Marathoners’ choice — What are the best songs for running? | Running Advice and News

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Marathoners’ choice — What are the best songs for running?

Joe English - 8:39 am

Now here’s a subject that is going to cause some debate — and I hope to hear from you about it!

Appropriately timed on the eve of the crowing of the next American Idol, the results of a new poll were released asking 3,000 marathon runners their favorite songs to run to.

Now these poll results were cited in an article in the UK, so if the poll was done in the UK as well then this might have impacted the outcome of the results.

But here were the top-10 songs marathoners named as their favorites:
1. Survivor: Eye of the Tiger
2. Queen: Don’t Stop Me Now
3. Spencer Davis Group: Keep on Running
4. Vangelis: Chariots of Fire
5. Kanye West: Stronger
6. Billi Conti: Gonna Fly Now
7. Heather Small: Proud
8. Killers: Mr Brightside
9. Nickelback: Rockstar
10. Queen: We Are the Champions

That’s a pretty good list.

I’m sad to see that Queen/David Bowie’s “Under Pressure” and Led Zeppelin’s just about anything didn’t make the list (“Stairway to Heaven” is one of my all time favs as it starts out slow and then really picks up later in the song). And AC/DC’s “Shook Me All Night Long” and “Highway to Hell” are high on my “Running” playlist — but then I’m a bit of a guitar rock fan.

So. . . what do you think? Did they get it right? What’s missing?

Coach Joe English, Portland Oregon, USA
Running Advice and News
www.running-advice.com

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Filed under: Running Tags: best songs for running, Favorite songs for running, music, music for running, Running, running songs

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62825 responseshttp://running-advice.com/blog/?p=6282008-05-21+16%3A39%3A15Joe+English so far, want to say something?

1. Samantha May 21st, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Those are good choices, but I would definitely add in “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem and “Beautiful Day” by U2.
2. Wayne May 21st, 2008 at 3:58 pm

You forgot ‘Running On Empty’ by Jackson Browne. Run – Forrest – Run!!
3. Annalisa May 21st, 2008 at 4:59 pm

My PowerSong on Nike+ is, “Reason to Believe,” b y Dashboard Confessional.

With lyrics like, “Steady lungs, don’t fail me now. I feel you bursting, but you won’t let me die,” it’s no wonder why I love to listen to this song when I run.

I also recommend, “Girl’s Attractive,” by Diamond Nights, “Gimme More,” by Fredalba, and “Tick Tick Boom,” by the Hives.
4. Vicki Takata May 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am

Hi Joe- I always rely on “take me to the river”- every version ever cut in succession- for those long trips down Leif Erickson and Thurman here in Portland. Or “be still my beating heart” by Sting of course.
5. coachjoeenglish May 23rd, 2008 at 11:06 am

I love Sting’s song “Fill Her Up” from the Brand New Day album. It’s a fun song to run to, because it starts kind of tangy and country and then changes to jazzy and then has a big finish.

Run Forest Run is right!

Coach Joe
6. CurlyKaren June 4th, 2008 at 8:02 am

It’s funny – but sometimes the more mellow songs get me to calm down and run faster… they help me breathe better. I’m a little obsessed with Gavin Degraw & Lenny Kravitz right now… and Madonna’s GHV2. Also PINK… anything PINK… for getting more juiced up!
7. Christopher Parry June 21st, 2008 at 7:36 am

The Final Countdown- Europe – I play on repeat for 10k race
8. scottycatt July 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm

The power song on my iPod is “Revolution” by The Beatles. Talk about a power boost!

I also can’t do without “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith — perfect at the start of a race ; “Love Shack” by The B-52s; “My Sharona” by The Knack; and “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles.

Yeah, kickin’ it, old school.:-))))))
9. Chandra July 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am

Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty is always a good one. I also keep a lot of live Widespread Panic on my iPod. Long jams that generally have the right beat that are easy to get lost in and before you realize it, you’ve run 2 miles in one song.
10. Dawn July 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am

Those are all great but my power boosters are You’re the best by Joe Esposito (from the Karate Kid), and Cruel Summer by Banaramma (same movie).
11. josh September 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm

the new song by 3 doors down – the champion in me.
12. Nelly September 16th, 2008 at 9:45 am

Learning to Fly by Tom Petty is very inspirational, and the Superman theme!
13. George October 13th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

I thought I was the only one who still liked Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. The original Rocky theme song, Gonna Fly Now is also pretty good. Another good song is Flo Rida, “Lo”. I agree ACDC is another good one.
14. Celeste November 9th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

Where the Streets Have No Name by U2! Where is that one? “I want to run, I want to feel high. I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside…” yeah!!
15. billhess November 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm

when I saw the poll my first reaction was, “anyone hear of The Stills/Young Band ‘Long May You Run’?” I don’t run with music (I’m really old school) but I enjoy both running and music!
16. Tony January 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm

till I collapse by eminem
17. Erin February 12th, 2009 at 7:55 am

Mr Blue Sky be ELO always works well for me. For some reason seems to work well on the treadmill at at speed of 11.5KM, and other speed doesn’t seem quite right.
I’ll try anything to keep me going on a treadmill! Can’t wait till the nice light evenings
18. Katie May 22nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm

D is for Dangerous – Arctic Monkeys.
My Favourite, without a doubt. This one will get you home, or far from it.
19. DCarbs August 2nd, 2009 at 1:48 am

…not sure how old this topic is- just got into half-marathon training, and an excellent old song I found is "One Toke Over The Line"….has just the right rhythm for me, so looking for more similar in nature.
20. KHut September 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 pm

Here it Goes Again- OK Go, Pump It- Black Eyed Peas, She Wants to Move- NERD, No One Knows- Queens of the Stone Age, Steady As She Goes- The Ranconteurs, 7 Nation Army- White Stripes, Move Along- All American Rejects, I Bet You Look GOod on the Dance Floor- Arctic Monkeys, How Far We've Come- Matchbox 20, Bombs Over Baghdad- Outkast
21. Damon October 27th, 2009 at 3:51 am

Red Hot Chilli Peppers! Akon
22. katie9009 December 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen, Given to Fly-Pearl Jam, Call Me- Blondie, Burn- Deep Purple, anything by Foo Fighters, The Green Manalishi- Fleetwood Mac
23. Neha December 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Californication…….
24. Cassie Ley January 5th, 2010 at 4:44 pm

Move Along – All American Rejects
25. Peter January 17th, 2010 at 12:32 pm

Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down

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