The awesomest song

April 4, 2008 12:24 PM

I need a really awesome entrance song. Something that makes the audience be like, "Aw damn, I now know that this is going to be very enjoyable, all because this song is so badass."

What I've got so far:

Battle Without Honor or Humanity
Sabotage
Die Motherf***er Die
O Fortuna

Please tell me the song I obviously forgot to include on this list.

posted by ictow to media & arts (93 answers total)

Also Sprach Zarathustra
posted by box at 12:25 PM on April 4, 2008

"The Final Countdown" by Europe?
posted by clavicle at 12:26 PM on April 4, 2008 [3 favorites]

Ictow, as far as I am concerned, number one on your list is it.

It doesn't get any better than BWHOH.
posted by konolia at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2008

I once saw Screaming Trees take the stage in procession to the tune of the "Devo Corporate Anthem." I knew right then and there that I was about to get rocked.


Somewhere in Dallas, ca 1991.
posted by mds35 at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2008

The opening theme to Katamari Damacy.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:33 PM on April 4, 2008 [2 favorites]

If you want irony, however, go for "Boum!"
posted by mds35 at 12:34 PM on April 4, 2008

Thunderstruck.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:34 PM on April 4, 2008

Ecstasy of Gold
posted by bondcliff at 12:36 PM on April 4, 2008

Oh, one other song on this list is Hang Up Your Hangups.
posted by ictow at 12:36 PM on April 4, 2008

You can crank up "O Fortuna" even more by using the version by Apotheosis, which adds a heavy electronic beat and rhythm section (in addition to the full chorus and orchestra).
posted by winston at 12:36 PM on April 4, 2008

"Pompeii am Gotterdammerung" by the Flaming Lips (audio via unrelated video) - the instrumental portions are probably the best choice.

Then again, BWHOH is really, really kick-ass...
posted by Ponsonby Britt at 12:37 PM on April 4, 2008

"The Grunt pt.1" by the J.B.'s.
posted by black8 at 12:38 PM on April 4, 2008

"Gonna Fly Now", the theme from "Rocky". Sure it's expected, sure it's been done. But that song is so badass.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 12:43 PM on April 4, 2008

Definitely Slayer's "Angel of Death." If for some reason that won't work, maybe one of the following:

Cave-In - "Moral Eclipse"
Dillinger Escape Plan - "Hollywood Squares"
Pavement - "5-4 = Unity"
Heart - "Barracuda"
Justice - "Genesis"
Tool - "Stinkfist"
Grand Funk Railroad - "Shinin' On"
Genesis - "Down and Out"
Bjork - "Army of Me"
Van Halen - "Ain't Talkin Bout Love"
Black Sabbath - "Under the Sun"
Alice in Chains - "Again"
Yes - "Heart of the Sunrise"
posted by saladin at 12:46 PM on April 4, 2008

Progenies of the Great Apocalypse by Dimmu Borgir
posted by fire&wings at 12:47 PM on April 4, 2008

The Immortals' "Techno Syndrome" aka "MORTAL KOMBAT! dun dun dundun-dun dun dundun-dun dun dun dun... MORTAL KOMBAT!"
posted by nicwolff at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

i also suggest gonna fly now.

but, what are you entering to? like, sports game, theater play, puppet show? that would probably help us decide...
posted by misanthropicsarah at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2008

I've always thought that if I need to make a good entry I would use "Reise, Reise" by Rammstein. It surely must have been written with that in mind.
posted by The Carolingian at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2008

Shit, I forgot Pantera's "Cowboys from Hell."
posted by saladin at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2008

Fort Minor - "Remember the Name"
posted by vito90 at 12:51 PM on April 4, 2008

Easy answers: Back in Black, The Imperial March from Star Wars, Mama Said Knock You Out.

Joke option: Why Can't We Be Friends?
posted by Smallpox at 12:53 PM on April 4, 2008

Gustav Holst's Mars, aka the single most badass piece EVAR. Scroll down the link to hear it.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:54 PM on April 4, 2008

If it's for a fight, Metallica's Battery.
posted by jmd82 at 12:56 PM on April 4, 2008

Slayer's "South of Heaven" would also be pretty sweet.

