Absolutely ANYTHING Bjork has committed to tape will get me going.

Sent by Abi | 1:44 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I despise running, but I do it, on a treadmill at the gym, because it's good cardio work when I'm not on my bike. The only song that can get me moving when I run is "The Death And Resurrection Show" from Killing Joke's 2003 self-titled album; it's driving, it's relentless, and it gets my blood moving.

After that, it's Bruce Springsteen's "Detroit Medley" from the CD that accompanied the re-release of Born To Run a few years back.

The added advantage of both of these songs is that they're long - listen to both of them back to back and you're already 13 minutes into your run.

Sent by pdb | 1:53 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"Deceptacon" has been a long time work-out favorite for me, plus almost anything Gossip, GravyTrain!, or GirlTalk (to keep it alliterative). And I think it's cool you signed up for a fitness boot camp; dedication's always admirable.

Sent by Laura | 2:00 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I weed the backyard to a mix of Lupe Fiasco and The Thermals. The combination of engaging lyrics and energy get me through the monotony of pulling weeds.

Sent by Jason | 2:02 PM ET | 07-14-2008

well lately for working out its been Ludacris & Rage Against the machine (Rage Against is good for running/ jogging)...

Sent by Marissa | 2:04 PM ET | 07-14-2008

My best results with running tend to come from the hyped-up motivational speaker school of rap (Freeway, Young Jeezy, Ghostface Killah, etc.) or punk (Minutemen, early Clash, X-Ray Spex, Ted Leo, Jay Reatard).

On the other hand, I once had the Boris/Michio Kurihara song "Rainbow" come up while I was running on a trail, and it meshed perfectly.

Sent by Garrett | 2:14 PM ET | 07-14-2008

CB, "Hopeless" by the Wrens gets me pumped. I can run hills all day with that song? FREDTERP

Sent by FREDTERP | 2:25 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Johnny Cash and/or Fight by Sons & Daughters.

Sent by Dan | 2:27 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Nothing currently comes to mind, but Led Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er" is the only thing that got me to Junior High every day.

Sent by Elizabeth | 2:29 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I've been having good luck in the gym lately with Grinderman, John Lee Hooker's "Whiskey and Wimmen", and the most recent Breeders album. Tool, GZA, and Slaywhore are always reliable too.

Sent by Eric | 2:30 PM ET | 07-14-2008

At the start of every road trip, the first song I play is "Caring is Creepy" by the Shins. It always makes me feel like I'm about to embark on a grand adventure.

To get my day started I like to listen to a little MGMT. "Kids" and "Electric Feel" are great songs to take a shower to.

Sent by Jess | 2:37 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm not exactly sure why, but there's no better soundtrack for mountain biking than the Beastie Boys.

Sent by mikey | 2:38 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Actually, funny this should be the topic today, as I've just recently begun my own exercise regimen and stumbled across a great band to listen to while running/lifting. They're small time right now, however they did play at South by Southwest this year, and were just signed on to a Warner Brother subsidiary label from Stillwater, Oklahoma called "Colourmusic." Im not even sure of the name of their album, but it is available online and I highly recommend it. Their music is happy, its bouncy, yet it has enough guitar-driven energy and great pacing to lend itself well to working out.

Sent by Ryan | 2:38 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I had a particularly embarrassing moment at a similar bootcamp when I found myself getting really energized listening to Pump It by the Black Eyed Peas, the one that samples the Dick Dale guitar. Since then I've discovered that I love listening to terrible music when I'm running: Pump It, Toxic, that Kylie Minogue song where she goes La La La alot, Lil Kim. It's a good thing no one can eavesdrop on my iPod.

Sent by Nathan | 2:42 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Out on the town - Ween - "It's Going to be a Long Night"

During a crap week at work - The Who - "Another Tricky Day"

Current exercise albums - Daft Punk - "Alive 2007", Duke Spirit - "Neptune".

Favorite work out song - Refused - "New Noise"

Sent by Brian A. | 2:44 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Run:
"The National Anthem (live)" Radiohead
"Bulls on Parade" Rage Against the Machine
"Wilderness" Sleater-Kinney (of course)

Sent by Dyn-O-Wright | 2:45 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Lately for me Missy Elliot, Beyonce, and Julieta Venegas get me going.

Sent by rudy | 2:46 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Underworld's "Juanita", "Pearl's Girl" and "Moaner". Rocket fuel right there.

Sent by Oms | 2:48 PM ET | 07-14-2008

sometimes the dancier stuff is good, but i too get the best results from more aggro stuff when i'm running. especially and always les savvy fav.

i co-sign on ted leo and the thermals, and would also endorse mclusky/future of the left.

i discovered that fugazi can be problematic, though - many of their songs are too syncopated for running purposes.

it's an interesting topic though. i've certainly found time and again that if my energy is flagging and the right song comes on, i will get a charge from it.

Sent by claire | 2:54 PM ET | 07-14-2008

When I was in college, I listened to Cowboy Mouth's "Get Out Of My Way" before each mock trial round. It was one part homesickness-cure and one part instant assertiveness.

Sent by kathryn | 3:07 PM ET | 07-14-2008

spoon is great for running (finer feelings! Cherry bomb!)

