Walk-up (or walk-out) songs have the potential to get the crowd excited as any athlete walks up to the stage, ring, or batting position. That’s right, a special shout out to all my baseball fans out there. However, not every walk-up song gets the crowd going. Some song selections are less than ideal for athletes wanting to fire up the crowd.
In the past, there have been many instances of celebrities walking out to embarrassing walk-up songs, may it be intentionally or because of a communication error. If you’re ever put in a position where you have to select a walk-up song for yourself, I just hope you don’t go for any one of the 50 most embarrassing walk-up songs I’m about to go through right here.
Below are the 50 most embarrassing walk-up songs of all time
- Halo (2009) – Beyonce
- Milkshake (2003) – Kelis
- Pony (1996) – Ginuwine
- Barbie Girl (1997) – Aqua
- Game of Thrones Theme (2011) – Ramin Djawadi
- Call Me Maybe (2012) – Carly Rae Jepsen
- Careless Whisper (1984) – George Michael
- We’re All in This Together (2006) – The High School Musical Cast
- Take a Walk (2012) – Passion Pit
- Bad Blood (2014) – Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar
- Bubble Butt (2013) – Major Lazer
- Forever Young (1984) – Alphaville
- Baby Shark (2015)
- The Nutcracker (1892) – Tchaikovsky
- Happy (2014) – Pharrell Williams
- Take On Me (1985) – A-ha
- Party in the USA (2009) – Miley Cyrus
- Shake it Off (2014) – Taylor Swift
- I Will Always Love You (1992) – Whitney Houston
- Your Love (1985) – The Outfield
- Big Poppa (1994) – The Notorious B.I.G.
- Friday (2012) – Rebecca Black
- Stayin’ Alive (1977) – Bee Gees
- Thriller (1982) – Michael Jackson
- A Thousand Miles (2002) – Vanessa Carlton
- I Like to Move It (1994) – Reel 2 Real
- Peaches (2023) – Jack Black
- Never Gonna Give You Up (1987) – Rick Astley
- My Vag (2014) – Awkwafina
- What Does the Fox Say (2013) – Ylvis
- Irreplaceable (2006) – Beyoncé
- MOOO! (2018) – Doja Cat
- I’m on a Boat (2001) – The Lonely Island ft. T-Pain
- Don’t Stop Believin’ (1982) – Journey
- Hit Me Baby One More Time (2009) – Britney Spears
- Dance Monkey (2019) – Tones and I
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983) – Cindi Lauper
- Let It Go (2013) – Idina Menzel
- The Real Slim Shady (2000) – Eminem
- Old Town Road (2018) – Lil Nas X
- Ice, Ice Baby (1990) – Vanilla Ice
- Gangsta’s Paradise (1995) – Coolio
- Look at Me! (2015) – XXXTentacion
- Who Let the Dogs Out (2000) – Baha Men
- Gangnam Style (2012) – Psy
- Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (1999) – Shania Twain
- Wrecking Ball (2013) – Miley Cyrus
- Thank U, Next (2018) – Ariana Grande
- Fergalicious (2006) – Fergie
- Stacy’s Mom (2003) – Fountains of Wayne
1. Halo (2009) – Beyonce
This song selection might not sound all that embarrassing at first, but that’s only if you haven’t seen Mike Perry’s infamous UFC walk-out. While the UFC athlete had told the people in charge of playing his walk-out song that he wanted the song from Halo, the video game, some gold old fashioned miscommunication occurred.
In the end, Mike Perry, the man known for his tough persona, ended up walking out to Beyonce’s Halo. I wouldn’t mind jamming out to this legendary song in the confines of my own room, but having to walk out to it in front of countless UFC fans? Talk about embarrassing! I don’t know what’s worse. Walking out to this song or walking out to this song and still losing the match?
2. Milkshake (2003) – Kelis
You might be wondering why I specifically gave a shout out to baseball fans. Well, that’s because of the sheer number of hilarious but embarrassing walk-up songs that have originated because of that sport. Case in point, the next song on this list, is Kelis’ infamous Grammy winning song, “Milkshake.”
