Running Music

The decision of what is or is not running music or even good running music is a matter of personal taste. For some individuals the best running songs are those with a constant upbeat and a lyrical musicality. Others prefer heavy metal as their choice in good running songs. Still other people listen to soft rock or pop running songs as they bop along.

The choice of music or songs for running is open for debate. There are specific songs about running or using the word “running” in the lyrics or title. The Guess Who “Running back to Saskatoon,” the Doobie Brothers “Big Train Running,” Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run,” Bon Jovi “Runaway,” Moby “run On,” Pink Floyd “Run Like Hell,” Van Halen “Running With the Devil,” Jackson Browne “Running on Empty” and Flock of Seagulls “I Run” are a few examples of running songs, perhaps even classic running songs, with the word “running” in them. There are also songs or music that, because of their association with a movie or television program on or about running or some aspect of running, are frequently linked to and used as music for running. A few examples are the themes for the movies “Silent Running,” “Chariots of Fire” and “Rocky.” In the “Rocky” movie music genre, some prefer the stirring “Gotta Fly Now” while others rather run to Survivors song from Rocky III “Eye of a Tiger.” They see these tunes as the best running music. The theme from “Chariots of Fire” is not only a classic but also considered by many runners as inspirational running music.

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Inspirational running music is different for many individual runners. While “Chariots of Fire” suit many runners, others prefer heavier music to drive them on. Queen’s “We are the Champions” and Cake’s “Going the Distance” are but two examples of inspiring music. Heavy metal or at least heavy rock, pop and hip-hop combos contrive to make it into the top running songs list. The Killers “All the Things that I’ve Done,” Simple Minds “Alive and Kicking,” Tool “Closer,” Guns ‘n’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle,” The Who “Teenage Wasteland,” the Doors “LA Woman,” Sum 41 “Motivation,” Aerosmith “Walk this Way,” AC/DC “Highway to Hell” and “Thunderstruck,” Bryan Adams “Summer of Sixty-Nine,” Shaggy “In the Summertime,” Coldplay “Clocks” and U2 “Where the Streets have no Names” are all songs cited by runners as good songs for running. Other groups to check up for pump up songs for running include Foo Fighters, Pointer Sisters, Black Eyed Peas, Red Hot Chilly Peppers, the Rolling Stones, The cult, the Ramones, English Beat and the Clash.

Music for running is very personal. There is rarely agreement on what constitutes good running songs let alone great running songs. The list of possible music to download onto your Mp 3 player or IPod is virtually endless.