I'm done now.
posted by saladin at 12:56 PM on April 4, 2008

misanthropicsarah:

It's a comedy performance, but it's being presented as a battle to the death between two competing teams. A little like Theatersports, but with more of pro-wrestling feel. There will be fake blood and even faker masculinity, if that helps your creative juices at all.
posted by ictow at 12:56 PM on April 4, 2008

Pantera - Walk

Drowning Pool - Bodies

Top Gun Anthem

Rage Against the Machine - Wake Up

Geto Boys - Damn it feels good to be a gangster

Primus - My Name is Mud

Turbonegro - Age of Pamparius (takes a while for the build up... consider starting at 1:30)

Refused - New Noise

Chemical Brothers - Galvanize
posted by nitsuj at 12:56 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

The Ride of the Valkyries.
posted by wtdoor at 12:56 PM on April 4, 2008

i've got your answer: the escape, by craig armstrong. it's used often in movie trailers when they're trying to build intensity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgt4Vn97W3g at 2:00.
posted by ncc1701d at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2008

ELO did a cover of Also Sprach Zarathustra that was on some kid's album in the 70's.... and it was truly awesome.
posted by sluggo at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2008

Another Rocky song: Eye of the Tiger

Queen - We Will Rock You is a classic (albeit overused).
posted by slimepuppy at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2008

Lots of AC/DC songs work. As mentioned above, Thunderstruck and Back in Black are both excellent choices; Thunderstruck has that great crescendo into the drums while Back in Black is exactly the right tempo for strutting. I'd like to offer a few less commonly used AC/DC songs: Hell's Bells and TNT.
posted by mhum at 1:02 PM on April 4, 2008

Anything by Ennio Morricone
posted by Mach5 at 1:03 PM on April 4, 2008

American Pig by Sugar Ray. This is from Floored, which, with the exception of Fly(which is present in 2 forms), is a pretty rockin' album.

I love the way it opens: deep male voice says "I knooow you gonna dig this" then starts in with the crunchy rhythm guitar soon followed with a melody line best described as "cocky".

It's cheesy and over-the-top, but damn I eat that shit up. Even though I have no interest in pro-wrestling, I always thought this would be a great entrance song.
posted by owtytrof at 1:04 PM on April 4, 2008

Prodigy's "Their Law" starting at around the 40 second mark
YouTube link
posted by andrewzipp at 1:05 PM on April 4, 2008

bowie--breaking glass

The opening lick has got a lot of strut and sass.
posted by Kifer85 at 1:09 PM on April 4, 2008

Motherfucker by Xzibit. Bad ass. Totally bad ass.

(Also incredibly NSFW right off the bat.)
posted by Gucky at 1:09 PM on April 4, 2008

Chemical Brothers - Galaxy Bounce
Chemical Brothers - Loops of Fury
Fatboy Slim - Right Here Right Now
posted by kitkatcathy at 1:10 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

...and the boyfriend just suggested the pulp fiction theme song
posted by kitkatcathy at 1:13 PM on April 4, 2008

Protect Ya Neck by the Wu-Tang Clan
The Champ by Ghostface Killah
Those Who Fight Further by The Black Mages
The Payback by James Brown
posted by Smallpox at 1:14 PM on April 4, 2008

Whole-heartedly seconding "New Noise" as being total badass.
posted by mehum at 1:17 PM on April 4, 2008

For a longish fade up, then voice over, I think Sonic Youth Tunic (song for Karen) would be badass - depends on the venue, though. I imagine a big arena would sound as crappy as this youtube clip.
posted by ctmf at 1:18 PM on April 4, 2008

Gun by Soundgarden.

A little on the slow side build-up wise, but definitely a kick-ass tune.
posted by waitangi at 1:20 PM on April 4, 2008

Also White Stripes - Blue Orchid
posted by ctmf at 1:22 PM on April 4, 2008

The theme to the original Battlestar Galactica.

Aaron Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man
posted by wrnealis at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2008

Planet Hell
posted by Wolfdog at 1:30 PM on April 4, 2008

My $.02

Fuckin' In the Bushes - Blur

The Trooth - Reggie and the Full Effect

Angel - Massive Attack (might require fast forward)

Intro - Outkast (Speakerboxx/The Love Below)

Eruption/You Really Got Me - Van Halen
posted by limited slip at 1:31 PM on April 4, 2008

Srtanglehold - Ted Nugent.
Best crunchy riff ever.
posted by rocket88 at 1:41 PM on April 4, 2008

another classic entrance song is Black Betty by Ram Jam.
posted by nitsuj at 1:42 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Everyone recognizes Dick Dale & The Del-Tones' "Misirlou" from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.
posted by steef at 1:43 PM on April 4, 2008

I always imagined that my entrance music would be Space Lord by Monster Magnet. Has some slower parts, but how can you beat:

"I lost my soul when I fell to earth
My planets called me to the void of my birth
The time has come for me to kill this game
Now open wide and say my name"

Pure distilled win, I tell ya.
posted by griffey at 1:45 PM on April 4, 2008

What about Fucking in the Bushes by Oasis, instead?

