Friday FunDay: Matching Music and Swimming: What Songs Fit Specific Events?

Matching Music and Swimming: What Songs Fit Specific Events?

Most swimmers have a song that either pumps them up before an event, or gets stuck in their head during a race or practice. But have you ever thought about songs that match the vibe of certain events? Listed below are songs that complement specific events based off their lyrics, title or beat.

1650 FREESTYLE

“Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder

“Ain’t nothin’ gonna break my stride. Nobody gonna slow me down. Oh no, I got to keep on moving.” The lyrics of this song fit perfectly with the mile! Distance swimmers know that this event is all about maintaining a steady pace for a long period of time.

200 BREASTSTROKE

“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John

Breaststrokers know that the body part that tends to hurt the most after swimming the 200 breaststroke is the legs. The title of this classic song by Elton John might as well be some words to live by for breaststrokers. Even though your legs will most likely feel like jello after this event, at least you are still standing!

400 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

“Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees

The 400 IM is one of the longest and most agonizing events for swimmers to race. Many swimmers who compete in this event may question whether or not they will make it out of the pool alive once they finish. Four 100s of each stroke packed into one race—it even sounds tough! Matching this well-known song with the 400 IM makes total sense.

200 BUTTERFLY

“Work” by Rihanna

For anybody who swims the 200 butterfly, you know that this is an event where you really have to work. Butterfly is a tiring stroke even if you are trying to swim it relaxed. The 100 butterfly is hard enough, but the 200—that’s a different story!

50 FREESTYLE

“Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue

This classic heavy metal banger is bound to get any sprinter pumped up and ready to go. In the 50 free, you have to be quick right from the start. This upbeat song gets the heart thumping like no other!

200 BACKSTROKE

“breathin” by Ariana Grande

The 200 backstroke is a tough event, and sometimes you have to remind yourself to “just keep breathin’ and breathin’ and breathin’ and breathin.’” Backstroke is the only stroke where you can breathe the entire time while swimming, so it is only fitting that Ariana Grande’s hit song represents this challenging event!

There are many other songs or music genres that could fit well with different swimming events, but Swimming World hopes it was enjoyable to read our take on it! Do you have any event-song connections of your own?

* * *

Edie Sawyer is a junior at Ohio University who is majoring in journalism strategic communications. Sawyer is a member of the swim and dive team at Ohio and specializes in breaststroke and IM.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use