Never too early to find a good at-bat song
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 07, 2008 
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I was sorting through some CDs just now and came across something Hideki Matsui dropped on us last spring. He told me I should blog it and I forgot.
It’s the official Hideki Matsui Rooters song Hikari No Michi. Here’s the stadium edit version for you:
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They should play this when he comes to the plate. I have no idea what the words are (Japanese readers, help us out) but it’s inspirational.
In The Air Tonight – Phil Collins would be an awesome intro song, especially for a pitcher. When those drums hit, the crowd would go nuts. Man that was a great scene in Miami Vice.
lol. Doesn’t Mats use the kill bill theme as well?
He actually gave that to you? I’ve heard great Japanese cheer songs, but that was, um, interesting.
I’d like to see Joba jog into Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana O Fortuna” (used in Jackass the Movie & 300).
“Carmina Burana”
I just joined a choir that’s performing that whole piece in May
Will you be wearing thongs and capes like the guys in Jackass? “)
Speaking of Matsui, I knew he was big in Japan, but I didn’t know he had his own baseball museum there (which I stumbled upon while trying to google the lyrics to Hikari no Michi)
Also, note! Life-sized statue of Matsui! http://www.hideki.co.jp/top/english/tenji_md.html
“Will you be wearing thongs and capes like the guys in Jackass? ”
Nope. Tuxedos.
Blargh,
Is he really 6’2″? That’s very tall for a Japanese person.
Whozat,
Thank goodness. Good luck. What else will you be singing?
“Thank goodness. Good luck. What else will you be singing?”
The whole of Carmina Burana is about an hour of music. O Fortuna and a variation are just the opening and closing movements.
Matsui said in an interview that his knee wasn’t 100%, and that it recovered in a range of 60-70%.
When asked about the trade rumor going around this off-season, he wanted to play for the Yanks but wouldn’t be shocked if he were traded, and he thinks it could still happen during the SP. He joked by saying, “I wouldn’t be able to play in NL because of my knee. Torre certainly wouldn’t want me.”
This song was created as a promotional event for Kanagawa Prefecture under the direction of the local symphony and its chief composer. Matsui’s father was involved in the judging of the lyrics contest, I believe, and the song was formed as a combination of the chief composer’s music and the winning lyrical entry.
The short sound byte you have here says:
Go, go, go, go Matsui
Desired Power
Go, go, go, go Hideki
Your Way to the Path of Glory
There’s a little more, but I haven’t heard it in its entirety. The lyrics were actually created by a Middle School student from Niigata Prefecture.
Khoa -
In The Air Tonight comes up a lot when talking about player theme songs. I totally get the picture you’re painting, too. Late innings, close game, chill in the air, pitching change, bandwagon fans leaving the stadium…the rest of us are all debating who to bring in and how to play the infield…then it comes on and the crowd goes nuts. I totally get it. But I’d rather save it for a situation than a player. It would be kind of silly to have it come on in the 5th inning of a 12-1 game. haha.
Mike -
Thanks. The translation and the context is awesome! much appreciated.
“Desired Power” sounds bit too engrishy. Here’s my stab at translating it:
Go, Go, Go, Go Matsui
Power of Hope
Go, Go, Go, Go Hideki
Your Path, the Shining Path
Last year, my friend Nik and I were talking about what songs we’d each have if we were Yankees. My choices were:
- inagaddadavida (long version with drum solo)
- anything by the Fugs
- Willie the Pimp by Frank Zappa.
Any other thoughts on what songs you’d have if you were a Yankee?
That sounds regal…
I prefer Jailbreak by AC\DC. He should stick with that.
Oh. My. God. If Matsui played that for his at-bat song, he’d be a superhero on ESPN. That would probably be the most amazing at-bat song in the history of at-bat songs.
Every time Matsui comes up in a clutch situation, they need to play that song.
Good point Marvin. That would feel kinda weird bringing the drama in a 2-14 game. Funny. Didn’t think about that.
Kinda like the “Final Countdown” I guess. Can you imagine playing that song during a blowout? If that were the case, Madison Square better stock up on CD’s of it because those discs would wear out for sure!
I always thought that “Don’t Fear The Reaper” would be a great song for a closer.
this is a BAD ASS song for an intro lol
I think the drum intro to “Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers, would be great to play at pressure situations
“Jailbreak” was written and performed by Thin Lizzy. AC/DC, though a kickarse pop-metal band, never had that kind of talent.
C’mon. It’s so obvious that the perfect song for Hideki is “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult….