Many of you have probably made a resolution of getting into better shape. (Personally I’m against such things…I think if you want to make a change there’s no time like the present, but that’s a topic for another time.) Below are excerpts from my running/workout playlist. I don’t really have ‘an order’ on this playlist – I usually shuffle the songs, so I grouped them into categories below.
Girl Power
Ladies first…I’m not ashamed to admit it, I have some kick-ass songs from female artists that are spread throughout my playlist. Here are some good ones:
Keeps Getting Better – Christina Aguilera
Miss Independent – Kelly Clarkson – This one is good for interval training. Every time she hits her chorus – run hard.
Hit Me Up – Gia Farrell – You’re may be wondering who Gia is. Apparently she didn’t get very far, but this is still a good song. It was in Happy Feet. This song has a good tempo throughout and is probably best mid-workout.
Rumour Has it – Adele
90’s/2000’s Rock & Alternative
This section will probably grow over time. I always mean to add more songs to it. I don’t know if it’s because I was a child of this era or not, but this category and the next make up a large chunk of my list.
My Generation – Limp Bizkit
Bulls on Parade – Rage Against the Machine – The entire song is hard and good,but the last minute really pumps me up.
The Boys of Summer – The Ataris – Another good one for mid-workout. No real high’s or low’s but a good one for keeping a good pace.
Rollin’ (Urban Assault Vehicle) – Limp Bizkit
Calling All Angels – Train – Save this for longer runs. It’s got a slower pace but feels upbeat.
Bawitdaba – Kid Rock
Chop Suey – System of a Down
90’s/2000’s Techno
Again, not sure if it’s because I grew up in this era, but I feel this was the best time for electronic music. Maybe it’s because I’m older, but a lot of the newer stuff all sounds the same to me. The songs of this era were all unique and you could identify one song from another.
Tao of the Machine – BT – From the Blade 3 soundtrack. Really good for the beginning of a workout. Good for getting things going.
Song for Mutya – Groove Armada – Better for longer runs mid-workout. The chorus can be good for interval training and the lyrics are upbeat/uplifting.
Hymn (This Is My Dream) – Moby – Another good one for longer runs. It never really picks up but has a positive sound throughout the song.
Paranoid (The Crystal Method Remix) – Garbage – Hard throughout. Good for when you need a pickup.
Apache (From On the Floor at the Boutique) – Fatboy Slim – Good for interval training. Run fast every time the ‘jump on it’ part plays.
(Can’t You)Trip Like I Do – Danny Saber Mix – There’s nothing like the original – but this remix is good for getting pumped up.
Hand Clap – Girl Talk – I stumbled across this somewhere and it’s an absolute gem. This song is basically a mash up of a couple other songs which eventually blends into Hollaback Girl. It’s very short but very good.
Firestarter – Prodigy – As heavy as this song is, it can be good for both interval training and getting pumped up. Towards the middle and end the drums kick in and out. It’s good for picking you back up.
One Man Army/No Man Army – Prodigy & Tom Morello – Great mix of hard rock and electronic. Both versions are good.
Cowgirl – Underworld – When I first heard this while watching Hackers, I was hooked. In the top 3 of my favorite songs of this genre.
Everything Else
These next few songs didn’t really fit into the categories above, so I gave them their own.
Light Suits – Blue Man Group – Along with “Tao of the Machine” this is a good one to listen to at the beginning of a workout/run. It has a good buildup.
It’s Tricky – Run DMC
Turn Down for What – DJ Snake & Lil Jon
I Want it All/We Will Rock You (Suckerpunch Soundtrack) – Queen/Geddy – Aside from being visually appealing, this was one of the few good things that came out of the movie.
Wish Liszt – Trans Siberian Orchestra –Sure it’s a holiday song, but you can run to it all year round. The last minute is great for the end of a run for pushing through when you feel like you have nothing left.
Les Fleur – 4 Hero – This is a really weird one. However, for some reason I like it. The original is from the 70’s and originally sung by Minnie Riperton. This song has a lot of slow points, but whenever the chorus hits I run as fast I can.
invest in yourself 