Hunting and country music are undeniably linked. I understand. A lot of country music comes from the same farming country in the South and Midwest where many Americans hunt. But since so many more new hunters live in big cities and their suburbs, traditional “Country Boy Can Survive” playlists don’t exactly resonate with all of us. I live in Queens, New York, and my musical choices are influenced by where I live and where I grew up.
So when it comes to my hunting season, there is a certain level of energy that has to be achieved and maintained. No slow traffic jams. Not easy listening. Just music created to excite, excite and prepare you to face your hunt. That’s why I’ve curated the Ultimate Hunting Playlist: 52 songs designed to get you motivated for your hunt. Now listen on Apple Music or Spotify while you read. (Note: This is an explicit playlist. Supervision of young hunters is advised.)
Wu-Tang is for hunters
One of my first experiences with a hunting companion was not hunting. (Go figure it out.) It’s thanks to our shared love for the best of Shaolin, the Wu-Tang Clan. Over the past few years, it’s been amazing how many people in the hunting community love this New York hip-hop group. This first block of songs from the playlist is therefore a tribute to the Killer Bees. You will immediately recognize some of these tracks.
- Protect Your Neck – Wu-Tang Clan
- Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ – Wu-Tang Clan
- Shadowboxin’ – GZA feat. method man
- Da Rockwilder – Method Man & Redman
- Triumph – Wu-Tang Clan
- Lesson Learned – Wu-Tang Clan
- Criminology – Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah
- Bring the Pain – Method Man
- Guillotine – Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck and GZA
- The Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing but the F’ Wit – Wu-Tang Clan
- Shame on AN**** – Wu-Tang Clan
- Got Your Money – Ol’ Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis
- Protect Ya’s Neck (The Jump) – Wu-Tang Clan
will make you sweat
In a past life, I was pretty addicted to fitness. I even made an appearance in an infomercial for a popular workout video. These next bits are from playlists that helped me get a few workouts in and helped me establish a new PR at the squat rack. Now, how is this useful to your hunting experience? Well, imagine you just shot a moose like Cam Hanes and now you have to put it away. If you don’t quite have that mental toughness, one of the following from this track block can get you going.
- Body – Drowning Basin
- I am alone – Godsmack
- Pain For Pleasure – Sum 41
- Chop Suey! – System of a Down
- Fuel – Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
- Smells like teenage spirit – Nirvana
- My Hero – Foo Fighters
- Kill in the Name – Rage Against the Machine
- Still pending – Sum 41
- Down with the disease – Disturbed
- Breaking the Habit – LINKIN PARK
The most real
This next block of tracks is for the real hip-hop heads. Coming from New York, the birthplace of hip-hop, I had to hook you up with some bangers. These songs are a great addition to any hunting camp. Play any song from that part of the playlist. And if the hunter next to you isn’t moving his head in rhythm, don’t invite him back. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.
- Biggie/Tupac Freestyle – The Notorious BIG & 2Pac feat. DJ Mister Cee
- Ima Boss – Meek Mill feat. Rick Ross
- Lose Yourself – Eminem
- ‘Till I Collapse – Eminem feat. Nate Dogg
- Ruff Ryders Anthem – DMX
- Take them out – TI
- Acting Like A Fool – Ludacris
- I’m Bad – LL Cool J
- Stronger – Kanye West
- Notorious Thugs – The Notorious BIG feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
- Always DRE – Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
- Made You Watch – Nas
- Return – Ludacris
- I Twisted It – Mobb Deep
- Walk Like This – Run-DMC feat. Aerosmith
- Beats to the Rhyme – Run-DMC
- Mama Said Knocks You Out – LL Cool J
80s film montage
The latest set of songs to grace this playlist have been included to make you feel a bit nostalgic. If you don’t, then you’re probably too young. But if you can appreciate a good workout edit of an old 80s movie, then this is for you.
Still not sold? Let me paint you a picture. Imagine you are somewhere in the Midwest. You live on 200 acres with your grandparents, who raised you. But alas, trouble is brewing in town. Grandma and grandpa are behind on their mortgage payments. The mayor and the game warden are conspiring to get your hands on that property you’ve been hunting your whole life. You and your motley but lovable group of hunting buddies are all out of ideas for getting money. But there is hope: the town is hosting its annual 3D archery and the prize money is the exact amount you need to pay for the farm. The only problem? You have never shot an archery. You have two days before the shooting.
Check out the inspiring training montage of you becoming an archery ace—set to this playlist. Perform your favorite song for the nail-biting finale: when you find out the mayor has recruited ringer John Dudley to make sure no one else can win the prize money. (I’m pretty sure I just wrote the script for the next Oscar winner. Don’t steal my idea.)
- Breaking the Ice – John Farnam, of “RAD”
- No Easy Way Out – Robert Tepper, “Rocky IV”
- Hearts on Fire – John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, from “Rocky IV”
- The Touch – from the animated film “Transformers: The Movie”
- You’re the best – Joe Esposito, from “The Karate Kid”
- Hold On For A Hero – Bonnie Tyler, ‘Footloose’
- We are not alone – Karla Devito, of “The Breakfast Club”
- Never – from “Footloose”
- Twist Of Fate – Olivia Newton John, from “Two of a Kind”
- Invincible – from “The Legend of Billie Jean”
I highly recommend that you listen to this entire playlist (available on Apple Music and Spotify) in your truck, with the windows and volume turned up. Alone or with passengers, each track will make you amped up for your hunt. You’re welcome.