Best Running (Jogging) Music
November 11th, 2005
For a few months, on and off, I’ve been jogging in the evenings in an attempt to restore my glory days.
On good days I run 7 kilometers, roughly 4.5 miles, in about 43 minutes.
At some point I started to get bored and bought myself a Creative MuVo TX 512MB MP3 Player and filled it up with a few dozen MP3 songs.
I quickly discovered that certain songs had an AMAZING affect on my running.
When certain songs started playing, all of a sudden I got a gust of energy and my running pace picked up.
After some trial and error I found the best songs (at least for me) that have this impact on my motivation and performance.
Please note, some of them are BAD corny songs, but they are still awesome for running motivation (For example Karate Kid themea^?? :-))
Here is a list of the absolutely best motivational energetic running/jogging/fitness songs (In no particular order)
1. Linkin Park - From The Inside
2. Linkin Park - In The End
3. Linkin Park & Jay-Z - Numb a^?? Encore
4. Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong
5. Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence Remixed (Artist?)
6. Original Classic Rocky Theme
7. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger (Rocky 3 theme)
8. Joe Esposito - You’re the Best (Karate Kid theme)
9. Vangelis - Chariots of Fire
Since the nine songs above are the main ones which I play during my running sessions, I’m now kinda sick of them, so the motivational impact has dropped tremendously.
What would you recommend for good running/exercise motivation music?
November 19th, 2005 at 2:13
I’ve discovered the same thing about running to music so I launched a website called jogtunes.com which lists songs and playlists according to beat per minute. You can click links to the iTunes Music Store to sample and/or buy the songs and make playlists that fit your running paces. Please tell me what you think about the site. I welcome any advice and suggestions. Happy music-paced running (my term for it). You can email me at jogtunes@jogtunes.com or post to my forum (link on the website).
March 30th, 2006 at 13:31
On good days, I run the lake in my town, in less than 23 minutes. It’s 3.67 miles around. Just to name a few songs on my MP3 (here it goes): Rock And Roll All Nite, Kiss; Everybody Wants You, Billy Squier; We Got The Beat, Go Go’s; Running On Empty, Jackson Browne; My Sharona, The Knack; Mony Mony, Billy Idol; Public Enemy #1, Motely Crue; Gloria, Laura Branigan; Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne; Flashdance (What A Feeling), Irene Cara; Walking On Sunshine, Katrina and The Waves; Jump (For My Love), The Pointer Sisters; Barracuda, Heart; 2112 Overture/Temples of Syrinx, Rush; All of the music on the album “Powerage” by AC/DC; I Just Want To Make Love To You, Foghat; Dirty White Boy, Foreigner; Kiss Me Deadly, Lita Ford. There is more where this came from. Hope it helps. And remember, just being out there, is better than most.
March 30th, 2006 at 13:38
Wow - Great list.
I promise to check each and every of these. I do need to find new good running songs, the existing ones are way over-used by now.
Thanks!
April 8th, 2006 at 12:17
The best jogging song (for me) is ‘Aint gonna let nobody turn me around’ from the Bodyform advert. Always pushes me to run further and faster.
July 3rd, 2006 at 23:45
Try Rage Against the Machine, great for running like a mad man!
August 12th, 2006 at 23:29
Two that I love are Holiday by Greenday and Unbelievanle by EMF. I have played them over several time to get out of a funk in races.
August 20th, 2006 at 0:26
Thanks for all the recommendations. My 2 cents is “It’s raining men” from Geri Halliwell. Gives an absolute energy boost for 3 minutes exactly. Because the pace is relatively low, I enhance my stride and run about 13 km/hr (appr. 8 mph), although my average is only about 10 km/hr (appr. 6 mph) for long distance running. Goog luck to you all.
August 22nd, 2006 at 21:19
One of my “finisher” songs is Hysteria by the Muse. Also, Trust Company- Downfall, Smashing Pumpkins- Eye, and Radiohead- National Anthem are a few on my list.
August 23rd, 2006 at 16:34
Two fantastic motivational songs are ‘ill be ready’ by sunblock, the remixed version that is, not the original, and also ‘training montage’ by Vince Dicola, from Rocky 4
August 24th, 2006 at 7:08
Great songs, Linking Park has a tremendous power, shame with the Carrots of Fire… anyway I recomend you to try Van Halen, Iron Maiden (Running Free) they’re great if you are running not for fun but when is the only thing that makes you feel Alive….
