The Ultimate Pump-Up Songs

The duck is the true embodiment of the ultimate pump-up song.

I'm going to take a break from our usual activities at CSVMAD in order to investigate the ultimate pump-up songs of all time.

"What is an ultimate pump-up song?", you ask. Well, it's a lot of things, but let's go through the checklist:

1. The song must have a catchy but variating riff. The riff can't be so repetitive that it gets boring, but there needs to be time allowed for the riff to develop. The riff needs to build on itself, as it gets caught in a web of sonic deliciousness. Kick in the drums, add in a guitar solo, or a kickass piano ditty that will make it sweet.
Ex. "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim.

2. The song must follow a story-like sequence. There needs to be an introduction that reels you in and gradually gets you ready for the "bomb". Then, there needs to be a progressive build to the bomb that is a little more complicated than the introduction. Next, you have what I call "the bomb"-you know what it is. It's the part that hits you over the head with adrenaline, the part that gets you so psyched for whatever you need to do to the point where you feel like you've just had 4 red bulls (never tried it, but I would assume it is). **Note: The best bomb ever is "Right Here, RIght Now" by Fatboy Slim. Listen to it and pay careful attention at the 1:14 mark.** Lastly, there needs to be a resolution to the bomb. This part brings you back down to an appropriate adrenaline level but still leaves you pumped up.
Ex. "Right Here, Right Now" by Fatboy Slim. I'm not kidding about the 1:14 mark.

3. The song must have a variation of instruments. This means that the song should be played loud and loudness is conducive "pump-upedness". It is neccessary for an Ultimate pump-up song to have the ability to be played multiple times on different occassions. The only way for a song can stay fresh and exciting is if the listener can hear new sounds or understand the lyrics differently each time. With a variation and abundance of instruments, that can happen.
Ex. "Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens. See 3:57.

4. This last category is one that is hard to explain. I'll call it "the empowering factor". The empowering factor refers to the song's ability to inspire or empower you to do something. Many times, the reason I listen to an ultimate pump-up song is to invigorate or inspire myself to do what I need to do. This most definitely includes competitions of any sort. An ultimate pump-up song is like sonic steroids. Yea, sonic steroids. Too bad Barry Bonds didn't read this post 5 years ago.
Ex. "Cry of the Celts" by Ronan Hardiman. See 0:52. If you don't believe me about this song, ask my friend Matt-I'm sure he could tell you a little bit about it.

Notable pump-up tracks:
"Hello Conscience" by The Zutons. Go and buy their album, seriously.

"49 Percent" by Royksopp from The Understanding. Great album. Get it.

"Good Girl Down" by Morcheeba. Nice.