Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Rock and Run


I love listening to music when I run. Choosing the right songs is always a challenge, and sometimes a song that I think will be great on the run turns out to be a turd. The reverse is true as well, which is why my playlist is full of guilty pleasures. Nickelback, anyone? The Beastie Boys? Or that heavy metal song that got me moving when I was struggling at Chicago this year, No Giving Up by Crossfade?

Hey, whatever it takes. Don't judge.

I can honestly say that it's pretty rare for me to put pop or dance songs on my playlists. That's just not my style. Those songs get on my nerves, and no one likes that feeling when they're running. Music should motivate you, but it should also relax you. I look to music to take my mind off my effort on the road.

This old rocker likes her music loud and fast. That's probably why rap also appeals to me. I should qualify that because some rap is just too raunchy for me. If there's a plethora of the n-word, singing about hos and bitches, well, that just isn't motivating to me. But otherwise, I'm pretty open minded. If it has a strong beat and is good to run to, that's all that matters. I have some Eminem on my playlist (what runner doesn't?) because his songs about overcoming adversity get me moving and have helped me push through many a tough run.

By the way, did you know Eminem has taken up running? This article in Men's Journal says that the rapper took up working out and running to help overcome his addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs. He lost 80 pounds in the process. Maybe he figured with all of us out there grooving to his poetry, he may as well join us, right?


Anyhoo, this past year, I've been adding some of the classics from my high school days to my running playlists. You know you're old when the songs you used to listen to in high school populate the oldies station playlist! One of the local radio stations still plays the same music it used to play in the 1970s. when I worked at Fotomat. Only the DJs have changed.

So for today's Tuesdays' on the Run linkup, I decided to share my Classic Rock Run playlist. As you will see, some of these songs sound as fresh as they did back in the day. And some others probably were never very good, but like all the songs on my playlists, those songs qualify because they're good to run to. While songs from the 1980s and even 1990s are heard on the oldies station, I decided to make this playlist only about the 1970s.

Funny how hearing a lot of these songs on the run takes me back to some memory from my younger years.  For example, both the songs by Aerosmith, from the album Toys in the Attic, remind me of the party room in my parents barn. While my parents were inside the house, oblivious to what was going on in the barn, quite often I'd entertain friends up there. We always behaved ourselves--to a certain extent!

The pictures are fading but the memories I'll cherish! You may recognize some of these ladies from my kayaking posts!
My first concert ever was Boston at the long gone Chicago Stadium. I was 16 years old, and I went with my boyfriend and some other kids I knew. When I look back (even though the song tells me not to), I can't believe my parents let me go all the way from the small town where I grew up to Chicago, which was 60 miles away. In a car full of long haired questionable teenagers. Plus the area around the Stadium was pretty dicey. Don't Look Back isn't a great running song, but "Smokin" is, altho I don't think they were singing about running fast.

Van Halen takes me back to driving north across the Illinois-Wisconsin border where the drinking age was 18. We lived about 15 minutes from the border and spent a lot of time at bars in those small Wisconsin border towns. What can I say? We had a lot of fun. My sister and I listened to "Running with the Devil" when we got behind the wheel, but it doesn't have a great bpm for running. Instead, for this playlist, I included "Panama".  I also have listened to "Hot for Teacher" ("I've got my pencil..."), "Right Now", and "Jump" for running in the past.

The boys that we were friends with listened to southern rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, the Outlaws--those were the songs they played in their cars and at parties. Lynyrd Skynyrd had a lot of good songs that you could sing to, but what better song to run to than "They Call Me the Breeze...I keep blowin' down the road..."

And then there's Led Zeppelin. The winter of 1978-79 still holds the record for the most snow for this area. I was driving a 1973 Firebird, complete with the bird on the hood. Yep, I was the coolest. Although I do wish I had that car now! Imagine what it would be worth. That winter, I listened to Led Zeppelin IV until I think I wore out the needle on my turntable. "Rock and Roll" never gets old. Another Zeppelin song, "Livin' Lovin' Maid" is another rocker that I rotate through my playlists.

Pull out the air guitar. We're gonna rock!


