When you’re preparing for a sporting event, or maybe you’re in charge of the music to get the crowd hyped up for a big game, a good song can make all the difference. It can set you up for success, so it’s always handy to have some of the best pump up songs on stand-by.
Here are my Top 12 picks for the top pump up songs to give you a few ideas. So, let’s get started and take a look at the first song.
Top 135 Best Pump Up Songs
1 Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
There are plenty of songs that get your blood pumping from the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. Although some early songs from his time with Black Sabbath may seem a better choice, I think “Crazy Train” is the perfect fit.
So, why is that?
Because the song contains some seriously heavy riffs combined with some of the most powerful singing of Ozzy’s career, additionally, it is coupled with one of the greatest Rock/Metal solos of all time, courtesy of Randy Rhoads.
The lyrics are a commentary on the craziness of the Cold War tensions that were raging at the time between Russia and the West. This kind of insanity is a great headspace to get yourself into before going out and hitting the gym, road, arena, or wherever your sport takes you.
“Crazy Train” was incredibly the very first single Ozzy released after parting ways with Black Sabbath.
What an entry and a way to showcase your talents to the world…
The song was released on Ozzy’s first-ever album, Blizzard of Ozz. It came out in 1980 in the UK and 1981 in the US. The single sold over five million copies, and the album was an even bigger hit chalking up close to 14 million sales.
Enter Randy Rhoads…
It was an incredible start to Ozzy’s career but also a fantastic introduction of Randy Rhoads to the music world. This young man was unquestionably one of the best, if not the best Rock/Metal guitarist of all time.
It wasn’t only his skill and speed that were amazing, but also his feel and musicality. He brought a strong sense of melody to the songs, and his contribution to Metal playing was immense.
Randy Rhoads died in a plane accident at just 25 years old. A tragic loss for his family, friends, and music lovers. We will never forget him.
2 The Trooper by Iron Maiden
This is Iron Maiden’s most commercially successful song. It’s a full-on Rock/Metal single that makes no compromises. It’s fast and hard with incredibly powerful riffs and bassline.
The drums are played by the legendary Nicko McBrain. The vocals feature the beautiful shrieking tenor of Bruce Dickinson. Plus, you get incredible runs and solos from the dual lead guitarists Ban Murray and Adrian Smith.
Frankly, there’s nothing not to like here…
There wasn’t for me, as I bought a copy back in 1983. It was released as a track from the fourth studio album, Piece of Mind. This was an important album in the band’s history as it included Nicko McBrian for the first time.
He brought with him fresh energy, intensity, and a new way of playing. His galloping style fit perfectly with the band and seemed to be tailor-made for this specific song.
“The Trooper” and also the album sold spectacularly well. The album became their second biggest seller after The Number of The Beast. This was the previous album which was released a year earlier and sold close to 20 million copies.
A battle song…
One that deals with the theme of the battles during the Crimean War. As a battle song, it feels highly appropriate to get the adrenaline pumping in readiness for some serious combat.
If you haven’t seen Iron Maiden live, they’re well worth listening to, and happily, “The Trooper” is an ever-present song on their setlist. Take a watch and listen to give yourself that extra piece of inspiration from one of the best pump up songs ever.
3 Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
This is a fantastic, uplifting song to pump you up. Most of you will probably associate this song with those kids from Glee. The likelihood is that most of you won’t even know that the original version was written and performed by those guys from Journey.
It was released in 1981 before Glee got hold of it a couple of decades later. Journey’s version sold better than the later recording. Not what I’d have expected, given the coverage for the hit TV series.
The figures for the 1981 song show that it sold over four million copies compared to two million copies for Glee’s interpretation. Both charted well in the US and UK, so they could equally be deemed commercial successes.
Those figures look impressive…
But, when you see the numbers for Journey’s album, Escape, from which the single was taken, they’re crazy. Escape sold over ten million copies in the US alone and naturally also went to #1.
I honestly like both the original and the cover. I find them both motivating workout songs in different ways. And, I’m pleased that the guitar solo, though a little more muted, remained in Glee’s effort.
It was one of the first Rock solos I learned, so I have a special affection for it. It’s a great song, and you should never stop believing.
4 Rock You Like a Hurricane by The Scorpions
The Scorpions are a superb Rock band with a history and back catalog stretching decades. I love their high-tempo music played with an ever-present solid bassline accompanied by heavy riffs and amazing guitar solos.
Of course, I should also mention the incredible high-reaching and piercing, almost flawless vocals of Klaus, the lead singer and frontman.
