The future of music

30 Best Walkout Songs (Badass Entrance Songs)

November 3, 2023
Best walkout songs

Looking to make a big entrance?

I’ve compiled my favourite walkout songs to get you pumped up right before stepping into the spotlight.

This ultimate playlist of hype tunes will have you feeling unstoppable and ready to take on anything.

Top picks of walkout songs

  • “Seven Nation Army” – The White Stripes
  • “Eye Of The Tiger” – Survivor
  • “Lose Yourself” – Eminem
  • “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
  • “Don’t Look Back” – Boston
  • “I Wanna Rock” – Twisted Sister
  • “Way Down We Go” – Kaleo
  • “The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers
  • “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
  • “Paranoid” – Black Sabbath

1. “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes

This has to go down as one of the greatest walkout songs of all time, with the power to improve anyone’s mental strength. 

A catchy bass introduces the inspiring song as Jacky White sings about mental strength and resilience.

The complementary elements are simple, including the drums, strong vocals, and guitar.

This entrance song was so good it became Russia’s 2018 Fifa World Cup anthem. 

2. “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor

Every individual has a desired playlist of the songs they genuinely love.

But a song quickly becomes an anthem if it can get everyone on their feet and crowds singing along to the energizing lyrics. 

That’s the same for Survivor’s chart-topping 1982 hard rock anthem.

Eye Of The Tiger” is a song about fighting to keep every dream alive.

The protagonist is a professional boxer doing everything to achieve the right state of mind before a big match.

It’s precisely what you need to mark your grand entry onto the stage.

Don’t forget to pin this playlist for later!

A playlist of the 30 best walkout songs.

3. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

There have been memorable anthems played at major sporting events.

But only a few match Eminem’s 2002 hip-hop song. 

Eminem’s inspirational song details B-Rabbit’s (the rapper’s character in 8 Mile) struggles to succeed against all odds.

The lyrics motivate everyone to seize opportunities and become their best version.

4. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

The Fab Four’s song gives everyone a shoulder to lean on when the going gets tough. 

It is a comforting song that calms the nerves before a major event. 

And as an entrance song, it brings much-needed tranquility before facing your fears. 

Paul McCartney’s voice spreads a message of positivity, encouraging you to pursue your goals to find true happiness. 

5. “Don’t Look Back” by Boston

Now, this one is for classic rock lovers.

“Don’t Look Back” is a great tune about not regretting your mistakes.

To move forward, you have to let go of your past.

And that’s precisely what the American rock band preaches in their 1978 pop song.

6. “I Wanna Rock” by Twisted Sister

Even though many people assume this song is about a desire to play rock music, the lyrics are open to anyone’s interpretation. 

Think of “rocking” as a passion for pursuing what makes you happy without letting life’s obstacles bring you down. 

7. “Way Down We Go” by Kaleo

Kaleo is probably the least common name in this list.

But the band’s chart-topping 2015 blues rock song is not dispensable. 

The lyrics emphasize the “you get what you give” mantra and resonate with many people’s feelings about life.

8. “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers

You’ve heard it before. 

Probably memorized the lyrics. 

But did you know that Kenny Roger’s iconic hit is also one of the best entrance songs?

The clarity of the song’s lyrics makes it a perfect walkout song, as Rogers (Should we call him Sir. Kenny?) breaks down the secrets to winning. 

As Kenny puts it, you must know “when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, when to run, and when to walk away.”

The song recognizes that every situation in life can be bad or good depending on our reaction. 

Ultimately, the trick to winning is choosing your battles carefully. 

9. “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is a 1970s band famed for contributing to the heavy rock genre. 

But their “Whole Lotta Love” shows their diversity. 

The song isn’t poetic, but Robert Plant isn’t hiding his admiration for this one girl. 

He makes it known that he’s ready to do whatever it takes to be with her.

And that’s where the explicit lyrics come in. 

10. “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

The guitar and bass lines in Black Sabbath’s heavy metal song make it one of the best walkout songs of all time. 

The protagonist is a paranoid man who can’t differentiate paranoia from depression because of his drug addiction. 

And that made for a beautiful storyline. 

“Paranoid” reached #4 on the UK singles chart and is one of Black Sabbath’s most popular songs. 

11. “Bulls On Parade” by Rage Against The Machine

Bulls On Parade” is the perfect song to instill the fighting mentality when walking to the stage. 

Rage Against The Machine sings about not letting anyone control you and fighting for what you believe is right. 

12. “Independent Woman Pt. 1” by Destiny’s Child

Beyoncé was part of Destiny’s Child before she launched a solo career in 2003.

As part of the group, they released what has since become one of the best walkout songs of all time.

The female empowerment anthem is about being self-reliant. 

And Beyoncé composed it, convinced she didn’t need a man.

Destiny’s Child released this song as a trio after Farrah Franklin quit the group in 2000, leaving behind Beyoncé, Michelle Williams, and Kelly Rowland. 

13. “Break My Stride” by Mathew Wilder 

The beauty of never giving up is that you win in the end.

And Mathew Wilder’s song is about pushing on in the face of obstacles. 

The narrator talks about a romantic interest who’s broken his heart.

The addressee feels like the singer is “breaking her stride,” probably referencing the man holding her back.

But even in the face of adversity, Mathew won’t allow the broken relationship to lower his self-esteem. 

The song’s hidden meaning targeted Clive Davis, the founder of Arista Records, who had a long-standing feud with Wilder. 

14. “Superwoman” by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys’ girl anthem is about pushing on to achieve your dreams.

“Superwoman” connected deeply with women and gave them a platform to find their inner strength.

The incredible beats give it a captivating appeal. 

And the strong message gives you the power to try harder to reach your goals. 

15. “If You Wanna Get To Heaven” by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils

“If you want a drink of water/you got to get it from a well.”

This song’s powerful message resonates with every listener.

If you want to rise to the top, you have to endure the tough times. 

And if you want something like Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” this is the one. 

16. “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen

This is easily on everyone’s playlist of the best walkout songs.

Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust” has a bass groove to match the powerful message. 

And Freddy Mercury’s magical voice is to die for.

This one instantly springs to mind when discussing the best walkout songs that hit the right spot. 

17. “Beautiful Loser” by Bob Seger

Bob Seger gives us a new perspective on the underachievers who never fulfill their potential.

If you want to rise to the top, you must accept that you will encounter some obstacles.

And sometimes, you might even lose the battle. 

But self-acceptance and the right mentality will always open new doors. 

That’s the affirmation you need when setting foot on the stage. 

See Also: Best Bob Seger Songs

18. “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones

This should be obvious to everyone.

The journey to success begins with self-acceptance.

And the earlier you accept that things won’t always go your way, the easier it becomes to build a winning mentality. 

It doesn’t matter how many times you fall as long as you keep trying. 

The song also reminds us of the endless struggle to find happiness because of our insatiable nature.

19. “Take Control” by Kodaline

What’s the best way to change the world?

By changing yourself first.

Kodaline’s song is one of the newest walkout songs on this list. 

And even though some have argued it isn’t wild enough to keep the crowd going, it still gets the job done.

20. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” is about change, fear, and life’s challenges.

A landslide is deadly, and the singer compares life to this phenomenon when discussing life’s obstacles. 

The protagonist’s biggest fear is breaking up with a loved one. 

But the narrator also reminds us that we must accept change to attract better opportunities.

21. “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin

Another classic rock song that’s an instant energizer when you need it the most.

The blend of drum leads and strong guitar makes it one of the best entrance songs.

Rambling on in this context translates to pushing on in the face of obstacles and never giving up, no matter how hard it gets. 

22. “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas

Kansas always comes to mind every time someone mentions progressive rock music. 

And that’s because of the band’s unrivaled legacy in this music genre. 

Their 1976 hit, “Carry On My Wayward Son,” is about seeing beyond the hardships.

When the going gets tough, you become even tougher. 

And that’s how you turn the challenging times into beautiful moments. 

23. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

Like most walkout songs, Gloria Gaynor’s disco hit reminds everyone to keep pushing no matter the circumstances.

It emphasizes the need to push on regardless of what life throws at you. 

Occasional bad days are part of the journey and shouldn’t define your life. 

24. “These Boots Are Made For Walking” by Nancy Sinatra

Nancy Sinatra’s hit is often considered one of the best breakup songs.

But the strong message about moving on makes it a perfect entrance song. 

The song tells the tale of a frustrated lover. 

Of course, moving on hurts. 

And her first step towards a new life is self-acceptance. 

Nancy Sinatra’s song topped the UK Singles and US Billboard Hot 100 charts. 

25. “Top Yourself” by The Raconteurs

This is probably the least popular rock song on this list from a massively underrated American rock band.

The Raconteurs’ hit gives hope to the hopeless, encouraging them to keep going even when all looks lost. 

26. “Partition” by Beyonce 

Queen Bey’s songs are all outstanding. 

And we can’t help ourselves from including another masterpiece by the American singer on this list. 

In this one, Beyoncé opts for operatic tones, grabbing the attention of global pop lovers.

We won’t call it Beyoncé’s signature song.

But it is one of the best entrance songs for anyone. 

And for an artist who ruled the airwaves for years, it’s only fair to admire Beyoncé’s creativity and longevity when we can. 

27. “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC

Give it to AC/DC for always coming up with catchy song titles every time they get into the studio. 

“Thunderstruck” is a song many people would easily relate to because of the feel-good vibes about a pleasant surprise.

The powerful lyrics capture everyone’s attention. 

And that’s probably the only reason to include it in the list of badass entrance songs. 

28. “All Of The Lights” by Kanye West

“All Of The Lights” is a Kanye West song that perfectly suits any walkout. 

It’s iconic, just like most of Kanye West’s hits. 

The fact that it has remained relevant amongst hip-hop lovers says everything about its composition. 

Oh! And it was an international success, winning Grammy Awards for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song in 2012. 

29. “Come As You Are” by Nirvana

“Come As You Are” finds the American rock band members crooning about mental health. 

Everybody agrees that this isn’t Nirvana’s signature song. 

But it gets the job done whenever the crowd wants to live in the moment. 

30. “Blow The Whistle” by Too Short

Okay. 

It’s time to finish with a strong message. 

And that means a Too Short masterpiece to complete our list.

“Blow The Whistle” is a perfect example of a walk-out song packed with a hidden message. 

The singer discusses men’s sexual desires and why they should openly address them.

It might not be everybody’s favorite walk-out song, but you can’t ignore the beats.

Let’s just call it a badass entrance song that puts you in the mood. 

Best Walkout Songs – Final Thoughts

Whether a sporting event or an interview, the choice of music can either make or break the occasion. 

A great entrance song doesn’t have to be too intimidating to the crowd or the opponent. 

But it should put you in the right frame of mind and give you the much-needed advantage before a major event.

The 30 best walkout songs on this list get the job done. 

Hopefully, one or a couple of them will put you in the mood for your next major entrance. 

One last rule; don’t panic. 

Just play some good music and build your confidence like the unshakable hero you truly are. 

Related Articles:

Best Baseball Walk-Up Songs

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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