As a wise man once said, ‘She’s a runner, she’s a track star.’ But are you? If the answer is a resounding yes, you’re in luck: we’ve found the very best running songs to keep you going mile after mile in the gym or on the hiking trail.
These tracks are ideal for running, whether it’s for cardio or simply fleeing your responsibilities. Regardless of what’s driving you to pound the pavement, a propulsive playlist is a must. From thumping hip-hop beats to high-energy guitar jams (and even a little tough love from Britney), we got it all. So lace up your shoes, crank up the volume, and let these tunes be the soundtrack to your next run.
Written by Sara Fay, Kate Wertheimer, Andy Kryza, Andrew Frisciano, Brent DiCrescenzo and Sophie Harris.
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Best running songs, ranked
Image: Scotti Bros.
1. ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ by Survivor
Here’s the thing about ‘Eye of the Tiger.’ If you get into running, you’ll probably think about signing up for a race. Maybe a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot or a neighborhood fun run to start, then a 5K or a 10K, or even a half or full marathon. This is where a runner’s intimate relationship with this song begins. It is basically impossible to run a race without hearing it, whether you’re going 3.1 miles or 26.2. We’re not here to claim this song as a modern musical masterpiece, but it’s going to motivate you to keep going whether you like it or not.
Survivor wrote the track in 1982 specifically for Sylvester Stallone’s theme song in Rocky III, so its association with athleticism and ass-kicking is a given. And once you start associating those iconic power chords with race-day adrenaline, it’ll have a permanent spot on your run playlist—what better motivation to pick up the pace than chasing a personal record? Wherever it lands on your playlist—whether it’s in the beginning to help you warm up or towards the end when you’re fighting fatigue—‘Eye of the Tiger’ is a runner’s best friend and everyone knows it. The next race you run, just watch what happens to the athletes around you when the opening chords of the song blast from the speakers. You’ll see air punches. And kung-fu kicks. Probably some dance moves. Let’s just say that no one stops to re-tie a shoe when ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is playing. Whatever mile you’re on when it happens, it’ll be a memorable and motivational moment. Bonus points if it’s playing as you cross that finish line.Sara Fay
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Image: Def Jam
2. ‘99 Problems’ by Jay-Z
Some people run for fitness. Others run for fun (really). Regardless of what motivates you to lace up, most runners learn pretty quickly that knocking out some miles on foot is a great opportunity to work shit out in your head. Jay Z’s 2003 track just might give you some perspective on life’s obstacles (blisters, runner’s knee, the law in your rear view mirror—you know, the normal stuff). If nothing else, the beat and the hook make the blocks pass by quickly.Sara Fay
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Image: Apple Music
3. ‘Gasolina’ by Daddy Yankee
Here comes a blast from the past. This absolute banger by Daddy Yankee has been uniting generations on the dancefloor for two decades, and it ain’t just for the club either. Tie up those trainers, because the high-energy beat, pulsating tempo and infectious rhythm will have you speeding through your 5k in no time.Aarna RajContributor, Time Out London
Image: RCA
4. ‘Work Bitch’ by Britney Spears
In the arena of running songs with a motivational message, Britney’s got your back just like a guilt-inducing trainer with rippling abs would: by obnoxiously reminding you ‘no pain, no gain.’ Off 2013’s Britney Jean, this single has glimmers of early Britney dance tracks plus an obvious EDM sheen. It’s kind of an awful song (though by far the best on the album), but who cares? It’ll help you get those miles in, and remind you what you’re working toward: a hot body, a Bugatti… mostly that hot body. Now get to work, bitch.Sara Fay
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5. ‘Everytime We Touch’ by Cascada
As soon as the beat drops, this O.G. noughties hit will turn your gentle jog to a thirty-second all out sprint until it subsides again. Try to catch your breath here as it’s going to speed up again after just a few lines. Released by German eurodance trio Cascada in 2006, the song is actually a partial remix of the 1992 track by Maggie Reilly. Your heart is definitely going to beat fast, but no, you probably won’t want it to last.Camille BaveraContributor, Time Out London
Image: Grand Royal
6. ‘Sabotage’ by Beastie Boys
This grungy, distorted rapcore tune, off 1994’s Ill Communication, gets your heart racing whether you’re running or not, making it a go-to track for really pushing your pace. It’s easy to imagine running from the cops—or toward some mayhem—with the Boys yelling in your ears, and the steady beat and frantic turntable scratches don’t hurt either.Kate Wertheimer
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Image: Island Records
7. ‘Lightning Bolt’ by Jake Bugg
Young Brit Jake Bugg looks like he could be your kid brother. Like he’s almost old enough to taste the glory of a post-run beer—but his first big hit is more associated with Gatorade. It appeared in an ad for the runner’s drink of choice a few years ago, and its driving beat and catchy, scrabbling guitar will easily push you along the road. Short and sweet at under two and a half minutes, it’s a great opportunity for you to pick up the pace a little.Sara Fay
Image: Columbia Records
8. ‘Run Like Hell’ by Pink Floyd
It’s not just the title that lands this pulsating, breathless and ultimately soaring cut from The Wall on this list. It’s the fact that the song is perfectly calibrated to a runner’s rhythm, with each thump of Roger Waters’ iconic bassline propelling the body forward. Tellingly, the album ends with a total collapse into delirium and madness following ‘Run Like Hell,’ making this one best played near the finish line.Andy Kryza
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Image: Atlantic Records
9. ‘Go!’ by Santigold feat. Karen O
