Songs for cheer routines

Upbeat songs with strong beats and clear 8-count phrasing. Use them for practice, camp, sideline and game-day dances, or as a starting point when you talk to your music producer.

MP3 links go to Amazon, for practice. A bought song is not licensed for a competition mix. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Tempo: competition cheer mixes are often around 145 to 150 BPM. Sideline and game-day songs can be slower. Check a song with the BPM finder or tap tempo.
• Clear 8-counts: a steady drum beat and phrases that start cleanly on 1 make counting and teaching easy. See how to count music for dance.
• Hits: drum crashes and drops give stunts, jumps and motions something to land on.
• Clean lyrics: pick a clean version for school and youth teams.

Competition is where most teams get caught out. USA Cheer says every recording mixed into a cheer or dance routine should be properly licensed, with written confirmation available on request. A licence has to be in writing from every copyright owner. No reply to a request is not permission.

• No remixes, mash-ups or medleys without written permission from the copyright owners.
• A single, legally bought song may be used with small edits for timing only: no sound effects, no tempo change, no mixing with other songs.
• Music downloaded from a streaming subscription (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube) is not accepted at events that follow these rules.
• Many events ask for printed proof of licensing at check-in, and can disqualify a team without it.

That is why most competitive teams buy a mix from a cheer music producer who handles the licences, or use music made for cheer. Check the rulebook for your own event. This is a summary, not legal advice.

A producer builds the mix around your routine, so send them a clear 8-count sheet: every count, the skills on it, and where you want hits, sound effects and voiceovers. Read how to fill out a cheer 8-count sheet and how to choreograph a cheer routine.