It might sound like a weird song to walk-up to, especially in front of so many baseball fans, but that’s exactly what Daniel Vogelbach did back in 2022. His walk-up song choice made for an extremely memorable moment that took some major tension off of the fans who were watching the match unfold live.
3. Pony (1996) – Ginuwine
Relating the sport of baseball to such a sexual song like “Pony” was not on my bucket list, but Chase D’Arnaud has other plans. This song is very frequently used as a walk-up song for him, and it always makes the crowd go wild because of how crazy and unbelievable it is. Only someone like Chase D’Arnaud would be brave enough to pull something like this off.
4. Barbie Girl (1997) – Aqua
Come on, do I even have to tell you why a song like “Barbie Girl” is a super embarrassing walk-up song? When it comes to serious sports like baseball and MMA, a song like this would be the last one most casual fans would even think to relate to them. Notice how I specifically said casual fans? Well, that’s because hardcore baseball fans probably know what’s coming already.
That’s right, “Barbie Girl” has been used by not one but two baseball legends as a walk-up song. David Ortiz and Jose Reyes have both used this as a walk-up song in the past and honestly, they killed it!
5. Game of Thrones Theme (2011) – Ramin Djawadi
While not a song in the traditional sense, the Game of Thrones title theme has still been used as a walk-up song in the past by Jayson Werth. Game of Thrones was at its peak when this event occurred, and while it did dwindle the embarrassment for that time, using it as a walk-up song today after the super controversial season 8 would be more than I could handle.
6. Call Me Maybe (2012) – Carly Rae Jepsen
Hey I just met you and this is crazy, but here’s a song. Don’t use it as a walk-up maybe? Well, it seems as though baseballers Justin Turner and Freddie Freeman didn’t get the memo because both of them have used this as a walk-up song in the past. “Call Me Maybe” might have over a billion views on YouTube, but I’d be too embarrassed to use it as a walk-up song.
7. Careless Whisper (1984) – George Michael
George Michael could never have imagined that the song he wrote way back in 1984 would end up being used as a walk-up song in the future, but hey, that’s life. “Careless Voice” has a sexy and extremely seductive vibe, which made it even more hilarious and embarrassing when Reddick made his way onto the field with it playing in the background.
8. We’re All in This Together (2006) – The High School Musical Cast
Rallying up your team with a motivational song is all well and good. But when it’s a song from the High School Musical movies that frankly haven’t aged well, it gets a little embarrassing. This is even more prominent when it’s a song like “We’re All in This Together” that has to be one of, if not the most embarrassing walk-up song I can think of for a middle aged man to walk out to.
9. Take a Walk (2012) – Passion Pit
“Take a Walk” is an incredible song that tackles the underrated difficulties people have to go through to make it in America. It paints America in a gray light and is brutally honest in its depiction of the country.
However, it’s because of the theme of the song painting America in a gray light that it would be extremely embarrassing to use it as a walk-up song for a baseball game. No one with any amount of room reading capabilities would even think of using this as a baseball walk-up song.
10. Bad Blood (2014) – Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar
Many players choose an intimidating song as their walk-up song to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. However, while “Bad Blood” might sound like it would do just that from the name, the song is the opposite of intimidating.
When Anthony Rizzo used this as his walk-up song, he knew perfectly that it would give everyone a nice laugh. After all, if you want someone to fear you then Taylor Swift has to be the last artist you think of to help.
11. Bubble Butt (2013) – Major Lazer
Okay, I know what it looks like, but hear me out. Pro baseball player Josh Thole chose “Bubble Butt” by Major Lazer as his walk-up song. Honestly, I really can’t even think of a more embarrassing walk-up song than this, especially if you actually do have a bubble butt.
12. Forever Young (1984) – Alphaville
When Chicago Cubs player David Ross, one of the oldest players on his team, chose this song, it was inspirational and had more than one person stand up in respect. However, if you aren’t old and you use this as your walk-up song, well, then you might be in for an embarrassing time.
