A Mix For: Choosing Your Walk-up Song

featuring Charli XCX, Flo Milli, Lil Nas X, and more!

I’ve had a fair number of job interviews in the last few years (wish that were a brag), and am rarely stumped by a question. I am, however, haunted by something I was asked during an interview to be part of a student organization in college: if you were a baseball player, what would your walk-up song be?

I floundered as if I’d never heard a single song. I’m not sure what I said, but I was not chosen to be in this organization and I can only imagine it’s because I did not have a good answer!

I am (clearly) still embarrassed by this moment largely because I love walk-up songs! Judging each player’s song choice as they come up to bat was, and is, one of my favorite parts of attending baseball games.

To ward off any future embarrassment (and to celebrate the start of baseball season), I decided to round up some potential answers to the question. I’m looking for songs with really solid opening lines, riffs, or beats plus maybe a little intimidation factor. This week’s mix is the result of my process.

Some of these choices are more traditional - I guarantee I’ve seen players walk up to “Hypnotize” and “A Milli” - while others are a little more out there - I’m obsessed with the idea of walking up to bat as Charli XCX shouts, “LET’S RIDE!”

I’m relieved to continue through life with some song options in my back pocket. If I were asked this question today, I think I’d choose “Conceited” by Flo Milli because I cannot think of a more direct way to tell everyone in the stadium what’s what.

Do you actually have a go-to answer to this question?! I’d love to know!