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Are you on Spotify? You can check out my other playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/1262216360
Let's follow each other! I'm always looking for new tunes to run to.


What do you listen to when you run? Pop? Rock? Rap? A mix? Any classic rock songs you think I should add to this list?

I'm adding this post to Tuesdays on the Run! That would be with Marcia, Erica, and Patti! Be sure to chase the links and check out what everyone else is listening to.

68 comments :

  1. I love how listening to old songs can take you back to past memories. To me that is one of the best things about music!

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    1. There's a country song with the line "funny how a melody sounds like a memory". Isn't it the truth?

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  2. My first concert was REO Speedwagon at the Ampitheater, talk about dicey. My first car was a 69 Camaro, which was a total dude magnet, which I did not understand at the time. I thought it was just some "old car:" My brother has that car in storage now.

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    1. Does he take it out and drive it? So cool that you still have it. I totalled mine.. :(

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  3. I saw this link-up being mentioned last night, but my "under-the-weather" brain just couldn't imagine putting together a blog post to link with it. Hmmm....maybe I can come up with something (somewhat) clever later today..... ;-) Thanks for the inspiration! You're not that much older than me, but I have to admit a few of your songs are not sounding familiar...I might have to google them later as well ;-)

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    1. You can do it! Music posts are always a slam dunk for me. But remember, I'm a music dork from way back.

      I hope you feel better!

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  4. Who doesn't love that feeling of
    NOW THIS IS MY JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM

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  5. My first concert was Alanis Morissette during her Jagged Little Pill tour. It was at Hershey Park Stadium and was on my first day of high school. My mom dropped me and 4 of my friends off at the gates and then sat in the car and waited for it to be over. WHAT A MOM!! We had the best time. I hadn't listened to that album in probably a decade, but Paul and I busted it out on our road trip this summer while we were driving through New Mexico. It was a GREAT "driving through NM" album!

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    1. I never had the experience of taking my boys to a concert--seems more like a girl thing, as most of the moms of girls that I know have done this! Your mom is a champ!

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  6. I LOVE listening to "old school" jams from when I was younger- usually I start dancing to them as I run, haha!

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    1. Well, that's one of the reasons I don't listen to dance music--makes me want to dance in the street!

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  7. What a good list! I love some classic rock to mix it up!

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  8. some great tunes. I need to put some more on my iphone since now I have a new one with more space. I don't use spotify because it uses up data.

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  9. I have all (trust me ALL) of the classic rock stuff. The hubs is a die-hard. Some of it doesn't match the cadence I need for running though. I actually find it too slow...some of it anyway. Boston and Kiss were the biggies in high school. I think my first concert was Molly Hatchet actually.

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  10. Great classic rock tunes!! I a humungous Beatles fan but don't actually run to their music. I don't know why. But I do have some classics (Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Journey, AC/DC) and all of them are for nostalgic reasons. I'm going to check out your spotify lists too. Thanks!

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  11. I am not on spotify.... I have been listening to my junior and high school music a lot recently as well (80's)... I have a pretty varied playlist...some fast and dance type top 40 songs....some deep and meaningful like Adele's Hello which I am currently obsessed with along with the whole world....and of course Eminem Lose Yourself.... love your old pics in here.

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    1. I don't know if I could run to Adele. But I like to listen to her in the car!

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  12. As a fellow old rocker (:-) ), I love all the music you listed (and Eminem is my guilty pleasure). But, I usually listen to a book while I run, and never listen to anything during a race.

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  13. I love pop, but there's some old school rocker lingering inside as well. Great playlist!

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    1. Most pop is too....Poppy! What can I say? Nothing drives me more than a good guitar riff.

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  14. I'm adding your list on Spotify right now!

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  15. I do listen to a strange mix of classic rock, instrumental, metal, rap ("FIGHT THE POWER" is on my list) and some country.

    I lurve it all.:)

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    1. My regular running playlist is a mix of all genres.

      Mama said knock you out...

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  16. I listen to way too much Taylor Swift when I run. From time to time I do add classic rock songs - Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac is a favorite!

