda-da-vida” but now that I’m teetering on 70, it would have to be “An-I-gadda-go-pee-now”
Hah!
Nice. Sir Mix-a-Lot was our soccer warm-up song in high school. Can’t go wrong with big butts.
I like ‘em, and I cannot lie.
Oh, and you dodged the question. What’s your song?
I love this.
I tried to give it no thought whatsoever and pick the first thing that came to mind.
“Firestarter” by Prodigy. I don’t know why that one came to mind…I haven’t heard it in years.
Nice. Thinking too much about it muddles it. Gotta go with first instinct.
Now going to find “Firestarter.”
Thanks for chiming in.
Okay, I know that song. Nice. Quite the video, too.
Okay, I’d never even heard of The “Walk-Up” song before but I have a post coming up (some Friday in the not too distant future) where I ask people a similar question about music. It does not involve baseball – but believe me, I’ll be throwing some linky love your way when it runs.
But this is different. I guess my groove song is Prince’s “Kiss.” But mostly the beginning guitar riff followed by that fabulous moan. Yup. That’d do me. If you know what I mean.
The song to announce my blog would be Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” — Duh.
KAW and I would be pretty dangerous together. “Push it” by SaltnPepa was my college song. It got so certain DJ’s would wait to play it until I arrived.
Wait, maybe “Dangerous” would be a better selection.
Well, you get the genre.
The walkup song is about a 10-second cut, so that opening segment of “Kiss” would be a perfect choice. The moan right as you step in to the batter’s box? Well done.
“Push It” would make a great one, too. I always liked those SaltnPepa girls. They just seemed like real people.
They were so fly.
I’d like to think “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake, but more likely it would be “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.
Meant to add … absolutely love this idea. Great way to kick off my morning thinking about this. And gave me a reason to reset the playlist.
It’s fun to think about. Thanks for stopping by.
Hah! I was thinking about that one song Beck song, too. Maybe alter the lyrics a little so it’s “I’m a loser, baby… so why don’t you walk me.”
Love the blog as usual! Mine would have to be “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.
Thanks. Cool choice.
I have to say, I like the choices for the kiddos. You just can’t go wrong with Metallica, Nirvana, or anything composed by John Williams.
I’d have to go for Thriller, by Michael Jackson – the Vincent Price segment. “Darkness falls across the land. The Midnight hour is close at hand…”
Or the music composed by James Horner in Aliens, in particular this song at about the 1:08 mark – very recognizable not from Aliens, but its use in so many action movie trailers – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX1rxPBTyEY&feature=related
Vincent Price’s voice would sound great over ballpark speakers.
What do you got for Tackler and Diva?
The kids? Oh boy..
If the walkup consisted of current favorite songs: Tackler would be “Louder” by Chris Willis and Lil Diva would be “Something That I Want” from the end credits of Tangled.
If it was about their personality… Lil Diva… Pink’s Get the Party Started or the theme to The Terminator. The Tackler: The Imperial March (have to) or Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”..
“Get the Party Started” has a nice walkup quality to it. “It’s My Life” is interesting. All about the independence these days?
Easy. Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”. natch.
Easy. Madonna. Giggle.
Especially cool would be if the opposing pitcher had a perfect game going through say 8 innings, and as you walked up the “touched for the very first time” part is playing, and then you take him yard.
I’m a Bitch by Meridith Brooks…nuff said
Nuff said.
I probably have a few depending on my mood
Right now it would either be “Raise Your Glass” by Pink or “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Marz!
“Raise Your Glass” has a nice 10-second clip quality to it.
Thought you might throw in some New Kids on the Block, Dawn.
Daily, it’s “Closer to Fine” by Indigo Girls. Occasionally, “Basket Case” by Green Day. Now, say I’m strutting into the club in my 5″ Jimmy Choo’s and sequin dress, heading towards our private booth…….all I can hear is “Get it Poppin” by Fat Joe. This has never happened before and considering I live in Laramie, Wyoming and don’t go anywhere without two small children, it could be awhile. When the opportunity presents itself, I’ll be ready.
Hey, Sis. You realize I think Jimmy Choo’s is a Chinese fast-food joint, right? Going to check out “Get It Poppin” after these messages.
You always were an Indigo Girls girl, weren’t you?
How about your hubs? What are you picking for him?
