As I was driving to the track this morning for a speed workout (yes... I too see the irony of driving to exercise - a conundrum I've always struggled with), U2's Where A Street Has No Name came on the Sirius - easily one of the top 10 running songs of all time.
As I don't blog much anymore, I want each post to be worth it's salt. Therefore, I present to you - you guessed it - DCTriGirl's Top 12 Running Songs of All Time (it was supposed to be 10, but I counted wrong). These are songs that are always on my Shuffle and never get skipped over. Some are cliche running songs, others are head scratchers. I could go into the details of what makes a good running song (not necessarily fast tempo, but consistent rhythm and motivation), but instead, I'll just get right to the point:
12. Please Forgive Me (David Gray)
As you may recall, David Gray is a sorta-one-hit wonder with that song Babylon. Here's his second single. With interesting synthesizer like sounds and a fake-out ending that fades in with a groovy instrumental, it breaks into the top 10.
11. Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
Well duh. Rocky listens to this when he runs, so obviously we have to as well. Whenever this song comes on, I break out into a shuffle and start punching the air. People are confused...
10. Crazy (Gnarles Barkley)
This is the perfect mid-run song. Up-tempo, yet relatively mellow, it is the exact song you want to come on when you've traveled some distance, yet need the motivation to keep on going.
9. Running on Empty (Jackson Browne)
Okay, so we're at the first song with "running" in the title. I'm not a Jackson Browne fan, and this is the only song of his I really know. But when you're on the last mile or two of a run and this song comes on, it pretty much reflects exactly how you're feeling, as memorialized during Forrest Gump's super long run.
8. The Boys of Summer (Don Henley)
There is something bittersweet about the end of summer. On the one hand, bearable temperature and crisp-smelling air come to pass. But on the other, warm temps and carefree mindsets disappear. This song is for the first run when the leaves start to change.
7. Fool in the Rain (Led Zeppelin)
The first of two rain-focused songs on the list. Who hasn't seen that fool in the rain running joyfully? For many runners, it's the only time they enjoy being in the rain.
6. Solsbury Hill (Peter Gabriel)
Who doesn't want to see the lights when they climb up on Solsbury Hill? Another good middle of the run, calming song, which is obviously perfect for climbing that arduous hill.
5. Running Down a Dream (Tom Petty)
The second song with "running" in the title. In a contrast to the first one, this is best for the beginning of a run, where you're stupid enough to believe that you can actually run down your dreams, that you aren't going to have to work hard, and that the finish line is attainable.
4. Purple Rain (Prince)
The second rain-centric song and also the slowest tempo on the list, this marathon song doesn't have to be played in the rain to be enjoyable. In fact, it's on the list because it's length, to me, represents a run's ups and downs.
3. Breathe Me (Sia)
Probably a lesser known song, but some may recognize from the season finale of Six Feet Under. This song takes you on a journey, a difficult one. I chose it because the piano in the background reminds me of the rhythm of running strides.
2. Where the Streets Have No Name (U2)
Another cliche for sure, but the aforementioned tune that inspired this post deserves it. Who doesn't get jazzed with energy when the opening guitar picks begin. You run faster and faster as the intro ascends. And when the song fades down, you know you've accomplished something.
And my number one (and extremely anti-climactic) running song is....
1. Ghostwriter (RJD2)
Introduced to me by a dear friend in a past life, this instrumental song with minimal humming and gospel-infused vocals, will never leave my Shuffle. Simply put, it captures the rhythm of running and spirit of running (endurance running at least). It is welcomed at the beginning of the run, when you know you have a long road ahead of you; the middle of the run, when you need that melody to make you smile and climb that hill; and the end, when you can look behind you, shrug your shoulders and say "That was nuthin'." If you've never heard of it, here's a version on YouTube. Don't download the remix from iTunes (this one isn't on it unfortunately), it ain't the right one. Please resort to unspeakable methods to acquire it.
And there it is... Some may agree, some may scratch their heads. Either way, I dig 'em, and you should too. Stay tuned for the next installment, where we cover the top 10 (or 12) Cool Down songs.
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