The eagerly anticipated Madden NFL 27 playlist was released on August 6 to widespread acclaim. Its 80-song collection of hits from across multiple decades and musical genres had fans praising its diversity, with classic rock, metal, country, electronic, old-school hip-hop, and 80s all featured.
By using a blend of new and unreleased music, rising talent, and iconic gameday anthems, EA claims the soundtrack “reflects Madden’s unique role at the intersection of sports, gaming and music culture, helping introduce fans to new artists while pairing the energy of football with beloved records across genres.” And with the NFL season officially underway and all the latest odds available on the DraftKings Sunday Night Football betting page, gamers now have multiple ways to enjoy the NFL on a Sunday.
Repetition and Omission
While many fans are loving the inclusion of anthems from previous playlists such as Metallica, DMX, and Good Charlotte, there has been some minor criticism, with claims that the playlist relies too much on these retro tracks and lacks inspiration.
Others point to the overuse of unfamiliar songs from lesser-known, independent artists, especially when they come at the expense of one or two surprising omissions. In particular, Ella Langley's No. 1 country anthem "Choosin' Texas” which continues to break records, failed to make the final cut for team Madden.
The exclusion of other recent hits from artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and Travis Scott has also been noted. While Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan is another surprising omission after her hit "Hot to Go!" made the Madden 2026 line-up. Bruno Mars' first-ever career No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, "I Just Might", is also a big miss.
For those about to Rock
Fans of Rock ‘n’ Roll will be delighted to see that Madden 27 Stadium Mode offers a specially curated playlist that, according to EA, is designed to replicate the booming, high-energy game day atmosphere of being inside a football stadium.
The playlist features a wide selection of classic rock anthems such as "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Metallica, and Motörhead's ear-splitting
2 minutes and 48 seconds of head-banging rock perfection, "Ace of Spades”.
EA certainly hasn’t been afraid to go back in time in their quest to create the ultimate playlist. In fact, there’s an impressive 55-year gap between the oldest and newest tracks on Madden 27. The Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again” was released in 1971, making it the second oldest track to ever feature on a Madden playlist. Black Sabbath’s 1970 hit “Paranoid”, which featured on Madden NFL 10, still holds that title.
Streaming Royalty
Every playlist needs popular classics. They are the heartbeat of any successful playlist and gaming session. When total platform streaming data for all the songs featured on the Official Madden NFL 27 Spotify Playlist are taken into account, the five most listened-to tracks are:
"Mr. Brightside" by The Killers: 2.3 billion streams
"Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes: 1.7 billion streams
"Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton: 1.6 billion streams
"Levels" by Avicii: 1.3 billion streams
"Tití Me Preguntó" by Bad Bunny: 1.2 billion streams
Well-known anthems like "Mr. Brightside" and “Seven Nation Army” instantly create real-world stadium atmosphere and help build energy, familiarity, and in-game excitement for players. It creates a more immersive experience and adds to their overall enjoyment.
Greatest Madden Playlists
A total of 35 distinct game playlists have been released in the Madden franchise, creating some stiff competition when it comes to picking the greatest soundtrack so far. Of course, everything’s subjective and favorite song choices can depend on demographics, gaming style, and so much more. However, our top two playlists are:
Madden 04
With a great mix of rock, punk, metal, and hip-hop, plus classic tracks such as "Party Hard" by Andrew W.K., "Never Scared" by Bone Crusher, and "Feeling This" by blink-182, it is easy to see why this is widely regarded as the GOAT Madden soundtrack.
Madden 09
Pushing Madden 04 all the way is a soundtrack that arguably features more instantly recognizable songs than any other playlist. “American Idiot” by Green Day, “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand, and “From Out of Nowhere” by Faith No More are just some of the banger tunes that set it apart.
Verdict
There’s no doubt the Madden 27 playlist features some great tunes that will cater to a wide variety of musical tastes and gaming styles. The 80-strong playlist is a welcome return to form after several lackluster years, and EA are to be commended for the variety and creativity on offer here.
While it can’t stake a claim for a place in the top three Madden Playlists of all time, it is certainly a top ten contender. And who knows, with a long NFL season ahead and plenty of gaming time in store, I have a sneaking suspicion that this one might just prove to be a grower.