Running is a great form of exercise even though it can be difficult. Setting your run to music should make it much more enjoyable. Keep yourself energized with this playlist on your next run. It includes songs from a number of genres and lists them in no particular order, so you can pick and choose the ones you love the most.
1. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
Beats Per Minute (BPM): 119
This is a great classic song to pep talk yourself. Sometimes it’s hard to stick to those goals and ever think you’ll see the results you’re looking for. Start this one, sing along as you run, and you’ll feel great before the song is over.
2. Maroon Five – Moves Like Jagger
BPM: 128
With the catchy beat and fast paced music, you’ll get so into the song you won’t have time to focus on the fact that you’re running.
3. Outkast – Hey Ya!
BPM: 158
One of the fastest songs on this list – you may improve your mile time, just because you’ll naturally start to move a little faster to keep up with the music.
4. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
BPM: 147
With a song title like that, you knew it’d make this list – Born to Run is the ultimate runner’s anthem.
5. Tom Petty – Runnin’ Down a Dream
BPM: 169
Another runner’s anthem – this one is great for kicking up your pace (and for motivation to chase those dreams!)
6. Florence and the Machine – Dog Days are Over
BPM: 75
Just listen to the lyrics, and you’ll know why this one made the list!
“The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are coming
So you better run
Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father
Run for your children and your sisters and brothers…”
7. Black Eyed Peas – Pump It
BPM: 153
This feel good song will motivate you to run a bit faster – just listen and run!
8. Kelly Clarkson – What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger
BPM: 117
This beat is a little slower, making it a great song for after the fast pace of Pump It. And, it’s a nice reminder that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
9. Rolling Stones – Start Me Up
BPM: 123
Looking for a little motivation to get started? This song is just what you need! This is a great song for warming up before your run.
10. Beastie Boys – Sabotage
BPM: 83
Feeling like skipping that run today? It’s a sabotage! Get up, get out there, and get started!
11. Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start the Fire
BPM: 145
Get a little lesson on prominent historical figures in while you run. The lyrics will teach you, while the beat keeps you moving fast. And if you see fire – run even faster.
12. Ellie Goulding – Burn
BPM: 88
We didn’t mean to start a theme with fire – and this one isn’t one you’ll find on many running playlists, but that’s why we like it. It’s different, but still has everything you need to stay pumped and motivated for your run.
13. Madonna – Four Minutes
BPM: 113
How far can you run in four minutes? Listen to this one, and challenge yourself to set a new record! You may not only have four minutes to save the world, but that doesn’t matter – get into it and have a little fun.
14. Bill Conti – Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme)
BPM: 96
When you hear the Rocky theme – you can’t be discouraged. It’s empowering, and just what you need to keep the run going strong. You’re a powerhouse – and if you don’t feel it by the end of this song, put it on repeat.
15. Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow
BPM: 164
Need a little motivation to keep going? The beat of this song will get the job done!
16. Kenny Loggins – Footloose
BPM: 175
Footloose is a great song to listen to when you run after a rough day. Just don’t kick off your shoes.
17. Bonnie Tyler – Holding Out for a Hero
BPM: 150
This classic will give you what you need to keep going. Be that hero Bonnie Tyler needs and is holding out for.
18. Michael Jackson – Beat It
BPM: 140
You can’t go wrong with a great beat from the King of Pop! Set a goal, and beat it!
19. Fatboy Slim – The Rockafeller Skank
BPM: 152
The fast pace of this song will give you a final push in your run before you cool down.
20. Maroon 5 – Harder to Breathe
BPM: 150
With a BPM of 150, this song will give you an added burst of energy at any point of your run. 21. Pink – Raise Your Glass
A great song to get you started and into the rhythm of the run. It will get your heart rate up and your blood pumping.
22. Adele – Rolling in the Deep
This is a good one to play when you’ve gotten into the pace of your run. It’s inspirational enough to keep you focused.
23. Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
A true classic! This is a great song to play half way through your run: “Oh, we’re half way there…” Just what you need to hear.
24. Van Halen – Jump
Is there a better song for a warm up? And you’ve got to love the cheesy eighties electrophonic sounds. Get the blood going: “You might as well jump!”
25. Blondie – Call Me
Blondie will never get old. This is one of their most iconic songs, and it’s another one to wake yourself up for that morning run.
26. Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca
Put a bit of sizzle and sass in your run. This is the hit that made Ricky Martin famous. Use it to keep motivated.
27. Elton John – I’m Still Standing
You’ve gotten through the run. It was hard and grueling, but you’re “still standing”. This is a great song for cooling down.
28. MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
Take a journey back to the early nineties and the iconic song of that time. Play this song and make your run hammer time.
29. The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go
Add a bit of playfulness to your run with this hit by The Clash. When the run gets tough, this song can provide a distraction.
30. Rihanna – Only Girl In The World
The very rhythmic and melodic Rihanna. You will get a great boost from this song. It’s great for any stage of your run.
31. Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend
This high energy, high octane song from Avril Lavigne will put you in the mood for a sprint. It gives a great beat for a run.
32. Nirvana -Smells Like Teen Spirit
You remember it—losing your mind and rocking out at minute one of this classic Nirvana song. It’s great song to dull the pain.
33. Britney Spears -‘Til The World Ends
Go back to the first decade of this young century. ‘Til the World Ends is a pop song filled with energy to take you to the end.
34. Tom Petty -Free Fallin
The lyrics match your feeling when you’re running. Your heart rate is up and the wind is in your face. In a way, you are “free fallin”.
35. ABBA-Waterloo
Who could ever forget the lyrics of this classic song by the best Swedish band ever? It’s a tune that will keep you running.
36. Shakira-Waka Waka
This was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The lyrics are just what you need to push yourself further and further.
37. Survivor – Burning Heart
Okay, now we get into some Rocky theme songs. This is a great one from Rocky 4. It’s perfect for your warm up.
38. Survivor-No Easy Way Out
The lyrics will move you: “There’s no easy way out. There’s no short cut home.” This will get you through a rough patch.
39. Tommy Tutone -867-5309
This song is best reserved for your cool off. It is a light, pretty song that will help you wind your body down.
40. Aerosmith-I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
Originally cut for the Armageddon soundtrack, this is one of the deepest and most moving songs made by Aerosmith. Good for a cool down.
41. KISS -I Was Made For Loving You
A great tune from the inimitable KISS. You know the lyrics. Just rock to the beat as you run.
42. Journey-Some Day Love Will Find You
A classic rock song that is great for a warm up. It will ease you into your run.
With a great beat, it should be getting harder to breathe at this point in your workout.
There are many great songs for running – and narrowing this list down to 42 was hard. But, we guarantee if you load these songs on your Ipod before you go out for your run, you’ll get a great workout. You may get so into the music you forget that you’re working out!