I have a lot of playlists. They save me during long runs or when i'm not really feeling it. On treadmills, it's easier for me to watch something since I'm stationary. But you know you have a good playlist if you'd rather listen to music. It empowers you. It gives you new life. It makes you feel like you can conquer those 3,5,10 mile runs. And while some music might be better for cycling or lifting, I think if you get a good playlist, you can use it for a variety of workouts.
The other hard part about playlists and saying MY list is the ULTIMATE list is this simple fact: Everyone has different music tastes. I have a friend who runs to scream-o music. I have another friend who catches up on sermons or podcasts. Whatever floats your boat. But if you want some spunky music that makes you feel all empowered and able to do this thing called life, then check out this lovely curated list from my many playlists over the past several years.
Warning: I have incredibly different music tastes. No joke. One minute you could be listening to Christian singer Stacie Orrico, and the next you could be listening to Timbaland's "Bounce"— there is no rhyme or reason. Whatever moves me at the time makes the list. On my lists I'll have some songs that would be considered sad music or slow music, but if I love it, it literally makes the list... at least for a time.
The Only Playlist That You Need (Maybe)
1. Icona Pop - Emergency
This poppy number found it's way into my heart from a cycling class I took over the summer. The class started at 5:30AM. I needed something like this to keep me going. It's definitely good for cycling because of the horn that gives you a good beat to "climb" to.
2. Sia - Unstoppable
Sia is a queen. I feel like there is never a bad time for her music. While this song (also found while cycling) has some pretty slow spots, her chorus is empowering. If you are practicing HIIT training, this would probably be a good song for you.
Runner ups from Sia: Bird Set Free and Elastic Heart
Both of these songs are on multiple playlists, but since I have too many songs as is, I figured this was a good place for them. Bird Set Free also has a slow start but the lyrics will give you strength. Elastic Heart is just a good song.
3. Ryn Weaver - Octahate
Okay. So I might be prejudging this song. I literally found it yesterday from this list on Buzzfeed. It's not overly hip-hoppy or genius lyrics, but I guess they originally shot this music video and she didn't like how it turned out so she made a new music video with her best friend. So it's automatically amazing to me.
4. Aquarius - All Hands On Deck
I'm not a huge fan of Girls, but since I started watching it, I have to finish it. (I'm still one of the few that watch Grey's Anatomy also... don't judge). Hanna (Lena Dunham) ends up on this all women's retreat with her mother and she finally lets go and dances while this song plays over the video. It makes me wish I could dance. But I guess I'll run to it instead.
5. Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath
Any good playlist should have one song from them. Lose My Breath just happens to be my jam. What an upbeat song. It's a song to run the entire time to. Beyonce has so much sass and the clap-like sound in the background keeps you at a fast pace.
6. Fitz and The Tantrums - HandClap
I honestly didn't know if I liked Fitz before this song. Once again, cycling saves me in the form of music. While the beat is pretty steady throughout, the hand clapping and "turn it up" lyrics makes you want to move.
7. Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
Got some aggression towards an ex? This will be perfect for you. She's spunky and has just enough angst to make it a song to love. Also: I think she's better off without her ex. But that's just my honest opinion.
8. Flo Rida - GDFR (Feat. Sage the Gemini and Lookas)
This song gets you going right away. Within 15 seconds, you have a beat to do something with. I'm not a huge Flo Rida fan, nor do I typically listen to hip hop, but it's perfect. Sometimes you need a special kind of playlist for working out that wouldn't work anywhere else. So Flo Rida gets to be in my iTunes. They should feel lucky. (Note: it's not a friendly song. The lyrics are probs not going to appease a lot of people. Sorry!)
9. Paramore - Now
Oh Paramore. I have loved you for several years now. Your spark, your charisma... it's like you get me. Now I could play stuff from their original album, but I found this song on most of my lists. Her voice is transcendent for me. Great guitar as well.
10. Walk the Moon - Tightrope
If you find your tastes more in the alternative lane, this will be a good one to add to your list. The beat will keep you alive through the whole song and the guitar is something not to be missed. I also think his voice is easy to listen to.
11. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang
I'm sorry for this one. I truly am. Although I have to admit my love to Ariana Grande. Her music is legit. Also, if you don't think she's great, check her out when she sings like other singers with Jimmy Fallon. Anyway, these females belt it out and make you want to shoot someone. Or something.
12. Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
I. Love. TayTay. I do. I want to be her friend. I am Team Taylor all the way. And I think a lot of her music you can run to, but I chose this one because it's spunky and fun and keeps me moving. Plus, after you see the music video where she's dancing in all different forms, you'll have to dance or run. It's goofy and I like it.
