OPINION

Best Baseball Songs

Written by JM Jordan
Published May 10, 2007

There is nothing that says summer like baseball. The summer time sport of the ages, baseball is a game people flock to during the months of June, July, and August. Sitting in the sun, eating a hot dog, drinking a beer, and watching the boys of summer is a great way to spend an afternoon.

But it isn't just summer and baseball that go together; through innings of the past, baseball and song have always gone together as well. Not only does nearly every American know the words to "Take me out to the Ballgame," but all sorts of other music have been as much a part of the game as a box of cracker jacks. Over the years, several songs have been written directly about baseball or using baseball as a metaphor for life. The following is our list of the best baseball songs, those that belong at the top of the order.

The Boys are Back in Town: This song may not have been written about baseball, or even be about baseball, but hearing that the boys are back in town, makes so many of us think they are back with their gloves and bat. A single from the band Thin Lizzy, this song dates all the way back to 1976. Serving in more than one sports role, "The Boys Are Back in Town" is often played after football matches in the Republic of Ireland. A song that nearly everyone seems to know, it made the list of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Centerfield: This 1985 hit was among the most popular songs John Fogerty released after leaving Creedence Clearwater Revival. "Centerfield" is a song purely about a man who really wants his coach to put him in, for he is ready to play. A song that pays homage to baseball greats of yore - Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio - as well as Chuck Berry and Ernest Thayer, a writer who wrote Casey at Bat, a poem about baseball, this song talks about moments in the sun and giving the game a ride. Over two decades old, it still plays frequently in many major league ballparks.

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Jennifer Jordan is an editor and staff writer for http://www.phdrinkingwater.com . A fitness buff, she simply could not live without consuming a lot of water everyday. Yes, she prefers water even to wine.
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Best Baseball Songs
Published: May 10, 2007
Type: Opinion
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Lists, Sports: Baseball
Writer: JM Jordan
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#1 — May 10, 2007 @ 07:29AM — Tim Jarrett [URL]

For the other end of the season, I always liked Paul Simon's "Night Game." Completely different perspective on sports, an elegant meditation on mortality.

#2 — May 10, 2007 @ 10:25AM — JC Mosquito

There was an artist nmaed "Bruce Springstone" that had "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" b/w Meet the Flintstones" done a la E Street style. Makes you wonder just where Danny Federici learned his Hammond organ licks.

#3 — May 14, 2007 @ 21:29PM — Dennis jackson

how bout Make Noise by Five Stone - it's a song i've heard in hockey - would be good for baseball games as well.

#4 — May 15, 2007 @ 12:31PM — Jon

How about Don Henley - Boys of Summer

#5 — May 15, 2007 @ 23:30PM — richie

Don Henley said "Boys of Summer" is NOT about baseball so maybe it doesn't apply in this discussion.

#6 — May 16, 2007 @ 01:06AM — JC Mosquito

Yeah, but "Boys of Summer" (cowritten with Mike Campbell) is one darn fine song.

#7 — May 18, 2007 @ 14:41PM — baseball nut

BTO's "Taking care of buisness" is the best baseball song without a doubt.

#8 — May 20, 2007 @ 18:26PM — Geoff

"Tessie" by dropkick murphys is a damn good song about the red sox

#9 — July 16, 2007 @ 22:13PM — Victor

The best baseball song has gotta be Alabama- Cheap seats.

#10 — August 7, 2007 @ 19:22PM — brandon

I have to agree with Geoff, I'm not even a red sox fan and tessie is a great song

#11 — October 20, 2007 @ 00:43AM — Charlie O'Neill [URL]

I have an original song about baseball, It is called 'The Slump'. You can listen to it at my site; clink on 'Homegrown Original Music',
Then select 'The Slump' You will also find notes and chords for the tune. Thanks, hope you like it, it was fun to write.

Thanks,
Charlie O'Neill

#12 — November 3, 2007 @ 23:04PM — Amy

I did a baseball video to Boston's Smokin'. It turned out good.

#13 — January 10, 2008 @ 22:19PM — greg

you can't have this list without adding "cheap seats" by alabama. it is all about how they go and root for their minor league team. check it out

#14 — February 5, 2008 @ 11:36AM — KWE

"Talkin' Baseball" by Terry Cashman.

#15 — February 18, 2008 @ 20:15PM — MC

No 'Cheap Seats' by Alabama? I'm crushed. I've spent all five years of my post-collegiate life working in baseball and hear that song at least 50 times per summer, but it still gives me the chills every time.

#16 — February 24, 2008 @ 14:12PM — Matt

the best baseball song of all time has to be Cheap Seats by Alabama

#17 — March 21, 2008 @ 22:55PM — J

wat is pujols' at bat song for 07-08?????????????? i want to know....PLEASE!?

#18 — April 7, 2008 @ 06:42AM — Domingo

a good baseball song is Finger Poppin' Time by Hank Ballard

#19 — April 19, 2008 @ 18:54PM — CB [URL]

"The Ball Game" by Sister Wynona Carr

#20 — April 24, 2008 @ 12:03PM — Kathleen

hey - thanks for all these baseball song suggestions - just what I needed. I am in the b-day party biz and needed to find baseball songs to do a 4 year old boy's baseball and hockey party!

#21 — June 4, 2008 @ 13:36PM — Andrew

I would have to go with dont stop believing, small town, anotherone bites the dust, sweet caroline, the boys are back in town, centerfield, taking care of buisness, cheap seats, talkin baseball, you shook me all night long,glory days, tessie, boys of summer by don henley, welcome to the jungle, teenage wasteland, and smells like teen spirit

#22 — June 5, 2008 @ 01:33AM — reggie von woic

Well here's one from Hip Hop:
Nelly - Batter Up

#23 — June 12, 2008 @ 11:39AM — Dave

How about "Swing" by Trace Adkins??

#24 — June 18, 2008 @ 18:24PM — Shemp

When I was a kid, they used to play a song called "My Son, the Pony Leaguer" over the loud speakers at the Vllage Green befor ballgames. Does anyone remember this song, particularly the lyrics?

#25 — July 3, 2008 @ 11:15AM — Howie Newman [URL]

At the risk of being self indulgent, I urge you to check out "Baseball's Greatest Hits, Volume 2." The song, "Mendoza Line," has been hailed as one of the best baseball songs of all time (and not just by me).

#26 — July 12, 2008 @ 16:22PM — brod

what about load the bases its good

#27 — July 23, 2008 @ 21:35PM — Alex

"I am the Greatest" By Kenny Rogers

a Good inspiring Song.

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