To be able to sing so well…
And, with such emotion and expression is truly rare. The fact that he can do this in English, even though he’s German, is remarkable. Honestly, his English accent is so good that it was years before I even knew he wasn’t from the UK or the US.
“Rock You Like a Hurricane” is the Scorpions at their best and gives you all the good stuff that I’ve come to love about them. Lyrically, it’s essentially about a sexual encounter, as you probably guessed. But don’t let that prevent you from channeling your inner strength.
The song was released as part of the album Love at First Sting in 1984. Considering the band was fairly well-established at this time, the sales were a little lackluster. The best market was in the UK, and surprisingly, not Germany, where a rather modest 200,000 copies were sold.
However, the album enjoyed sales of over four million…
It is a great song and a great band. If this is your kind of thing, I’d also recommend taking a listen to “Send Me an Angel” and “Holiday.” Alternatively, you could watch and listen to them live on video as they’re always entertaining.
5 Survivor by Destiny’s Child
This is a song that’s sure to get you motivated. It was written as a collaborative effort between Beyonce, her father, and Anthony Dent. I think it was one of Destiny’s Childs’s strongest songs and was an indication of what we could expect from Beyonce in the future.
The song’s theme…
Not surprisingly, it centers around survival and plays well as a motivational tool. The lyrics can be translated in several ways but lend themselves to surviving in a sporting sense.
“Survivor” was released in 2000 and reached #1 in the US and the UK. It sold a million copies in the US and almost the same in the UK. An impressive achievement, given the much smaller size of the UK.
The single was taken from the album of the same name. The album enjoyed even more success. It not only reached top spots on both sides of the Atlantic but also sold over ten million copies worldwide.
Surviving and thriving…
“Survivor” is a high-intensity Pop song fused with R&B. It’s got some wonderful harmonies, and the chorus is catchy beyond belief, which no doubt has a lot to do with its phenomenal success. Sport is all about surviving, so as you listen to this, tune in and focus on your inner survivor.
6 Eye of The Tiger by Survivor
This could well be the best pump up song of all time. For those of you that don’t know, “Eye of the Tiger” was the main song featured in the hit movie “Rocky III.”
A quick summary…
The Rocky film series was based around Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, who was a journeyman heavyweight boxer. Unexpectedly, he was given a title shot as a huge underdog when the initial contender had to pull out due to injury.
By the time we reach “Rocky III,” Rocky Balboa has already taken the title and is the established heavyweight champion. If you want to watch the movie for some great entertainment and to get a feel of the song, it’s well worth watching “Rocky” and “Rocky II” first.
They might be old movies, but they’re honestly worth watching, and you also get the bonus of seeing Sylvester Stallone in his prime.
Back to “Eye of the Tiger”…
Although there’s some great music throughout the Rocky franchise, this is seen by many as the de-facto anthem for all of the movies. It’s an amazing piece of music with a powerful beat, heavy riffs, and a catchy melody that feels relevant to the storyline.
It was released in 1982 and quickly got to #1 in the US and the UK. It went double-platinum in the US and triple-platinum in the UK, with sales exceeding four million copies worldwide. So, yeah, it’s one of the best pump up songs you’ll ever hear.
7 Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses are a Rock band that plays most of its songs hard and fast. They have a huge back catalog of great songs to choose from. I eventually decided on “Welcome to the Jungle” as I feel it’s the most uplifting and best fits pre-workout or pre-game listening.
“Welcome to the Jungle” was taken from the album, Appetite for Destruction. They were both released in 1987. The single has become an absolute Rock classic, though it’s a long way from being their best-selling single. In contrast, the sales for the album were crazy.
How crazy were they?
It sold 18 million copies and went 18 times platinum. That’s incredible, but these figures are just for the US. Worldwide it sold over 30 million copies and set Guns N’ Roses on the way to being one of the most commercially successful bands of all time.
Almost every Guns N’ Roses song features high-energy Hard Rock with amazing guitar solos and screeching vocals. If you don’t like this one, though I’m not sure why you wouldn’t, there are a wealth of riches to choose from.
A good place to look for some alternative or additional Guns N’ Roses music would be on either of the albums, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. Both, in a stroke of marketing genius, were released in 1991. And both contain pure Rock genius.
8 Thunderstruck by AC/DC
We’re moving from one high-energy band to another. When it comes to energetic recordings and performances, there’s honestly very little to choose between them. However, if you want to see one of the greatest music videos of all time, take a look at “Thunderstruck.”
