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Mar
26
In the last couple years I’ve learned a couple tricks for at least partially salvaging a run when everything feels like it’s going to hell. I can try and make a pitiful little game out of it and start leaping over cracks in the sidewalk and running on the bumpy grass alongside the trail. I can switch to intervals and do short bursts of sprinting followed by longer periods of gasping, eye-bulge-y walking. I can repeat a mantra over and over in my head until I get past the overwhelming sensation of wanting to stop and hail a cab.
Sometimes there’s nothing that can be done, the body just isn’t feeling it. I don’t know if Serious Running-Type People still experience this, but I sure do. It’s one of the maddening things about running, how one day you feel like you might just have this thing figured out and WATCH OUT BOSTON!—and the next time you get maybe one whole block away before your legs turn into cinder blocks and your lungs say “you know what, fuck this noise,” pull out tiny STRIKE signs, and start picketing your aorta.
Anyway, the single most important factor for me in non-suicidal running (aside from not wearing something that’s sliding down my hips or crawling up my ass) is music. An iPod loaded with newish-to-me tunes will almost always result in a good run.
The unfortunate thing about music is that it only works for a certain period of time. After listening to a song during three or four runs, it starts rapidly losing its magic. It’s the only thing that makes running somewhat of an expensive form of exercise, because I’m constantly trying to refresh my playlists in order to spend my tortuous pavement-pounding time blissed out on whatever’s in my ears instead of fiddling with buttons skipping through the lost-their-mojo songs.
Which is all to say, I’ve started running again and my iPod needs your help. I’ve asked for music suggestions before, and I plan to eventually collect every song that’s been recommended and publish a gigantor master list for everyone’s benefit—but for now, will you indulge me (again) and share your favorite get-up-and-move music? I’m partial to aggressive and/or dance tunes with a high tempo, but really, I listen to all kinds of stuff.
Here’s my running mix from November 2009, and the playlist I used during the marathon last April.
Currently, I’m running to:
Hello (Single Edit) • Martin Solveig & Dragonette
Chocolate • Snow Patrol
Come and Get It • Badfinger
No Man’s Woman • Sinéad O’Connor
Walk Like An Egyptian (Energy Remix + 190 BPM) • DJ ReMix Factory
End of the Line • The Traveling Wilburys
Gavotte from Orchestral Suite No. 3 – J.S. Bach • Various Artists
O Fortuna • Spiritual Project
Pro-Test • Skinny Puppy
Supernaut • 1,000 Homo DJ’s
100 Miles and Runnin’ • N.W.A.
Ready for the Floor (Album Version) • Hot Chip
Bulletproof • La Roux
You’re a Wolf • Sea Wolf
Rococo • Arcade Fire
White Blank Page • Mumford & Sons
We Used to Wait • Arcade Fire
Hey Boy Hey Girl • The Chemical Brothers
Got My Own Thing • Liz Phair
Telephone • Lady GaGa & Beyoncé
Sorrow • Bad Religion
21st Century (Digital Boy) • Bad Religion
Twin Cinema • The New Pornographers
Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo • Bloodhound Gang
Disturbia • Rihanna
So Bad • Eminem
Untitled • Eminem
Crack a Bottle • Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
Furr • Blitzen Trapper
Loud Pipes • Ratatat
Montanita • Ratatat
The Ghost Inside • Broken Bells
Your Man • Down With Webster
Last Resort • Papa Roach
Click Click Boom • Saliva
(Here’s an iMix link of the above list, if you’re interested.)
Okay! Hit me with your best song. My lungs thank you in advance.
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Stuff I Like:
Regina Spektor's "All the Rowboats".
She's almost unrecognizable in this video, but wow, what a song.
Smashbox brow tech.
Utterly foolproof eyebrow groomer/filler-inner.
Prada Amber.
My favorite perfume: sweet and exotic without being overpowering.
Blinc mascara.
I have tried all the mascaras and this is the very best one. Trust.
Long-time reader, first-time commenter…usually I don’t have much to say (which is why I don’t have a blog). Anyways, I totally feel you on the music while running thing. Currently “The Fire” by The Roots & John Legend saves me when my legs are telling me to fuck off.
Totally agree about songs losing their magic. Right now Monster (Kanye et al) is doing it for me.
beep beep bee-beep beep beeeeeeeep…I just want to interrupt your iPod music request b/c I’m early on the comment list and I really want you to read this *because* I want to say THANK YOU for mentioning Breaking Bad in a previous post a long time ago. My hubby and I are catching up on Season 3 reruns and it is getting so flippin’ good. so THX!
Now, back to music – Linkin Park’s new stuff is good! But I want to see what other people write. I’m stuck listening to toddler stuff or when I happen to be in my car by myself most days I find that I’ll have been in the car for 30 minutes with NO MUSIC. That’s how much noise is in my head.
I need new out-of-the-box running music too so thanks for posting the request!
OK, this is CORNY AS HELL but:
Crazy Train- Ozzy Osbourne
Gotta Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)
Top Gun Theme
Numb- Linkin Park
Boom Boom Pow- Black Eyed Peas
S&M- Rianna
Grenade- Bruno Mars
F’kin Perfect- Pink
Blame It- T-Pain
I’m so not and never will be a runner, but these two songs get me motivated and make me kind of want to run… Burn It All Down by VHS or Beta and Destroy Everything You Touch by Ladytron.
It’s cheesy, but I love it: “Club Can’t Handle Me” by Flo Rida. I’m tempted to say it’s the best running song ever. For me, anyway.
Passion Pit, “Sleepyhead.”
Seconding “Monster” by Kanye! I will last just for the sake of getting to Nicki Minaj’s rap.
Janelle Monae’s “Cold War” is pretty great, too.
Okay, one more. “Something Good Can Work (Twelves Remix)” by Two Door Cinema Club.
Happy running! And thanks for the recommendation of “Hello” — man, that is AWESOME to run to.
“Stop It” by Pylon. Heard it in a movie this week and immediately had to go find out what it is and download it. (It came out in 1980… they were playing frat parties in Athens, GA when REM was playing them.)