This, friends, is your sprint song. Philly-based artist Santigold always gets our blood pumping, and in 2011 she collaborated with another, equally badass lady singer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O, to create this beat-heavy anthem. It’s got swagger, it’s got drive, and it’s perfect for busting out a quick half-mile (or for furiously running in place—whichever you’re in the mood for).Kate Wertheimer
Image: Fantasy
10. ‘Bad Moon Rising’ by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sometimes during a run, you’re just trying to keep a steady pace and a smile on your face. Not every track has to be an angry sprint or a power anthem. CCR’s 1969 single has both a steady beat and a laid-back vibe, making it the song you’ll turn to when you’re trying to remember why the hell you went running in the first place.Kate Wertheimer
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11. ‘212’ by Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay
Banks’ 2011 track has a good beat, for sure, but it’s her rapping style that drives the song—and us while we’re running to it. There’s an undeniable attitude in the music, the artist and her practically lazy, swear-laced threats that makes us want to get up in someone’s face and fight—even if in reality we’re just pounding the pavement.Kate Wertheimer
Image: Shady Records
12. ‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem
The first rap to win an Oscar for Best Song, this cut from 2002’s 8 Mile soundtrack is a blast of pure nervous aggression. Singing as B-Rabbit, his character in the movie, Eminem captures a rising rapper’s harsh back-and-forth of anxiety and ambition. (Thanks to a trick of the lyric, a big opportunity to ‘blow’ could also just be a chance to blow an opportunity.) Program the song for later in your run; it’s the ideal fuel to propel you beyond what you think your limits are.Kate Wertheimer
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Image: Def Jam
13. ‘Stronger’ by Kanye West
Kanye makes no bones about lifting the hook of Daft Punk’s robot-disco anthem ‘Harder Better Faster Stronger’ for his jacked-up 2007 tune. As you’re running along, questioning the meaning of life and asking what this is all for, take a lesson from Ye, who, despite the seemingly effortless borrowing, obsessed over the single’s mixing and production. It’s a process, people!Andrew Frisicano
Image: Island Records
14. ‘Dog Days Are Over’ by Florence and the Machine
This 2008 track builds momentum effortlessly, just like a run on a good day. (And speaking of which, the chorus is literally urging you to run, fast.) Florence might annoy the crap out of you, and this song was definitely overplayed for multiple years, but it’s nevertheless energetic and uplifting in a way that gives you wings, whether you’re running or not.Kate Wertheimer
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Image: EMI
15. ‘The Jean Genie’ by David Bowie
Bowie’s 1972 single, the A-side to ‘Ziggy Stardust,’ has a chugging R&B riff and a steady beat that’s perfect for a long-legged jog. One of the best parts of running is getting lost in your thoughts, the movement, the music—and we can’t think of a more fun song to distract ourselves with. In Bowie’s own words: let yourself go!Kate Wertheimer
Image: RCA
16. ‘Lust for Life’ by Iggy Pop
The slam-bang drums on this Bowie-produced Iggy Pop classic provide the heartbeat of a particularly frantic pace, while the chugging guitar hook should keep you chugging along. It’s not surprising that ‘Lust for Life’ was used to score Trainspotting’s iconic montage of lowlives running from the law: With Iggy in your ear, there’s no stopping until those drums fall silent.Andy Kryza
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Image: Columbia Records
17. ‘Pump It Up’ by Elvis Costello
Costello’s 1978 single may seem a bit subdued (especially given its refrain), but the beat is so perfect for a steady running pace that we could literally do miles with it on repeat. It’s poppy enough to keep us light on our feet, and gets a bolstered chorus and set of chords just when we’re getting lazy. It also happens to be about releasing sexual frustration, which running is great for (though admittedly not as great as, er, pumping it).Kate Wertheimer
Image: Geffen
18. ‘Brutal’ by Olivia Rodrigo
Wanna keep that Elvis Costello rhythm going but don’t want to listen to ‘Pump It Up’ on repeat? This interpolation by current pop queen heir apparent Olivia Rodrigo will do the trick. It’s basically the same song, reimagined with a fresh sheen of teenage angst. And lest you cry ripoff, Costello’s pretty cool with the homage, both giving Rodrigo the thumbs up and copping to his own history of cribbing from older songs and building upon them.Andy Kryza
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Image: Bronze Records
19. ‘Ace of Spades’ by Mötorhead
When Lemmy fires up that rumbling bass intro—the aural equivalent of exhaust fumes bellowing out of a tailpipe—sitting still ceases to be an option. You’ve got to move, and while an obnoxious Harley hog might be the most appropriate mode of transportation, your feet will do just fine. So let Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor’s hellhound gallop set the pace, and get off your arse.Kate Wertheimer
Image: Decca
20. ‘Paint It Black’ by the Rolling Stones
People run for exercise, for fun, for fresh air, sure, but sometimes we’re running something down—a bitterness or rage that needs to be expressed and exhausted. The Rolling Stones’ death-obsessed 1966 hit is ideal for that purpose: exercise as exorcism. The song may be most notable for Brian Jones’ groundbreaking sitar line, but drummer Charlie Watts—god rest his soul—gives it a relentless forward motion that bursts with fresh despair at each chorus. If you can’t outrun death, at least you can outpace it for a while.Brent DiCrescenzo
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21. ‘Drunk Girls’ by LCD Soundsystem
Okay, we’ll agree that running and dancing are two very distinct ways of moving our bodies. But this 2010 track—and most LCD songs in general—blur the lines and make your run feel like a party. It’s easy to keep your feet moving for the fast-paced four minutes, but if you find yourself flagging, pretend those antagonistic panda furries from the music video are after you with spraypaint and eggs.Sara Fay
Image: Def Jam
22. ‘Shoes for Running’ by Big Boi feat. Wavves & B.O.B.
