Do the Razorbacks Have Taste? Breaking Down Arkansas Baseball’s Walk-Up Songs
There’s a new king in town. The Arkansas Razorbacks have dethroned the Tennessee Vols and taken the first-ranked spot in the Division One Baseball national top 25. The Razorbacks have absolutely dominated this season and rightfully have their spot at the top of the rankings, but do they sound like winners? Let's check out their walk-up songs.
Already, this team is miles ahead of the Vols. The search for this team’s full roster and walk-up song list was not a hard one. This is a team that knows exactly what a walk-up song means to the crowd. They’ve got their own website just for walk-up songs. Sounds of Baum it’s called and it is perfect. Each player is listed in a baseball card-style graphic. Click on it, and you get to listen to a clip of the song. I’m sold. Let’s break these down.
Tired and Overused:
Kickstart My Heart by Motley Crue and Iron Man by Black Sabbath both have got to be on every single walk-up song rotation in the NCAA. They were on the Vol’s playlist as well. While sure, they’re songs that get a batter pumped up, they’ve been done one too many times before. Razorbacks Steele Eaves with Iron Man and Dylan Carter with Kickstart My Heart, I’m unimpressed. Maybe next year.
Just Boring:
Run This Town by Jay-Z and Rihanna, selected by Aiden Jimenez, the redshirt sophomore pitcher, isn’t a bad pick, but it’s not a good one. It’s just simply okay. Fans know it, which is a plus, but other than that, it doesn’t do much. It’s been done before, and as a pitcher, a walk-up song has to be perfect, especially because fans aren’t hearing it every game.
Sophomore Tate McGuire’s pick has the same energy. Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs has fantastic energy. However, it gets old after a while. He’s lucky he’s a pitcher because it could get underwhelming for fans to hear it game after game. Not super impressed by this pick, there are better songs on the list, for sure.
Another pitcher with an underwhelming pick is Landon Beidelschies. FE!N by Travis Scott and Playboy Carti has the sound of a quality walk-up song. It’s an upbeat song that most college students are going to hear at whatever bar or frat party they’re at. Unfortunately, that’s what makes it so underwhelming. Current popular songs are hard to do well, and this is a perfect example of that.
Almost Good:
Rocco Peppi’s selection of Brick House by the Commodores is teetering on the verge of good and overused. It’s a timeless song that is sure to get the crowd into the game every time. Crowd engagement is one of the most important aspects of a good walk-up song. However, it’s been done before and often. It’s nowhere near as popular as those Metallica and Motley Crue songs that are in every lineup, but it’s close.
Brent Iredale also has a solid pick. Forever by Chris Brown is good but not great. It’s fun, most people know it, and in the mix of all the other walk-up songs, it’s hard to get tired of. It’s also sort of missing something. In the grand scheme of things and in comparison to the other songs on the Razorbacks’ list, it’s pretty damn good.
Paper Planes by M.I.A. is such a fun choice. It’s upbeat, most college students know it, and it’s not one you’ll hear a ton during the season. There are better songs though. It’s just not as exciting as some of the others on the list. Good move by Redshirt sophomore Reese Robinett.
Now This Is a Walk-up Song:
Senior Kendall Diggs has had time to really think about what makes a solid walk-up song. Rap songs are hard to do well. Sometimes, they’re too overdone; sometimes, they’re just bad songs. His choice of Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 by A$AP Rocky is an excellent choice. It sounds great, and it gets the crowd going even if they don’t really know it. For his senior season, Diggs is letting everyone know he’s got taste.
Perfect No Notes:
Any Bon Jovi song that isn’t Living On A Prayer is a fantastic choice. The sophomore left-handed pitcher Colin Fisher has taste. Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi checks all the boxes for a perfect walkup song. It’s not super common; it can excite all kinds of fans in the audience, and it gives us a little look into his personality. Great job, Mr. Fisher, I’m impressed.
The list of perfect songs is not done yet. It’s hard for a freshman to pick the perfect walk-up song during their first year playing college ball. Tag Andrews, however, did it flawlessly. Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen is such a smart pick. It’s a shame he’s on the pitching staff, and it can’t be played every game.
Another freshman with a flawless pick is catcher Zane Becker. Family Affair by Mary J. Blige also checks all the boxes for a perfect walk-up song. If this is what he picks in his rookie season, the stakes are high for his pick next season. Overall, the Razorbacks have a freshman class with impressive taste. They definitely sound like winners.
