It’s a simple but fun tradition. The batter walks to the plate, and the crappy stadium sound system blares AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells.” Or The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” made popular in the movie Major League. Or Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” If you don’t have a walk-up song, it’s time you find one.

If you’ve ever seen a football game at Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium, you’ve experienced this full-participation version of the walk-up song. As a member of Hokie Nation, I’ve embraced the “Enter Sandman” tradition. Even in our living room, my son and I jump when the Hokies take the field. Feel free to pull up the song on Spotify while you read.

The Anatomy of a Great Walk-Up Song

What makes a great walk-up song? Let’s dissect “Enter Sandman” and my walk-up song, U2’s “Desire.” When you’re done listening to “Sandman,” you can cue up “Desire.”

• Killer opening riff. The opening guitar
  riff for “Enter Sandman” is instantly recognizable. It’s more of a slow build
  approach vs. the slam-the-chord-and-let-it-ring intro of “Desire.”
• Driving beat. After a couple of bars of
  the building guitar riff of “Sandman,” the drums crash in giving the crowd the
  beat to jump to. In “Desire,” the drums play the chugging beat made famous by
  Bo Diddley.
• Screaming lyrics. “Say your prayers” makes
  a great threat to the opposing team. By the time James Hetfield screams, “Exit
  light, enter night” to open the chorus, you’re fully pumped up. In “Desire,”
  Bono low-screams, “Yeah!” The simple chorus loudly and incessantly repeats
  “Desire.”
• Meaningful words. Songs pack personal
  meaning and emotion. Songs make us think of our favorite times and favorite
  people. Songs get us through our worst times and help us celebrate our best. As
  “Sandman” proves, meaningful lyrics are not required, but they’re a plus. “Desire”
  reminds me to go after what I want in life.

The Benefits of Music

Among the many ways you can prepare for a big presentation, I
tell my students to play their walk-up song. Let’s look at some of the
benefits:

• Music lowers your stress. In a recent Chapman University study, 25.4% of those surveyed say they fear public speaking, a higher percentage than those who fear heights, snakes, or clowns. Fear releases cortisol, the stress hormone, and music decreases levels of cortisol.
• Music makes you happier. Music boosts dopamine. When you’re happier, you’re more confident and better able to be present for your big presentation.
• Music enhances physical performance. Runners who listen to fast music or slow, motivational music outperform those who listen to calm music or no music. If your natural speaking patterns are low energy, a fast or motivational walk-up song can pump up your energy.

If you still doubt the power of the walk-up song, consider the case of Washington Nationals’ right fielder Gerardo Parra. Suffering from a hitting slump lasting 23 at-bats, Parra changed his walk-up song to “Baby Shark” (his daughter loves the song). With his first “Baby Shark” at-bat, he hit a double that scored the go-ahead run. Later in the game, he hit a home run. Click here for more on the benefits of music.

The Walk-Up Playlist

There’s no need to stop at one walk-up song. Different songs
have different effects on us, so create a playlist of songs that pump you up,
calm you down, help you overcome challenges, make you grateful, and remember
those you love. Here’s a sampling of my playlist:

• “No Surrender,” Bruce Springsteen. Great
  drum opening. In addition to the brilliant lyric, “We learned more from a
  three-minute record, baby than we ever learned in school,” this one helps me
  keep going when I’m feeling defeated.
• “The Whole of the Moon,” The Waterboys.
  This song reminds me that nothing great happens without taking risks. “You
  stretched for the stars, and you know how it feels to reach too high, too far,
  too soon.”
• “Wasted on the Way,” Crosby, Stills, &
  Nash. This song helped me make the leap from my corporate job to my second
  career. “Look round you now. You must go for what you wanted. Look at all my
  friends who did and got what they deserved.”
• “Hammer and a Nail,” Indigo Girls. My
  favorite reminder to get out and help others. “If I have a care in the world, I
  have a gift to bring.”
• “And I Love Her,” The Beatles. As a
  Beatles fan, this was the easy choice for the first dance at my wedding. And I
  have other songs that remind me of all the other people I appreciate in my
  life.
• “Drift Away,” Dobie Gray. I could have
  just used this song to explain the power of music. “And when my mind is free, you know a melody can move me. And
  when I’m feelin’ blue, the guitar’s comin’ through to soothe me.”

If you don’t have a walk-up song, now is the time to figure
it out. Play it on the way to your next big presentation or your next job
interview or your kid’s soccer match. And sing it loud. Leave me a comment with
your walk-up song, and I’ll send you the link to my full Spotify playlist.