A great deal of media attention has been paid on National Football League players kneeling during the National Anthem. Without getting involved in the debate about protests by professional football players, the reality is that music has long played a role in NFL games. There are the songs that have been game day anthems in stadiums across the United States:
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions – Queen
One of the most popular groups on the 1970’s music seen was Queen. In fact, the music of this legendary group remains highly popular today. We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions is widely played at NFL games from coast-to-coast in the U.S.A. This blend of what really is two songs serves as both a means of getting the crowd amped up and a means of celebrating victory. In so many ways, it is and will remain a perfect anthem for professional football in the United States.
Are You Ready for Some Football? – Hank Williams, Jr.
Many people profess to be annoyed by Are You Ready for Some Football. However, since its introduction into the NFL arena on Monday Night Football back in 1989, this anthem remains a call to action in stadiums everywhere in the United States. Countless people consider this song to be as representative of America as is football itself.
Who Let The Dogs Out? – Baha Men
Perhaps this is yet another song bears an annoyance factor for at least some people, some times. Nonetheless, Who Let the Dogs Out? is one of the most popular tunes played at professional football, college football, and even high school football games in the United States. The song features a repeated phrase that easily is turned into a anthem that can fit just about any situation in a football game perfectly.
Super Bowl Shuffle – 1985 Chicago Bears
Although the product of the 1985 Chicago Bears, the Super Bowl Shuffle has had a more ubiquitous appeal. And, it is still around. In many ways, this rap is said to capture the feeling of camaraderie and sportsmanship that is an ideal of professional football. As an aside, this song was nominated for a Grammy.
Whoop There It Is – Tag Team
Whoop There It Is has truly become an American football anthem. Time and again in stadiums across the United States, this fist waving song can be heard. Without exception, every time Whoop There It Is is played during a football game, the crowd gets to its feet and shouts along with the lyrics.
Hells Bells, Back In Black, TNT – AC/DC
A trio of songs attributed to rockers AC/DC remains staples of NFL football games in the 21st Century. These hard rock classics power up a crowd at football games from coast-to-coast with regularity.
Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hey! – Gary Glitter
Although, Gary Glitter has been described in his home country of the United Kingdom, and although he sits in prison serving a 16-year sentence after being convicted of child sex crimes, his song Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hey! does remain popular at NFL football games. The original song was 15 minutes long. Currently, two 3-minute excerpts are played regularly during NFL games.
Football Rap – LL Cool J
First featured in the film 1986 film Wildcats, starring Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, and Goldie Hawn, the song has become yet another NFL anthem. This represents one of the early songs in the career of LL Cool J.
Must Be The Money – Deion Sanders
Some say Must Be The Money is more about a professional football player’s bank account than anything else. In fact, Must Be The Money consistently has been a crowd favorite at NFL football games in stadiums everywhere. The song is described as containing “pure, egotistical bravado,” which fits the NFL football scene in many ways.
Enter The Sandman – Metallica
Enter The Sandman is another hard rocking anthem ideal for NFL football games. The song is said to contain an ideal blend of grit and surge, perfect for NFL games. Oftentimes, this song is said to be perfect for gridiron confrontation.
The expectation is that these songs will continue to be heard at NFL games across the country. With that said, with regularity, new songs or anthems garner the attention of football fans everywhere. Thus, this list will change and adjust as time goes on. Specifically, the list will grow, rather than current songs on the list being replaced by newer anthems.
Jessica Kane is a writer for SoundStage Direct, the number one online source for the best vinyl records and turntables.