October 1st, 2006 at 1:58
I recommend LaGrange - ZZ top. The beat is just perfect for those long hills!
October 5th, 2006 at 22:37
I found that “It’s my life” Bon Jovi was an excellent workout song, and since you like the more cheesy music maybe you will like “you spin me right around” form the wedding singer woundtrack
October 18th, 2006 at 2:48
hi i like ur suggestions but id like to add Clocks-Coldplay it usually gets me 15km in about 35min thanks to this i won the crosscountry at my highschool
October 22nd, 2006 at 5:36
“all these things that i’ve done” by the killers, “city of blinding lights” by U2, “born to run” by bruce springsteen, “over my head” by the fray, “hung up” by madonna, “dancing in the dark” by bruce springsteen are all good ones. but one for sure to get you moving is “banquet” by bloc party, works every time!
November 20th, 2006 at 2:39
These are awsome songs, Im going to go see how they affect my run as well Im trying to relive my glory days with three miles a day for three days a week or more.
Also will try them in my weight lifting routine as well.
Later
January 5th, 2007 at 13:43
Max time that i ran was 2 hours, maybe more … ( i know it is a bit extreme but my girlfriend dumped me, so i was in a certain state of mind … you get the picture ), i listen to songs from the 80’s, hooverphonics, thievery corporation, jedi mind tricks, immortal tehnique, some manic street preachers and others. I think this are endurance songs, they put you in a certain state of mind, and you keep pushing yourself …( until you die
)
January 8th, 2007 at 6:32
I usually find that remixes of certain songs work good. Gladiator song is good, pirates of the carribean is also good. Any pump up music before a sporting even works really well too.
January 20th, 2007 at 17:20
Running to music makes everything easier. You can really daydream and when you see you have run for more than one hour. I do not run fast, I do around 7.5 to 8.0 km (4.5 to 50 miles) an hour and
My preferred songs are:
Bad Bad Leroy Brown (Jim Croce)
Lay Down Sally (Eric Clapton)
The Heat is On (Glen Frey)
Long Cool Woman [on a Black Dress] (The Hollies)
Pessoa Nefasta (Gilberto Gil)
Pro Dia Nascer Feliz (Barão Vermelho)
Revoluções por Minuto (RPM)
Hit The Road Jack (Ray Charles)
The Night Before (The Beatles)
Exagerado (Cazuza)
Pais Tropical-Spyro Gyra - Jorge Benjor
I will put all my preferred songs in my blog which, by the way, is in Portuguese (but I will translate some)
February 18th, 2007 at 17:52
Great songs: Vanessa Mae - Push the button / Storm and Queen - Don’t stop me now
February 18th, 2007 at 18:17
how could I forget….ATB - Hold you:)
February 19th, 2007 at 10:43
If it weren’t for music I would collapse after 5 minutes. I like Arethra Franklin Respect, Rihanna pon da replay and Can you Feel it by the Jacksons. The last one used to work really well on Jane Fonda workout LP’s!!
February 28th, 2007 at 17:34
Awesome suggestions. Thank you all ~ I’m struggling with 1/2 mar training and need some major motivation.
March 16th, 2007 at 16:07
try Black Machine from ‘Dance with Me’, its awesome and urges you to run full steam, but the disadvantage it that you better have other such jogging blasters or you might lose your steam after this song ends on your MP3 player
March 21st, 2007 at 6:58
try new site that has music designed to run with. All types of paces and genres. This music is great, each of the tracks 15 minutes long, so keeped me going…and going….and stuffed! http://www.run2r.com from Australia.
March 25th, 2007 at 18:41
One of the best song for jogging is Lust for life from Iggy Pop. It gives you the strenght to continue!
July 29th, 2007 at 11:39
I have 2 numbers that can really get those lazy feet to move: Saltwater by chicane and Ecstasy by ATB.
July 30th, 2007 at 0:11
Some of my favorites for running/weightlifting.