Same problem here. I got hooked on listening to NPR podcasts, specifically Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me and This American Life. I really get lost in the stories of TAL, and Wait, Wait makes me bust out laughing, which is funny given the suckage running can be. I’m quite slow, so I don’t miss the driving beat of the music. I find that the podcasts are the perfect length to knock out a good 4-5 miles.
First, LIBRARY. Sssh, don’t tell the Feds.
Second, I’m not a runner either but I have to have something upbeat on when I clean to drown out the siren song of the couch. Don’t know if the BPM’s are high enough for running on these, but they’re good anyway: The Airborne Toxic Event, Kate Nash (who, BTW, is hysterically funny), The Gaslight Anthem, Circa Survive, the TRON soundtrack (Daft Punk)… but my go-to pump-me-up band will always be Flogging Molly. Nothing like some good Irish get-drunk-and-fight-your-cousin music to get the juices flowin!
The Thong Song
Halo by Beyonce
Gangsta’s Paradise
Perfect by Pink
Brown Chicken Brown Cow
First, because I am a PEDANTIC INTERNET LOSER but mainly because I love that song so hard, it’s actually “Furr” by the band Blitzen Trapper. God, so amazing, right?
And second, because I am not just here to push my glasses up the bridge of my nose while mouth-breathing, I have been loving Fabulous (shut up!), particularly “Killen Em” (shut up!) for my runs and walks lately. Peace out, indie cred!
Matt & Kim (most of it, but maybe not so much their new album)
Sleigh Bells – it’s all pretty bad ass
Ting Tings – Shut Up & Let Me Go
Girl Talk – is a really good dj remix of popular and classics so many to choose from!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Heads Will Roll & Zero
Cults – Go Outside
M.I.A
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Home
Keep it up! I’m in the same boat, took some serious time off and decided that running really is what does it for me, even though it kicks my ass.
GM: thanks for the catch, it’s fixed! Gah, option-8 typo. (Makes L sign on forehead.)
My ‘Gotta Get to the End of the Run’ list of 20 minutes worth of audio crack is:
Ok Go – Here it Goes Again
Halo 2 Soundtrack – Mjolnir Mix
Rush – Marathon
Back Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feelin’
Foo Fighters – Learn to Fly
Use only in case of emergency (or waning motivation!) Best of luck!
“Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. I haven’t actually ran to it yet, but every night when I drive home from work it comes on the radio and my legs start itching for a good run.
I also find that some of the bass and drums in Kings of Leon songs make me want to run so fast and so far, too.
I have to admit that I’ve never contributed before, but love your blog. I’m a sometimes runner, and although it’s old…Im always motivated by “How we operate” by Gomez. I feel myself picking up the speed, and powering through the hills.
Galvanize – Chemical Brothers
Planet Earth – Duran Duran
Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
Uprising – Muse
Check it Out – will.i.am & nicki minaj
So…at the risk of everyone falling off their chairs laughing, there are a bunch of songs from my Zumba classes that I also love to run to. And not sure how you feel about Latin music in general – but here are some from my playlist ranging from Latin indie to Latin cheesy or should I say ‘queso-y’ and other random stuff:
Atrevete-te-te – Calle 13
Buena – Bacilos
Jenny Says – Cowboy Mouth
Elena – Bacilos
Hace Calor – Los Rodriguez
La Camisa Negra – Juanes
No Hay Nadie Como Tu – Calle 13
Amor a la Mexicana – Thalia
Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
Bon, Bon – PItbull
Danza Kuduro – Don Omar & Lucenzo
King of Anything – Sara Bareilles
Magalenha – Sergio Mendes
Loca – Shakira
Happy running. It is my sanity these days (that and the 8:30 pm Zumba classes that I can make if we get the kids down right at the official bedtime). Yes – big L on forehead – it’s always there.
Molly
Atomic – Blondie
Dance (Pt. 1) – Rolling Stones
Hang Fire – Rolling Stones
I Can’t Decide – Scissor Sisters
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing – Scissor Sisters
It’s My Life – No Doubt
Use It Up and Wear It Out – Pat & Nick (remix)
Enjoy!
I’m working on a new running playlist myself and I feel like “I Need a Dollar” by Aloe Blacc could be on it, same with “How You Like Me Now” by Heavy. And also, embarassingly enough “Shots” by LMFAO.
It will sound absolutely crazy to many, and it may only work for me because I run slow, but I run to books on my iPod. I trained for and ran my marathon in 2009 to the Harry Potter series. It helps take my mind off of the tedium, but gives me room to think about my surroundings and run if I want or need to. Also, by listening to books I had already read, I was able to carry on conversations with running buddies and not be bored if I ran alone or the conversation lulled. And if you haven’t read the book, or are invested in the story, having to shut it off when you get home makes you look forward to the next run so you can find out what happens next!
Tara: I totally did that when I was marathon training — it was the only way to get through those endless long runs! I actually liked listening to books ABOUT running, just to get all meta and shit. (Dean Karnazes’ stuff was great.)
If I start doing distance runs I will definitely be listening to stories again, I just find that music works better for anything under an hour.
I’m sure since you are from Seattle you already listen to the KEXP Music That Matters podcasts, right? If not, start downloading them immediately! I’ve found lots of great new music on there. :)
Raspberry Beret by Prince
Goodbye to You by The Veronicas
Devil went down to Georgia
Aimie (or however it’s spelled, it’s not spelled AMy like my name)
The wedding song from Father of the Bride (I’m so cultured I can’t remember the real song…maybe Beethoven)
Quiet Dog
Fat Betty
Always a Woman (Billy Joel)
Hollerback Girl (Gwen Stefani I think)
I totally get you what you mean. I have 5 hours worth of songs on my iPod and one week a song is great, the next not so much. I’m pretty sure I run a lot more than I would have if the iPod had not been invented though. I did one marathon and when I did my 15 mile run, I decided to go without music so I could do the race without music. That was the only really bad training run I had. When I ran the marathon, I didn’t change the songs. I just put my playlist on random and let the songs come up as they may. When I came to the last mile, I felt like I was going too fast and thought about slowing down. Then, I decided to wait and see what song came up next….it was Eye of the Tiger. I barfed my brains out for 12 hours after that race, but I didn’t slow down, and I actually enjoyed it…well, until the puking started. It was worth it though.