Unbeatable, IMO.
posted by Exchequer at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2008

Here's how the dart players do it... some good ones here.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2008

"Bad to the Bone." If it's badass enough for the Terminator, it's badass enough for you.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2008

Anarchy In The UK
Ace Of Spades
Misirlou
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:57 PM on April 4, 2008

Opeth - The Grand Conjuration (from Ghost Reveries)
Black Label Society - Demise Of Sanity (from 1919 Eternal)
The Absence - Intro (from From Your Grave)
The Haunted - Dark Intentions (from The Haunted Made Me Do It)
Lamb of God - Redneck (from Sacrament)

There are others but this is a quick list and I gotta go home (yay free from work!)
posted by Ikazuchi at 1:57 PM on April 4, 2008

Nirvana - Breed

1. Cue it to about 4-5 seconds in.
2. Press play.
3. Rock some socks.
posted by paperzach at 1:57 PM on April 4, 2008

From Peter and the Wolf; the Wolf's theme.
/Real Media

Different Orchestra's play it differently, just imagine it real loud.
posted by FBXRD at 1:58 PM on April 4, 2008

Some old NWA minus the lyric track. Has the excitement/noise level factor, plus the subconscious hostility factor for those who can't quite place where it came from. (not so subconscious for those that instantly recognize it)
posted by ctmf at 2:01 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

George Baker Selection's Little Green Bag (from Resevoir Dogs)
posted by hulahulagirl at 2:04 PM on April 4, 2008

The Who's 'Eminence Front' is a nice buildup

Ministry's Stigmata or NWO would definitely come on pretty strong

Of course, there's always the alternate route - say, Barbie Girl or One Night in Bangkok
posted by pupdog at 2:09 PM on April 4, 2008

Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos.

Aye. That is it.
posted by minedev at 2:10 PM on April 4, 2008

NIN Head Like a Hole
I can't stop answering. There are just so many different ways to go, depending on how cliche-cheesy-arena-ballgame or obscure you want to be.
posted by ctmf at 2:11 PM on April 4, 2008

Sixty comments and no Welcome to the Jungle? I weep for the future.
posted by recoveringsophist at 2:12 PM on April 4, 2008 [1 favorite]

Keep Hope Alive (seen here in The Replacement Killers intro) by The Crystal Method. If it's good enough for Chow Yun Fat, it's good enough for anybody.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:12 PM on April 4, 2008

X GOAN GIVE IT TO YA

I'd cut most of the intro and start at the "it's not a fuckin' game" part.

(dmx. really, did you have to ask?)
posted by fishfucker at 2:22 PM on April 4, 2008

(bonus feature: it's the perfect music to do an exaggerated white-boy version of the roger rabbit while you're walking in).
posted by fishfucker at 2:23 PM on April 4, 2008

I once went to a concert for a band I was sort of middling-excited about, and then they opened with - of all things - Freebird. This both staved off the inevitable annoying guy who yells "Freebird!" at some point, and set a simultaneously playful and badass tone for the rest of the show.
posted by Rallon at 2:43 PM on April 4, 2008

Peter Gunn (actually used by a team I was in at uni)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 2:43 PM on April 4, 2008

I always thought Obituary's Redneck Stomp should be an opener to something.
posted by AdamOddo at 2:51 PM on April 4, 2008

"Gz and Hustlas", by Snoop Dogg.
posted by pickingoutathermos at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2008

GZA -- "Fourth Chamber"
John Zorn -- "The Valiant Ones"
KMD -- "Fuck Wit Ya Head"
posted by No-sword at 2:58 PM on April 4, 2008

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
Depending how over the top you want it, some Dragonforce.
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Steppenwolf - Born to be Wild
Muse - Knights of Cydonia (entrance at 4:13 with however long you need before and after)
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son
Explosions In The Sky - Greet Death (instrumental)
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 2:59 PM on April 4, 2008

The intro to Armageddon - by Prism
posted by chugg at 3:33 PM on April 4, 2008

This is a great thread. Before I have to go back to work (if it hasn't been mentioned yet):

Battle Flag by the Lo Fidelity Allstars.