13. Baby Shark (2015)
Come on, you’ve heard of this song before. Regardless of what rendition of Baby Shark you decide to play while walking up or out, I guarantee that it’ll be as embarrassing as can be. Hey, look at the bright side though. At least all the kids will be having a blast, right?
14. The Nutcracker (1892) – Tchaikovsky
This is a walk-up song, or ballet, that only the people who really know their classic music stuff will be able to get. When Adrian Beltre suffered a testicular contusion during a game, his teammates decided to have a little fun when he returned.
Yeah, I’m sure most of you can get where I’m going with this. His teammates played the classical ballet called “The Nutcracker” when he was walking up. Some people on the stands might not have gotten it, but those who did definitely had a good laugh out of it.
15. Happy (2014) – Pharrell Williams
“Happy” might be a song that gets everyone in a good mood, but as a walk-up song it might not be a good choice. After all, the goal of a walk-up song is to plant the seeds of fear into the enemy. Well, that can’t really happen if the entire enemy team is dancing their bubble butts off, now can it?
16. Take On Me (1985) – A-ha
“Take On Me” is one of my favorite songs of all time. It might be an oldie at this point, but it still has the same immaculate vibe that it did all those years ago. However, even I have to say that playing this as a walk-up song might be a bad idea.
It isn’t that it’s a bad song, far from it, but it doesn’t have the walk-up song feel to it. Instead of playing against the enemy team, it’ll feel like you want to shoot your shot with the opponent pitcher, which is embarrassing enough just thinking about it.
17. Party in the USA (2009) – Miley Cyrus
Bryce Harper, the absolute madlad, actually had the courage to walk out to a song like “Party in the USA.” Don’t get me wrong, the message and vibes of the song are great and totally fit the requirements of a walk-up song. However, I, personally, would be way too embarrassed to walk out to a teenage Miley Cyrus singing about having a party in the USA.
18. Shake it Off (2014) – Taylor Swift
Another song that’s embarrassing for the vibes it gives off is “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. Although this song has more potential to get the crowd in a good mood, it’ll still be embarrassing to have to walk out to this song. Well, unless you can pull off some sick dance moves yourself in which case it might be a walk-up to remember.
19. I Will Always Love You (1992) – Whitney Houston
Picture this. You’re about to walk-up to the field to pitch for your team in a match that will decide the course of your career. However, as soon as your name is announced, Whitney Houston’s voice starts blasting her rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” I don’t know about you, but I would probably just not walk out at all out of sheer embarrassment.
20. Your Love (1985) – The Outfield
Hey, nothing says embarrassing walk-up song more than a cheesy love song from the ‘80s. “Your Love” might be the perfect song to play when you’re having a romantic dinner with a loved one, but for walking in?
Playing “Your Love” as your walk-up song is like playing “Highway to Hell” at a church. It just doesn’t fit the atmosphere and mood of the time and place and is very likely to result in you being embarrassed.
21. Big Poppa (1994) – The Notorious B.I.G.
“Big Poppa” by the legendary rapper is the walk-up choice of baseball player David Ortiz. It might sound alright on paper, but one look at David will explain why everyone finds his walk-up so absolutely hilarious.
Don’t get me wrong, baseball is one of the most inclusive sports out there and I absolutely adore it despite not being American. However, seeing David Ortiz’s walk-up always cracks me up.
22. Friday (2012) – Rebecca Black
2012 was a weird time. One of the most memorable songs that came out of that year has to be “Friday” by Rebecca Black. However, while the song was indeed memorable, it was for all the wrong reasons.
Therefore, if you blast it for your walk-up song, I guarantee things won’t go well for you and you might get more than a few laughs at your expense.
23. Stayin’ Alive (1977) – Bee Gees
“Stayin’ Alive” is a super motivational and inspirational song that can get anyone hyped up. Unfortunately, it might be a little too exciting for some people which might make it go into the realm of embarrassing. After all, there’s a thing called too much.
24. Thriller (1982) – Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson is the king of pop, that’s something most of us can probably agree with. However, his song “Thriller” is more suited to be played on the dance floor as opposed to being blasted as a walk-up song.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d still jam to this song anytime anywhere. But having to walk out to this song playing while being in front of so many people? I don’t know about that one.