LCD Soundsystem! Not all of us can get out to clubs to dance. When I run to LCD I feel a little like I did when I saw them at an outdoors show.

Sent by jen | 3:25 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I always associate music with whatever I happen to be doing while I'm listening to it, and I hate exercise so much that I've killed perfectly good records trying to exercise to them. This Year's Model was ruined by it's accompaniment to a long, grueling jog that resulted in painful shin splints. If you're like me, you need to listen to cheesy music that can withstand the association with pain. Sounds like you're on the right track.

Sent by John McAteer | 3:33 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Latest 1 hour running playlist meant to warm-up, run and cool down to:

Black Cherry by Goldfrapp
Black Like Me by Spoon
Melatonin by Silversun Pickups
Sour Cherry by The Kills
Have Love Will Travel by The Black Keys
Black Patch War by Common Market
Lights & Music by Cut Copy
Mercy in You by Depeche Mode
Phantom Pt. II by Justice
Never Be Alone by Simian
Take Me To The Riot by Stars
Abandon by French Kicks
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? by She & Him
The Day We Met by Sarah Borges
Live is Beautiful by Vega4
V by Golden Smog
Walking Down the Line by Eilen Jewell

Sent by ck | 3:38 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Tom Petty - I Wont Back Down
This song gets me through just about anything.

Sent by Jonah | 3:39 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"Beat on the Brat" makes me want to beat up a brat.

Sent by toast | 3:43 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I too have listened to LCD Soundsystem during work outs. Off and on for a number of years now, my morning show song has been "The End of You" or "Burn don't Freeze" By Sleater Kinney. I love the energy of both of those songs. The lyrics in "The End of You" are also motivating. I always saw the lyrics "Let the last storm hit us
let it strike at the hardest part.
Turn us all to mutiny
turn this boat upside down." as a challenge to the coming day.

During work outs I always like to listen to "Heroin" by Velvet Underground. I use it during aerobic training on warm ups and cool downs. I change my pace faster and slower with the song.

Sent by Eron | 3:47 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I aim for a 5pm (EST) run on the treadmill and the Gilmore Girls usually soothes the pain. But when that schedule doesn't work, I'm relegated to my old boombox with tapes I made a while ago.
Currently it's:
GBV-Bushes and Stars
Polvo-everything
Bangs-Sweet Revenge
Kent, Ohio mixtape circa 94-96

When i do get the laptop/working cd player down to the basement, Mastodon works well.

After 2 weeks of working out, you'll never look back. I'm about 5 months in and it's in my blood now...good luck!

Sent by Jason M. | 4:04 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm probably going to sound like a totally annoying suck-up here, but as one of the things I have the biggest problem doing is talking to authority figures (for whatever reason), a lot of what I listen to when I know I'm going to have to do so is actually Sleater-Kinney music...'One Beat,' and 'Male Model' in particular. As well as Bikini Kill's 'I Like Fucking.' Something about those songs make me feel able to speak up.
So I suppose I should say thank you?

Sent by Genevieve | 4:08 PM ET | 07-14-2008

A good chunk of the Midnight Oil catalog. Rob Hirst (drummer) not only has an exceptionally toned body, he seemed to take aerobic workouts into consideration for his drum parts. And if you don't believe me, how about the rhythmic arm motions of Peter Garrett during Oils' gigs?

Sent by Tim F. | 4:09 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Against Me!
k-os
Luscious Jackson (ISOM, Natural Ingredients)
Tegan and Sara (cycling only)
CSS
Vampire Weekend

Sent by Star | 4:17 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I have to say that the "exercise" playlist on my ipod has a number of tracks from The Hot Rock (seconding the ass-kissing here). But really, it's true. Followed up with some of the faster tracks from Check Your Head/Beastie Boys, which are really great for running.

Sent by Susan | 4:27 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Le Tigre - Keep on Livin!

and queen - i want to break free & don't stop me now

those are my anthems!

Sent by esme | 4:30 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I'm a rower, and it's really hard to motivate myself to get on the erg (rowing machine) or run to keep in shape. Luckily, I have the following songs:

Le Tigre-Deceptacon
Blur-Song 2
Cake-The Distance
Ladytron-Seventeen and Destroy Everything You Touch
Arcade Fire-Rebellion (Lies)
Radiohead-Just
Pixies-Debaser
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-Gold Lion
most of the Sleater-Kinney catalogue (my favorite!)

Sent by Isabel | 4:31 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I had a great run with my dog this morning with the Pixies screaming through my headphones. Listening to the Pixes again is like bumping into an old crush and finding out they haven't turn pouchy and bald.

Sent by Leilani | 4:31 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I really really really really like the version of Kick Out The Jams that Henry Rollins and The Bad Brains did on the Pump Up The Volume Soundtrack.

Sent by Salvadore | 4:34 PM ET | 07-14-2008

girl for all seasons by northern state
taking back control by sparta
barracuda by heart
take me out by franz fredinand
between the wolf and the dog by electrelane
anything by the b-52's

Sent by brittani | 4:35 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I tried a fitness boot camp class once. Too many sit-ups for my taste.

