The List: Entrance Music

I saw this article on Slate, and it reminded me of conversations I've had with the geekiest of my friends -- conversations involving the notion of having my own entrance music.  And it gave me the chance to create my fifth formal installment of The List. 

Just imagine if we had entrance theme music in real life.  Imagine if when you walked into work or school, your choice of pre-selected music played.  Imagine if the use of entrance music was expanded beyond baseball batters playing at home when they approach the plate, relief pitchers coming onto the field, and pro wrestlers.  Obviously it wouldn't practically work - it would be pretty distracting to everyone else in the area whenver I walked into someplace.  But on a purely theoretical level, I'd love it. 

Normal people only get a taste of entrance or exit music at weddings.  When Noah and Maya's ceremony ended, Maya had chosen to play Coldplay's "Clocks."  When Eva and Doug entered their reception hall along with the wedding party (including me and Ed), the Empire's March from Star Wars played (god, those two might be bigger dorks than I am).  When Matt and Reena got hitched, "California Love" accompanied their entrance to the reception hall (because despite their Wisconsin heritage, they met in California).  I might get married solely for the opportunity to have entrance music. 

Already, on my walk from the metro station to work, I scan my iPod for good walking music; I want to be pumped up by the time I walk in that building.  I do the same thing before I go swimming.  And on my way to parties and bars.  I'd evenlike to have music play when I walk out on stage to perform in a band.  It wouldn't have to be our music.

As you can imagine, I've already thought of several entrance songs that would be appropriate.  Here are some of them [A caveat -- they have to be "tough-sounding" songs]:

• A Perfect Circle, "Pet" - This song is already being used by a major-league baseball player, thoguh I forget who.  The intro is perfect: foreboding, dramatic, intimidating.
  


• Notorious B.I.G., "Victory" - This song samples "Alone In the Ring" from the Rocky soundtrack. It's very dramatic, and it just gives you that feeling that something serious is about to go down.
  


• Nas, "Made You Look" - Chris Rock used this song as his exit music after he finished Bigger and Blacker.  It's old-school hip-hop without actually being old-school.
  


• Cypress Hill, "Cock The Hammer" - Listen to it, and you'll understand.
  


• Pretty much any song by Tool or A Perfect Circle will work, unless it's a ballad.
  


•  Jay-Z, "The Threat" - Just solid.  Foreboding, intimidating, the works. 
  


• Led Zeppelin, "When the Levee Breaks", "Achilles' Last Stand"...well, really a whole bunch of songs.
  


• D-12, "Fight Music" - Self-explanatory.
  


• Filter, "Hey Man Nice Shot" - This song builds slowly to an intense cescendo.  I'm not sure if the beginning woudl work...it might be too quiet. 
  


• Foo Fighters, "I'll Stick Around"
  


• Rage Against The Machine, "Killing In The Name" - This is one of the most badass songs ever written.  
  


• Incubus, "Idiot Box" - So is this.  
  


• Jimi Hendrix, "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)", "Spanish Castle Magic" - Jimi might have more, but these are the first ones that come to mind.  Hulk Hogan beat me to the first song during his ill-adivsed return to the ring a couple years back.
  


• N.E.R.D., "Lapdance" - There are other good Neptunes songs for this purpose, but this one is at the top of the list.
  


• Stone Temple Pilots, "Silvergun Superman" - Great beginning.  Same with "Wicked Garden" and "Dead and Bloated."

 Anyway, my nerd trip is over for now. 

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