I need some new running music.
 

I'm not into hip-hop (other than the beastie boys) and I've been listening to espn radio podcasts for a couple of months, but I need something to help me lose the 5 pounds I packed on this semester. I've also listened to the Killers and Mest for awhile - the beats help me keep a stride - but I'm getting burned out on my stuff.

What kick-ass tunes do you run / work out to?

If you want a little harder music to 'pump' you up, there is Metallica, 3 Days Grace, KoRn and Linkin Park.

The best running music is Bon Scott era AC/DC.

I have made some strange observations about running music. The first is that guitar driven rock (which I love) does not help me during a hard run. In fact, the more I'm suffering during a hard run, the more I am aggravated by such tunes. As a result I have very few guitar driven tunes on my running playlists. An exception is "When the Levee Breaks" which seems to work well for me.

The second observation is that, like you, I don't really like hip hop/rap but for running those beats are helpful. I have several songs that I only listen to while running that I don't ever listen to anywhere else and some that I'm even embarrassed to have on my iPod in certain company but if it works, it works. Some examples: Jay Z- Dirt off Your Shoulder, LL Cool J Headsprung and Kanye West Stronger all work really well for hard runs.

Third, classical music works really well for me, especially on hard runs. I don't feel the aggravation I sometimes feel with other genres when I'm trying to go fast. I discovered this on accident when I chose "Now Playing" and didn't realize that I had it on a classical guitar album and was too lazy to reset it after I started my run. Beethoven's 4th symphony is a favorite to run to.

I realize none of this helps you any but I'm curious if anyone has had similar observations.

I need a lot of variety on the iPod, as I quickly get bored of the same old stuff. When I run alone, I actually listen to alot of NPR or RadioLab podcasts. Early in the morning (5:00am) I can't listen to anything too rockin, so I usually stay pretty mellow, often Classical or instrumental. Last week it was Phantom of the Opera and Braveheart. The week before I thing it was Michelle Branch and Norah Jones.

To answer your question, though, glancing quickly at my iTunes account here are some on my current Running mixes:

Barenaked Ladies
Linkin Park
Aerosmith
Carbon Leaf
CCR
Beatles
Keane
Bon Jovi
Van Halen
Wilco

Some good bands who are not good for running:
Queen
Meatloaf

If you are serious about beats, have you tried electronica? Or do you like to have lyrics? I love listening to electronica if I am on the eliptical. You may enjoy running or doing treadmills to electronica specifically due to the dearth of lyrics.

I am sure you have heard of Okenfold. His discs are pretty easy to find in most record shops.

Some of my favorites right now include Chicane, Paul van Dyk, Above and Beyond, and classic staples like kruder & dorfmeister, Tiesto, and BT.

I love metal/rock/folk and hate rap, but agree that rap is better for exercise than the others. However, my hatred of most rap is enough that I still can't do it. I find that electronic stuff is a happy medium. Crystal Method has some great stuff. They did the theme song for Bones, and I think House too, both of which have cool beats.

Edit: Actually Massive Attack did the House theme. I don't know enough to tell them apart.

There's a free podcast called "Podrunner" that has tons of different 1 hour electronica mixes set at different RPM's. I snag one every now and then and they are helpful.

It all makes sense now. You definitely strike me as an elliptical kind of guy.

I own an elliptical and a treadmill. I use the elliptical, my wife uses the treadmill. My knees will need to be replaced some day, and I'm trying to postpone that.