I once ran a 5K with the lyrics to "Police on My Back" running through me head. Seemed to keep me moving.

There are a few Le Tigre songs on my IPod, and hearing those really gets my heart rate up. "Hypnotize" by the White Stripes also works really well. Except it makes me want to start dancing, which would look really silly as I'm out for a walk.

Sent by Laura E. | 4:42 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense in particular, provide a goodly number of songs that make me want to dance. And subsequently make them songs that get my butt in gear.

Sent by Jack | 4:49 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"For Emma, Forever Ago." I know that might sound weird, but there was a period where I went into work absolutely stressed out, and it just carried over for the entire shift. I tried changing music in the car and put in Bon Iver one day, and I was a whole other person. I honestly haven't been the same since then. I'm much calmer and more attentive. I give it all to Bon Iver. He helped me relax. Let the chorus of "Blindsided" play in your head while you're in the middle of a mad rush at work. You'll see what I mean.

Sent by Nick L. | 4:51 PM ET | 07-14-2008

First, congrats on the working out. I joined a gym for the first time 2 years ago because at 25, the stress of my newspaper design job was killing me. Let's just say that I found a new love, and in the process, motivated some of my friends to do the same. Not to mention, I am now an awesome arm wrestler.

So as far as what I like to listen to for working out, or motivation while I am working, or getting ready to go out...

Goldfrappe, Le Tigre, Phoenix, Alkaline Trio, She Wants Revenge, Tiger Army, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, The Prima Donnas, Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Misfits, and the list goes on.

Good luck with boot camp! if you don't like it in the end, try something else, I like spinning classes. :)

Sent by dana | 5:00 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"Oh Yeah" from The Subways. I guess it just rocks because it gets me charged up even when I don't want or need to be.

Also "For Want Of" by Rites of Spring. It does the same thing.

Good luck with boot camp Carrie.

Sent by ryan | 5:10 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Eye of the Tiger. Enough said.

Sent by tom | 5:12 PM ET | 07-14-2008

let me relay my last 5k, 27-minute goal mix:

bone machine - pixies
i don't want to get over you - magnetic fields
letter from an occupant - new pornographers
astro zombies - misfits
starman - mates of state version
ego tripping at the gates of hell - flaming lips
there is a light and it never goes out - smiths
b is for bethlehem - promise ring

yeah, i'd say that's about right. the flaming lips seems like it may stick out, but it mixes in there nicely.

Sent by justin | 5:17 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads

Sent by Chad - Hungary for Turkey | 5:22 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I try to use these to make me want to do exercise:

Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot (The intro + those crazy riffs make me excited.)
LCD Soundsystem - Give It Up (These are the parts of a terrible past / these are things we can live without...like love handles.)
Public Enemy - She Watch Channel Zero?! (Who knew Flava Flav would be such a hypocrite? I've always hated the televisions in the YMCA...)

I guess that's enough to get started. Thanks, Carrie, now I'm considering a blog playlist w/ "workout songs"...

Sent by Bryan | 5:44 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Ahhhh....as cheesy as this may sound, when I go hiking I always listen to the soundtrack from the first Rocky movie. Listen to the songs "Fanfare For Rocky" and "Going The Distance" and try not to throw some punches at an imaginary foe.

Sent by Alex From Phlly | 6:05 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I ride my stationary bike in my living room and watch a DVD. My favorite is the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theatre. I put on the last two tracks, Dreams and Whipping Post, and my workout is done before I know it.

Sent by Joel | 6:21 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5.
"Do You Like Me" by Fugazi.
"Big Exit" by PJ Harvey.
"Step Aside" by Sleater-Kinney.
"Glasshouse Tarot" by Sparta.
"Modern Love" by David Bowie.
"Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" by Led Zeppelin.

Sent by Johanna | 6:22 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I listened to Metallica's Master of Puppets the other day before playing basketball and I was super PUMPED! haha. As for day-to-day stuff, Akron/Family and Citay give me a good perspective on the day.

Sent by A.R. | 6:26 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"damaged goods" by gang of four (though other GOF songs work very well too)
"alone again or" by calexico
"listen up!" by the gossip
"step aside" by sleater-kinney
"till the end of the day" by the kinks
"anyway anyhow anywhere" by the who
"insistor" by tapes n tapes
also totally agree with the "deceptacon" mentions

Sent by allison | 6:48 PM ET | 07-14-2008

OMG I have a total blog crush on you. You are so cute! Um, the other day "Ghost in the Machine" by The Police was my treadmill soundtrack of choice.

Sent by Melvillain | 7:01 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Hardcore punk usually gets me pretty pumped up. Minor Threat and the first three Fugazi albums are perfect. Oh, Wire- Pink Flag as well. Even though there are lots of slower songs, it just makes the loud fast songs seem all the more amped up.

Sent by BTH | 7:10 PM ET | 07-14-2008

As I sit and watch the All-star game Home Run derby, and being a fan of Baseball, im going to put a baseball spin to the question...

Most batters and pitchers now, have "theme songs" a song that plays over the speakers when they come up to bat / into the game to pitch... so get them, "pumped up".

So heres a few songs Id use...

