Music Designed for Running

High-intensity, cadence-based music designed specifically for running.

Songs for Running: Do’s and OMG Don’ts

in the category: Music

Making a running playlist? Allow us to interject our (*ahem*) expert opinion on the matter.

We’ve been creating music for running for quite some time now, and we’ve learned a thing or two about what works—and what doesn’t. Throughout this site we’ve talked about what makes good running music. We’ve also contributed a post over at dailymile on the subject.

Today we’d like to share our opinion on some popular running playlist choices we think you shouldn’t be running to:

1. the theme from Chariots of Fire
   Sure, it was in a movie about running, and it might inspire you if you’re into early-80s movies about 1920s British guys running in white teeshirts and boxers. But the tempo of this song is soooo slowwww. There’s a time to run to dreamlike music, but this one is better left off your running playlist.
2. Theme from Rocky
   Ugh. We can almost let this one slip past for its kitsch factor, but…really? “Gonna Fly Now”? With that funky post-70s wailin’ guitar solo? You can do better than that.
3. Eye of the Tiger
   Another Rocky gem. What is it with theme songs for Rocky movies? Yeah, sure, maybe the vibe of the song—coupled with the whole Rocky thing—makes you feel tough, but the tempo is all wrong. Too laborious. Too plodding. Too cheesy. Rocky went on to train in a barn somewhere in Siberia and subsequently beat up Brigitte Nielsen (or was that Dolph Lundgren?); we think you should move on from Eye of the Tiger.
4. anything by the Black Eyed Peas
   Sorry. We know they’re popular. But this vapid (have you listened to the lyrics? are they even trying?) music is for dancing and selling albums, not for running. Dance music hits at around 120 beats per minute; your running cadence is somewhere between 160 and 180 beats per minute. This’ll make your humps want to turnover slower than your bumps. Time to lose it.
5. Interstate Love Song — Stone Temple Pilots
   We’re kidding—this is actually a fantastic song to run to. Have you tried it? The cadence, the chorus, the overall groove—it’s pretty fantastic.
6. any song just because it has “run” in the title
   We know, we know… we’ve been sucked into this trap, too. You’re out on your run, a song comes on, the singer starts screaming about “you better run!!!” and suddenly you feel like it’s about you. While there are some good songs that work that happen to have “run” in the lyrics, we recommend you don’t go out of your way to find them; you’ll just end up disappointed when you’re getting your miles in.

What doesn’t suck to run to? I’m so glad you asked!

• Up for a little high-intensity interval speedwork? Lactate Repeats: All My Everything will get you there. It’s a 10-minute warm-up, followed by 20 intervals, and a 5-minute cool-down. Mercy.
• Fan of female vocalists? How about Strides: Choose To Run. Lady Southpaw brings you through a stream-of-consciousness narrative as you cruise through a stamina-building strides workout.
• More into techno running music? Check out Step-Ups: Elation Sure, electronica purists will tell you this isn’t “techno” per se—more of a drum ‘n’ bass audio soundgasm that carries you through your run. But electronica purists say some crazy stuff.
• While you’re at it, check out all our other running music offerings. There’s sure to be something there to please your earhole.

Related Articles

• Music and Athletic Performance
• Behind the Running Music: Lactate Repeats: All My Everything
• Movement + Music = Magic: Sandra Possing

Leave a Comment

Let's keep it polite and on topic.