Amy
I love what Aubrey wrote. I try to download any song I hear in my car that makes me drive too fast. I now have an app on my droid, Shazam, that listens to the song and tells me the title. Now I actually know some of the artists of the songs I like too.
Amy
Girl Talk. I’ve loaded his two albums on my iPhone and find that he’s mashed two completely opposite songs to keep me going. I find I focus more on the anticipation of what’s coming next than where I am in my run. But I also run intervals (Couch to 5k-er here) so it might be the combo of the music and the change in pace. Thanks for your list though!
I need a Doctor – Eminem / Dr. Dre, airplanes – b.o.b., be my lover – la bouche, Carry out – Timbaland/Justin Timberlake, I like it – Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull, Raise your glass – Pink, Upside down – J. Pinder, Irish Celebration – Macklemore, winner – Jamie foxx and Justin timberlake/T.I.
Awesome…I love foisting my musical tastes on other people!
On the Floor – Jennifer Lopez
Till the World Ends – Britney
Stereo Love – Edward Maya
Rude Boy -Rihanna
Make Light – Passion Pit
Little Sister – Queens of the Stone Age
Black & Yellow – Wiz Kalifa
What the Hell – Avril Lavigne
Have a Cigar – Pink Floyd
Triskaidekaphobia – Shooter Jennings
I Drive a Lot – Starflyer 59
Adagio for Strings – Tiesto
Lloyd I’m Ready to be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura (they have another “If Looks Could Kill” that’s also great)
Versus – Ladytron (the entire Velocifero album is damn good for running)
My favourite song is “Meditation – Celtic Trance, by Clannad” its always the first song on my ‘move your ass’ play list. The first 42 seconds are for when you’re still going out the front gate, straightening yourself up, and picking a direction. Then bang on 42 seconds, it heats up and provides the most awesome rythymn for the next 9 minutes. *Love it*!
I’ve mostly been listening to Geek Comedy music lately so I’m probably not a whole lot of help but I do have a money saving recommendation! Rhapsody! Rhapsody has an “on the go” thing that lets you download songs into your iphone or ipod (or whatever) for like fifteen mucks a month and they have just about everything you’d want to listen to or download. That way you can switch between songs without having to worry about wasting money. I use it to test out music before I buy the songs on iTunes. It has saved me probably thousands of “aw I wish I hadn’t bought that” dollars.
As heard on KEXP often these days – but so good and catchy- Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People. Love!
Filter – The Only Way (Is the Wrong Way) is my guaranteed hit-the-pavement running song.
I also kind of get off on Tatu’s cover of How Soon Is Now. Shh. Don’t judge.
First time commenter with songs that make me feel like dancing while running:
Dancing on My Own – Robyn
Anyway – Duck Sauce
Get Shaky – The Ian Carey Project
When Love Takes Over – David Guetta and Kelly Rowland
Pink’s Raise Your Glass is my current favourite get up and move song. Impossible to listen to without feeling energised and smiley.
Oh my, you described my run of yesterday! I had forgotten to charge up my iPod and so was running to Scottish provincial radio instead.
Music – at the moment my 2 faves are:
Adele – particularly “Rolling in the Deep”
Imelda May – Irish singer, very catchy.
Fiona
The Sirius App. If variety is what you want this is an option. And I think there is a way to mark songs you would like to track and if you would like to purchase.
Cheryl Cole – Fight For This Love, Promise This (or the remixes if you need a slightly stronger bass).
T.A.T.u – Robot (but I think most of their songs are good for workouts).
Diamond Rings, anything: http://diamondringsmusic.com/media/video/
i’m selfishly so glad you are talking about running again. lady ga ga works for me…hardly original, I know.
I see you already have some Broken Bells on there which was going to be my main suggestion, but my current two favorites that make me push when I wanna give up are:
Keep Runnin – Taio Cruz
Kick Ass – Mika
Of course, I love Girl Talk but someone said that already! Oh also, the Gossip! Their first album is great. Angry, great lyrics and beats. Great for running.
God, I cant wait for this surgery thing to heal and the weather to get nice. I am a pasty ghost of a human after being trapped in this house in an Iowan winter, recovering. I’m teetering, here.
My all-time “I need to power through this and just get to the end” jam is “Painkiller” by Judas Priest.
Second to that is “Break Ya Neck” by Busta Rhymes.
Both are super high intensity power jams that will totally do the work of getting your brain into it. And Painkiller is about a robot that comes to save humanity from itself! That is so awesome.
I’m pretty big on electronic and techno as a general rule so take these few suggestions with that thought in mind. These have really good back beats. And yes I know Ke$ha is annoying but this fucking song is perfect for exercise.
Blow by Ke$ha
Take over Control by Afrojack
Sanctuary by Gareth Emory
Hang on (digital dog remix) – Plumb
Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
I would say of that list Take Over Control and Blow are probably the best but the others are perfect for exercise most especially running.
Paige, your list rocks. I love Adagio for Strings. Honestly almost anything by Tiesto is incredible.
Several of the songs from Panic! At the Disco could be good for running… Maybe some of Nelly McKay too, like “inner peace” or “It’s a Pose.”
I’ve got my own musical challenge right now… first child is due to be born June 11… finding calming relax music for labor is easy, but I’m thinking about the pushing phase. I’d like fast, aggressive music to raise addrenaline, I’m thinking almost heavy metal type music. The challenge is finding that type of music WITHOUT angry distructive kill kill kill lyrics. So far the best I’ve been able to come up with is Japanese drum music. Any other suggestions?