To bat :
Entertain : Sleater-Kinney...
Just picture Janets drums pounding away over the loud speakers at a stadium...

Pinch Hit :
Elvis Presley - Polk Salad Annie (72)
My all time fav song for many many years now, that bass line always gets me going, especially the 1972 versions.

Start game (pitcher) :
Cherokee Mist - Jimi Hendrix...
And id use one of the Alternate takes I have thats just Jimi and a ton of dubbed guitars... talk about pyschological advantage... who would want to come up to bat after hearing that?

Relief pitcher :
There Was A Time - James Brown...
you need to get the blood pumping to be a relief pitcher, and this song has ALWAYS got me going... one of the greatest grooves ive ever heard...

Close game :
Save You - Pearl Jam...
If im coming into save a game? what better then Save You

What I wanna know, is why do they always have to do such things soooooooo early??? they didnt give you a noon option? what about us night people? There was a reason I couldnt hit a curveball back in my highschool baseball playing days... and that reason is, I WAS STILL SLEEPING AT 630AM PRACTICES!!!!!

Sent by Kramer | 7:18 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I have just started using my recumbant exercise bike and Total Gym last month; when I tried on a pair of dress slacks that barely fit. They need to really fit by late August.

The Levellers, Ted Leo (especially "Shake the Streets", The Drop Kick Murphys, Artic Monkeys, Futureheads, and Elastica all help motivate me when I exercise.

For stretching and cooling down, I favor classical. Vaughn William's "The Lark Ascending" is just over 16 minutes so it works well for me.

For competition, I listen to Andrew W.K.'s "Ready to Die" off of "I Get Wet" before a game of ultimate frisbee or croquette.

To get a ready for a night on the town: "Can You Dig It" by PWEI, "Desperate but Not Serious" by Adam Ant, "All The Wine," by The National, Feists cover of "Inside and Out," and on rare occasions, The Beach Boys' 11 minute disco remix of "Here Comes The Night" off the L.A. album.

Face the day music: Polyphonic Spree (especially "Younger Yesterday" and their cover of "Lithium"), Beach Boys "Add Some Music to Your Day", Eels "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues, "This Year" by the Mountain Goats, and "Walkin' in the Sunshine" by Roger Miller.

And I used to set my alarm to wake me up to "When the Cows Come Home" by Blur.

Sent by Mac Coldwell | 7:19 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Jay. Z. Every. Time.

Sent by jill | 7:20 PM ET | 07-14-2008

i never workout, but these songs give me an extra spring in my step.

m.i.a. - paper planes
fiery furnaces - asthma attack
against me - thrash unreal
ida maria - oh my god
electrelane - i'm on fire
matt & kim - yea yeah
ohm - spoon me
sonic youth - schizophrenia
the raveonettes - you want the candy
yeah yeah yeahs - y control
say anything - alive with the glory of love
at the drive-in - arcarsenal
ra ra riot - ghost under rocks

Sent by Lauren | 9:01 PM ET | 07-14-2008

i've always thought about it this way: what song would you want to play when you were called up to bat in a tight game?
"dig me out" is now and ever shall be world without end amen

Sent by ds | 9:08 PM ET | 07-14-2008

My latest walking playlist goes like this:

Things that Scare Me - Neko Case
The Enemy Guns - Devotchka
Like Eating Glass - Bloc Party
Map of the Problematique - Muse
Assassin - Muse (this song is hilarious)
15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi - Radiohead
Cracked Actor - David Bowie

I do well by the first Bloc Party album too.

As for other categories, once when I really, really needed to chill out, I made a playlist solely of Miss June '75 and Anenome by the Brian Jonestown Massacre, one after the other, repeatedly, while I took a bubble bath. It worked wonders.

Sent by Anjanette | 9:25 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Shonen Knife is just perfect for jogging, as is Boredoms (in a weird way)

also Boris, the B-52s, Devo, Slayer, etc

Sent by Patrick | 9:39 PM ET | 07-14-2008

one big holiday (live okonokos) - my morning jacket
aluminum park - mmj
light rail coyote - s/k
your touch - the black keys
stone the crow - down
this ain't no picnic - the minutemen

any of those songs at the right volume could send me running through a wall.

Sent by Padgett | 10:40 PM ET | 07-14-2008

I second Eye of the Tiger & all of the suck-ups who listen to Sleater-Kinney to prepare themselves for anything & everything. I tend to favor Swedish pop music when I'm working out, Pavement when I'm running and any longish excessively noisy Sonic Youth song for walking.

I apparently like to listen to music about 90% of the time.

Sent by stephanie | 10:57 PM ET | 07-14-2008

ELO and Abba. Forever.

Sent by megan m. | 11:02 PM ET | 07-14-2008

"turn it on" s-k
"and she was" talking heads
"heartbeat" annie
"reject all american" bikini kill
"exhuming mcarthy" r.e.m.
"second hand news" fleetwood mac
"slow dog" belly
"be with you" bangles
"52 girls "b-52s
"she-bop" cyndi lauper

Sent by meg | 11:38 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Sexy Back- Justin Timberlake
I'm Alive- ELO
The Bed's Too Big Without You- The Police
Atlas- Battles
Feel Good Inc- Gorillaz
Galang- M.I.A.
Potfinger- Boyjazz
Toxic-Britney Spears
Strict Machine- Goldfrapp
Jealous Girls- Gossip
Sweet Spots- Fiery Furnaces
Greatest Hit-Annie

Sent by yuri | 11:47 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Completely ridiculous, but Fett's Vett by MC Chris. Something about it just makes me do things. It kept me from dying on a straight drive to LA last month.