I think this rivals Battle without Honor or Humanity mostly because it has four letter words.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 3:43 PM on April 4, 2008

(Alison's Husband here)

The only obvious one you forgot was
Dr. Dre - Dre Day [Instrumental]
(buh, buh-buh-buuuh-buh.........buuuh-buh)

Some others, but probably too obscure:
Compton's Most Wanted - N 2 Deep [Dear god, Instrumental!]
Depeche Mode - Dressed in Black
Dismemberment Plant - The City
Propellerheads - On Her Majesty's Secret Service

And there are so many more Gangster Raps songs that haven't been appropriate since I was an angry teenager, but which are truly badass.
posted by Alison at 3:49 PM on April 4, 2008

ictow> It's a comedy performance, but it's being presented as a battle to the death between two competing teams. A little like Theatersports, but with more of pro-wrestling feel. There will be fake blood and even faker masculinity, if that helps your creative juices at all.

Well, in that case, how about 50Ft. Queenie by P.J. Harvey? Not as rocking as other songs suggested, but perhaps more apropos.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 3:54 PM on April 4, 2008

If this is for a fight, the ONLY possible choice is Bad Brains' "House of Suffering".
posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:55 PM on April 4, 2008

Or you could go with Battle Cry of 1,000 Men by Elvis Hitler (no link that I could find), but there's a brief opening bit which is kind of a dramatic recitation of the first few lines, punctuated by loud guitar every two lines or so. The rest is pretty rocking.

And I forgot to include the link to 50 Ft. Queenie.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 3:58 PM on April 4, 2008

LED ZEPPELIN IMMIGRANT SONG AMIRITE?

I know it's overused, but I pretty much imagine this song playing whenever I step onto any stage/sporting field/etc. If I hear this song, I am sure whoever selected it knows it's badass.
posted by rooftop secrets at 4:31 PM on April 4, 2008

The Faint - Agenda Suicide
LL Cool J - Headsprung
Tool - Parabola (okay, the video actually includes "Parabol," too. "Parabola" starts at about 4:05)
Bjork - Bachelorette
Rilo Kiley - Spectacular Views
Sage Francis - Sun vs. Moon (sorry, no YouTube)
posted by korres at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2008

Pharoah Monche - Simon Says
posted by ga$money at 5:40 PM on April 4, 2008

Ballroom blitz by Sweet.

I am the Warlock by Jack Black on the Probot compilation.

Genesis by Justice.
posted by zerobyproxy at 6:03 PM on April 4, 2008

Queen's "Princes of the Universe!
posted by cadge at 6:09 PM on April 4, 2008

All these great songs and no mention of Kashmir?
posted by jenh at 7:10 PM on April 4, 2008

Crazy Train- Ozzy Osbourne
posted by emd3737 at 7:37 PM on April 4, 2008

It's been beaten to death in many contexts (being on the Matrix soundtrack does that), but once 0:25 hits in Rob Dougan's Clubbed to Death, you'll be hit hard for the rest of the song. Crank the bass, of course.
posted by jmhodges at 10:55 PM on April 4, 2008

Do you think Andrew WK is appropriate here? I do.
posted by Pronoiac at 12:28 AM on April 5, 2008

One song jumped to mind absolutely immediately upon seeing your response defining the type of event; nitsuj beat me to the punch, but:

You want build-up... check.
You want noise... check
You want awesome rockiness... check
You want the crowd hyped and moshing... check
You want something appropriate... check

You have to use Drowning Pool's "Bodies" - it's so perfect!
posted by Chunder at 2:56 AM on April 5, 2008

Wake Up - Arcade Fire
posted by zouhair at 3:10 AM on April 5, 2008 [1 favorite]

The Aquabats - Look at Me (I'm A Winner!)
posted by namewithoutwords at 5:35 AM on April 5, 2008

Do you want to feel like THE MAN? If so, press "1" now for RJD2's The Horror.
posted by nonreflectiveobject at 2:47 PM on April 5, 2008

"Pro-wrestling feel" eh? I assume you have been watching pro-wrestling then? Many of their entrance songs are pretty cool. I don't have time to search them myself, but here, for your pleasure are some pro-wrestling videos:

TNA (Official: over 1,000 videos!)
WWE (Official: around 100)
Shimmer (Female Wrestling)
Ring of Honor (ROH) (Official: around 100)
posted by Deathalicious at 12:11 AM on April 6, 2008

I have to second Black Betty by Ram Jam, mostly because every time I walk down a hallway I wish it could be this cool.

I'd give a vote for Cadence to Arms by the Dropkick Murphys (cheezy high school backyard video alert). Nothing says "this is gonna make the awesome dribble out of your pores like badass bagpipes and angry Irishmen - though you'd have to time the entrance.
posted by Prevailing Southwest at 9:53 AM on April 8, 2008