Violent Pornography - System of a Down
Old School Hollywood - System of a Down
Beast and the Harlot - Avenged Sevenfold
Dead! - My Chemical Romance
Drop the Bombshell - Powerman 5000
When Worlds Collide - Powerman 5000
The Hell Song - Sum 41
Tetris Remix - Aphex Twin
Only in Dreams - Weezer
Say It Ain’t So - Weezer
Race - Bleach
Harder, Better, Faster, Strongsr - Daft Punk
Technologic - Daft Punk
Alive and Amplified - Mooney Suzuki
25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago
Give these a try. Good rhythm, so it will keep you in step.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:31
till is collapse-eminem
best motovational song ever!
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:30
this list energize me..
lenny kravitz-fly away
Red hot chilli peppers-hump de bump
black eyed peas-pump it
September 29th, 2007 at 21:03
I also believe “til I collapse by eminem is one of the best songs to put in the middle of your playlist, great when you start to feel tired and want to give up!
A few other songs on my playlist:
Ain’t no sunshine -DMX
Crazy Bitch - Buckcherry
Never scared - bone Crusher
Warriors (remix) = Lloyd Banks
Batter up - Nelly
You don’t know - 50 cent, Cashis, Eminem, Lloyd Banks
Stronger - Kanye West
Lose yourself - eminem
October 15th, 2007 at 10:44
It’s totally true that cheesy music is the best for running.
My personal favourites are songs from The DREAMGIRLS
October 16th, 2007 at 6:49
I find songs from the Rocky Soundtracks are great to run to. Also if I might suggest getting an iPod or a Zune. Both hold alot of songs and are very resiliant. My running playlist is over 2 hours long and still growing. All I do is open the playlist and turn on the shuffle. just a thought.
October 20th, 2007 at 5:26
50 and still running strong…some oldies, but goodies, to run/jog by: Doors/Roadhouse Blues & LA Woman; Meatloaf/All Revved Up with No Place to Go; EWF/Fantasy; Donna Summer/This Time I Know Its For Real, On The Radio, I Love You; Blue Oyster Clut/Don’t Fear the Reaper; Golden Earring/Radar Love; Evelyn Champagne King/Shame; Genesis/Abacab; Heart/Crazy on You; Iggy Pop/Lust for Life; Billy Idol/Mony Mony, White Wedding; Jackson Browne/Running on Empty; Journey/Any Way You Want It; Kansas/Carry On Wayward Son; Cheryl Lynn/Got to be Real; Led Zepplin/Black Dog; Lynyrd Skynyrd/Gimme Three Steps; Moody Blues/I’m Just a Singer, The Story in Your Eyes, Your Wildest Dreams; Patrice Rushen/Forget Me Nots; Patti LaBelle/New Attitude; Pointer Sisters/I’m So Excited; Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers/An American Girl; ZZ Top/Tush; ELO/Evil Woman
October 27th, 2007 at 1:12
Some Cool Songs For Running:
Guano Apes-Break The Line
Linkin Park-Bleed It Out,Given Up
Foo Fighters-The Pretender
Kanye West-Stronger, Jesus Walks With Me(Jarhead)
Overseer-Supermoves
Beautiful Creatures-1.am
El Matador-Taxi
Gluecifer-Easy Living
Infected Mushroom-Becoming Insane
Moby-Body Rock
Story Of The Year-Page Avenue
Yellowcard-Light And Sounds
Ill Nino-What You Deserve
Blink 182-Feeling This
Fall Out Boy-Thnks Fr Th Mmries
If Someone Likes It Ill Post More , Have Fun!
November 21st, 2007 at 6:04
I need new songs too! Here’s some I like:
Tripping the light fantastic - J*S*T*A*R*S
Violently Happy - Bjork
One of these Days - Pink Floyd
Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath
There Was a Time - James Brown
Ride Like the Wind - Christopher Cross
Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
Doors of Perception - Thievery Corporation
Isaac - Madonna
January 1st, 2008 at 5:48
I am trying to find new R&B songs???Any ideas???