Sent by todd | 11:49 PM ET | 07-14-2008

You should break from your "rule" more often, that was a really funny post.

Sent by Rick | 11:56 PM ET | 07-14-2008

arcade fire, dresden dolls, m.i.a. and a little outkast "hey ya"

Sent by Robust Beauties | 12:11 AM ET | 07-15-2008

Justice's "Stress" is perfect running music. And I can't stand the thought of running.

Sent by Andy | 12:40 AM ET | 07-15-2008

lcd soundsystem, m.i.a., B52s, EVEN franz ferdinand for exercise. for walking, spoon, radiohead and ravonettes keep the beat. have to admit s-k's call the doctor woke me up after nodding off repeatedly while I was studying some really boring work material!!!

Sent by cla | 1:21 AM ET | 07-15-2008

"Teenage Riot" Sonic Youth--makes me want to run.
"Decent Days and Nights" The Futureheads--makes me want to do jumping jacks.
"September Gurls" Big Star--this tune always makes me happy.
"South Central Rain" REM--makes me feel happy in the portland wintertime (although I'm not sure why really).

Sent by jennie | 1:54 AM ET | 07-15-2008

I worked on a TERRIBLE movie with Madonna: Body of Evidence. When I first read the script it had 'poor man's Basic Instinct' written all over it. I was the assistant location manager and I was charged with both finding the locations and then baby-sitting them. The film was chalk-full of nude scenes so I had the good fortune of being on set and laying witness to many of Madonna's best days in the buff. Well, maybe they were my best days. They were probably ordinary to her. But I digress. Long story short, the opening scene of the movie has Madonna's character laying waste to a man twice her senior while both his wrists are strapped to the bedposts. The movie opens with cops arriving to the old man's room with him lying there expired. The hump scene plays out on the tv monitor at the end of his bed and I believe one of the cops says to the other, "Now I know why they call it the Beaver state." Anyway, the fun part was shooting that hump scene in order to have it play on the monitor. Madonna walked onto the set and handed the sound man an audio cassette. I was standing nearby and heard her instruct him to hit play when the director called action. The scene was being shot MOS so the sound man was happy to oblige. Madonna disrobed, the director called action, the sound man pressed play, and out pumped the unmistakable intro of Led Zepplin's Whole Lotta Love. To me, it was and still is the best use of a song for self-motivation. This is not to say that I have ever used it in the same capacity of the exquisitely nude Madonna.

Sent by Jeff Selis | 2:48 AM ET | 07-15-2008

At my job I need to inspire high school students to sweep and mop a giant dining hall on a weekly basis - these are the songs that they respond best to:

The Final Countdown by Europe
We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
Beat It by Michael Jackson
Bohemian Like You by the Dandy Warhols
We Built This City by Jefferson Starship

And then these are the songs that I respond best to:
Hold On by Wilson Phillips
You're the Best from the Karate Kid Soundtrack
The Rat by the Walkmen
The Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
Higher & Higher from Wet Hot American Summer
Oh, and Stronger by Kanye West - which was so motivational that I willfully set my alarm clock radio to Z100 just so I could wake up to it.

We all agree that See You Again by Miley Cyrus is amazingly motivational.

Sent by starkey | 3:15 AM ET | 07-15-2008

This past week I have been jogging to the Buzzcocks-Another Music in a Different Kitchen and The B-52's Funplex albums(all of the songs on both albums). They are both upbeat and motivate me for long periods of time.

Sent by Janet | 4:17 AM ET | 07-15-2008

The Halo Bender's 'Bury Me' is my daily staple song for the 4 minutes remaining of my walk into work. That solid drumming, rad guitar and doubled-up vocals makes something in my brain want to rawk the day ahead!

Sent by Guy Shield | 4:24 AM ET | 07-15-2008

Eye of the Tiger

Sent by Tucker Martine | 4:32 AM ET | 07-15-2008

Monkey Man by the Stones for running.
UMass by the Pixies for hitting the body bag.

Sent by BB | 8:31 AM ET | 07-15-2008

"i've always thought about it this way: what song would you want to play when you were called up to bat in a tight game? -- Sent by ds | 9:08 PM ET | 07-14-2008"

haha, i always think of it like this too! too many mets games as a child, maybe...

anyway, some perennial favorites:

the clash - safe european home
sleater-kinney - not what you want
matt & kim - yea yeah
neutral milk hotel - holland, 1945
rezillos - flying saucer attack
x - heater
outkast - pj & rooster
ted leo & the pharmacists - 2nd ave., 11 am
world/inferno f.s. - all of california and everyone who lives there stinks [only a particular live version, from a show at brownies on 12/02/2000-- so different from the album version, and soo good!]

