I almost always run with music, unless I’m running with a friend. If I notice that my iPod Nano is dead as I’m heading out for a run, I will grab my iPhone instead. If I notice that my iPod Nano is dead when I’ve gone too far to turn back, I will be disappointed. I know that listening to music while I run outside breaks a safety rule, but I love running with music–and I keep the volume low enough so I can hear ambient noise. So, what are my favorite running songs?
You might think that a person who loves to run with music as much as I do would have the latest songs on her iPod, but I haven’t made a new playlist list since January! It just takes so much time to put together a new playlist! (To make it easier for you, I’ve provided Amazon Affiliate links directly to M3 downloads of my favorite running songs–just click on the images.) Instead of choosing current songs, I tend to use songs that have a motivating message or that will make me laugh during a long run.
All About That Bass — Meghan Trainor. OK, this is a current song–but it’s got a certain silliness that gives it staying power as a fun running song.
Happy — Pharrel Williams. I really should be sick of this song by now, but there is something about it that makes me …. happy!
Johnny Got A Boom Boom — Imelda May. I first heard this song on an NPR show (who knew public radio could be so cool!?). It’s got a wild “story” and is really upbeat.
Bang Bang — Ariane Grande. This is another fun, fast song.
Stronger — Kelly Clarkson. When I am making a playlist for a specific race, I like to put this song where I think I’ll encounter a big hill.
Ice Ice Baby — Vanilla Ice. I like to put this song near the end of my playlist to psych myself up for an ice bath. 🙂
Raise Your Glass — Pink. I like to put this song near the very end of my playlist, as encouragement to finish strong and “raise my glass” to a great run.
[Tweet “Great Running Tunes For Your Next Playlist”]
How often do you make a new playlist?
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Ice Ice Baby….good one! I’m too much of a chicken for an ice bath, lol! I really miss my Nano, it was stolen out of my car about a year ago 🙁
Argh! I hate that Apple stopped making the little square Nano. I’m trying to keep mine alive …
All great songs! Bang Bang is fun – they say it is the “Lady Marmalade” of this decade.
I need to update my playlist as well. I use it more for my strength training workouts. I also have “sexy and I know it” on mine-don’t we all?!
“All about that Bass” I can’t help moving when this song comes up. 😀 I don’t really make playlists but I love Songza’s “Uplifiting Pop Motivation” playlist which has never failed me through my runs (so far).
I’ll have to check it out!
great list! i love all of those songs 🙂
Yep, I have a lot of the same ones with the exception of the NPR one and Vanilla ICE?! Really?? LOL 🙂
No better way to get psyched for an ice bath! 😉
The first three are all on my list. And oddly enough, just added some Vanilla Ice today, just because, haha.
I keep thinking I should be tired of Happy by now too – but I’m not! It’s still in rotation on my playlist – always makes me smile!
I have never heard of Johnny got a Boob Boom. I’ll have to look that one up.
So many fun songs!! I don’t make new playlists nearly often enough!
I know. It seems to take forever, but it’s so motivating to have a fresh one!
I’m odd, especially in my relationship to music.
I don’t really listen to music, and would never consider it when running etc. Now I do like opera & live classical music, and a bit of classic FM to block out the background noise at work.
I rarely run to music anymore but I listen to it when I clean the venue and several of those songs are in my list!!!
Great recommendations! I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of Happy 🙂
He really cracked the code on a winner with that one!
Your songs have such a great beat — love Happy, love pretty much all Kelly Clarkson and Pink!
Bang Bang is one of my new favorites. Great Beat!
Right now I am obsessed with-
DJ Khalid – All I Do is Win
Drake – Started from the Bottom
Beyonce -XO
Maroon 5 – Love Somebody
Aloe Blacc – The Man
Ah, more good ones! This is inspiring to get on iTunes ….
I love those songs! Ice Ice Baby~~ fun stuff! I agree it does take a while to set up a good play list! Have a great weekend!
Great song selection. I love ‘Stronger’ during races – it helps pick me up when I’m tired and sore.
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