January 5th, 2008 at 2:14
Hey!…Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts comin..holy Friday
January 18th, 2008 at 7:00
There are some great suggestions here! Just what I was looking for! Thanks guys!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:19
Running down a Dream - Tom Petty
Steve McQueen - Sheryl Crow
You Get What You Give - New Radicals (good motivator)
Bleed it Out - Lincoln Park (for when you feel like you can’t do anymore…)
So Alive - Ryan Adams
Straight Lines - Silverchair
Hold On - KT Tunstall
Galvanize - Chemical Brothers
How Far We’ve Come - Matchbox 20
This Modern Love - Bloc Party
One More Time - Daft Punk
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:35
some good suggestions there, although i didnt get through them all and i hope im not repeating what someone already said but…extreme ways by moby. its the theme from the Bourne movies and just reminds me of being the run constantly, its a great motivator
March 22nd, 2008 at 19:16
A few others I like (old and new):
Gypsy Biker - Bruce Springsteen (very upbeat tempo)
Sugar, We’re Goin Down - Fall Out Boy
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (slow at first, but builds toward the end)
Wavelength - Van Morrison
Dreams - Van Halen (from the cheesier Sammy Hagar days)
One Headlight - The Wallflowers (great beat)
Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
Call Me When You’re Sober - Evanescence
March 26th, 2008 at 6:22
cemetery drive by my chemical romance
Weekend warriors-change of pace
quiet things no one ever knows-brand new (a really good 1)
nine in the afternoon - Panic at the disco
dear maria-all time low
holiday- greenday
March 30th, 2008 at 4:44
Try this mix for a PSYCHO 5K:
Pain Lies On the Riverside- Live
Parallel Universe- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Paint it Black- The Rolling Stones
25 or 6 to 4- Chicago
Best of You- Foo Fighters
Gauranteed you finish WAY before the songs do…
April 3rd, 2008 at 22:29
I’m old, fat, & running my 1st 5K in 2 weeks. Got some additional songs from here for my puny list. Thatnks for the posts! Here’s what my list looks like:
Jump-Van Halen:Rock this Town-Stray Cats:Cha Cha-Chelo:Mony Mony-Billy Idol:Naughty Naughty-John Parr:Footloose theme:Who Let the Dogs Out-Baha Men:Eye of the Tiger-Survivor:Down Under-Men at Work:We got the Beat-GoGo’s:Everybody Wants You-Billy Squire
April 21st, 2008 at 19:52
Great post. I really enjoyed it. I will have to bookmark your site for later.
April 29th, 2008 at 0:37
The Chemical Brothers- Galvanise, Believe, Block Rocking Beats
Massive Attack- I Against I
Pendulum- Slam, Fasten your Seatbelt, Tarantula
The Prodigy- Smack my bi*ch up, voodoo people (pendulum remix)
May 24th, 2008 at 6:46
Ok there have been some really great suggestions but some even better ones would have to be
Stronger- Kanye west
Don’t Stop the Music- Rihanna
Ashley Tisdale (this decreased my time 30 seconds)
Welcome to my life- Simple Plan
4 minutes- Madonna
Pocketful of Sunshine- Natasha Bedingfield
Never too late- 3 days grace
Dirty little secret- The all american rejects
give a little bit- Goo Goo Dolls
Home- Daughtry (this song is especially good for softball when you are on 3rd base)
It’s not over- Daughtry
David Cook
Britney Spears
I hope you find these suggestions helpful and good luck running!!!! My time for 1.50 miles is 8:35!!!!! All thanks to my trusty ipod
May 31st, 2008 at 15:59
Dont forget !
We gonna win - Brian Adams !!!
June 12th, 2008 at 6:40
Great suggestions. I already had a lot of this on my running playlist.
For hard rock, heavy guitar driven songs I like:
Helmet - Unsung
Helmet - Give it (run at double tempo)
Rage Against The Machine - Killing in the name
Rage Against The Machine - People of the sun
Rage Against The Machine
Queens of the Stoneage - No One Knows
Queens of the Stoneage - Feel good hit of the summer
June 30th, 2008 at 6:01
Songs from DDR work well, especially Butterfly =). Step up Soundtrack as well as Stomp the Yard soundtrack and You Got Served ST, Alphabet Aerobics /Chemical Calestenics-Blackalicious, Through the Fire and Flames- Dragonforce, Kung Fu Fighting (YES, I know, it’s cheesy!), Elevation - U2, Born to Run- K-OS. Also, you might wanna find some dance medleys on limewire or norpheus. Got one that lasts for 12 mins and it really helps to keep on running. Forgot the title, though. Anyway, good running to you! =)
July 9th, 2008 at 15:31
Thanks for the ideas! I always loved Vangelis, but never thought they’d be a good running music. I run yesterday (on a terrible rain) on “Chariots of fire” and had an excellent run, lots of energy and felt amazing afterwards! One of my favorite running songs is the theme from the german movie “Lola Runnt”. Again, thanks
July 19th, 2008 at 1:02
Thank you all!!!!
here are some more:
rammstein - du riechst so gut, eifersucht, du hast, sehnsucht, links..
eisbrecher - adrenalin, leider, eintlass mich, eiskalt erwischt…
scooter - fire, move your ass, how much is the fish
cure - just like heaven
placebo - special K, bitter end
offspring - kid aren’t allright
evereve - house of the rising sun (remake), misery’s dawn
sundown - design 19 (whole album!)
