Tuesday, May 29, 2018

6 Favorite Tunes That Move & Groove My Runs


Are you a music-on-the-run kind of runner?

Granted, music is not necessary to get the run done. Give me some comfy shoes, a bright ensemble of clothing, and favorable weather conditions and I'm a very happy gal. If I'm running with friends, even better. But if I'm running solo, I usually prefer to have music with me.

It's no secret that I love music. Especially on long runs, music is vital for keeping me entertained. I typically don't have the volume very loud, but just having a little bit of "ambiance" really helps me enjoy the experience. I don't rely on music for speed or cadence, but hearing the tunes and the rhythmic beats certainly gets (and keeps) me energized!

I have a very eclectic mix of music on my Ipod, ranging from 80's pop, new wave, disco (no judging!), and classic rock. If I were to choose my favorite genre for running tunes, though, it would have to be classic rock...and AC/DC would be front and center.

These are a few of my absolute favorite AC/DC tunes. The guitar riffs and solid beats of the drums  guarantee that I'll be moving and grooving (and possibly singing out loud):

First and foremost?  It's a Long Way to the Top if You Wanna Rock and Roll. The video is not the best quality, but this song has it all...a fast beat, awesome lyrics, and the bag pipes! Go ahead, try to run slow to this song...I dare you.

Highway to Hell. When I was a new half-marathoner, I remember hearing this song around mile two of a race (on a rainy morning). Ironically, the race (Dam to Dam) is a point-to-point route, so there's essentially no turning back once you cross the start line. It starts out on a dam, and the first 6-7 miles are on a highway, en route to another dam in downtown Des Moines. It really felt like the highway to hell....but I have gone back and run this race every year since, and will be running my 11th Dam to Dam in June .Whenevr I hear this song, it takes me back to that race.

Thunderstruck. Hands-down, the guitar intro not only gets my heart pumping, but it feels like a shot of adrenaline surges through my veins when this song starts to play. 




Who Made Who. Though the tempo isn't super fast, the song has a super heavy beat.



Money Talks. Another awesome song with a lot of great guitar work going on, and a fast beat.



Last of all, who doesn't love You Shook Me All Night Long? It's another song with a slower beat, but a strong beat that keeps you moving.

So, tell me...are you an AC/DC fan? I liked some of their stuff when I was younger, but it wasn't until the last several years that I have developed a deep appreciation for their work.

Do you listen to music when you run or workout? Favorite genre? Favorite artist? Favorite song?

**disclaimer** Much of the text and videos first appeared in a previously published post, On the Run with AC/DC (Feb. 6, 2017).

I'm linking this with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run
**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.

30 comments:

  1. When the elites go off at NYCM they play Hell's Bells. Hearing that and knowing it was almost go time for me gave me shivers.

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    1. That would be pretty epic hearing Hell's Bells at the start!

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  2. I don't run with music. I'm not deep into AC/DC but of course I enjoy their songs! I tend to be more pop music. Bruno Mars. Andy Grammer. Sarah Bereilles. And so on ...

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    1. I feel like I totally missed the boat on appreciating them back in the day. Now that they've lost Malcom, the show would not be the same. Oh well, I can still let them entertain me on my runs ;-)

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    1. Thunderstruck is an awesome song to cue up at the start line, no doubt!

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  4. I've heard of AC/DC but only recognize You Shook Me All Night Long. I rarely run with music but I used to like only songs with a fast beat (still do) but now have added slower songs. I think I'll add this one.

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    1. I also have some slower songs for longer runs. I don't listen to the lyrics much because I have the volume fairly low, but I do like having the music with me regardless.

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  5. I like to run with music but don't have any AC/DC on my playlist. However I've been saying for a while now that I'd like to make an all 80's playlist.

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  6. I only listen to music when I run on the treadmill, and lately I've been using pandora so I get a nice mix of music. These sound like great songs for running!

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    1. I try to have my music with me on the treadmill, but my old 'mill is so loud, I have to have the volume really loud...and I know that's not safe. Another reason to avoid 'Milly ;-)

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  7. I do love AC/DC used to use their songs a lot when I taught spin classes a few years back. Definitely motivating!

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    1. I have morphed into a bit of an AC/DC groupie LOL....I keep finding some of their classic songs (from like 30+ years ago) and realizing I'd never heard of them before.

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  8. I usually always listen to music but now I don't and if it's a long run and I'm solo, I listen to podcasts. Most of my running these days seems to be in a race. No music then. Just soak in the atmosphere and scenery.

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    1. I run with my friend a lot, but when I'm on my own for any length of time (4+ miles), I gotta have my music ;-)

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  9. I actually listen to books when I run, but I do like AC/DC. Their music is great for running!

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    1. I totally think their music rocks. And, I'm probably totally dating myself with that statement LOL

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  10. I LOVE AC/DC! Especially in the gym. I don't listen to music on my runs unless it happens to be a race and music is playing. I run with the songs in my head. haha! But, when I'm at the gym, AC/DC is definitely a top choice. One of my very first CrossFit warm-ups was doing burpees to Thunderstruck - we had to burpee every time we heard the word "thunder." It was awesome!

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  11. Good song choices! I tend to switch it on with my runs and I usually find the Mint (EDM) playlist on Spotify and just run to that. For some reason, EDM/Electronic helps me find my groove better.

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    1. I have never used Spotify...(I guess I'm too old school for that LOL). Ha!

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  12. I like music on my runs but I try to run without most of the time. So listening to any music really, helps me out a lot on those runs that I'm struggling and NEED my music.

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    1. I like having music with me, but I've gotten so that I don't really rely on it...it's just more of an atmosphere thing.

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  13. Oooh yes Highway to Hell and Shook Me All Night Long are good ones!!!

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  14. so, you kind of like AC/DC is the vibe I'm getting ? :) I do like them, in the sense that I think the music gives great energy when you are at a gig or a race or a festival but I don't usually purposely listen to them.

    I used to listen to music, usually 80's electronic, sometimes Rock/Industrial (90's), and i have a great EBM playlist a DJ friend of mine made. I don't usually "need" music anymore and sadly things aren't going that great with my ears (tinnitus, hearing loss) that I just don't enjoy it a lot of the time anymore (at least not with headphones).

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  15. The only AC/DC song I'm familiar with is the last one on the list! I like to listen to 90s hip hop when I want to run faster :)

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  16. I go through phases of listening/not listening to music while running. Currently in more of a no music phase, since it doesn't go well with trail running....

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  17. Thunderstruck is one of my favorite songs to run to. It always gets me going, especially if I've been struggling with my pace.

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