13. DJ Khaled - All I Do Is Win (Feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross)
Oh no. My friend literally reminded me of this song and I couldn't not add it to this list. Hip-hop is just something you need on a list to keep you pumped up.
14. Beck - Timebomb
Who doesn't need a little Beck in their life? This is a completely different feel than "Loser" or even some of his newer stuff. And that's okay, because that means I can run to it.
15. Stacie Orrico - (There's Gotta Be) More to Life
This.Is.My.Random.Song. Talk about a blast from the past. This definitely won't be everyone's jam but Stacie Orrico made her way to the pop scene even though she's in the Christian music category. I loved this music video growing up and her lyrics again make me feel like I can conquer life.
16. Zendaya - Replay
I honestly had no idea who this person was, but I didn't care because this song was what my nike+ app called a "powersong." Basically, once you've run for a really long time and needed a song to perk you back up, this is the one I chose. It's a pretty steady beat so you don't have to feel like you need to run fast.
17. Jimmy Eat World - The Middle
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| This isn't the first (or hopefully the last) concert I attend for Jimmy Eat World |
18. Andy Grammer - Back Home
I fell in love with this song when I was living Boston and really missing Minnesota. So it makes me feel homesick when I'm not where I want to be. I love when he sings "it don't matter where we go, we always find our way back home" which I think is really true. So it makes me feel better, and any song that brightens my spirits makes a good running song.
19. Janelle Monáe - Tightrope (Feat. Big Boi)
Janelle's voice is wonderful. She can belt it and she can sing some pretty tricky lyrical setups. I don't even know if that's a poorly worded sentence, but that's my best way to explain it. Get a little soul into your mix people!
20. Rihanna - Bitch Better Have My Money
Okay. This song. Don't judge me. 1) I listen to the clean version. 2) This song just makes me feel like I own the gym. I can lift all the weights, run really fast, cycle harder, etc. Is it a thought-provoking song? Heck no. But sometimes it's about the beat and the attitude they convey. So... she's on the list.
21. Snow Patrol - Chocolate
After Rihanna I figured I needed something that was less.... THAT. And Snow Patrol is the exact opposite of her. Snow Patrol is one of my other faves. I've listened to them since my freshman year of college (thank you Grey's Anatomy for this beautiful find) and this song is short and sweet. His voice is beautiful. Plus it's a good pace to run to. But really, it's the voice that hooks me.
22. Alex Clare - Up All Night
Now this is a song that makes me want to pick up kickboxing or Olympic weight training. Or something really crazy that people couldn't imagine me doing. Or this is a song I run faster than normal too. Like I can power through the 2:43 minute song because the beat is just that great.
23. Demi Lovato - Confident
I mean the title of the song is "Confident." Doesn't that just scream "I can do it?" I think it does. It's sassy and catchy, two very big factors in a good workout song. Demi is a long way from The Disney Channel days, and this song proves it.
24. Hailee Steinfeld - Love Myself
This song has a connotation much like Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" song. To me this song talks about not needing anyone and putting "your body first" and in this case, that means keeping it healthy and clean and doing what you need to do to get it that way. So think what you want, but add this to your list to make you feel great.
25. New Politics - Harlem
This alternative gem is perfect for working out! I picture myself running through a busy city like NYC and running and hurdling over all the obstacles of people and dogs and garbage cans. Not sure why. I may have a little bounce in my step when I run to this one.
The Runner Ups
Guys, this list was HARD to narrow down. I had over 40 songs, and that's just a quick run through my lists of running mixes. I stopped at 25 since my friend gave me the advice that 40 might be too much. But I'll add the honorable mentions below in case you're curious or want to add them to your next mix. I hope this livens up your playlist and makes you feel unstoppable. Also, if I'm forgetting some major gems, let me know. Happy running friends!
The Ones That Almost Made It
Fletcher - War Paint
Gavin DeGraw - FireEmeli Sandé - Hurts
Kanye West - Stronger and Gone (Feat. Consequence and Cam'ron)
Desiigner - Panda
Sara Bareilles - Gonna Get Over You
Jennifer Lopez - Booty (Feat. Iggy Azalea)
Mumford and Sons - Ditmas
Macklemore and Ryan Lews - Can't Hold Us (Feat. Ray Dalton)
Ellie Goulding - Burn
Beyoncé - Drunk in Love (Feat. Jay Z)
Love Always,
A
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