Friday, January 22, 2016

5 new songs that will ROCK YOUR RUN!

I love to listen to music when I run. Back in the olden days, before there were iPods and iPhones and digital downloads, I rarely listened to music on the run. It simply wasn't convenient. I had a handheld Sony cassette walkman that I would run with at the gym. But when I ran outside, it was just me and nature. Sometimes it was really hard to finish a run with nothing to listen to but my ragged breathing.

Thankfully, that has all changed. Spotify has transformed my runs. Instead of having to listen to a whole album or making a mixtape, I can change songs on my playlist in the blink of an eye! And running is so much easier with tunes to push me. Music is the great motivator. I found this great article on Runners Connect, which cites the connection between running and music. If safety is a concern and you don't want to run with music, there's a benefit to listening to high tempo music before you run as well!



What kind of music do you listen to? One of the studies cited in the article above found that louder and faster music predictably made runners run faster. But according to one expert, who was interviewed for Women's Running, the effect of music on running wanes over time. This is because the brain adapts to the stimulus, the music. He recommended running 2 days with music and one without. He also recommended changing your playlist frequently.

Which is something I do on a regular basis. There are always a few songs that stay on my playlist forever and ever. Songs like Tom Petty's Running Down A Dream, which bring me memories of great runs from the past. There are a few other songs that when I hear them, put a little extra pep in my step, based on the success I had while listening to them in the past.

The research doesn't recommend one particular genre of music. Music choice is highly personal. But when I'm looking for new songs to add to my playlists, most of the recommendations I receive are pop songs or dance songs, genres which are not my favorites. When I need a push, I listen to rock or rap. It's loud, it's fast, and it's the perfect prescription for a long run.

Either that or more cowbell...
Here are 5 new rock songs that are pumping me up with great beats and motivating lyrics:

Halestorm I am the Fire



"I am the fire, I am burning brighter, roaring like a storm, and I am the one I am waiting for, screaming like a siren, alive and burning brighter..."

Coldplay Adventure of a Lifetime
(author's note: I hadn't seen the video until I wrote this post. I wasn't expecting the dancing apes...now I have to get that image out of my head...)



"Turn your magic on, um she'd say, everything you want's a dream away and we are legends every day..."

Cage the Elephant Mess Around



"...she'll show you what she's made of, yeah she's comin' for ya, she's gonna try to break you, yeah she's comin' for ya, no she don't mess around..."

Tame Impala Let it Happen


"It's all around me, all this noise, but not really as loud as the voice saying let it happen, let it happen (its gonna feel so good)..."

X Ambassadors Superpower



"...today I'm gonna superpower, it's a bird, it's a plane, Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, I got that, I got that, I got that superpower..." 

Are you on Spotify? I'd love to follow you! You can connect with me here.

What's your favorite genre to run to? What songs are you loving lately? Got any recommendations?

I'm linking up with the DC Trifecta for Friday Five aka Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia! It's free Friday and I was thrilled to share my music faves. Check out what everyone else is fiving!




57 comments :

  1. I have almost always run with music since I first got serious with running. In fact, I'm on my second Ipod (Shuffle) and it's about ready to bite the dust. I don't add/delete my list very often, but since it's a Shuffle, it seems like it's always changing because I never know what the next song will be. One of the kids (who has yet to come forward) swapped out my headphone cord for theirs...and the one I now have doesn't have the button that allows you to skip/replay, so YES, I truly never know what's coming next and I'm "stuck" with it until the next song pops up LOL My absolute favorite song is AC/DC's "Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock and Roll."

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  2. I don't think I've heard any of those songs. But I don't run to music.

    Interesting what they said about running with and without it!

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    1. I figured you would at least of heard of the Coldplay song. It's on the radio all the time!

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  3. I am very open to the genres that I listen to when running. But it has to be consistent throughout the run. So, like, listening to country the entire time, or Ellie Golding esque songs the entire time. I can't mix them.

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    1. Oh that's interesting! My playlist is unapologetically eclectic!

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  4. My music on my playlist is all over the place - Elton John, JLo, Kanye, techno, etc. I hadn't heard of a few of these so I'm excited to have some new ideas. I love that you mentioned Tom Petty too - I have Running Down a Dream and American Girl on various running playlists. I'll never forget running the ZOOMA Napa half and literally as I turned on the road and the sun was rising, the vineyards in the valley below were in view, and American Girl was playing. Talk about a moment! Happy Friday! -C

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  5. I'm the worst with finding music to listen to. There are about 15 songs I've had on my MP3 player for the last 3 years! I have heard a lot of good things about Spotify and need to get an account. I'll check these out too. Thanks!

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  6. I listen to all kinds of stuff - from French, Broadway, Country, rock, etc.

    I don't stream my music since I don't have an unlimited data plan. The first one is on my phone. I'll have to listen to the rest. i'm always looking for new music.

