Biggest NBA Anthems of All Time

Music and sport go very much hand in hand. And, unlike many other sports around the world, while the action on the court in the NBA unfolds, music is often heard playing, with those in attendance getting involved. But just which songs are the best-loved and deemed NBA anthems?

YMCA

YMCA is an iconic music track, and not just in sport. The song is synonymous with a party atmosphere, and you could suggest this is why it’s perfect for the NBA, as long your team is winning. The great thing about YMCA is that it’s not only an anthem that people can sing along to; they can get involved with the dance too, which makes it even better. As far as songs at basketball go, it’s right up there and the perfect way to get an atmosphere buzzing.

I Can’t Stop

Believe it or not, dubstep came and went in many areas of the world, but it’s still incredibly popular where basketball and, more specifically, the NBA is concerned. And, looking back to the year 2010, when Flux Pavilion dropped the hit I Can’t Stop, it immediately became part of NBA arena folklore. It’s a track that can still be heard playing today at games, and another way that the whole experience has been developed further, such as when having a flutter on NBA games became another crucial component.

You Dropped A Bomb On Me

Some tracks at the NBA are reserved for specific occasions or when certain things happen during play, and The Gap Band’s classic hit You Dropped A Bomb On Me is a prime example. Imagine watching your team play, and someone sinks a big three. And then picture the scenes when celebrations are underway, and You Dropped A Bomb On Me begins to play. It’s undeniably fitting for the moment, and in some ways, it can jee your team up to continue while riling the opposition in the process.

Timber

Most people will have heard the track Timber by Kesha and Pitbull. Both artists were top-rated globally at the time of its release, and the song was a smash hit. And, as you will expect, the NBA wanted a piece of that for themselves. So, Kesha and Pitbull were tasked with developing a remix specifically for the NBA playoffs, and what a job they did, going as far as including the word playoffs in the lyrics. It’s an NBA song that may have been and gone, but it will always be remembered for the period it represented.

In The Air Tonight

In The Air Tonight is one of the tracks that Phil Collins is most renowned for. And it’s easy to see why. But a specific portion of the mega-hit works well where the NBA is concerned. Of course, we’re talking about the drumming sequence, which has been played repeatedly, be it in adverts and sporting events such as basketball. The drums do a great job building an atmosphere and getting everyone focused, so hearing it courtside is no shock.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.