25. A Thousand Miles (2002) – Vanessa Carlton
“A Thousand Miles” didn’t get much recognition when it first came out back in 2002. However, it saw a sudden rise in popularity thanks to the internet, and it has turned into a sort of teenage anthem ever since.
However, playing it as a walk-up song might be a little embarrassing. As a matter of fact, an influencer boxer by the name of Slim walked out to this song in the past and it made for a super memorable moment.
26 I Like to Move It (1994) – Reel 2 Real
All my fellow Madagascar fans will instantly recognize this song as basically being the anthem to it. It’s a song that gets everyone in the mood to get up and dance, but as a walk-up song, it might be a little too engaging if you ask me.
27. Peaches (2023) – Jack Black
“Peaches” is a super recent song as it first came out in the 2023 Super Mario live action movie. However, it’s far from a serious song. The song itself is a super laid back and parody like song and that is exactly what Jack Black, the legendary actor who sang this song, intended.
This song took the world by storm when it first came out and it was as though everyone was playing it everywhere. I love singing it in the shower, but I wouldn’t want to use it as my walk-up song.
28. Never Gonna Give You Up (1987) – Rick Astley
Here’s another song that is recognized all over the world but not for the reason most singers would hope. “Never Gonna Give You Up” is a legendary song that has Rock Rolled so many people in the past.
If you want to do the ultimate troll move and Rick Roll everyone watching you then I’d say go for it and use this song as your walk-up song. However, if you want to be taken seriously and not be embarrassed then it might not be a good idea.
29. My Vag (2014) – Awkwafina
Before Awkwafina became such a popular actress, she tried her hand at music. However, while she didn’t get the recognition she probably wanted, at least we got this super hilarious song “My Vag.”
You just have to listen to the song once to instantly realize why it might not be a good idea to use it as your walk-up song. It’s definitely one of the most embarrassing walk-up songs out there.
30. What Does the Fox Say (2013) – Ylvis
If you’re an early 2000s baby then you definitely recognize this song. “What Does the Fox Say” is one of the catchiest songs out there and it knows to not take itself too seriously. It’s for this reason alone that if someone does use this as their walk-up song it’ll be to deliberately lighten up the situation.
31. Irreplaceable (2006) – Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” is an excellent song that so many of you must have heard before. However, in the context of a sport like baseball, it’s so ironic to walk-up to a song like this when players get replaced literally every season.
32. MOOO! (2018) – Doja Cat
Doja Cat has become an extremely popular and loved artist all over the world. However, before she got so much fame, she came out with this specific song. Just one listen to it will be enough to explain why it’s an embarrassing walk-up song.
33. I’m on a Boat (2001) – The Lonely Island ft. T-Pain
The Lonely Island has been pumping out comedic bangers for over two decades at this point, and this song, “I’m on a Boat” has to be our favorite one. Honestly, any Lonely Island song will be embarrassing to use as a walk-up song if you ask me.
34. Don’t Stop Believin’ (1982) – Journey
“Don’t Stop Believin’” is a song that most people can identify without knowing the band that sang it. While the message is indeed great, I think it’s a little too positive and ironic to use in a setting like walking in to pitch.
35. Hit Me Baby One More Time (2009) – Britney Spears
Come on, no matter how many singers come out in this day and age, Britney Spears just has that something. Thought “Hit Me Baby One More Time” is probably better to be sung in the shower as opposed to being used as a walk-up song.
36. Dance Monkey (2019) – Tones and I
Dance Monkey’s “Tones and I” is an embarrassing walk-up song not because it’s bad, but because so many people around the world hate it. Honestly, I don’t blame them either with how many times the radio played it back in 2019.
37. Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983) – Cindi Lauper
Baseball is, unfortunately, a male dominated sport. This means that most of the fans are also men. This is exactly why playing a song like Cindi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” for your walk-up song is hilarious but very embarrassing.