Indie darlings Wavves provide the weirdly haunting refrain – ‘The end is coming, I would race ya, But there’s no running, it’ll chase ya, death will hunt you down’ – on this propulsive offering from ATLien Big Boi. The song’s trancelike beat and Sir Lucious Leftfoot’s staccato delivery pair up beautifully for a hypnotic mid-run rhythm setter. Just make sure to keep an eye on your flank…Andy Kryza
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Image: RCA
23. ‘All My Life’ by Foo Fighters
If you need a little motivation to get you from the point of warming up (i.e. walking fast and fiddling with your iPod) to actually pounding the track, cue up this fiery Foo’s number from 2002. Its starting-block intro rumbles with pent-up energy, before a starter-pistol explosion hurls you into your running zone. Even the most normally tranquil athletes will find themselves singing along to Grohl’s defiant refrain—‘Done! Done! On to the next one!’—and that’s a promise.Sophie Harris
Image: Sub Pop
24. ‘Such Great Heights’ by the Postal Service
Is your pace lagging? Feeling a little drained? Perhaps there’s a hill ahead. Don’t worry—this much-loved 2003 hit from the Postal Service hits the sweet spot of running cadence. In layman’s terms: let your feet hit the pavement on the beat of this song and you’ll be out of your mid-run funk in no time.Sara Fay
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Image: Polydor
25. ‘Run Run Run’ by the Who
Just watching Keith Moon drum takes your breath away—it’s impossible to imagine sustaining that level of gonzo energy for an entire song, let alone a gig. Slip this opening cut from the Who’s 1966 sophomore album, A Quick One, into your running mix and hopefully some of that manic force transfers to your limbs. Bounding along to Moon’s splashy racket keeps those knees high, those arms pumping… okay, yes, sometimes we air drum while jogging.Brent DiCrescenzo
Image: Atlantic
26. ‘Soul Makossa’ by Manu Dibango
The late, great Manu Dibango’s six-minute classic meets at the intersection of Afrobeat, disco and soul, with its pulsing rhythm proving the ultimate pace-setter, provided you can keep moving without stopping to groove to the earworm of a saxaphone line. And good luck with that: It’s repeated constantly throughout this certified jam. But hey, dancing is a form of cardio too.Andy Kryza
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Image: Columbia Records
27. ‘Born to Run’ by Bruce Springsteen
Get into the headspace of Bruce’s nameless protagonist: stuck in turnpike traffic with everyone else who’s trying to flee the same depressing Jersey town, trying to sweet talk Wendy who’s actually probably doing just fine thanks very much. It’s about as frazzled and out-of-sorts as the Boss gets, a state of mind that mirrors how you’re feeling right before the runner’s high kicks in.Andrew Frisicano
Image: Chance the Rapper
28. ‘Let’s Go on a Run’ by Chance the Rapper
All of Chancey’s bravado belies the fact that the Chicago rapper is basically a human Labrador excited about everything, including going running. So he wrote the ideal running song. This is basically what would happen if your ultra-friendly track coach was also a world-class rapper.Andy Kryza
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Image: Interscope
29. ‘Wolf Like Me’ by TV on the Radio
This 2006 track—the band’s most successful single in the U.S.—has a driving beat and propelling lyrics, making it easy to pick up your pace and focus in on the task at hand. Or foot, rather. The song is like a mini-workout in itself, with a slower and more subdued midsection to give your legs a break before picking back up and compelling you to fly through the very last second.Kate Wertheimer
Image: DFA Records
30. ‘Runnin’ by Sinkane
Sudanese percussionist and Yeasayer, Caribou collaborator Ahmed Gallab jumped out of the solo career starting blocks with this slice of confectionary Afrobeat. “Gotta keep on runnin’, runnin’,” he sings in a sweet falsetto over funky wah-wah and cassette tape warble. The secret to the best jogging music is that it’s interchangeable with great dance music. Nothing Gallab has made in the years since this 2012 debut has matched its irresistibility—but nothing has to. He’s earned a place on every running mix.Brent DiCrescenzo
