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Regular exercise is the foundation of a long and healthy life. Along with good food and adequate sleep, it plays an essential role in regulating the body and mind. Running is an incredibly popular form of exercise, but like all fitness activities, it requires motivation and energy. If you struggle getting out the door or need help pushing through the miles, music can be a fantastic running friend. From rap rhymes to heavy metal guitars, from feel-good pop hits to energetic dance anthems, music provides incentive and drive to keep you moving forward.
In this article, we’ll show you how to build the perfect running playlist and list 25 time-tested songs for motivation and consistency. When you have the right rhythms and melodies spurring you on, you can go faster and farther than ever before.
How to Build the Perfect Running Playlist
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to make new gains, successful running demands regularity and routine. Consistency is key, with long-term runners successfully integrating exercise into their daily life. Listening to music is an important part of this process for many, with dedicated playlists helping runners to build motivation and drive.
When building your perfect running songs playlist, there are lots of things to consider. What kind of music do you enjoy? What genres get your blood pumping? Are you more inspired by great lyrics or an energetic groove? You may look for a particular artist, producer, or record label, such as Benny Blanco-produced songs or tracks by Rick Rubin. You should also think about the speed or beats per minute (BPM) of each song, selecting different tracks for specific running routines.
Along with mood and lyrics, choosing songs for running is about matching rhythm with stride. For example, while rock classics or beloved ballads can be great for slow, long recovery days, you might want techno or heavy metal for a fast 5 km workout. Generally speaking, slow ballads lie in the 60-90 BPM range, typical pop and R&B reach 100-130 BPM, and dance music goes from 120 to 180 BPM. Most rock music falls in the 100-140 BPM range, and heavy metal lies between 130 and 200 BPM.
It’s important to build a great running playlist that’s both individual and built-for-purpose. Personal preference is the most important factor of all, so try to choose music that motivates you and pushes you forward. If you want some great examples, 25 of the best running songs of all time are listed below.
25 Best Running Songs to Boost Motivation
These 25 running songs cover a wide range of musical genres, time periods, and BPM ranges:
Eye of the Tiger — Survivor
If you had to choose one song to run on repeat for eternity while you hit the pavement, it would have to be “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor. Immortalized in the Rocky film and soundtrack, this tune always gets the blood pumping.
The Final Countdown — Europe
Great music for running comes in many forms. “The Final Countdown” by Europe is full of big synths, huge drums, and hair for days. When you need extra motivation for the long way home, this song always does the job.
Seven Nation Army — The White Stripes
Like many tracks on this list, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes is both a running highlight and a stadium standard. The iconic guitar riff always puts you in the mood, and the insistent rhythm is perfect for long strides.
212 — Azealia Banks
This running song by Azealia Banks is teeming with energy and attitude. As soon as you hear the “212” refrain, you’ll feel extra motivation powering your legs forward. This is a great song for running solo in urban areas.
Go — The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers are known for their big beats and huge synth sounds. Whether you’re on the dance floor at 4 a.m. or jogging past the club on your early morning run, “Go” will kick-start your body and mind.
Brutal — Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo has crafted lots of perfect pop songs over her amazing career. Whether you need inspiration for the pavement, the track, or the treadmill, “Brutal” is often the best choice.
Born to Run — Bruce Springsteen
The title of this running song says it all, with “The Boss” channeling a protagonist who feels trapped in his mundane life. As he fantasizes about escaping, every stride takes you closer to a better life.
Paper Planes — M.I.A
Ever since it was released in 2007, “Paper Planes” has been a hit with runners and gym goers. This song samples The Clash’s 1982 hit “Straight to Hell,” but the energy it brings is 100% authentic.
Paint It, Black — The Rolling Stones
As one of the biggest rock bands of all time, The Rolling Stones have many songs for running. While it’s not an upbeat anthem, “Paint It, Black” has a fantastic bass and guitar groove that’s ideal for working out.
Lose Yourself — Eminem
At his peak, Detroit’s Eminem produced some of the most inspirational songs for running of all time. “Lose Yourself” is one of his best, with the young Slim Shady pushing you forward as he raps about opportunity and resilience.