Use Pandora internet radio. It’s occasionally a little random (Elvis in a techno/pop channel?) but usually good. Bennassi Bros, Tiesto, Morgan Page, OceanLab
Add in:
The Dog Days are Over – Florence and the Machine
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Chely Wright – Damn Liar Remix
http://www.myspace.com/45525472/music/songs/80717983
A local (minneapolis)hip hop artist’s song I CANNOT STOP LISTENING TO AND/OR SHAKING MY BOOTY is:
Sims LMG (Love my girl)
Also:
Aquaduct- Heart Design (Seattle artist)
Dessa- Dixon’s girl
Kanye+Bon Iver- Lost in the World
Atmosphere- Sunshine
Olympic Hopefuls- Let’s Go
Kid Cudi- pursuit of happiness
These are all songs that I seriously can’t get enough of, so they should give you an extra run or two before they get skipped :)
I believe deeply in the power of pop music while running. These are not songs I would typically listen to in other circumstances, but for pounding the pavement they have the perfect beats:
Till the World Ends- Britney Spears
Born this Way- Lady Gaga
S&M-Rihanna
What the Hell- Avril Lavigne
Love you Long Time- Black Eyed Peas
Blow- Kesha
More- Usher
1983- Neon Trees
Grow a Pear- Kesha
ET- Katy Perry
Letting Go- Sean Kingston
Dynamite- Taio Cruz
Higher- Taio Cruz
Last Friday Night- Katy Perry
I love your tips for making a sucky run better! I will definitely be using those in the future.
My favorite motivating workout song lately is Diamond Eyes by Shinedown. Also good is When They Come for Me by Linkin Park.
Hey, I totally agree with you on the music thing….here are a few that help me!
Pumped Up Kicks-Foster The People
An Honest Mistake-The Bravery
Gamma Ray-Beck
Nothing(Headcleaner Rock Mix)-Depeche Mode
Higher-Taio Cruz
All You Need Is Now and Nice-Duran Duran
Hollywood-Madonna
E.T.-Katie Perry
Go-Moby
Breathe-Prodigy
Discipline-Nine Inch Nails
Tarantula-Smashing Pumpkins
Army Of Me-Bjork
On The Floor-J.Lo….I know, right?
Pts. Of Athrty-Linkin Park
Airplanes/DJ Frank E. remix-B.O.B.
Dirty Laundry-Bittersweet
My favorite
“Fuck the world…I’m running” album is Andrew W K’s I Get Wet album…every song holds up for a great workout.
Obviously these things are subjective, but I really like, Fitz and the Tantrums, “Money Grabber”… I like to imagine me singing it to my MIL, who has entered our lives after running out of inheritance money….
Also, Cee Lo’s “Forget You” or “F— You” (which I prefer)if you aren’t sick of it already.
This comes at the BEST time for me. I never comment here but I just quit a planned hour run after 30 mins, feeling like a loser. Thank you! I am going to check these out, and remind myself that sometimes even LINDA has a bad run. :)
i get music from the library, which helps keep my costs down!
Try something with drums.
“C’mon (Catch ‘Em by Surprise)” by Tiesto (feat Busta Rhymes). It’s a hard, fast beat and Busta knows how to amp the energy. :) Gotta check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6SSTMpIRFI
Jay – I was just about to ask if anyone had tried using Pandora for running music.
This is embarassing but I find Michelle Shocked’s Captain Swing disc has several good keep on running songs.
These have been making me run faster lately…
Intro The XX
Steady as She Goes The Raconteurs
Coma Girl Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros
Triumph Wu-Tang Clan
Palaces of Montezuma Grinderman
i know this sounds crazy, but my boyfriend is a big runner and he always puts a podcast of some sort on his ipod. he says listening to non-music helps his mind wander and he forgets that he’s running, his body just sort of takes over.
Pick Up the Phone – Dragonette
Fire with Fire – Scissor Sisters
Someday Baby – R. L. Burnside
This Too Shall Pass – OK Go
Something Good Can Work – Two Door Cinema Club
We Are Golden – Mika
One Day – The Juan MacLean
Body and Soul – Tori Amos
In My Soul – Tavish Graham
Voodoo Child – Rogue Traders
Cecilia – Simon & Garfunkel
Shine – Cyndi Lauper
Shimmy Low – The Clarks
There’s a lot more on my “exercise” playlist but I don’t want to leave a years-long comment!
“Evacuate the dancefloor” by Cascada. That’s all I got for now.. haven’t listened to music in months..
Here’s my current jogging playlist (in no particular order):
Clumsy – Fergie
Hot N Cold – Katy Perry
Falling Down – Atreyu
Poker Face – Lady GaGa
Beautiful, Dirty, Rich – Lady GaGa
Run This Town – Jay-Z
Magic (feat. Rivers Cuomo) – B.o.B
Live Your Life – T.I.
Last Good Kiss – Last Train Home
So Happy I Could Die – Lady GaGa
Down By the Water – The Decemberists
Say Hey – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Gettin’ Over You – David Guetta & Chris Willis
California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) – Katy Perry
Ridin With the Radio – Crystal Bowersox
Hot Revolver – Lil Wayne
One of the Boys – Katy Perry
Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) – Lady GaGa
Better Day – Saving Jane
Airplanes (feat. Hayley Williams) – B.o.B
The Fame – Lady GaGa
Paper Gangsta – Lady GaGa
Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows
Pocketful of Sunshine – Natasha Bedingfield
On the Run – Crystal Bowersox
Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Firework – Katy Perry
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) – Shakira
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
Goodbye – Kristinia DeBarge
Be OK – Ingrid Michaelson
All I Need – Natasha Bedingfield
Strip Me – Natasha Bedingfield
Rolling In The Deep – Adele
Silent Shout by The Knife. They have a few great running songs but Silent Shout is incredible.
Sleigh Bells, basically the entirety of the Treats album. The sequence of the first four songs makes me go CRAZY. In an awesome way.
I can’t get over how many of those songs either are or were on my own running list. I’ll add two artists. Jonsi and Robyn. Different but way runnable.
Anything by David Guetta- I’m partial to “On the Dance Floor”, “Toyfriend” and of course “Sexy Bitch” which really helps to propel me when I feel like I am done. I also love any Lady Gaga and “Smack My Bitch Up” by Prodigy. The soundtracks to the movie “Cool World”, “Strange Days” and “The Fifth Element” are awesome as well.
Oh man Laura reminded me that movie soundtracks can be totally awesome too. I love love love the Swordfish soundtrack to exercise to.
The one that always gives me my second wind is “When the Sun’s Out” by James Maddock.
