Favorite Running Songs

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?

Favorite Running Tunes

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!

Sexy And I Know It — LMFAO. This one makes my playlists for its pure laugh factor. 

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. 

I can’t wait to check out the favorite running songs that others will be sharing on the Friday Five linkup hosted by Eat Pray Run DCMar on the Run and You Signed Up for What?!

[Tweet “Great Running Tunes For Your Next Playlist”]

How often do you make a new playlist?

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24 Responses to Favorite Running Songs

  1. 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 🙁

  2. Jennifer says:

    All great songs! Bang Bang is fun – they say it is the “Lady Marmalade” of this decade.

  3. 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?!

  4. Toni says:

    “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).

  5. great list! i love all of those songs 🙂

  6. Yep, I have a lot of the same ones with the exception of the NPR one and Vanilla ICE?! Really?? LOL 🙂

  7. The first three are all on my list. And oddly enough, just added some Vanilla Ice today, just because, haha.

  8. 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!

  9. I have never heard of Johnny got a Boob Boom. I’ll have to look that one up.

  10. So many fun songs!! I don’t make new playlists nearly often enough!

  11. 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.

  12. Kim says:

    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!!!

  13. Chaitali says:

    Great recommendations! I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of Happy 🙂

  14. Amalia says:

    Your songs have such a great beat — love Happy, love pretty much all Kelly Clarkson and Pink!

  15. 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

  16. 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!

  17. Great song selection. I love ‘Stronger’ during races – it helps pick me up when I’m tired and sore.

  18. Pingback: Fun And Festive Playlists For Running - Got2Run4Me

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