Soundtrack of the channel: Channel chiefs pick their favourite pump-up songs

CRN asked EMEA channel chiefs what jams get them fired up before go time – here’s what they said

In CRN's recent EMEA Channel Chiefs list we asked entries to share their favourite song to get pumped-up to.

Well, we were spoilt for choice, so have listed our favourite answers below.

But, to hear the the complete discography of CRN's Channel Chiefs, we have curated the ultimate channel fired-up playlist from all the answers on Spotify right here.

Eye of the Tiger, Survivor

Overwhelmingly the most listened to tune amongst entries was Survivor's Eye of Tiger which stood out as a childhood memory, a motivational hit and an anthem of the channel's survival instinct.

Phylip Morgan, CRO at Pax8 said: "The lyrics convey a theme of determination, resilience, and overcoming challenges.

"The phrase ‘eye of the tiger' itself refers to a focused and determined mindset, often associated with facing adversity head-on.

"This resonates with individuals striving to overcome obstacles or achieve specific goals."

You'll Never Walk Alone, Gerry and the Pacemakers

If you're a Liverpool FC fan, or even a Borussia Dortmund supporter, this song will echo loud in your memory.

Gerry and the Pacemakers's You'll Never Walk Alone was chosen by three channel chiefs as their go-to track and who can blame them? If it's good enough to motivate generations after generations of footballers to make their club proud, it's good enough for me.

"It motivates me to be resilient and to think about teamwork when we're facing challenges," said Dion Smith at Zoom, although he went slightly rouge with the Andrea Bocelli cover, what a cultured man.

Proud Mary, Tina Turner

"It's a slow build but then has so much energy and it's my daughter's karaoke song and she delivers it brilliantly which makes me really proud," isn't that enough of a wholesome reason from Paul Flannery at Epicor to include this brilliant song in our playlist?

However, you're planning on playing this at the next team building event, just make sure there is enough space in the office because heads and hair will be flicking up and down all across the room.

My Hero, Foo Fighters

Somewhat of a change of style from Tina, but Chris Casey at AWS was so passionate about this banger we had to include it.

He also shared a video link to Taylor Hawkins' son Shane playing this song at his father's tribute concert and encouraged us all to "do ourselves a favour", so we shall…

Casey said: "It's a song about the heroes in our lives who are ‘ordinary' people that do extraordinary things."

Bring it on Home, Led Zeppelin

Keeping up the rock vibes, this just "booms and the music drives hard!", according to Andy Walsky at ExaGrid.

And if you're a massive Led Zeppelin fan, did you know that the opening riff of Bring it on Home was adapted as a homage to Sonny Boy Williamson's homonymous 1963 single Bring it on Home?

Don't ask me how I know this, but Led Zeppelin frequently incorporated lyrics and melodies from old blues songs into their music, and this is one of the most obvious examples.

My Way, Frank Sinatra

The entry just said: "Somewhat important", and I think that's fair to say.

If you work with Santosh Wadwa at Fujitsu, please get in touch with some feedback, I'd love to know if he's all about doing in it "his way".

Jump, The Pointer Sisters

Wendy Inwood at HYCU said this song "just gives me a buzz, it was always my warm up music at dance college and gets me feeling motivated," and I don't think I've ever agreed more with someone.

While I know we all think the music video to this absolute Disco banger looks effortless and iconic, apparently Ruth Pointer was initially unsure about all the dancing and almost refused to do it, she worried about looking silly - pfff, really?

And in case you don't watch this music video religiously once a week to keep you going (honestly, what are you doing with your time?), I'll just leave this here.

Walking on Sunshine, Katrina & The Waves

And just to finish off with an extra dose of dopamine, this tune will surely turn any frown upside down.

Tim Kartali, IONOS SE, said: "I love the positive attitude of this song and it makes me feel rainy days feel a bit more sunnier."

But did you know where the inspiration for this song came from?

Kimberley Rew told The Guardian in 2015: "I'd love to say Walking on Sunshine relates to a significant event in my life, like walking out of my front door, seeing a comet and being inspired, but it's just a piece of simple fun, an optimistic song, despite us not being outstandingly cheery people.

"We were a typical young band, insecure and pessimistic. We didn't have big hair and didn't look anything like a Motown-influenced group.

"We didn't have any credibility or a fanbase in awe of our mystique. We were a second-on-the-bill-at-a-festival-in-Germany pop band. But we had this song."