17 Top Christian Walk-Up Songs
Baseball appeals to so many different kinds of people, so it makes sense that the choices for players’ walk-up songs come from many musical genres. While many players opt for rock, rap, or country songs, more and more are turning to uplifting songs from Christian music.
The genre has some terrific walk-up songs that can work for any batter as they step to the plate. Messages of hope and encouragement, after all, can only help. Here are the best Christian walk-up songs.
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1. “Gimme Dat” by Ambassador
Song Year: 2005
The Ambassador brings some nice rhyming skills along with a fast-paced and energetic hip-hop sound that makes for a lively atmosphere for players and fans alike.
“Gimme Dat” has a background chorus of voices hyping through the whole thing, and that translates into excitement for the listener. You can almost hear a stadium of fans echoing the “Hey, hey” that runs through the song.
The Cincinnati Reds’ Chris Heisey, an outfielder for the club, has used “Gimme Dat” as a walk-up song in past seasons.
2. “Ignition” by TobyMac
Song Year: 2007
For years, TobyMac has been a fixture in Christian music, combining hip-hop with electronic elements and an uplifting message.
“Ignition’s” high-energy chorus makes it an excellent choice for a walk-up song, as it can create a pumped-up and motivational atmosphere in the stadium. And since “ignition” means setting things on fire, a batter might want to send a message to the pitcher: I’m about to light you up, son.
3. “Game On” by Disciple
Song Year: 2012
If Rage Against the Machine was a Christian band, they’d probably be Disciple. “Game On” carries the same belligerent insistence that things that need to be said must be said immediately, and frontman Kevin Young’s rapid-fire lyrical delivery practically demands that the listener overcome any challenges. Like, this instant.
A bone-crushing guitar riff and direct references in the lyrics to actual sporting events make “Game On” a terrific walk-up song, and the heavy-metal leanings are sure to strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers.
4. “Battle Song” by Lecrae feat. Suzy Rock
Song Year: 2014
There’s a grandiose nature to Christian rapper Lecrae’s delivery. “Battle Song” is no exception, and as the song unfolds, the rapper seems to get more and more riled up.
As a walk-up song, “Battle Song” brings a driving beat and themes of empowerment. The singular focus of Lacrae’s voice can bring motivation to players and fans alike, and just about every player can use some of the encouragement the song’s lyrics impart.
5. “Comatose” by Skillet
Song Year: 2007
Players using “Comatose” won’t want to start the song at the beginning because it kicks off with deceptively lovely and chilled-out strings before giving way to the distorted guitars and thumping drumbeat that characterizes most Skillet songs.
But once the song goes back to sounding like it’s a Skillet song, it rocks pretty hard. Lyrically, players probably don’t want to pay a lot of attention since a comatose batter seems less than useless.
That said, it’s a catchy tune that brings high energy levels to a large group of people, like fans in the stands.
6. “Make War” by Tedashii
Song Year: 2011
Tedashii is intense on “Make War,” and while he’s urging his listeners to pursue spiritual warfare, the vibe can extend well to a batter. After all, you’re heading into battle with the pitcher, right?
The rapper’s delivery drives along with a relentless beat, and “Make War” is the kind of song you could see a whole team bouncing up and down together to. Also, since the lyrics touch on offering encouragement to listeners facing hard times, a player might benefit from a little pump-up.
7. “Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like)” by Grits feat. TobyMac
Song Year: 2002
Grits isn’t the most well-known Christian rap outfit, but “Ooh Ahh (My Life Be Like)” is a solid piece of hip-hop. It’s got a beat you can’t help but bounce to, even if it’s just a little bit, and the positive message about relying on God to help with tough times is one anyone can afford to hear again.
As a walk-up song, that reliance on someone else— like a teammate— can be a vital sentiment for a team.
The song’s cool, and when TobyMac comes in for his guest spot, it’s just icing on the cake.
8. “Revolution” by Kirk Franklin
Song Year: 1998
You may not associate choral music with a walk-up song, baseball, or sports in general. But the choir on Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution” isn’t the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (no disrespect, but that’s a pretty straight-laced choral group). This choir raps over a driving New Jack beat and backs up Kirk Franklin’s insistent call for making things better for everyone.
When the backing vocals stop rapping and sing, they belt out a catchy hook that can unite a stadium full of fans into “oh-oh-oh”-ing as one.
Walking to the plate to this song, any batter with a pulse will feel some power and inspiration coming from the speakers.
9. “Where I Belong” by Building 429
Song Year: 2011
Even though the verses of “Where I Belong” are a little laid-back, the chorus has “singalong” written all over it. And even if a stadium full of fans doesn’t know the words, this song is the rare mid-tempo piece of music that still has some real drive to it.
Building 429 had a number-one hit with “Where I Belong,” so it’s not like it’s a completely unknown song. It can serve to inspire both the athletes and fans at the ballpark.
When left fielder David Murphy played for the Cleveland Indians, he was known to use “Where I Belong” as his walk-up song.
10. “Dang Girl” by Family Force 5
Song Year: 2012
Family Force 5 occupied an unusual niche in Christian music. They cultivated a party-all-the-time persona while still offering positive and uplifting lyrics. But they also and songs that bordered on being silly. If you remember what the Beastie Boys were doing at the beginning of their career in the 1980s, you can get an idea of the Family Force 5 milieu.
So “Dang Girl” isn’t the most well-known song, but it’s got a nearly industrial-sounding guitar line and a forceful beat that can amp up just about anyone. There are slices of punk, rock, and hip-hop in the song, and putting those three together is almost always a recipe for a song that can raise anyone’s adrenaline levels.