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    1. I am proud to say that TS has never graced a playlist of mine. Even tho Shake It Off is pretty catchy.

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  17. I'm definitely a pop and rap person typically on my runs. At this time of year I also love holiday music, haha!

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  18. I swear I think I was born about 10 years to late according to my preference in music! I love all of these older ones but oh my give me some Nickleback any day! I'll even go so far as Godsmack! Great list Wendy! I need to get on Spotify!

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  19. I haven't listened to music when I run in years. I started listening to podcasts for ultratraining and now I don't' listen to anything. Interesting. Now that I think about it there was a time when I never ran without music.

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    1. There was a time when I ran without music...pre iPod days! Altho I used to run indoors with a Walkman. Outdoors was free. I resisted for so long!

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  20. Love it! I should dig out some oldies! Love how they bring back good memories (maybe they'll distract me and help me get through me workout a little easier)! Fun post!

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    1. I love those old songs...they bring me back! But I love my new stuff too. Some songs remind me of a great race, a great run. Those never leave my playlist.

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  21. My youth was spent listening to NKOTB and other poppy stuff. Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, the list goes on! Ah, the late 80s/early 90s. LOL
    Now, I run with a group most of the time, so rarely listen to music on the run.

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  22. Classic rock, awesome! I love Aerosmith. Back in the Saddle is a good motivating song for me (and literally, when I'm back on the bike saddle!)

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    1. Oh, that's one of my faves!!! I almost considered it for this playlist, but it isn't fast enough.

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  23. Your playlist is much more genre consistent than mine. I never take my time to organize my songs into actual playlists, so I have Dora the Explorer and Elmo Song (from my kids) followed by Sweet Child o'Mine or Walk this Way. I listen to everything, but my absolute favorite tune is the instrumental Soundtrack for Sprit of the Marathon by Jeff Beal for almost 5 years now. Great documentary and I just love the music. Your pics are so fun!:)

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    1. I have a totally crazy playlist that I actually run to. A lot of these songs are on there, but most of what I run to is a huge mix. Depends on how I'm feeling!

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  24. I didn't know Eminem had 80 pounds to lose! So interesting! Love all your songs! I usually listen to a big mix of genres, but they have to be upbeat!

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    1. I was surprised to learn that about Eminem...and also that he started running! Who knew? Maybe we can convince my husband? He's a tough sell...

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  25. I lost my iPod... sniff sniff... so I currently do not have a mix list to run to anymore. When I did, it was mostly dance and upbeat music. I do have a whole list with just Christmas music to run to (my fav holiday), though! You can guess what race I played that for 6 hours straight :)

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  26. I love this. Sometimes you just need to hear the oldies that you know and can sing along with (though maybe not while running).

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    1. Usually I mix them up with more update music. But I do sing along when I'm running! LOL!

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  27. I'm weird, but because running is so peaceful for me I like to listen to soothing music like Colbie Calliat on my runs! haha!

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    1. Not weird at all! Everyone's playlists are so different! Whatever it takes to finish the run is a-ok.

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  28. I like your list. That Firebird was THE coolest car EVER!

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  29. I have to say that I'm more of a dance music person when I run, typically something with a really fast beat like "Lose Yourself" etc. That said, I've been running a lot lately with no music. I got used to it training for the half ironman and have never switched back.

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  30. Runnin' Down a Dream by Tom Petty is on my running playlist, too! I love it because it's so catchy and it has such a great parallel to, well, running! =D

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  31. I listen to the biggest hot mess of music ever when I run. Nothing in particular.

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    1. Me too! It was fun for me to do a focused playlist for this post.

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  32. Oh wow, some great songs here! Run to You by Bryan Adams is one of my all time favorites but I haven't heard it in years! I'm going to have to go to Itunes and download it now!

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  33. I listen to a mixture of spanish and english music with a beat. They make me feel as if I am running FAST!! I do an a Spotify account but don't really use it. I am more of a Pandora girl.

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    1. Yesterday, the Fed Ex guy dropped something off and he had the spanish music blasting out of his van! I told him it sounded like he had a fiesta in his truck. He said the music makes him happy. It made me smile!

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