Sent by nikki | 8:49 AM ET | 07-15-2008

Amputechture by The Mars Volta gets me amped up, esp "Vermicide". It's an endorphin precusor thing.

Sent by Parnassus | 8:57 AM ET | 07-15-2008

When I run on my treadmill I usually listen to wireless headphones playing whatever random songs iTunes chooses for me. Since I have a couple of weeks worth of music on my hard drive (all acquired legally, I assure you) this doesn't always work out too well, especially since the treadmill is two floors away from my computer and skipping isn't an option. At the same time, I find this is the best way for me to digest music that I otherwise wouldn't have the time or patience to really give a chance... I've discovered some hidden gems in my collection this way.

It also has the benefit of occasionally motivating me to run longer than I would normally... just the other day, at the end of my regularly scheduled run, "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction came on and I had to keep running for an extra ten minutes to hear the song to the end.

Sent by Mike M. | 9:03 AM ET | 07-15-2008

"Mower" by Superchunk. Few things are more therapeutic than singing along with this song's chorus -- "It was a robin's egg and it was blue!" -- while running along my local beach, clearing my head and leaving perplexed sunbathers in my wake. Just about any song by Pavement achieves a similar effect.

Sent by Jake | 10:12 AM ET | 07-15-2008

Last night when I was at the gym (I started going 3 months ago and I love it) I had The Old 97's going, worked oddly well to keep me moving.

Also on my workout mix -- Le Tigre, MIA, Daft Punk, Lauren Hill, and Ghostland Observatory.

Sent by setya | 10:34 AM ET | 07-15-2008

I recommend Bonnie Tyler's "I Need A Hero" for all of your workout needs.

Sent by nikki | 10:38 AM ET | 07-15-2008

when i was in college and went to the gym, i would work out to a tape of Bad Religion's No Control and Suffer on on side, and on the other side was Chemlab's Magnetic Field Remixes and Ten Ton Pressure.

Sent by jane birkin | 11:42 AM ET | 07-15-2008

American Woman by the Guess Who

When's your first marathon?

Sent by EC Terry | 12:04 PM ET | 07-15-2008

exercise time is me time. i am paying too much attention to my breathing, the traffic, and the wind in the trees to welcome music then.

music is life as we all know, but life is also music.

-PL-

(no, you don't need to pass the bong.)

Sent by phil | 12:11 PM ET | 07-15-2008

There must be something in the NW air inspiring people to work out because a friend and I just renewed vows to work out as well.

The first half of the new Mars Volta album pulls me through my cardio workout and now-defunct PDX band, Book of Maps, helps me pump that sweet iron.

Sent by Jamie Hellgate | 12:40 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I've kept up my pledge to stay in shape for many years now, and I mostly keep my exercise music separate from my regular "listening" music. I love working out to old R & B hits--anything with a funky beat, anything by George Clinton (like Flashlight!) or Janet Jackson (like That's The Way Love Goes). We have a local radio station that plays that stuff, and they call their format "old school r&B". When they're on a roll, the music practically does my workout FOR me.

Other music : Over the years I've acquired maybe a gazillion songs that I find motivational and I can't pick just a few. But here are some albums that get me moving:
Starlight Mints --Built On Squares
Gomez--In Our Gun, Liquid Skin, Abandoned Shopping Trolley
Spoon--GaGaGaGa
Tapes n Tapes --The Loon
SuperFurry Animals-- Hey Venus!
Apples In Stereo--New Magnetic Wonder

Sent by Suzy | 12:42 PM ET | 07-15-2008

Mr. Blue Sky by ELO
Damaged Goods by Gang of Four
Oh Happy Day by the Staple Singers
I Want You Back by the J5.

Hot For Teacher. And I'm not even a little embarrassed about that.

Sent by M-argo | 12:55 PM ET | 07-15-2008

where to begin? there are too many to name.

andrew w.k.'s first album (i get wet)
nirvana (nevermind)
the yeah yeah yeahs (fever to tell)
the gossip (standing in the way of control)
the ramones (anthology)

Sent by xina | 1:15 PM ET | 07-15-2008

stereo total usually makes me move my butt. in all honest though i'm not sporty enough to know "work out music".
but i will be because i am totally going to join a fitness boot camp now!! for real

Sent by s | 1:17 PM ET | 07-15-2008

You don't get much nerdier than this:

I downloaded an audio file-manipulating program (Audacity), took the Replacements' first album ("Sorry Ma") and sped up all the tempos on the songs (It's already a pretty fast record, but I wanted to make it faster). Just the tempos, so Paul Westerberg doesn't sound like a chipmunk. Nothing beats jogging or doing ab crunches to a hyperactive "Shiftless When Idle."

Sent by Paul | 2:12 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I guarantee that "Welcome to the Jungle" is on every David's motivation mix.
I've always found myself better motivated by desparation or bitterness.
Hence, the following:
"Left in the Dark" The Vertebrats
"Is She Really Going Out With Him" Joe Jackson
"High Fidelity" Elvis Costello
"Think About Me" -I prefer Camper Van's cover for these purposes.
and "Unsatisfied" The Mats

Not traditionally what people would want to go running to (unless brokenhearted and in high school), but the stark content (in the slower material, especially) really goes well with the masochistic nature of physical fitness, eh?