The song was released in 1990 on the album Razors Edge. The single reached #5 in the US, and the album reached #2. The album went five times platinum in the US, and that video I was talking about has currently over a billion views and counting. Bonkers!
“Thunderstruck” holds no punches. It’s a hard-hitting, fast song with tons of incredible, super quick guitar riffs and amazing guitar playing. Additionally, it comes with the unique powerhouse vocals from Brian Johnson.
By the time you’ve finished listening to this…
You’ll be fired up and ready to get started for sure. AC/DC has a great selection of similar tracks. So, if you like what you hear, I’d recommend listening to “Highway to Hell” or “Hells Bells.”
Alternatively, you could watch and listen to them “Live at River Plate” to see and hear them at their very best.
9 Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
Daft Punk originates from France and brings with them its special blend of Pop, Funk, and Disco. This all fuses beautifully to create a unique sounding House/EDM (Electronic Dance Music) sound with a French twist.
“Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” was released In 2001 from the album, Discovery. The single had the most success in the UK and Europe. This is kind of to be expected. It sold best of all in the UK, going Gold and selling over 400,000 copies.
The song has a strong electro beat and makes use of drum machines and synthesizers. The vocals are also heavily auto-tuned, which gives the whole track even more of an electronic feel.
There are plenty of songs that are harder and more powerful…
However, the strength of this song is in the lyrics. Take a quick listen, and you’ll see what I mean. They feel like something from a motivational speaker, so they should be more than enough to fire you up.
An alternative to “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” is their smash hit, “One More Time,” which was released a year earlier in 2000. Although the electrics are not as appropriate, the music is more upbeat and more EDM-focused.
Either way, they’re both great songs and also a good choice because of the lighthearted fun factor that Daft Punk brings to their music. It’s great to be pumped up before a big game or event, but being able to smile and relax can also do a lot to help improve performance.
10 Titanium By David Guetta and Sia
This is a huge track and another offering from the world of EDM. There’s no doubt that this is one of the biggest and most successful pieces of EDM.
How successful, you ask?
It was released in 2011 and was a chart hit in the UK and US, reaching #1 and #3, respectively. That’s pretty good, but it also went on to sell a monstrous five million copies. For something coming from the world of House and EDM, it is pretty much unheard of and speaks volumes for the quality of the song.
So, why was “Titanium” so successful?
Because the song managed to cross over from the cubs and into the mainstream. It did this by combining the usual hard and fast beat you’d typically hear in the clubs with some catchy melodies and killer singing from Sia.
The song came from the album, Nothing but the Beat, which was also released in 2011. The album, like the single, was critically acclaimed by many and also enjoyed strong record sales of around five million.
Nearly any of the tracks from the album could be substituted for “Titanium” as part of your best pump up songs playlist. The song and album are great introductions to the world of EDM. And the fact is that EDM contains a wealth of musical riches to accompany any sporting event or moment.
11 Heroes by David Bowie
David Bowie was one of the most talented and popular artists of all time. He sold a hundred million records during his career. He also influenced countless musicians through his unique and ever-changing experimental style.
One of his finest songs…
It was released in1977 and was taken from the album of the same name. The single went to #136 in the US and #24 in the UK. For such an iconic song, these figures seem ridiculous. The single was re-released after his death in 2016 and went to #11 and #12, respectively.
The album also fared surprisingly poorly and didn’t even make a million sales. I find that almost incomprehensible considering the strength of the music. I did my bit and bought a copy a couple of years after its release, but clearly in vain.
A truly inspiring song…
The song is about two lovers living in very different circumstances. One living in East and the other in West Berlin before the wall was brought down. They lived in constant fear as they tried to sustain a relationship.
“Heroes” examines the ability of people to overcome extreme hardship and difficulty to achieve their goals. It’s a great love song and a great analogy for confronting the difficulties we face regardless of where they originate.
12 We Are The Champions by Queen
This is one of the most recognized pump up songs, or should I say anthems, played in sports arenas around the world. Hardly surprising as it holds the perfect combination of intense Rock music and lyrics that seem tailor-made for a sporting event.
The song isn’t all power playing and guitar solos, though. There’s a lot more to the song than that. The piano introduction, frequent changes in tempo, and dynamic feel make it much more complicated.
These changes and subtleties make it all the more powerful when the crescendos to the chorus appear. And boy, oh boy, what a chorus. It’s probably one of the most recognizable of any song in its genre.
Fighting till the end…
“We Are The Champions” was released in 1977, the same year as the album it featured on, News of The World. Sales for both were spectacular. The single sold over six million copies, and the album sold in similar numbers.