My husband heard it randomly on the radio last year, liked it, and downloaded it. Somehow it ended up on my iPod and it is now my favorite song to run to. It has the perfect beat, and there is something about it that makes running feel almost exhilerating (instead of the usual torture.)
As always, thanks for sharing your list!
While I am slightly embarrassed by this list, these are the tunes that are helping me get my run on while New England weather flat out refuses to move toward spring:
E.T. – Katy Perry (the version with Kanye, even though I think he’s a giant DB)
The Pretender – Foo Fighters
Blow – Ke$ha
Take It Off – Ke$ha
Who’s that Chick? – David Guetta, featuring Rihanna
Hey Baby, Drop it to the floor – Pitbull, featuring T-Pain
More – Usher
Hold it Against Me – Britney Spears
Till the World Ends – Britney Spears
Sing – My Chemical Romance
Dynamite – Taio Cruz
Like a G6 – Far East Movement
Little Lion Man – Mumford & Sons
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
P.S. Psyched to read thru the comments to get new suggestions. I completely agree that downloading new running tunes is necessary for my running sanity.
X-Amount of Words, Amnesia, Independently Happy, Dirt Room all by Blue October.
David Guetta
DJ Christyle
WNYC Radiolab podcasts
I second the suggestions for David Guetta, in fact the whole album “One Love”. Some of the collaborations can get a little diva-voicey, but if you don’t have a million years to listen to everyone’s suggestions before deciding go/no go, then I say just get the whole album. Most of it will be great for running.
Also, if you can find anything by DJ Christyle, download it. I have one of his compilations that is about an hour of music and it has seen me through tons of runs.
Electric Six…my favorites by them for running are “Gay Bar” and “Danger! High Voltage”
Right now, I’m listening to Girl Talk’s “All Day” for the entirety of my running playlist. The tempo is consistent while the songs are varied enough to stay interesting. Fantastic. Been using it two weeks and it hasn’t worn off yet.
LCD Soundsystem and Daft Punk get me through pretty much every race. That, and “High Roller” by Crystal Method and “We Are Rockstars” by Does It Offend You, Yeah?
I’m trying to get back into running after about a year-long break, so I’m really glad to see your list and all these suggestions. For my contribution, how about some Yaz? “Situation,” “Don’t Go,” and “Bring Your Love Down” are all great for some upbeat 80s throwbacks.
I like entire Albums:
Robyn’s newest
Adele ‘21′
Crazy Heart Soundtrack
New Britney album
Linkin Park Meteora
The Robyn & Adele albums I used on my long run this week and LOVED them.
I don’t run (or generally comment) but since I’m so lovin’ the suggestions in here, I feel like I should throw out a couple of my own from my gym playlist that at least boost me on my “climbs to nowhere” on the cardio machines…
There’s No Other Way – Blur
The Distance – Cake
Everything to Everyone – Everclear
The Last Time Again – Lit
Latest Heartbreak – 22-20’s
Ran a half-marathon this morning, and I FORGOT MY DAMN ipod!!! It sucked.
I’m currently attempting to run, it’s more like a slow painful half jog/half walk with a very sad limp all while pushing a stroller and dragging a 3 year old… On my playlist when I manage to get out alone to hobble around the neighborhood are my following favorite songs which I am certain red flag my age – hope you enjoy a few of them!
Bloudhound Gang – The Bad Touchl & Fire Water Burn
The Flys – Got You Where I Want You
All American Rejects – Gives You Hell
Bush – Synapse (the remix version)
Lo Fidelity Allstars – Battleflag **BEST SONG TO RUN TO FOR ME**
Talk – Coldplay
The Cure – The Walk
Jealous Sound – Hope For Us & Guard It Closely
Langhorne Slim – Checking Out
MGMT – Kids
Travis – Sing
Violent Femmes Best Of
Johnny Cash Best Of
Soundtrack to Good Will Hunting (very good)
Soundtrack to Garden State
Crystal Method – Comin’ Back
Fatboy Slim – Weapon of Choice
Sneaker Pimps – Six Underground
Chingy – Balla Baby
TI – What You Know
Jay Z – 99 Problems
Jay Z – My 1st Song
Pete Rock & CL Smooth – I Reminisce
Kanye West – Gold Digger
Rick Ross – Hustlin remix
Snoop – Drop It’s Like It’s Hot
Busta Rhymes – I love My Bitch
JLo – Get Right (I KNOW I KNOW, but good song to run to)
so, i just made a new running list the other day. i have some chunks of albums and some singular songs. but it definitely amped up my runs these past few weeks. some are new downloads and some are old standbys that are making a repeat appearance in my rotation. new music = new energy, i suppose.
ALBUMS
ra ra riot: the orchard (download now, thank me later. can NOT recommend this band enough. fantastic.)
two door cinema club: tourist history
bloc party: silent alarm
vampire weekend: contra
foo fighters: great hits (everlong has been one of my standby running songs for YEARS.)
the bravery: the bravery
stars: five ghosts and the seance (such a great band)
phoenix: wolfgang amadeus phoenix
weezer: ratitude
florence + the machine: lungs
panic! at the disco: a fever you cant sweat out AND pretty. odd.
mgmt: oracular spectacular
dashboard confessional: dusk and summer
SONGS
missy elliott: pass that dutch
los campesinos!: you! me! dancing! (this is the song on the budweiser commercials! starts out slow but really gets me going to start out!)
jay-z feat alicia keys: empire state of mind
bruce springsteen: born to run
arcade fire: neighborhood #1 (tunnels) [i LOVE arcade fire, but find most of their stuff too slow for running]
matchbox 20: how far weve come
spoon: the underdog
green day: holiday
interpol: PDA
kings of leon: sex on fire
death cab for cutie: title and registration (also LOVE, but also mostly too slow for running)
and just for good measure, not necessarily runable music but loving at the moment:
the civil wars: barton hollow
adele: 21
gregory alan isakov: this empty northern hemisphere
fistful of mercy: as i call you down
broken bells: broken bells
holy hell LONGEST COMMENT EVER. sorry, i love music…
Alanis Morisette – Citizen of the Planet
Alanis Morisette – Straightjacket
The Tragically Hip – I’ll Believe In You
Must second (third? fourth?) great trance DJs like Tiesto. Starry Eyed Surprise is an old fave. The song from the roller skatin’ Diet Coke commercial? classic.
