3 Eternal Classic Rock Songs that Show Up Most Often at Sporting Events

When you go to an arena or stadium to see a sporting event, you are almost always assured to hear a certain number of songs. And when it comes to the genre of classic rock, three songs especially show up more than any others.

Here below, we wanted to explore those tunes. A trio of tracks that seem to always pop up, whether people are throwing for touchdowns, dunking on hoops or knocking a ball out of the park. Indeed, these are three eternal classic rock songs that always play at sporting events.

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“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes from Elephant (2003)

The unofficial official song that seemingly has to be played at every big game, this song with its familiar guitar riff doubles as a vocal chant. Tens of thousands of sports fans immediately double as music fans, and when the moment is right and this song is played, they join together in unison for an Oooooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oooooooh vocal performance. In this way, Jack and Meg White will live on forever, as this song isn’t going anywhere thanks to its usefullness in a giant cheering crowd. Sings Jack,

I’m gonna fight ’em off
A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back
They’re gonna rip it off
Takin’ their time right behind my back
And I’m talkin’ to myself at night
Because I can’t forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette

“We Will Rock You” by Queen from News of the World (1977)

Queen could appear on this list twice, actually. Both songs that begin their 1977 LP News of the World are perfect for sports stadiums and the sense of victory they engender. “We Will Rock You” is a promise that one group is about to show another dominance on some playing field. The follow-up, “We Are the Champions,” declares victory and rubs the opponents’ noses in it. Queen knew how to inspire and turn a moment into a romp. And these two competitive tracks show just that. Sings frontman Freddie Mercury,

Buddy you’re a boy make a big noise
Playin’ in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo’ face
You big disgrace
Kickin’ your can all over the place
Singin’

‘We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you’

“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor from Eye of the Tiger (1982)

This track from the group Survivor is famous for appearing in the Rocky III movie. It’s the perfect training montage song as boxer Rocky gets ready for his next big fight. And because of this association, the song, which inspires hard work, continues to show up in sports arenas on the daily. It’s beat, piercing vocals, and subject matter all get the heart racing and someone ready to run through a wall. In a way, it’s at the nexus of sports and song. Sings frontman Dave Bickler,

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive

So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

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Photo by Stephen Lovekin/WireImage