One of the things that make my run worth it is my music. Whether it’s the driving beat or the encouraging music, these songs are my running buddies.
“Time Bomb” and “Four Leaf Clover” Old ’97’s – I’m a Dallas kid, so the Old ’97’s are my people. Although it makes me feel like I should be at a St. Paddy’s Day parade with my beer in hand.
“Suckerpunch” and “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” Bowling for Soup – I might be showing my age a bit, but these are a couple of my feel-good songs from college. I always did love an angsty nerd with a bass.
“Dakota” Stereophonics – Good driving beat and come on, it’s the Stereophonics. Plus, it’s nice to hear that lyric, “Take a look at me now!” hollered over and over. You’re all YEAH! Take a look at me NOW, bitches!!!
“Fingers in Factories” Editors – Another one with a good beat and great lyrics. When they repeat’ “Keep with me, Keep with me, Keep with me” you have to keep going.
“Dog Days are Over” Florence +The Machine – This one has a slow break in the middle, so if I’m having a bad run it slows me down a little, but generally it kicks all types of butt.
“F**k You” and “Wildflower” Cee-Lo – I love Cee-Lo. Everyone was all, “Ooo, Lady Gaga, she’s so innovative!” But I was like, “BAH! Derivative.” Because you know why? Cee-Lo was a mother-effing MUPPET, Y’ALL. That’s innovation. Plus, these are good songs. And “Wildflower” is dirty, but in a subtle way. He’s a classy Muppet. Love the Cee-Lo.
Now, here’s where is gets a bit embarrassing.
“You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Run Tell That” Hairspray: Movie Soundtrack – Don’t judge me. They’re uplifting.
Okay, your turn, moppets! What music do you exercise to?
Kind of a Mess 
Rob Zombie, Cascada (I know! But the beat is so good!) and anything that gets my blood pumping/feet moving. At the end of the run it has to be something angry, though, so I can dig all the way into my teenage angst to motivate myself.
You know, angry served me really well when I started out, but now I’m enjoying my zen-like state and I need beats, but encouraging beats.
Maybe my angst went to college and started smoking pot….
Girl Talk, because it’s always upbeat and the music changes frequently – ideal for combating the monotony of the elliptical machine!
Ooo, I have never heard of Girl Talk, at least that I can remember. Any suggestions on good songs to start with?
Anything from the “Feed the Animals” album is great (I’m a big fan of “No Pause” myself). Lots of clever mashups of everything from Top 40 to classic rock to songs from the ’90s you’d all but forgotten about. 🙂
No Doubt and Rage Against the Machine. Gwen and the gang always have me feeling hella good and Rage just makes you want to kick any and all kinds of ass. Period.
You are BRILLIANT, as always. I think I might need to add some Rage and Tragic Kingdom to my playlist, bring back a little of 1997!
I’m loving the Glee version of Gaga’s “Born this Way.” And “You Can’t Stop the Beat” is a great favorite, too!
GLEE!!! I’m a fan, but I haven’t brought myself to buy any of their stuff. Although I heard that “Barbara Streisand” song on the last episode and kept thinking “oooh, that would be a good one to run to.”
Oh, Kurt! How I love him!
Gogol Bordello is the best for getting me pumped for running, I have the Gypsy Punks album and it’s pretty much high-energy the whole way through!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu-lKQ-b6XU&feature=fvwrel — Sally
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYE8Vjih2cs&feature=relatedl — start wearing purple
Incidentally, I went to their show a few years ago, and it was amazing (though more like the first video, not so crazy as the second!). Talk about a good performance…. they had dancing girls playing marching-band drums and the lead singer was absolutely nuts.
Gogol Bordello! I first heard them in Everything is Iluminated and an ex-boyfriend of mine used to play them all the time so I learned to love them and all their quirkiness. Awesome pick, they may need to go on my list!
those are BITCHING picks, alyssa. i love all of them 🙂
Thanks! I might not be cool, but occasionally my music is! 🙂
LCD Soundsystem (though I skip the few slow songs) & Arcade Fire (also skip the slow songs). Because LCD Soundsystem has such a consistent beat, even from one song to the next, and Arcade fire is freaking awesome. Rebellion (Lies) is great for running. Especially if you’re kind of angry to begin with.
You have more useful info than the British had cloioens pre-WWII.
This is total spam, but I’m a little in love with it….
I’m just putting together a list to run to. These are all getting added. ::nods::
I think I’m also going to start stealing songs from the spin classes at the gym Jon and I go to (I’m taking Zumba and it’s kicking my ass … prepare for the funny that is that class if you ever take one!) …. they play kick ass workout music. The other day they were doing Linkin Park “Bleed It Out” which, if nothing else, has a great driving beat to pound away to.
I’ll update you as I find more. =)
Queen, Tommy by The Who, maybe some Styx. Or Eminem, some old Dr. Dre or Snoop, and Ludacris. Or Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Gwen Stefani, with a sprinkling of one hit wonder pop songs. Depends on how I want my day to be-am I like Rocky, and this is my preparing-to-kick-butt montage? Or am I already kinda irritated and needing to indulge in just being pissed off for a while? Or am I feeling kinda empowered and dance-y?
Great pics. I love to start off my run to Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap. I also second the No Doubt suggestion – Spiderwebs is fantastic!
I need a new running mix. I always turn on some slow folky thing that’s in my head and that never works out very well… (Wilco, I’m looking at you here). My fallback is Outkast…Speakerboxx is best. “Nothing but Green Lights” by Tom Veck is a good beginning of the run song. And then when I tire of my too-slow indie crap I usually default to our wedding mix, particularly All the Single Ladies, Love Shack, Crazy LIttle Thing Called Love, and Poker Face. Oh, also Sexy Back. I guess I am a closet pop fan.
I love to run to Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Pow, and I’ve also been obsessing over Glee’s version of P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) lately. Other items on the play list currently include Lily Allen’s Back to the Start and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Heads Will Roll. I think I also need to follow your lead and add some Florence + the Machine!
Oh, and I’ve also been listening the The Ting Tings Shut Up and Let Me Go at least two or three times a day lately.
I really love running to trance music. I’m making a couple of other people a cd, I can make you one too if you’d like. A
Yes please!! That would be great!
Excellent. I’ll let you know when they’re ready to go out.
I love you more now that I know you are a bowling for soup fan.