Cascade’s Evacuate the Dance Floor – that’s also in a commercial right now… hmmm.
Another classic trance, Sandstorm by Darude.
I download the podcast of Above and Beyond : Trance Around the World (http://www.aboveandbeyond.nu/home/)every week and that usually is a nice break from running mixes. Best dance music since my ‘92 mixes.
Hm, I’m old but also generally like fast poppy music – but also? Girl power songs. Recommend:
Martina McBride – This One’s for the Girls
Train – Hey Soul Sister
Ini Kamoze – Here comes the Hotstepper
Destiny’s Child – Lose my Breath
Two from the Deftones:
CMND/CTRL
and
Rocket Skates
Ugh I hate running…music makes it only slightly better…
holy crap this thread is awesome.
I only see one Florence + Machine on your list – add Dog Days Are Over – the chorus goes “Run for your mother run for your father and your sisters and your brothers…”!
Kiss with a Fist is a good angry song too – a little violent but good to rock out to.
I also am a little in love with Kate Nash and her angry self – Foundations is good.
I love this post. I think I’ll spend some of my birthday money on iTunes downloads.
As for my running motivation – I’m a huge fan of old school White Zombie and find that anything on Supersexy Swingin’ Sounds is good to get the blood flowing. I also like Be My Thrill by The Weepies as a pick-me-up.
Here are my favorites from my running list. I have to add more songs to mine so I have enough to get me through 26 miles…My first marathon is on 5/1 (I emailed you for the training plan you used, and that extra nudge of encouragement to register!)
Thrash Unreal – Against Me!
Swing, Swing – the All-American Rejects
Hallucinations – Angels & Airwaves
Friends – Band of Skulls
All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar (the opening song from Juno…it always makes me perk up and trot along when I’m feeling lethargic)
Feeling This – Blink 182
The Sound of Settling – Death Cab for Cutie
Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People (already mentioned)
Chelsea Dagger – the Fratellis
Bang Pop – Free Energy (catchy, poppy song…the ones I like best for running!)
Heartbeat Song – the Futureheads (ditto)
Song Away – Hockey
Out of the Blue – Julian Casablancas
Feelin’ Alright – Len
Float On – Modest Mouse
Yeah Yeah Yeah – New Politics
Gigantic – Reel Big Fish (Pixies cover)
A-Punk – Vampire Weekend
Quiet Little Voices – We Were Promised Jetpacks
California On My Mind – Wild Light
Glad you’re back on the horse…good luck!
Also: My Body – Young the Giant
American Boy: Estelle & Kanye
OMG: Usher
White Stripes: Hotel Yorba
Jogging Gorgeous Summer & Rough Gem, both by Islands. They are my home stretch songs.
I was just thinking that I needed to retool my ipod something serious. Perfect timing! I don’t have any suggestions but THANK YOU Linda and everyone else for your awesome recommendations.
The album wasn’t so hot (except “Box Full of Honey” is a sweet tune), but I find this song to be a motivator, which you’ll figure out when you hear it. I swear someone wrote it while they were out for a jog!
“The Valley” by Duran Duran
Anything fast by Garbage – the angrier the better.
But I’m a dedicated 80s girl, so just about anything fun from that decade will get me moving. Def Leppard, JGeils, Depeche, INXS, Missing Persons, Cyndi Lauper, etc.
And dance mixes were all the rage, so you should be able to find extended versions of a lot of stuff out there somewhere!
Heart of a Champion – Nelly
Shots – LMFAO feat. Lil John
Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida
and of course: Whip My Hair – Willow Smith
I have to have a certain number of bpm to get the running on – definitely NOT a fan of the running. With that said, these songs consistently make a non-runner person want to bust it out:
Whoever said Daft Punk – YES. I am dorky and love Technologic. LOVE it when that bass line kicks in.
Rob Zombie: a few songs from the Educated Horses album: Foxy Foxy, American Witch, and The Scorpion Sleeps.
But older Rob Zombie too:
Never Gonna Stop – Rob Zombie
Dragula – Rob Zombie
Living Dead Girl – Rob Zombie
Du Hast – Rammstein
Seconding the “Don’t Feel Like Dancing” by the Scissor Sisters. Love it.
Another interesting group that hales from Australia – Shiny Toy Guns. Really super good running songs:
Le Disko and Voodoo Child are my favorites.
Loser – Eminem (this is my workout theme song. The one I play when I am digging into the reserve tank.)
King Nothing – Metallica
She’s Crafty – Beastie Boys
March Fourth. I love this Portland band, tons of energy, lots of drums, crazy brass. Their album “Rise Up” is my favorite running soundtrack (lasts just about a 10K for me), and their first album “March Fourth” is also good.
Every time I hear a song by Rapture on XM radio it reminds me of an aerobics class (in a good way). I think it would fit what you’re looking for!z
Anything non-ballady by Linkin Park. Bleed It Out has an aggressive beat.
You totally just wrote what is on my mind! I desperately need new tunes for my 1/2 marathon training. Case in point: yesterday on a run I listened to “Right Above It” by Lil Wayne at least 10 times, no joke. It’s the newest one I’ve downloaded and didn’t have time at work to get to others, so there it was: the only song I haven’t been listening to for like, a year.
“Horchata”- Vampire Weekend
“Right Above It”- Lil Wayne
“Eye of the Tiger”- whoever sings that
I like the podcast called PODRUNNER. It’s electronic mixes, each one to a different BPM, each one about an hour long, so you can have them for different exercises. And although I’m not into techno, they are actually really enjoyable, and since all that techno shit sounds the same, it’s tough to get tired of them.
Lots of great suggestions here!
Kids by MGMT (Love it!)
Raise your Glass by Pink
And for clapping fun while running – Private Eyes by H&O. Yes, I clap. I already look funny running…so why not!
I don’t know if it’s good running music, but you must listen to Katy Perry’s Peacock. It’s funny as hell and cracks me up every time I listen to it.
