15 best basketball songs of all time: Find out which tops the list

If you are a basketball diehard, you can attest that it has long been intertwined with music. Besides, music amplifies any event. Whether it is a wedding, birthday party, cookout, or a sport, there is always a different kind of mood music brings about. Interestingly, some of the best basketball songs today are the typical ones in your playlist.

Come to think of it, what is a basketball match without some beats? Basketball is an intense game that can get you excited with immense excitement. Nevertheless, having powerful music at the games plays a vital role in exciting the crowd. So, what are some of the popular basketball songs played at games?

Top 15 best basketball songs as of 2023

Generally, basketball music contains game-related lyrics, while others are basketball warm-up tracks or themes played before, during, and after a match. Plenty of tracks have been inspired by and written about the sport over the decades.

After an in-depth analysis, Sports Brief has compiled a list displaying some basketball arena songs played.

15. Heart of a champion

Everyone wants a little push, especially during the bad days. Heart Of A Champion is one of those uplifting tracks narrating life's obstacles that ought to be overcome to succeed. The song sees an up-and-coming basketball player looking for his place on the sport's team and finally making it after countless failed attempts.

14. White Iverson

If Post Malone happens to be your cup of coffee, then you can attest that his music speaks directly to the soul. In fact, most of his fans often say that his music is food for the soul. In his track, White Iverson, Malone used the lyrics to compare himself to basketball gurus like Allen Iverson and Kevin Durant.

Consequently, it is among the hype basketball songs today, with a billion of views on social media platforms like YouTube.

13. Wing$

Among the most popular hip-hop basketball songs is Wing$ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It narrates the life of a young boy infatuated with the sport basketball, from memorabilia to many of Michael Jordan's promotional pictures and photos.

The track was such a hit on its own. However, its viewership numbers skyrocketed when it was used to highlight the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.

12. Basketball Dreams

Sleepy Hallow released this haunting yet melodic ballad about a young child searching for a place in the basketball arena as a solution to finding a way in the unpredictable world. Through the intense and moving lyrics, Sleepy Hollow reminds his fans that dreams are important, and despite any challenges, hope is where everything lies.

The track is such a hit as it currently has over 6.3 million YouTube views despite having yet to have an original video.

11. Basketball Jones

In the 1996 film Space Jam, Barry White and Chris Rock covered Basketball Jones, a song initially from a Cheech and Chong album released in 1973. The track details people's collective fascination with the talent basketball displays.

Even though the original was produced in 1973, the cover by the Studio Group ranks among the best basketball rap songs as of 2023.

10. Eye Of The Tiger

If this were a list displaying some of the most inspirational sports songs of all time, Survivor's track, Eye Of The Tiger, would top the list. It is the theme song of the movie Rocky III, starring Sylvester Stallone.

Additionally, it was nominated for best original track in a film in 1982. One exciting thing about it is that it motivates athletes and fans never to give up.

9. Remember The Name

The track Remember The Name has this specific driving up-tempo beat played extensively at sporting events, including the theme song for two NBA playoff games in 2006 and 2007 and the NBA Draft in 2008.

Moreover, the song was highlighted on EA Sports NBA Live 2006. If it is about popular basketball songs played at games, then this is just it.

8. Sirius

At the eighth position is the track by The Alan Parsons Project, a British rock band. The music is renowned for its catchy, upbeat, liveliness, spirited lyrics, and tune. In fact, it is the theme song of the NBA team, the Chicago Bulls.

The song's popularity skyrocketed when it was played while introducing the night's starting lineup during the team's heyday, defined by six NBA championships.

7. Space Jam

The song, Space Jam, was released in 1996 under the animated movie Space Jam, which starred the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan and the cast of Looney Tunes.

In 2015, Zach LaVine participated and won an NBA All-Star Dunk Contest while wearing an MJ Toons jersey as a tribute to the track.

6. Champions

Ron Artest, now famous as Metta Sandiford-Artest, is among those basketball players who transitioned to the music world amid their careers. The song possesses incredible lyrics about the sport, so it remains among the favourite and clean basketball songs in the arena.

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5. Roundball Rock

One from the 90s is the Roundball Rock by John Tesh. This piece is an upbeat musical score that has so far been played 12,000 times for over two decades on NBC when broadcasting official NBA games.

Moreover, the song's updated version was used for the WNBA from 1997 to 2002 and during the 2008 Olympic games. Bravo, John Tesh!

4. Forever

Well! Well! Well! You all can agree that, that collabo is sick without listening to the song. Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Eminem, what else do you want to listen to? A piece with over 350 million views on YouTube still ranks among the best basketball songs as of 2023.

The piece hits with great energy and attitude that complements the documentary, which follows mega-superstar player LeBron James and his teammates through their high school basketball years in Ohio.

3. Basketball

One in the 80s is Basketball by Kurtis Blow, an NYC hip-hop artist. This track mentions more than two dozen famous basketball stars as an acknowledgment of their hard work and commitment.

The track is profound. Soon after its release, the NBA began to play it as an anthem. Moreover, it was picked up as the NBA 2K12 video game introduction.

2. Sweet Georgia Brown

Sweet Georgia Brown is seemingly one of the oldest songs about basketball, written in the mid-1920s as a jazz composition in New York City. Some of the most talented jazz artists and musicians have covered this infectious melody. It is the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters.

1. He Got Game

Public Enemy released this basketball song as the title for the movie He Got Game. The track tells a story of a runaway basketball, a metaphor for how the sport can exploit young adults by luring them from their homes to a world of temptation.

The best basketball songs are written and covered by many artists who pull their inspiration from the human drama and battles fought on the hard court. Nevertheless, coming up with these tracks showcases how passionate people with the things they love.

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