Sent by Nick | 2:42 PM ET | 07-15-2008

My current playlist is pretty non-embarrassing, but I'll be the first to admit Beyonce has made an appearance once or twice:

Blue Orchid - White Stripes
Waters of Nazareth - Justice
Dance Macabre - The Faint
I See You Baby - Groove Armada
Pull a U - The Kills
Freak - LFO
Breed - Nirvana
Frisco Disco - Origami
Can't Truss It - Public Enemy
Orange - Whirlwind Heat
Novacane - Beck

Sent by Rachel | 4:07 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I have a rotating mix of music on my iPod that mostly includes punk/punk-pop (X, The Thermals) and electronica (Ellen Allien, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk).

There is one constant, and that's Death From Above 1979's Turn it Out. I've got it plugged in as my PowerSong, and calling it up always seems to provide that extra bit of juice to keep going.

Sent by t | 4:48 PM ET | 07-15-2008

Ha, "You and I Misbehaving" by Tilly and the Wall.

Sent by Kristin Kaz | 5:13 PM ET | 07-15-2008

"bizarre love triangle" gets me on the dance floor every time.

Sent by zoe | 5:35 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I recommend Bonnie Tyler's "I Need A Hero" for all of your workout needs.

Sent by nikki | 10:38 AM ET | 07-15-2008

I second this

Sent by J.W.G. | 6:23 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I run. I love music. These are frequently on running mixes of mine. Note: I don't know if these are correct titles.

1) "Wah-Wah" by George Harrison
2) "Sister Golden Hair" by America
3) "X" by Blonde Redhead
4) anything off the latest from The Thermals

Sent by Heather | 6:59 PM ET | 07-15-2008

My favorite running songs are "CC You Set the Fire in Me" by Tom Vek and "Bombs over Baghdad" by Outkast.

Sent by Simone | 7:40 PM ET | 07-15-2008

I have started riding to
Get Awkward! by Be Your Own Pet. It's a great album and its fast, It might get cut at the end with slower cool-down songs by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins like 15, or Angels Hung Around.

Sent by Jessie | 7:42 PM ET | 07-15-2008

"Walking With A Ghost" by Tegan and Sara
"Speak Slow"- Tegan and Sara
"I Hear Noises"- Tegan and Sara
"Are You Ten Years Ago"- Tegan and Sara
"Rendezvous"- GaGaalinG
"Revolution"- GaGaalinG
"i-SCREAM MACHINE"- GaGaalinG
"Oh Yeah"- The Cliks
"Cry Me A River"- The Cliks
anything by Bjork, the Killers,Franz Ferdinand, the Murmurs, Uh Huh Her, Machinae Supremacy, Against Me!, The Reason.
Basically everything in my mp3 player.

Sent by Nichole | 9:33 PM ET | 07-15-2008

Nothin', and I mean nothin', sez Get Off Your Butt, Sweat and Breath Rapidly like Hoyt Smackton's "Hoochie Coochie Nun". Feel the burn and then some! YOUCH!!!

Sent by Jay Pack | 10:25 PM ET | 07-15-2008

For starting a fast bike ride Johnny Was by Stiff Little Fingers (thanks for the video clip last week) and for sustaining the burn and the pain, Waiting Room by Fugazi.

Sent by Eric in Alaska | 10:58 PM ET | 07-15-2008

The only thing that got me through the PDX winter and writing papers for school was "Drink to Moving On" by Grand National.

Sent by Erika Zoller | 12:21 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Comet Gain - "Ripped Up Suit!", Led Zep - "The Ocean" (nearly the perfect pace for an 8 minute mile), Stereolab - "Golden Ball", Thin Lizzy - "The Cowboy Song" and "The Rocker" and last but not least, Sleater-Kinney - "What's Mine is Yours".

Have fun!

Sent by michael | 12:28 AM ET | 07-16-2008

hmm. over 100 comments.. wow. not that there is any point in sharing this, but my super secret PUMP YOU UP songs consist of old 90s techno/electronica tunes. it's embarassing and incredibly motivating. overtly degrading and offensive top 40 hip hop songs tend to have a good beat, too. if only the political rappers could be sellouts and get someone to do their background music for them....

Sent by natalie in pdx | 3:44 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Pretty much every song from the "Alive 2007" Daft Punk album as well as "Ghosts" by Ladytron. Good beats are essential.

Sent by David K. | 4:23 AM ET | 07-16-2008

singing and shimmying to music doesn't sound like bootcamp to me! :) i did one of these classes once and all we got to listen to was the "sargeant" yelling "ready! exercise! 1-2-3-.." etc..

anyway, when exercising i really like to listen to the kind of stuff that one might hear on an old school hip-hop lunch show.. like run-dmc, public enemy, ll cool j, n.w.a., eazy-e, etc. all mixed together.

Sent by ld | 9:29 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Metal is the best music to work out to. Lately I've been on Torche- Meanderthal, Baroness- Red Album and Kylesia.
Drone metal also does it for me. Long, slow songs make the minutes on the treadmill fly by.
anything by:
Earth
Pelican
Isis
Boris

Sent by micah | 10:34 AM ET | 07-16-2008

iii - Myth Takes
Annie - Anniemal
Depeche Mode - Violator

Any of these help put a jump in my step when i'm walking at the local park!

