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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
Note that any opinions expressed in legacy Jackson Free Press stories do not reflect a position of the Mississippi Free Press or necessarily of its staff and board members.

Between the fencing mask and metal vest, it’s hard and probably very dangerous to don headphones while battling through bouts. But that doesn’t mean I can’t listen to music at all. Here are some of my favorite songs to listen to when I’m fencing.

  1. “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
  2. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
  3. “Tick Tick Boom” by The Hives
  4. “Arabella” by Arctic Monkeys
  5. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings
  6. “Go!” by Santigold
  7. “Nostrand” by Ratatat
  8. “The Kill” by 30 Seconds to Mars
  9. “Echoes” by Klaxons

Amber Helsel is a freelance copy editor and former managing editor of the Jackson Free Press.