I need some new running music.

[Solon]

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?

[UteStar]

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

[Venkman]

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

[landpoke]

Originally Posted by Venkman

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

I heartily endorse this post. Though I no longer run unless being chased, back when I trained for my various mediocre sporting endeavors AC/DC was the go to. I would throw Back in Black in there too, but nothing beyond that.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by landpoke

I heartily endorse this post. Though I no longer run unless being chased, back when I trained for my various mediocre sporting endeavors AC/DC was the go to. I would throw Back in Black in there too, but nothing beyond that.

AC/DC is not bad, but Led Zepplin or Rolling Stones are better, because you have more songs so you can run for hours upon end.

[landpoke]

Originally Posted by Archaea

AC/DC is not bad, but Led Zepplin or Rolling Stones are better, because you have more songs so you can run for hours upon end.

I can't foresee a scenario where I would be chased for hours on end so I think the Bon Scott era AC/DC + Back in Black should be sufficient.

[SteelBlue]

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.

[bluegoose]

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

[FarrahWaters]

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

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 agree with all your observations. I like listening to the Killers, but I find most of it is not good running music. Sometimes a more mellow song can help your upper body relax a little, and lengthen your stride. For instance, I would have never thought Weezer's Island in the Sun would be a good song to run to, but if you run in double time to the song, it's the perfect speed for me.

[RC Vikings]

Emiemen Lose Yourself
Turn up the Radio Autograph
This ain't no Disco Talking Heads
All These things that i have done Killers
Given the Dog a Bone AC/DC
Hit that The Offspring
Dragula Rob Zombie
Dancing with myself Billy Idol
Cowboy Kid Rock
Blurry Puddle of Mudd
Runnin Down a Dream Tom Petty
You Get What you Give The New Radicals
Praise You Fatboy Slim
Gimme Some Lovin Spencer Davis Group
Nookie Limp Bizkit
Panama Van Halen
I melt with you Modern English
Mr Jones Counting Crows