Thank GOD – I’m glad to know it’s not just me whose legs revolt two minutes into the run. C25K made me run for twenty-five minutes straight in the last session, and about three minutes in I said, out loud, alone on the treadmill in my basement, “I’m never going to make it twenty-five minutes”. Then I switched from my lame playlist of repeatable forgettable songs..and turned on Pandora – Bon Jovi channel…and somehow with the randomness of those songs, I finished those twenty-five minutes.
Songs I can always run to:
Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby
DMX – Up in Here
Limp Biscuit – Rollin’
I am so looking forward to a list, and will take some of yours. My workout list is getting old and I’m bored and need some fresh beats. Thanks for asking ;-)
Another White Dash – Butterfly Boucher
F**k You – Cee-Lo
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked – Cage the Elephant
Cupid’s Chokehold – Gym Class Heroes
Let It Rock – Kevin Rudolf
Can U Dig It – Pop Will Eat Itself
What Time is Love – KLF
Headhunter – Front 242
Energy Sucker – Luscious Jackson
Put It Down – Mike Doughty
Beat the Devil’s Tattoo – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
And more (not that I’ve gotten into my laptop)
Walking On A Dream- Empire of the Sun
Stay With Me- Faces
I Want You Back- Jackson 5
Virtual Insanity- Jamiroquai
Down- Jay Sean
Feelin’ Alright- Jay Cocker
California Girls- Katy Perry
Up Up & Away- Kid Cudi
American Honey- Lady Antebellum (surprisingly)
Unwritten- Natasha Bedingfield
52-50- OAR
Da Art of Storytellin’- Outkast
Hey Daddy- Usher
Right Now- Van Halen
Crystalised- The XX
Intro- The XX
I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston
Skeletons- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Mony Mony- Billy Idol
HAPPY RUNNING! This thread was amazeballs. I took a ton of music from everyone. :)
Okay, this list is all over the place but I think the songs are fun to run to…
Walk this way: Aerosmith & Run-Dmc
Lose Yourself: Eminem
Pump It: Black eyed peas
What’s the frequency kenneth? R.E.M
Baby got back: Prof of Funk
Angel of harlem: U2
Bad reputation: Joan Jett
Beverly Hills: Weezer
Intergalactic: Beastie Boys
Supermassive black hole: Muse
TKO: Le Tigre
Welcome to the jungle: Guns n Roses
Aw man, wish I could go for a run but I’m 8 months pregnant and the size of a small ocean mammal. Have fun!
Have you tried listening to podcasts? There was a whole training cycle where almost every run I listened to a (hilarious) morning radio show – Preston & Steve. They’re engaging enough to take my mind off the boring parts of running, esp. on longer runs, but not so consuming that I can’t watch out for cracks in the pavement or oncoming bikes or whatever. And FREE. Always good.
my body by young the giant
This:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTfqXTZAasQ
Here are a few of my favorites:
Just Say Yes – Snow Patrol
Animal – Neon Trees
Chasing Pirates – Nora Jones
Breakeven – The Script
Stop for a Minute – Keane
Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s
We R who we R – Ke$ha
Magic – B.o.B.
DJ Got us Falling in Love – Usher
Like a G6 – Far East Movement
Riding Solo – Jason Derulo
I Like It – Enrique Iglesias
Faster – Matt Nathanson (new single – not out yet… but oh, so good!)
Current faves to get me through the second half of a run when I really need the distraction of some screaming in my ears.
bulls on parade – rage against the machine
killing in the name of – rage against the machine
pokerface – lady gaga
just dance – lady gaga
love game – lady gaga
we r who we r – kesha
your love is my drup – kesha
Anything by The Go! Team or Handsomeboy Technique.
Also, library CDs + ripping = free loaded iPod
Thanks so much for posting and asking for requests! I’ve been trying to get back into running, but I don’t follow Top 40 music and really need to update my workout beats playlist.
Here are some of my favorites that have popped up on my slacker station:
Giving Up the Gun – Vampire Weekend
Come On, Get In – KT Tunstall
Dog Days Are Over – Florence & the machine
Magick – Ryan Adams
The Moneymaker – Rilo Kiley
Give A Little – Hanson
Zorbing – Stornoway
King of Anything – Sara Bareilles
Enough’s Enough – Jamie Lidell
Gypsy Blood – Jamie Lidell
Pink’s “Greatest Hits…So Far” album is really doing it for me right now.
So What and Raise Your Glass are the songs I go to when I want to boost my pace.
Now if they could only make an mp# player for long distance swimming…
The Remnant by Josh Ritter
Just a quick note to say I went for a run last night with some of your suggestions in my ears and I had the BEST RUN EVER. Like, one of those great runs where you’re all I AM A FLYING UNICORN! You guys are incredible, thank you so much.
I’m a bit late on this but why not kick it old style, like I do? A couple of my favorites:
Twilight Zone by Golden Earring
Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel
Without Me by Eminem
I swear, a little Hall & Oates really lifts my spirits
Evidence by Faith No More
A DJ friend just sent me a remix from Sia called “Clap Your Hands Prince Vince Remix” and I luuuuuuuuurve it. I have no idea where she got it, though.
But, now I’m going to get thee to iTunes and look at the stuff everyone else suggested. I know having good music is *key* to a good run, for me at least.
telegirl, that Sia mix of Clap Your Hands in freakin’ incredible. That keeps popping up one of my pandora stations and I am in love with it every time it comes on. The woman singing on that track has an awesome voice.
I’m a bit late with this I know, but I have the ‘Hello’ song on my running list too so thought you might like some of my others .
Lights on – Katy B featuring Miss Dynamite
Traktor – Wretch 32
Pass Out – Tinie Tempah
Anything by Dizzee Rascal (But especially Dance Wid Me)
This is mainly British rap/grime stuff. I don’t usually choose to listen to this stuff but it’s on the radio all the time over here and bloomin ‘eck it gets me moving.
