Hotdogs, bright lights, team chants and personal walk-up songs transform college baseball into a unique experience. The art of selecting a walk-up song in superstitious sports like baseball can dictate a player’s performance from a good to awful or mediocre to great. With the Texas Longhorns’ next big event, the annual Astros Foundation College Classic, on Feb. 27, The Daily Texan compiled a list of the best and worst walk-up songs of the season.
The Good
Carson Tinney – Feel So Good
Nicholas Kingman: Sampling Kool & The Gang’s 1974 single Hollywood Swinging, “Feel So Good” features arguably one of the greatest rap samples of all time, with brass sections and rhythm guitar perfectly in sync.
The track’s fast-paced lyrics and oh-so-smooth rhythm make for an elite walk-up song, very fitting for mild-mannered yet intimidating Tinney, who is seemingly always on base. It’s also one of the few ’90s rap songs on the long list of walk-up songs for Texas baseball, a certified crowd pleaser for the relatively older crowd.
Ruger Riojas – Poker Face
Kingman: Riojas has been described by his teammates and coach with many adjectives, ranging from hippie to even a demon and a freak. One thing’s certain: Riojas quickly set himself apart as the Longhorns’ dominant ace this season.
The team’s pitching rotation contains some good hits, but nothing is better than Riojas’ choice of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” Setting the vibe for an eventful Friday night of college baseball and, for a guy who’s always calm and collected on the mound, the song can create an intimidating presence.
Maddox Monsour – S&M
Brynn Dominguez: Although known for its iconic cover in “Pitch Perfect,” Rihanna’s “S&M” makes for an even more iconic walk-up song. With a strong bass and teasing lyrics of, “Na na na come on,” Monsour practically mocks his opponents.
Almost everyone knows the classic hum; living up to the hype would be a problem for most batters but not for Monsour. As a freshman, the center-fielder holds a .500 hitting average, far above average for younger athletes, proving he’s ready to capture fans’ attention.
Adrian Rodriguez – DtMF
Dominguez: Winning three Grammys for DeBĺ TiRAR Más FOToS, Bad Bunny’s most iconic song off the album, “DtMF,” doesn’t appear as an iconic walk-up song at first listen, with more emotional lyrics and a calmer beat compared to most of his other work. However, the song connects with a different audience.
The sophomore left-handed starting shortstop’s pick connects with a large part of Texas baseball fans. In Texas, around 40% of baseball fans are Hispanic, using one of the most popular and future classic songs gets the crowd on their feet and paying attention. As a freshman Rodriguez started in 49 games, held 35 runs and stole 15 bases. Now, in his second season, Longhorn fans hope he can win as much as Bad Bunny.
The Bad
Luke Harrison – Safari Song
Kingman: Fans might crucify me for this one, but Greta Van Fleet’s “Safari Song” proves an odd choice for a walk-up song for a starting pitcher. Sure, attendees want to get hyped for the start, but the moment shouldn’t peak too early. The guitar and drums can be too heavy in the context of his placement in the game. Instead, something that’s still rocking but mellow enough is the beginning part of “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin, the blues harmonica setting off the weighty drums from John Bonham.
Josh Livingston – Working Man’s Song
Kingman: It’s always hard to come to the plate with a 10-15 second clip of the day’s hottest country songs on the airwaves. Morgan Wallen’s “Working Man’s Song” just doesn’t have that same effect. Wallen’s voice falls too flat. It’s hard to live up to Kimble Schuessler’s iconic walk-up song from last season, Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5,” the only country song last year for Texas hitters.
Jayden Duplantier – Oui
Dominguez: As a senior, Duplantier had enough time in his four years to find the perfect walk-up song. One with excitement, meaningful lyrics, good bass or even a silly change of pace, such as Jadyn Furgason’s pick, “Fergalicious.” Instead, he chooses to be in a TikTok edit. With meaningless metaphors to love and Valentine’s Day, “Oui” doesn’t do his consistency justice, although it might throw the other team off with laughter.
Jack Paris – Ol’ Red
Dominguez: With a song like “Ol’ Red,” most would expect Paris to be from a rural town, maybe even Paris, Texas. However, the freshman pitcher comes from Houston. Although a funny quip to his full head of red hair, the song simply doesn’t land as a walk-up song, with harmonica tunes and a tale of a man who takes care of a dog — literally. Not to make the Texan seem like a country hater, but the genre should stay on long drives and out of Friday night lights.
