Let’s just put it all out there: I have bad taste in music. Bad. When I was younger, I told everyone that my favorite band was the Beatles because I knew I couldn’t get made fun of for it, nevermind that I’d never heard any of their songs. The fact that I was obsessed with Hanson, Spice Girls, and Amy Grant was not something I was going to advertise. (Note: I did eventually get my hands on a Beatles CD and I do actually like their music.) Fast forward and nowadays I have very broad taste in music. Since I knew my taste in music was bad, I had nothing to lose by exploring different genres. Pop, country, hip-hop, rock, I like it all! That said, I’ve had the fortune of coming across some surprisingly good running songs in my time. Here are few that might not already be on your playlist:
- This is me, Camp Rock
- Pump you up lyric: “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.” I love listening to this song toward the of a run. It such a feel-good-achive-your-dreams-take-a-risk-go-for-it kind of song. And (cheese alert) I do feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be when I’m running.
- Little Red Corvette, Prince
- Pump you up lyric: “Baby, you’re much too fast.” Something tells me that Prince wasn’t referring to running speed when he said, “you’re too fast.” That’s okay, I like to pretend he’s talking about running. This isn’t a super fast song, and it repeats a lot, and I can’t listen to it if I’m tired, but other than that (ha!) I highly recommend it.
- The World Will Know, Newsies
- Pump you up lyric: “Are we gonna hear it? No!” I typically don’t like running to songs from musicals, but Newsies is an exception. It’s all about shutting up the haters. I can definitely get behind that. This song is especially good because of the call and response portion. Sometimes when I’m running I’ll shout out the “No!” part really loudly. I’m sure the people in the neighborhoods appreciate that.
- Texas in 1880, Radney Foster with Pat Green
- Pump you up lyric: “Ride that pony fast.” Country music doesn’t seem like typical running music, but if the tempo is upbeat enough, it can be great. (I actually have many country songs on my playlist.) This one is perfect for running. The beat is fast, the topic is fun, and any mention of the word “fast” makes me feel like running fast!
- Ride Like the Wind, Christopher Cross
- Pump you up lyric: “I’m on the run” and “I’ve got such a long way to go.” I don’t know how this song ended up on my playlist; it must have been a Stephen download. No matter, I love it! The song isn’t particularly fast or upbeat, but it has this vibe of continuing despite being exhausted. Perfect for a long run. Plus, the lyrics really speak to me. “No time for sleep,” you got that right.
What songs (surprising or not) would you suggest someone add to their playlist prior to a race? (And by “someone” I mean “me.”) What embarrassing songs or musicians are you a fan of? Fess up!*
I don’t know any of those but I’m down with the musicals. One of my faaavorites is from my secret-boyfriend, matchbox twenty’s “How Far We’ve Come.” Oh Rob Thomas, sing to me baby. My actual boyfriend’s favorite is “You’re Going Down” by Sick Puppies which is kinda angry and good for a tough spot in the run. You might like this line, “don’t cry like a bitch when you feel the pain.”
Anywho, I was in the Hanson camp too and in fact, I have some of their newer songs and I’m not embarrassed to admit that!
I bought the last two Hanson CD’s. The music is just so darn infectious! I’ll probably be a (closeted) fan for life.
Thanks for the suggestions! I just downloaded them.*
I love Camp Rock! That is a good song. Two of my favorite get pumped songs are “Go the Distance” by Hercules and by Michael Bolten, and “Let it Rock” by Kevin Rudolf. Two very different songs, but I love them!
I know you like that Hercules song and whenever I hear it, I think of you! And thanks for the suggestions. “Let it Rock” is now on my race playlist!*
Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty.
I listen to mostly hard rock and metal nowadays, but I had every Amy Grant CD when I was younger!
Oh, Tom Petty! Good one!*
Lately, I’ve been LOVING country – Luke Bryan especially. It’s totally embarrassing to me, but I still like it.
Don’t be embarrased! Luke Bryan is amazing!*
Great suggestions, I love Little Red Corvette and will have to check the rest of them out! I totally hear you on having prepared answers on the music you like because you know certain things won’t evoke guffawing reactions. My standard answers used to be The Eagles, U2, and other classic rock artists like Fleetwood Mac (all of which I honestly do like, too). My more embarrassing ones included Stevie Wonder and Kool and the Gang!
Stevie Wonder doesn’t seem embarassing at all! Kool and the Gang, maybe kind of embarassing, though.
*
I like to start my race with ‘I’m On My Way’ or ‘Your Life is Now’ by John Mellencamp- they always get me in the mood to move! And I love any ‘strong woman’ song – Pink’s ‘So What’ or Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Stronger’. Also Bon Jovi’s ‘Work for the Working Man’ – always makes me think of your Grandpa.
Yes! Great suggestions! All now on my ipod!*
I start every race with “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica (and I refuse to listen to it in training runs).
Metallica kind of scares me, but I’m going to check this song out. Like I said, I like it all, and my ipod is in need of new music.*
Mike and Chris probably have everything Metallica ever did. I’m sure you can borrow one of their CD’s and get the full effect
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Oh boy, I’ve got an entire playlist dedicated to running… A few highlights:
Billy Joel: Only the Good Die Young
Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run (especially the sax solo by the Big Man)
Eric Clapton: Layla (fast version)
Fleetwood Mac: Don’t Stop
The Foo Fighters: The Pretender
Jimmy Eat World: The Middle
Michael Jackson: Beat It
One Republic: Good Life
Tom Cochrane: Life is a Highway
3 Doors Down: Citizen-Soldier (I think it was for the National Guard, but still military related)
And, there’s lots more where those came from, including Let it Rock and I Won’t Back Down as stated earlier… Oh, and Hanson was amazing when I was growing up.
If it’s 80′s and cheesy, then I probably love it. Also, I don’t use them for running, but I love listening to Broadway musical soundtracks. A lot.
I just recently found your blog, and I’m totally stalking my way through all your old posts.
I love The World Will Know, never thought to put it on my ipod though, but it’s there now.
It is SUPER cheesy, but The Climb by Miley Cyrus is a go to song for me when I need an extra boost. Also Fort Minor, Remember the Name is a good one.
Steph, I’m so glad that you found me! I think “The Climb” is a perfect song. I’m going to add it to my playlist. It’s so funny that you mention Fort Minor becuase that’s the song I always suggest to other people. I love it!*