Damn, that is poppin. And he is fat. And I’ll assume his name really is Joe, so that song’s totally legit from top to bottom.
I have never even thought about a Wake-Up Song before. What a great concept!
Mine would have to be “Fat-Bottomed Girls” because, well…just because. And it’s catchy and makes me sorta giggle. Great way to start the day.
On slower-start days, I’ll go with “Late for Your Life” by Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Wake-up songs would be a great concept. I like it. Thanks.
Sir Mix-A-Lot drew his inspiration from “Fat-Bottomed Girls.”
I’ve been trying to think of a walkup song all day… I gots nothing
Keep trying.
Hubby and I came up w/ walk-up songs when we started watch UFC fights. If I was going to be an intimidating bad-a** I decided my theme song was “The Pretender” by the Foo Fighters. Hubby went with “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osborne.
Comes in handy with parenting – the kids know we mean business when we play our walk-up songs…
Hadn’t thought about fighters’ walkup songs. I’m imagining your husband in the hall with a boombox cuing “The Pretender” while you stroll in to the kids’ room to lay down the law.
KAW commentary = too funny.
Hmm. Since you posted this on Canada Day, I’m going to choose something Canadian, maybe something from my youth, if I can still remember it. Maybe Jerry Doucette (Mr. One-Hit-Wonder), “Mama Let Him Play.” But I’d dub in “her”, because, well I’m me. And I”m female. And difficult.
“American Woman”‘s got some nice guitar riffs, not to mention sass. Hmm.
But no Celine Dion, no Shania Twain. Or I’ll bash my own head in with the bat.
Whatever happened to Shania Twain?
I can’t imagine the cacophony of songs when your whole family walks out to the mound at the same time.
Interestingly, it just blends together and makes white noise.
Any song would be preferable to the coach shouting “Move in! Move in!” to his outfielders as I approached the plate…
(they probably don’t do that in the MLB though, right?)
I would have said, DON’T STOP BELIEVING by Journey, but those kids from Glee turned that one into a cliche worse than Bieber’s hair…
So maybe JUMP by Van Halen.
(because pretty much when MOST people see me they think, “What do I have to do to taste her kisses in the night?” and my answer is USUALLY “Jump.” So it stands to reason…)
Honorable mention goes to any song by Olivia Newton John. Since your PHYSICAL post, I haven’t been able to quit her. Or the gym.
“Jump.” Excellent.
ONJ gets to ya. I understand.
“Sweet Caroline”, of course! But since that already plays in the 8th inning at the Red Sox, I’d pick “Hey Ya” by OutKast to really pump up the fans.
I love that Boston tradition. And it’s like you are getting serenaded every game.
Look at all this fun I missed while away. You might not be surprised to know that not only have I thought about this question Chase, but I have in fact also had that conversation with friends.The Pirates have long been a schizo bunch when it comes to these songs. Mine would change yearly (maybe) because I like so much music, but these days I might go with Skillet Awak & Alive for now.
I have no doubt that you’ve had several conversations about this topic. I wonder how often players change them? Baseball players seem to be a superstitious lot. Mariano Rivera has had “Enter Sandman” for like his whole career, hasn’t he?
Baby Got Back is awesome! I know all of the words. But I only sing it when I’m drinking. Nice song choices!
Drinking typically influences KAW’s dancing choice, as well.
When Hubby and I started following UFC we came up with our Walk Up songs. For times when I need to project my bad-a** self I chose “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters. Hubby went with “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osborne.
So when I play The Prentender my kids know I mean business…
I’m sure I know The Pretender, but can’t place it in my head. Going to have to YouTube it.
Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBjQ9tuuTJQ
At 2:44 I come walking in and my opponents are quaking in fear…
(Where was this song when I was in college? Man I could’ve ROCKED OUT to this)
I’m think’in he has a child, niece or nephew that pushed for the Bieber song. We’re all being strong-armed by an influential child. Mine has hijacked my ipod. Very creative post. I’m sure my song would be “Determinate” from the Disney Lemonade Mouth soundtrack which I’ve had to listen to exactly 5,234 times. It would fill my obligation to “the midget” and be very fitting if this out-of-shape, has-been were called to the plate.
I’ve seen something about that Lemonade Mouth on Disney. Must be kickin’. The Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood theme would probably catch the opposition off guard. Going for pure shock value would be fun, too. Thanks for commenting on this.
The Pretenders – Precious