Making Me Nervous by brad sucks its one of my current favorites
Try Ke$ha’s Sleazy, although you might stop running and start dancing.
wonderful night by fat boy slim
Dog Days are Over by Florence & the Machine
Cazwell – Watch My Mouth
i am obsessed with my Pandora station. it is the only thing I listen to on my distance runs.
some of the stuff played recently:
Kickstart My Heart – Motley Crue (yeah, a little old school)
Crazy Bitch – Buckcherry
Lit Up – Buckcherry
Little Sister – Queens of the Stone Age
Steady, As She Goes – The Raconteurs
As Good As Dead – Local H
Cumbersome – Seven Mary Three
Talk Dirty to Me – Poison
Muse – Supermassive Black Hole
Velvet Revolver – Falling to Pieces
Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby
A Million Ways – Ok Go
Tesselate, by the Tokyo Police Club.
I’m training for a marathon, and I generally only run with music once or twice a week, but I can’t get through a long run without it.
I’m a runner now partly because of your inspiration, and it turns out I’m not half bad at it (plus I totally love it). I ran a 1:46 half one year after finishing C25K, and I’m running Eugene in 5 weeks. So thanks for the music and running.
Chaya: not half bad is quite the understatement! Talk about an inspiration. Good luck in Eugene!
This is truly an amazing amount of songs – I have quickly scanned them and wanted to add a few I didn’t see – I tend to like songs that build and have a steady beat:
Valkyrie Missle – Angels & Airwaves
Little Bird – Annie Lennox
The Rising – Bruce Springsteen
Hang Me Up to Dry – Cold War Kids
Spotlight (into Twilight) Mute Math
State of Love & Trust – Pearl Jam
Wishlist – Pearl Jam
Paint it black, Rolling Stones
Ecstasy – Rusted Root
Lazy Eye – Silversun Pickups
Sweet Dispositin – The Temper Trap
Possum Kingdom – The Toadies
Bittersweet Sympony – The Verve
Rock & Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution – ACDC
Move Along – All American Rejects
Brian Wilson (live) – Barnaked Ladies
Cannonball – The Breeders
All I’m Thinking About – Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
Flathead – the Fratellis
Let Go – Frou Frou
Big Love (Live 2005) – Lindsey Buckingham
How Far We’ve Come – Matchbox Twenty
Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
I have to stop there – I have about 500 songs in my ‘Run’ playlist and I just hit shuffle, so I never really know what is coming, and can always skip if not the right fit… is this weird??!
Making my own music works better than anything. Gets me in the moment, which is the secret to enjoying ALL runs. Enjoying each moment is the beginning of the end of crappy runs. I hum, chant, repeat tuneful mantras, sing out loud. Practicing my tenor part for “Three Wise Men,” a Xmas song by my spiritual teacher, REALLY got my endocrine system cracking during a long run.
ALSO, starting slooooooooowly helps a lot. There’s always a BEST pace for the day. When you do the right thing, you feel great. When you argue with your body, you’re sunk.
I have LOVED so many of the music suggestions you’ve made over the years so I just had to delurk to offer:
Young Blood – The Naked and The Famous
Barton Hollow – The Civil Wars
Uprising – Muse
Satellite Mind – Metric
The Weight – Thrice
I Can Talk – Tourist History
Backfire – MuteMath
Rumour Has It – Adele
Millions – Starfucker
Drumming Song – Florence + The Machine (really anything from that album)
I Want Nothing – Kerli
Happy Running! :)
I’m not a runner, but anything by The Lovehammers can get me motivated to get moving, especially Straight as an Arrow, Hold On, Better Off/Walk Away, and Call of Distress.
Some favorites from my current playlist:
“All These Things That I’ve Done” The Killers
“At The Beach” The Avett Brothers
“Dog Days Are Over” Florence & The Machine
“Drink Your Whiskey Down” Reckless Kelly
“I Feel Lucky” Mary Chapin Carpenter
“Oxford Comma” Vampire Weekend
“Surrender” Ben Lee
“Walk of Life” Shooter Jennings
“Love Struck Baby” Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
“F!&$ You” Ce Lo Green
And yes, this list is totally random. :)
I love that The End of the Line so much. What. I had a weird inappropriate crush on every dude in that video when I was TEN. I feel like this somehow influenced my taste in men in a really weird way.
/tangent
The ENTIRE Awolnation album is good for running.
Also:
Architecture in Helsinki – Contact High
Oh and Daylight by Matt and Kim.
“My Body” – Young the Giant
That’s a sure-to-get-your-butt-moving song.
Thanks for this massive collection of tunes. I’m always on the hunt for new music.
Hashpipe – Weezer. Hands down my favourite running song.
Although this is days old by now, who could deny a flying unicorn more gas for her tank?
Trouble Comes Running- Spoon
What Part of Forever- Cee Lo Green
Bum Like You- Robyn
Just Like Zeus- Jenny and Johnny
Fee Da Da Dee- The Guggenheim Grotto
If I Ever Feel Better- Phoenix
The Belle of St. Mark- Sheila E.
Life in Technicolor- Coldplay
Let’s Get Out of This Country- Camera Obscura
Lloyd I’m Ready To Be Heartbroken- C.O.
If Looks Could Kill- Camera Obscura
Tall Boy- Har Mar Superstar
Dead Disco- Metric
Fun, Fun, Fun- Pharrell
Hey, could you publish some of your new playlists? THANKS!
Ida Corr : Let Me think about it
Needs to be on your playlist.
I’ve found Kanye’s newest album to be running magic! Especially Power, All of the Lights, and Lost in the World.
Also-
Neon Tiger – The Killers
Bloodbuzz Ohio – The National
My favorite new-to-me band is Volbeat, which has an awesome blend of a little country but mostly really upbeat (at least in terms of rhythm, the lyrics aren’t always “uplifting”, so to speak). Great example: Guitar Gangsters and Cadiallac Blood
I have to have good music to work out, too.
A couple favorites from the “workout” playlist:
Uprising – Muse
I Love to Hate You – Erasure
Don’t know if anyone else has already said this – but ditch the ipod and try the Pandora app on your phone. Its the best for working out and gives you a fresh list of music and I always find myself thinking “Damn! I love this song, havent heard it in forever!”
[...] but starts real and respectful conversations. I would love to get responses to my questions, like this post where she asked for running song recommendations and got 144 responses. It’s like she has a [...]