July 31st, 2008 at 17:19
Great songs. Lots I hadnt tried, would like to add to the list:
Come with me Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page (Godzilla Soundtrack)
Victory P Diddy again
Give them a go, you may immediatley think rap c*ap but they are not, they are good to run to, very motivational.
Or, Sandstorm - Darude
Local boy in the photograph - stereophonics
Dakota - Stereophonics
No Good, firestarter or breathe - Prodigy
Sunday bloody sunday - U2
Wide awake - The Twang
Given to fly - pearl jam
Keep running!!
Tone
August 9th, 2008 at 6:46
I am so glad I found this. I am bookmarking to make a list of all these great ideas. Here are a few of my favorites. I jog slow and steady though…
Warrior-Public Image Limited
The Body-Public Image Limited
Rock On-Billy Idol
Keep em coming! This is a great topic!
September 17th, 2008 at 22:04
Great contributions … here are mine
PS: I run in Mumbai (Bombay), INDIA
Anyone on this site up for a run down in Bombay give me a shout
hjdasw@yahoo.com
HERE I GO AGAIN: Whitesnake
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN: Clearwater Credence
SOMEBODY TOLD ME: Killers
WHERE IS THE LOVE: Black Eyed Peas
September 21st, 2008 at 20:34
Great Recommendations guys. Try these ones out as i like them a lot for running:
The Flaming Lips - The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
I like to start with this one, it builds up great and puts a smile on my face :D.
Digitalism - Pogo
Kinky - I say Hey.
MGMT - Time To Pretend
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression that i get
Zero 7 - Destiny. For Wrapping up
September 22nd, 2008 at 17:40
Some special music from run2rhythm at http://www.run2r.com
Finish Line 160bpm Taran Carter
Looking for a Clue 163BPM Harald Riedel
Bionic Pulse 166bpm Adrian Szondy
Power of Sound 156bpm Andrew Batterham
Each track is 15 min long so that’s an hour of great running music
January 25th, 2009 at 0:02
Z Z Top Got me under pressure, perfect beat
February 28th, 2009 at 23:19
I like running to electronica or punk/rock b/c of the constant beat. Also, not as much flux in the intensity or feeling of the music - it’s all very energetic and raw. Examples of below.
Deadmau5 - Ghosts N’Stuff
Deadmau5 - Arguru
BT - Iron Fisted Mutha
Wolfgang Gartner - Killer
Wolfgang Gartner - Flashback
Buy Now - Body Crash [Global Deejays Remix]
DJ Tiesto - Traffic
Linkin Park - Faint
Sum 41 - 88
Sum 41 - Mr Amsterdam
Rise Against - Give It All
Eminem - Lose Yourself
March 20th, 2009 at 6:32
Is there a way to become a content writer for the site?
April 25th, 2009 at 5:50
Alice Deejay: Better off Alone
AC/DC
Crossfade: Colors
Eminem: Till i collapse
Kanye: Stronger; jesus walks
GreenDay: basket case
Kings of LEON; sex on fire
Limp Bizkit: Break Stuff
Rage Against the Machine: Bulls on Parade
Veronicas: Untouched
Xzibit: concentrate
May 3rd, 2009 at 19:20
Great thread here! I will add a couple of mine… (may be a repeat or 2)
Reason to Believe- Dashboard Confessional
Pump It- Black Eyed Peas
Gotta Get Through This- Daniel Beddingfield
Sugar we’re goin Down- FalloutBoy
Moment of Weakness- Bif Naked
I’m Not Okay- My Chemical Romance
I kissed a Girl- Katy Perry
Sunburn- Muse
I run between 5.5 & 6.5 mph & these songs seem to work best to keep me going!
Reason to Belive is a great one to both start & end your run with.
It is by far my favorite running song right now.