How UNC softball utilizes walk-up songs to set the right mindset and reflect identities

From Missy Elliott to reggae to Taylor Swift, the lineup of walk-up songs for the UNC softball team is a musical collage that spans decades, genres and continents. 

Players pick two walk-up songs — or walk-out songs in the case of the pitchers — which are alternated before each of their appearances at bat. While only a few seconds of the songs play, the carefully-chosen clips reflect their identities and the mindset that they want to be in when they walk up to home plate. 

One of sophomore center fielder Sanaa Thompson’s songs is “Welcome to Jamrock” by Damian Marley. She picked it to honor her mother, who is Jamaican, for supporting her throughout her life. But in the 30 second clip she chose, there is also foreshadowing of Thompson's plate appearance: “Out in the street, they call it murder.” 

“I’ll pick a part of the song that correlates to what’s probably about to happen in the box,” Thompson said. “I think it sets a tone when you walk into the box for the other team.” 

Thompson said it's fun when teammates sings along to the walk-up songs. Dugout chants accompany softball at all levels. The chants hype up players or goad opponents. Several of North Carolina’s chants have arisen from walk-up songs. For example, when Thompson steps up to the plate, her teammates will say, “Nana, is she going to punish you?” 

When choosing walk-up songs, some players said that they select one song they connect to personally and one they know will get them and their teammates going. 

Graduate third baseman Shelby Barbee’s first song, “Long Journey” by Rod Wave, is a window into her journey from UVA to UNC as well as representing her identity. 

“I started out really rough in my freshman year,” Barbee said. “And it’s been a long journey to get here to where I wanted to play in college. Then also, a part of my song is ‘Dear God, I’m thankful,’ and it’s just kind of a look into my faith.”

Her second song, “P.I.M.P.” by 50 Cent — the clean version, of course — is simply a reminder to herself every time she goes to hit that she's a good player. She sings it to herself as she walks up to the plate. It gets her in the right headspace for her at-bat.

Some players keep the same walk-up song throughout their careers, and some pick a new one every year. 

Graduate shortstop Grace Jackson’s second walk-up song, “Back On My BS” by BigXthaPlug, is one she listened to for the first time over winter break with her brother. Jackson knew that the beginning of the song would hype the crowd up. 

But the other song is a fixture of her offensive introduction — “Ms. Jackson” by OutKast.

“It’s been one of my walk-up songs my whole career, so obviously I would have it in my final year,” Jackson said. “Just because it makes sense, I am Ms. Jackson.”  

Since walk-up songs are not played for the visiting team, they mark an important factor of the home-field advantage. When the Tar Heels are playing in Anderson Stadium, Jackson said, the songs are a way to ground herself. 

Whether a walk-up song is new or not, Thompson said the consistency of the music helps her get into a routine at the plate and even in the dugout. 

“I know every walk-up song for everyone in the lineup,” she said. “You hear a song and you know who’s coming up, you know what to expect.” 

@BeckettBrant