38. Let It Go (2013) – Idina Menzel
The only way Frozen’s legendary song “Let It Go” won’t be an embarrassing walk-up song will be if the athlete walking into it dresses up as Elsa. That’s because the embarrassment of wearing that blue dress will be canceled out by the embarrassment of the walk-up song.
39. The Real Slim Shady (2000) – Eminem
It’s completely fine to use any one of Eminem’s songs as your walk-up song. As a matter of fact, many athletes have used it before. However, “The Real Slim Shady,” with all the imaginative words it uses, might make for an embarrassing time.
40. Old Town Road (2018) – Lil Nas X
You won’t know true embarrassment until you use “Old Town Roads” as your walk-up song while playing a match in Wellesley, Massachusetts. After all, that’s where the real old town roads are and some of the residents of that place absolutely hate this song. It’s a little ironic, I know.
41. Ice, Ice Baby (1990) – Vanilla Ice
Back when this first came out it was a terrific song about flexing your wealth and showing that you’re better than everyone else. However, since then, the internet has worked its magic and turned it into a joke of a song. Anyone who uses this song will either be trolling or very VERY out of touch with pop culture.
42. Gangsta’s Paradise (1995) – Coolio
“Gangster’s Paradise” is also a song that was originally taken very seriously. However, ever since the internet started using this song in so many memes and jokes, it has lost its charm and turned into a rather ironically funny song.
43. Look at Me! (2015) – XXXTentacion
You know, now that I think about it, there are an insane number of songs that used to be taken seriously but turned into a joke because of the internet. Another example of such a song is “Look at Me!” by XXXTentacion.
While this song was indeed taken very seriously before, with it being one of the most popular songs in the emo rapping genre, it has since then turned into a meme. At least it isn’t alone since it has “Moonlight” too.
44. Who Let the Dogs Out (2000) – Baha Men
Hey, we mentioned “What Does the Fox Say” so how could we not mention its parallel, “Who Let the Dogs Out” too? Both songs are super funny and don’t take themselves seriously, but using this as your walk-up song will make it look like you’re the dog since you’ll be the one being let out. Talk about embarrassing!
45. Gangnam Style (2012) – Psy
I don’t really have to elaborate on this, do I? “Gangnam Style” was silly when it came out in 2012 and it’s still silly today. The only difference is that if you use this embarrassing walk-up song then you’ll be legally obligated to do the infamous dance too.
46. Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (1999) – Shania Twain
If you walk out to a song like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” on a pitch with an entire crowd of sports fans looking at you and even more sports fans judging you at home then, well, I don’t know what to say. You, sir, are ten times braver than I am.
47. Wrecking Ball (2013) – Miley Cyrus
If you want to come out like a wrecking ball (Sorry, I had to) then this is the walk-up song for you. Miley Cyrus might have had a controversial past but if there’s one good thing that came out of it then it’s this song.
48. Thank U, Next (2018) – Ariana Grande
For a sport like baseball where people continue to walk up one by one, it would be hilarious to play Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” as your walk-up song. It’s like you’re talking about the game itself which is another realm of meta if you ask me.
49. Fergalicious (2006) – Fergie
Look, I love Fergie’s “Fergalicious” as much as the next person, but it’s better to use this as a funny karaoke song than as a walk-up song. Otherwise, you might end up pulling out some mad moves while walking into the field.
50. Stacy’s Mom (2003) – Fountains of Wayne
If you’ve heard “Stacy’s Mom” before then you probably already know exactly why it’s such an embarrassing walk-up song. If you haven’t, though, then I recommend you do so while wearing some headphones. Otherwise, you might create an embarrassing moment for yourself without walking out anywhere.
FAQs
What is an embarrassing walk-up song?
An embarrassing walk-up song is a musical track or theme chosen to play when a person enters a room or venue, typically as a humorous or embarrassing introduction. This is mostly associated with the sport of baseball when players walk-up to the field while playing a walk-up song.
Why do athletes choose embarrassing walk-up songs?
Athletes may choose embarrassing walk-up songs to add an element of humor or surprise to their entrance, to connect with fans, or to convey a sense of confidence by not taking themselves too seriously. It can also be a way to lighten the mood and reduce tension before a game.