Run Run Run — The Who
The Who’s “Run Run Run” takes your breath away with its raw energy and insistent beat. Released in 1966, this song is a great example of why Keith Moon was one of the best drummers of all time.
Lust For Life — Iggy Pop
“The Godfather of Punk” is famous for strutting around the stage at a frantic pace with his shirt off. On “Lust for Life,” which was produced by David Bowie, you can almost feel his presence running through your body.
The Jean Genie — David Bowie
Speaking of Bowie, “The Jean Genie” is a favorite running song of many. It balances the artist’s quirky creativity with rhythmic intensity and precision, making it ideal for any running music playlist.
Kickstart My Heart — Mötley Crüe
Whether you’re listening in 1989 or today, the energy of this running song is undeniable. “Kickstart My Heart” may be inspired by an overdose incident, but the adrenaline translates just as well to the world of fitness.
Invincible — Tool
Let’s keep things heavy for a while, starting with the mighty Tool. “Invincible” is the perfect running song in many ways. The band’s complex yet insistent grooves provide the perfect backdrop for lyrics of struggle and consequence.
Chop Suey! — System of a Down
System of a Down are known for their massive, heavy rock jams. “Chop Suey!” is one of their best, with the band crafting sonic whiplash through their instrumental virtuosity and slash-and-burn lyrics.
All My Life — Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters make great music for long, slow, sustainable runs. “All My Life” may not have you sprinting around the track, but it’s perfect for recovery days in the park or treadmill sessions after a big night out.
Thunderstruck — AC/DC
On a good day, the iconic AC/DC can inspire pretty much everyone. On “Thunderstruck,” the Australian rockers give in to their primitive urges with chugging guitar riffs and a memorable sing-along chorus. Music for runners rarely gets better than this.
Survival — Muse
Muse match AC/DC’s relentless rock energy, with the addition of complex guitar melodies and show-off vocals. With “Survival” on your running playlist, you’re sure to feel the spark of life surging through your veins.
Ace of Spades — Motörhead
Somewhat surprisingly, English hard rock band Motörhead make great running songs. While their iconic lead singer Lemmy probably wasn’t a fitness freak himself, “Ace of Spades” is fantastic running music.
Run Like Hell — Pink Floyd
While the psychedelic soundscapes of Pink Floyd aren’t ideal for high-impact exercise, this song is the perfect exception. From The Wall album, “Run Like Hell” is about a bitter rock star who becomes a fascist dictator and ignites a violent mob.
Blue Monday — New Order
The 1980s were a great time for music, thanks in part to the commercialization of drum machines and synthesizers. The fresh electronic sounds of New Order make great jogging music, with “Blue Monday” their biggest and best.
Work Bitch — Britney Spears
If you’re looking for running songs with attitude, you can’t go past Britney Spears. “Work Bitch” is an EDM-pop crossover with high-energy production and spoken work lyrics. This is the ideal anthem for an empowering gym workout or running session.
Bad Moon Rising — Creedence Clearwater Revival
It might not hit as hard as other tracks on this list, but “Bad Moon Rising” sounds great on the open road. Creedence Clearwater Revival have a knack for writing memorable, sing-along classics — and this is one of their best.
Intergalactic — Beastie Boys
If you’re struggling to get out the door or over the line, you probably just need a push. “Intergalactic” by the Beastie Boys is a full-power hip-hop jam from 1998, and it’s one of the best songs to run to of all time.
Find Your Running Songs
Music is a key factor in many fitness programs because it gives you energy and helps you push through tough times. If you’re a runner trying to follow a consistent routine, making a dedicated running playlist can be a huge help. Inspirational lyrics and melodies provide encouragement and support, and energetic beats and riffs provide motivation and drive.
Whether you’re training for a marathon or just trying to complete a 5 km, a well-designed playlist makes all the difference in the world. You have to get it right, however, so take your time and find songs that work for you. It’s important to review and refresh your running playlist on a regular basis, removing tracks th
at don’t work and including those that resonate with your current goals and lifestyle.
The songs for running listed above are a great place to start, so what are you waiting for? Plug in, press play, and start your running adventure today.
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