Got baseball on the brain? You’re definitely not alone! Here are some tunes you can enjoy in between innings this baseball season.
1. "The Star Spangled Banner" (1814)
"The Star Spangled Banner" is about as American as apple pie and baseball. Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato garnered lots of attention for her performance of the National Anthem at game 7 of the 2014 World Series.
2. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1908)
Everybody knows this classic tune, even if they’re not a baseball fan. This recording, featuring singer Edward Meeker, was recorded in 1908, the same year the Tin Pan Alley tune was written.
3. "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" (1949)
Originally written and recorded by Buddy Johnson, the most popular version of this song about Jackie Robinson, the first African American to join the MLB, was recorded by Count Basie.
4. "Baseball Boogie" (1950)
Combining licks of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with blues harmonies, this song features American gospel music and R&B vocalist Mabel Scott.
5. "Six Months Out of Every Year" (1955)
No list would be complete with a song from the musical Damn Yankees.
6. "Let’s Go, Go-Go White Sox" (1959)
White Sox fans have been singing this classic fight song for over 50 years.
7. "The First Baseball Game" (1961)
This strange song traces the roots of baseball back to the Biblical times, and features the one and only Nat King Cole, who was himself a L.A. Dodgers fan.
8. "There Used to Be a Ballpark" (1973)
This wistful tune was popularized by Frank Sinatra. Here's a live recording of this song from a Carnegie Hall performance by "Ol' Blue Eyes" in 1974.
9. "A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request" (1983)
Just so that no one thinks we’re biased in favor of the Sox, here’s a tune for all the Cubs fans out there.
10. "Glory Days" (1985)
At the height of its popularity, the Springsteen song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles. The music video was filmed at a baseball field in West New York, New Jersey.