This all helped Queen to become the second most successful band of all time, with only The Beatles selling more records. That’s some achievement. And, given the current digital consumption of music, it’s unlikely to be bettered.
If you like the single, you should check out one of the Queen’s live concerts. “We Are The Champions,” I believe, is the ultimate pump-up song and deserves to round up my list.
13Lose Yourself by Eminem
14Raise Your Glass by P!nk
15Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton
16All I Do is Win by DJ Khaled
17Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
18Don’t Stop the Music by Rihanna
19Pump It by The Black Eyed Peas
20Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
21Happy by Pharrell Williams
22Levels by Avicii
23Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen
24Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
25Feel So Close by Calvin Harris
26Turn Down for What by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
27Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
28This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan
29Yeah! by Usher ft. Lil Jon, Ludacris
30We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
31Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
32Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
33Push It by Salt-N-Pepa
34Stronger by Kanye West
35Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira ft. Freshlyground
36Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down by Fall Out Boy
37SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
38I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston
39Get Lucky by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
40Mr. Brightside by The Killers
41Break Free by Ariana Grande ft. Zedd
42Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
43Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
44The Final Countdown by Europe
45Good Feeling by Flo Rida
46Burnin’ Up by Jonas Brothers
47Bang Bang by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
48Wake Me Up by Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc
49Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
50All Star by Smash Mouth
More 85 Best Pump Up Songs
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- Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
- Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
- Take On Me by a-ha
- California Gurls by Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg
- When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls
- Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida ft. David Guetta
- The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
- Rock This Town by Stray Cats
- I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
- Waving Flag by K’naan
- Jump by Van Halen
- Turn Me On by David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj
- Don’t You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia ft. John Martin
- Pumpin’ Blood by NONONO
- Dark Horse by Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
- Dynamite by Taio Cruz
- Club Foot by Kasabian
- Electric Feel by MGMT
- Counting Stars by OneRepublic
- Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
- The Man by Aloe Blacc
- Royals by Lorde
- Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi ft. MGMT & Ratatat
- Fight for Your Right by Beastie Boys
- Fancy by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
- Shots by LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
- Body Movin’ by Beastie Boys
- Animals by Martin Garrix
- The Way You Move by OutKast ft. Sleepy Brown
- I Gotta Feeling / Pump It Mashup by The Black Eyed Peas
- I Like It by Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
- Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria
- No Scrubs by TLC
- Whoomp! (There It Is) by Tag Team
- Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze
- Bad Guy by Billie Eilish
- Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
- Live Your Life by T.I. ft. Rihanna
- Push It to the Limit by Paul Engemann
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
- Do My Thang by Miley Cyrus
- Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith
- Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down
- Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
- Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars
- Beautiful Day by Michael Bublé
- Crank That (Soulja Boy) by Soulja Boy Tell’em
- Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-A-Lot
- Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff by Deadmau5 ft. Rob Swire
- E.T. by Katy Perry ft. Kanye West
- Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams ft. Miley Cyrus
- Candyman by Christina Aguilera
- Supermassive Black Hole by Muse
- Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eiffel 65
- Love Shack by The B-52’s
- Treasure by Bruno Mars
- Walk This Way by Run-DMC ft. Aerosmith
- Somebody Told Me by The Killers
- Sing by Ed Sheeran
- Respect by Aretha Franklin
- Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
- Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar
- It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
- We Like to Party! (The Vengabus) by Vengaboys
- S&M by Rihanna
- Body Language by Jesse McCartney
- Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
- Unstoppable by Sia
- Let’s Get It Started by The Black Eyed Peas
- Can’t Stop the Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
- Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode
- Santeria by Sublime
- Run the Jewels by Legend Has It
- The Chain by Fleetwood Mac
- In the End by Linkin Park
- Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
- Paradise by Coldplay
- Firework by Katy Perry
- Holiday by Green Day
- Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic
- Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley & The Wailers
- Viva la Vida by Coldplay
- Celebration by Kool & The Gang
- Hey Ya! by OutKast
- Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy
Need More Music to Get Your Blood Flowing?
Well, take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Workout Songs, the Best Songs about Fighting, the Best Songs About Fire, the Best Songs About Thunder and Lightning, the Best Songs About Revenge, and the Best Songs About Not Giving Up for more inspiring song selections.
Best Pump Up Songs – Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed my choices, and hopefully, some of your favorite pump it up songs were included. If not, then apologies. But, with so many songs to choose from, it was hard to select so few. Good luck with your next sporting endeavors.
Until next time, happy listening.
