With March Madness in full swing, spring sports seasons in full swing and the start of professional baseball right around the corner, it’s time to take a serious look at your music library and make some additions.  It’s always a good idea to keep updating your music throughout the year, so we’re going to take a look at some new music that’s been released in the last few months that you should have available.

Victorious – Panic! At The Disco.  This is going to be the next overplayed, post-game song out there because it’s catchy.  You should have this in your post-game win library, however be cautious because some key words could have people telling you to delete it.  Take a listen to the song and use your best judgement.

Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun.  We’ve been playing this song for eight years.  Yes, eight years, but it’s enjoying some mainstream success with it being featured in commercials.  This song is great for walk-in, or for walks in baseball.

Confident – Demi Lovato.  This song has such an empowering message for women, that even men are singing the song.  Can be used for walk-in, but we suggest using it in-game or halftime.  You’ll notice people bouncing to the beat.

No – Meghan Trainor.  This song is going to get me in trouble.  While the majority will use this song for walk-in, personally I like the sentiment to use for strikeouts in baseball/softball.   Start the song at 1:14 and let it go for about 21 seconds.

The Days – Avicii.  A very, very talented producer, pretty much everything with Avicii’s name on it is a good song.

The Nights – Avicii.  See above.

Ex’s and Oh’s – Elle King.  This is a guilty pleasure with a catchy hook, but can also be used for timeouts.  You know, when coaches are going over the X’s and O’s.  Well maybe not in baseball/softball.

Big Rings – Drake.  This one needs some editing, but is a really good song for larger teams.  It is upbeat, with a message that team is going for the championship.  Like mentioned, even the radio edit could be a little sketchy so make sure you listen and edit what you need.

Get Ugly – Jason Derulo.  I’m on the fence with this one.  It’s catchy, no denying that.  And people will sing along and dance to it, however you MUST have the clean radio edit.  Otherwise, you’re going to have some language dropped that you shouldn’t.  Jason Derulo is usually good for some upbeat songs, but sometimes toes that line.  Use your best discretion.

Cake By The Ocean – DNCE.  This is what I call California Rock.  It has that west coast sound and it’s catchy. But what does “cake by the ocean” mean?  Well research tells us that the songwriter confused it for “sex on the beach”.  So the metaphor is there and may obscure it enough to keep it in your playlist.  Though make sure you have the edit that omits “hot damn” at 1:16.

My House – Flo Rida.  If you don’t have this song, get it.  It’s a great home team anthem without being pretentious.  We’ve been playing it since the fall.  This song was written for athletic events.

Bring It Back – Shy Carter featuring Aleon Craft.  This is a great hyper song with a catchy beat and lyrics.  Can be used for penalties in football, but otherwise it’s a great song to have to keep things upbeat.

Music to avoid

Music listed here isn’t saying this music is bad, but more that the music isn’t suitable for play at public events.  We’ve had teams/players ask for these songs/artists and even edited versions still contain references that aren’t suitable for most events.

Pretty much anything by Future, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, A$AP Rocky, and others all contain language issues, however it’s the number of drug use references that make playing their music with lyrics hard to do.  The frustrating part, is these are some very talented artists, however their music just isn’t suitable for use in most situations.  Future has a song called March Madness which sounds like it would be perfect this time of year, however the lyrics suggest otherwise.