Wai Salas curates the perfect playlist to get you pumped for The World Cup, from ‘Murica patriot classics to No Doubt to Kanye.
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Almost every athlete uses music as a tool whether during practice, pre-game, post-game and celebration. Recently, US Soccer’s Meghan Klingenberg and Morgan Brian took to Twitter requesting suggestions for a World Cup Playlist.
We need your input! Help me & @moeebrian get pumped for games. Send us your fav jams with the hashtag #WCPlaylist. pic.twitter.com/O785RWBJ7x
— Meghan Klingenberg (@meghankling) June 1, 2015
(The Women’s Team themselves, shared their picks here!)
Here at GMP Sports we do not take such a request lightly. Below is a carefully curated list for not only the players on the pitch, but the fans and everyone from the Good Ol US of A.
Enjoy!
Ray Charles – America The Beautiful
It’s the most soulful and beautiful rendition of the classic. Charles’ tender voice will make you want to go out and fly the stars and stripes until your arms no longer can hold it upright and then you’ll do it for another day because that’s how good this song is. It also makes me think of two things…the movie Sandlot and America. God bless them both.
Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings – This Land is Your Land
Just a fantastic version that inspires us to take pride in our country as we all hold hands and sing this is land is your land with a jazz, blues, funky mixture of awesomeness.
David Bowie – Young Americans
Little known fact, one of the greatest American singers of our lifetime, Luther Vandross sings backup on this song. Young Americans unite!
John Mellencamp – Pink Houses
Mellencamp always found a way to bring the heartland to the masses. This song makes me think of backyard barbecues, state fairs and lemonade stands…Ain’t that America?
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA
Originally written from the point of view of a Vietnam vet critical of the US. It has taken on a life of its own as a rallying cry for all Americans, from all walks of life, finding their own story within Springsteen’s anthem.
Kim Wilde – Kids in America
Aren’t we all…
The Guess Who – American Woman
Not to be confused with Lenny Kravitz’s remake, The Guess Who performed this song impromptu during a set. Luckily, someone in the audience had a recorder. Safe to say there will be a lot of teams in Canada spouting the catchy hook…”American Woman, stay away from me…” The stars and stripes plan on dashing a lot of dreams this Summer.
Tom Petty – American Girl
Just a great, great song.
No Doubt – Just A Girl
No song, in my opinion, empowers women as much as this song.
Tired of the status quo, she’s “Had it up to here.”
Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA
Sing it with me…”I put my hands up, they’re playing my song, the butterflies fly away…” Hopefully, we’ll all be partying in the USA but the end of the World Cup.
Parliament Funkadelic – One Nation Under A Groove
Speaks for itself.
Kanye West – Champion
Ditto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I-d0LJ6ojg
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Photo Credit: Associated Press/File