Friday FunDay: 5 of the Best Pump-Up Jams for Swimmers

Friday FunDay: 5 of the Best Pump-Up Jams for Swimmers

Music can work wonders for athletes. From inspirational lyrics to adrenaline-pumping beats, a good song can put you in the right mindset for swimming. It can get you through the toughest of workouts, as well as get you ready for your championship race. To help you discover your favorite pump-up jam, here are a few recommendations.

“Enter Sandman” by Metallica

Released in 1991, “Enter Sandman” is one of the most popular pump-up songs of all time. With an instantly recognizable first beat and a beat drop sure to get your blood flowing, the song is a clear favorite when it comes to getting people hyped up. Perhaps the most popular current use of the song is by Virginia Tech at its football games. It is a Hokie staple that the football team runs out to a crowd jumping up and down to Metallica’s famed anthem. For a swimmer looking for a great walk-up song or ready room jam, “Enter Sandman” is one of the best options.

“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses

With yet another discernible intro, “Welcome to the Jungle” is a classic when it comes to pump-up songs. Whether it’s the loud guitar riffs, Axl Rose’s prominent voice, or the bongo drum solo, there’s something in this song for everyone. With the song’s album literally being titled “Appetite for Destruction”, there’s few better options to get a swimmer ready to destroy the competition. “Welcome to the Jungle” is the perfect dish of high-velocity rock n’ roll for any swimmer looking to get ready to race.

“Song 2” by Blur

WOO HOO! It’s unlikely that someone has never heard “Song 2”. The song opens with a soft guitar riff and blasts off into a heavy metal lover’s paradise. Those who prefer quiet music should beware of this jam, as it’s not for the faint of heart. This song has all the ingredients of a classic heavy metal song: very loud guitars, booming drums, and lots of yelling. But, if you’re ready for it, “Song 2” will get you into a fast-paced mindset and prepare you to succeed at practice or in a meet.

“Back in Black” by AC/DC

Leaving AC/DC off of this list was out of the question. However, choosing the right song to feature was challenging. AC/DC has a full slate of pump-up songs, including “Thunderstruck,” “Shoot to Thrill,” and “It’s a Long Way to the Top.” However, “Back in Black” takes the cake on this list. For the swimmer returning after a break, this song is perfect. It is the ideal anthem for any swimmer looking to make a statement upon their entrance back into the sport.

“Till I Collapse” by Eminem ft. Nate Dogg

A list of pump-up songs for swimmers wouldn’t be complete without Michael Phelps’ favorite. The legendary swimmer has said multiple times that “Till I Collapse” is one of his favorite songs to listen to before every race. Perhaps the best part of this song is the lyrics. They describe rising up when you feel like falling, and succeeding when everyone believes you will fail. An example of this is in the beginning of this song, when Eminem says:

Cause sometimes you just feel tired, you feel weak

And when you feel weak you feel like you want to just give up

But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength

And just pull that sh** out of you and get that motivation to not give up.

For the swimmer that doesn’t believe in themselves, or even feels like giving up altogether, “Till I Collapse” is the pump-up song for you.

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