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  7. I love a mix of old and new songs on my list. Tom Petty is great to run to for sure. I've got a lot of Kelly Clarkson and Brittany too. Have a great weekend

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    1. I had one Britney song but it grew old quickly! I'm all about the rock..

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  8. I remember the cassette Walkman's were the bomb! haha I guess we're dating ourselves here! Let's not even mention 8 tracks. Right? Music sure has come along way.

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    1. I didn't want to go there with the 8-tracks...can you even imagine?

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  9. YES! Can't way to listen to these and add some new jams to my playlist! Thank you!

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  10. I can take it or leave it when it comes to music on my runs. Yes I do like to run to music but since I changed phones, I don't have all the music I had on my iphone and I just havn't took the time to replace it all. When I listen it's to Pandora and I either like Classic rock, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, AC DC, oh and I do love me some Nickelback and Godsmack! :)

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    1. I have had all of that rotate through my playlists over the years.

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  11. I love running to a variety of music- I have to have a variety to keep it interesting haha!

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  12. I love that Coldplay song!! So weird that the video seems to have nothing to do with the song ha! I just downloaded the X Ambassadors and Cage the Elephant songs! Thanks for the recommendations :) Stopping by from the Friday Five link up!
    kyliemcgraw.wordpress.com

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    1. It's always fun to find new music to run to! I'll check out your blog tonight when I get home from work!

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  13. I always run and workout to music. It helps keep me pumped and motivated to push myself. Like you, there are some classics, including Tom Petty, that have always remained on my playlist no matter how much I change what's on it.

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  14. I love Cage the Elephant and X Ambassadors!

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  15. That Coldplay song is my favorite!

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    1. Adventure of a LIfetime was going to be my theme song for this year. But 2016 is having none of that. Well, actually maybe it is, now that I think about it. ugh.

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  16. Nice song list! I like the Coldplay song. I've never seen that video though lol. Love Spotify!

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  17. What the heck are you listening too??? I am out of the loop! When Coach M wants me to run slow I put on country when I want to fly I put on some crazy dance party re-mix something on Spotify. It is all fun!

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  18. I always used to run with music but hardly do anymore, mainly for safety reasons because I run early in the morning. I love dance music and anything with David Guetta has my vote. Titanium is my absolute favorite song that he mixed with Sia but all of them are great. I am not on Spotify and don't even know what it is !

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    1. I was thrilled to read that you could still reap the benefits of music before you run. So try it and let me know what you think!

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  19. THANK YOU! I don't say this to people often, but I think we have the exact same taste in music. I am an Alt Nation listener...these are awesome.

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  20. I haven't made a new playlist in ages -- it takes so long! Last weekend I just picked one from Amazon Prime.

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  21. All great tunes! I never run without my ipod unless I am running with someone else that helps pass the time.

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  22. Awesome! And new songs for me! I love the dancing apes video too.

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  23. YES! These are all great and I'm adding them to my playlists STAT!
    Since I don't have much else to do this weekend than make new running playlists. :)

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    1. Well, if you do decide to head out into the storm, you'll have some powerful tunes to push you on!

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  24. Love your post. I always love to discover new songs and ideas for my playlist. I live to mix it up, which is why I also use rock my run in addition to spotify and my own music

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    1. I'm all about finding new songs to move me on my run! Glad you liked it!

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  25. I haven't added any new songs to my playlist in forever so thanks for some new suggestions! I usually only listen to music when racing or doing speedwork so that I don't get tired of listening to the songs. I also find I really like upbeat music

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    1. Isn't it funny what motivates us? I definitely like loud, fast rock. Altho I do have a few upbeat songs on my playlist. I like to mix it up.

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  26. I am probably the only one that listens to more up beat but kind of mellow music. I am going to date myself but I love the gin blossoms, toad the wet sprocket, 10,000 maniacs (my favorite band of all times).

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    1. I used to listen to all those bands! I may have to revisit some of my faves.

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  27. I don't listen to music when I run (and haven't for about two years) so I don't have any more running playlists but I'm glad you've found some new songs!!! I do enjoy when I'm running a race and there is music!

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    1. I have found music to really be motivating to me. It also helps me focus. When I ran Chicago, everyone told me not to listen to music and to take in the crowds, but I found that to be too distracting. Once I put my music on, I was in my own little world.

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  28. I'm all over the board with my music...but I am such a creature of habit. I ran both of my marathons to almost exactly the same playlist...and trained using that playlist as well. I love Foster the People, One Republic, Taylor Swift, and Fall Out Boy...random right? Fall Out Boy is my go-to if I have a tempo run or any sort of speed work...their newest album...GAH! TO.DIE.FOR!

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    1. I like to switch it up. But I definitely prefer more hard, driving music for my runs.

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  29. I love the Halestorm song. I have that one on my iPod too. I had never heard of the X Ambassadors before. I like that song a lot too. When I run, I listen to rock music that normally has a positive message.

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