It’s the start of a new season. The grass is mowed, the lines are chalked, and the air is buzzing with anticipation of competition. The players take the field, and then—there it is—the sound that cuts through the noise of the crowd. Walkup music.
If you’ve been around high school baseball or softball in recent years, you know the tradition. Each player gets a few seconds of a song as they walk up to bat. It’s their moment—like a personalized entrance into the game. A few bars to reflect their personality, pump them up, or just have some fun.
But I’ll be honest with you, it also brings a little stress every year.
The students pick the songs, and we do our best to honor their choices. Most of the time, the actual walk-up clip is fine—clean and appropriate. But every now and then, a parent or teacher will point out, “Coach, have you listened to the rest of that song?” And when we do, sure enough, a few lyrics past the walk up cut, things get a little dicey.
So, we trim, we edit, we replace, and we review. We walk the fine line between allowing student expression and protecting the values of our school and community. It’s a real juggling act that seems to mark the beginning of each season–balancing fun for the athlete, entertaining for the fans, and keeping things clean for parents and students alike.
The process always makes me chuckle a bit. Because every time we go through this routine, I start thinking: What if we all had walk-up music?
Imagin it. You walk into the office on a Monday morning and a song plays overhead. You walk into H-E-B, and your personal theme song starts up. You show up at church, and instead of the usual greetings, the band strikes up your walk-up anthem.
What would yours be?
Would you go country or pop? Classic rock or classical? Something with a beat that makes people smile?
For those of us in the 40-60 -year range, let’s be honest—there are some walk-up songs that would be both ironic and entertaining.
Maybe “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor—because we still feel like we’ve got a few good rounds left in us.
Maybe it’s “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves—because sometimes, we just want to bring a little joy into the room.
Some might choose “Back in Black” by AC/DC—because it sounds like it means business—or ”Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top, because there’s always time for a little swagger.
Others might gravitate to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks or “Amarillo by Morning” by George Strait—Texas classics that never get old.
The there are the anthems that fire you up: ”Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey, “Livin on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, or “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Some days, I’d probably lean toward “Jesus is Just Alright” by the Doobie Brothers or “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe—songs that strike a more spiritual chord and remind me of what really matters.
It’s a fun thought—but it carries a deeper truth.
Because even though most of us don’t have literal walk-up songs playing as we go through our day, we all bring something with us. We each have a tone, a presence, a “vibe,” if you will. People feel something when we walk in the room.
Our walk-up music may not come through speakers, but it comes through in our spirit.
Are we walking in peace or with stress? With confidence or with doubt? With encouragement or with criticism?
Paul says it best in Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
That’s the heart of the matter. Whether we’re coaching, parenting, serving, leading, or just living life—what we walk in with should reflect who we belong to.
Some people enter a room, and you feel lighter. Others walk in and you feel tension. Some inspire; others drain. Some encourage, while others complain.
What kind of walk-up music are we living out?
It’s easy to default to stress, sarcasm, or short tempers. Life can be busy and overwhelming. But maybe it’s time we edited our soundtrack.
Maybe we replace the grumbling with gratitude. Swap out worries for worship. Trade in frustration for joy.
Maybe we walk into each day like it’s an opportunity to reflect, something eternal in a very noisy, temporary world.
If someone asked me today what my real walk-up music should be. I think I’d want it to be something that makes people feel peace. I’d want them to feel God’s presence through my words and actions. I’d want to bring light into the room—no just noise.
In high school sports, those few seconds of walk-up music are just that –seconds. But in life, we’re constantly walking into moments that matter. We’re always being “introduced” by the spirit we carry.
What if, every time we walked into a room, people sensed the fruit of the Spirit? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
That’s the playlist I want to live by. That’s the walk-up music worth playing.
So, go ahead—hum a little tune as you step into your next meeting or walk down the grocery store aisle. But more importantly, walk in with grace, with gratitude, and with a heart that reflects the One who walks with you.
And remember, whether you’re up to bat, up against a challenge, or just showing up for another ordinary day, your walk-up music matters.
Choose it well.