Sent by Crystal | 10:35 AM ET | 07-16-2008

B-52s get me going:
Party Out of Bounds
Cosmic Thing
Private Idaho
Work That Skirt

Sent by Maria Brown | 10:50 AM ET | 07-16-2008

When biking through the massive hills of SW PDX, I've been listening to this song by Four Year Strong called "Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die". The breakdown alone will take five pounds of ya.

Sent by John | 12:28 PM ET | 07-16-2008

I run when I can, but without ever having bothered to find out the correct way to exercise or anything like that. This way, it can remain my secret quasi-fun thing rather than Exercising or Fitness. And, I'm aware, this way, my knees probably have about another full year before they give out.
At any rate, my running music options include Blackalicious's album, Blazing Arrow, the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack, and a mix cd with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs ("Miles Away"), Missy Elliot ("We Run This"), XTC ("No Thugs in Our House") and the Flaming Stars (Um some song whose title I've never known).

Great topic choice, by the way.

Sent by Kate | 2:31 PM ET | 07-16-2008

Pretty much anything by MC5.

Sent by Spain | 2:58 PM ET | 07-16-2008

I went through a phase of trying to become a good runner (which sucked, and failed) and the one fallback I kept coming back to was NIN's "with teeth". cheesy, but effective

Sent by jessamyn | 3:33 PM ET | 07-16-2008

Mmm, the elyptical machine. The love, the hate.

Le Tigre
Ladytron
Pixies
BLOW
Talking Heads
Modest Mouse (pre-1997)
Ratatat
The Thermals
Gravy Train!!!!
Danger Doom

Sent by alex | 4:46 PM ET | 07-16-2008

to bike, run, exercise, compete,
ask for a raise:
something like hey girl hey boy/chemical brothers
get ready for a night on the town:
modern girl/sleater kinney
face the world each day: where is my mind/pixies

Sent by donasonica | 4:49 PM ET | 07-16-2008

i have a few playlists for running - although I've found myself getting too pumped up lately & have been trading my ipod shuffle for birds & the wind in the early morning. when I do listen to music:

motor city baby - the dirtbombs
teenage kicks - the undertones
if it feels good, do it - sloan (surprisingly rockin')
everything - SK (not sucking up, you guys kicked out the jams on that one, the dueling gits & vox bring the rock!)
paint silver gold - white denim
baby won't ya - the MC5
blue orchid - the white stripes

Sent by bryan | 9:16 PM ET | 07-16-2008

I'm a workout freak

I love nice shot by filter and stinkfist by tool

you just can't lose steam with those two

Sent by sharon | 9:23 PM ET | 07-16-2008

the feelies.
auteurs first record New Wave almost always gets me going.
Sometimes early Allman Brothers.

And what do you mean "coworker"? Is this blog a job? None of my business but since this blog has now evolved to the confessional stage, i figured all is now open to questioning.

Good luck with the boot camp.

okay then.

Sent by -pgc. | 12:42 AM ET | 07-17-2008

I do push-ups to Dead Prez's '50 In the Clip', a song about doing push-ups. "On the palms, on the fingertips, on the wrists, on the fists." It sounds retarded when I type it out but it does help getting into the mindset of getting big.

Sent by Carl | 12:30 PM ET | 07-17-2008

The Rapture - Whoo! Alright! Yeah Uh Huh

LCD Soundsystem - Daft Punk is Playing at My House

Luscious Jackson - Here (Squirrel Mix)

SOS Band - Take Your Time (Do It Right)

CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above

Cornershop - Brim Full of Asha (Fatboy Slim remix)

Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage

Sent by Nicole | 1:15 PM ET | 07-17-2008

When I used to run high school track I would practice to Pixies Trompe le Monde album.

Sent by Peg | 1:26 PM ET | 07-17-2008

Recently the song that helps me get my day started is Hellhole Ratrace by Girls

Sent by timmis | 2:17 PM ET | 07-17-2008

what music gets me motivated? large amounts of the Gossip and M.I.A.

Sent by Anna | 4:42 PM ET | 07-17-2008

I prep for 10K races, so anything techno (a.k.a fast) will get my feet moving when i run, but for those of you who hate repetative beats, here's a variety: Cake's "The Distance," Mellencamp's "Hurts So Good," Matthew West's "Next Thing You Know," Nelly Furtado's "Glow," Outkast's "Hey ya!" and the classic, Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." There's plenty more but enjoy and run happy!

Sent by chelle | 10:26 PM ET | 07-17-2008

Superjoint Ritual. Song after song of a man going through heroin withdrawal and self-hate pushes me every morning-rain or shine.

Sent by Hanry | 11:58 PM ET | 07-17-2008

first one that comes to mind, bear in mind it may be a bit hockey-specific: "the art of stopping" - wire.

Sent by mark | 12:06 AM ET | 07-18-2008

Lately it's been The Dodos. Other motivators are Sleater-Kinney, the nutso songs on Osvaldo Golijov's Ayre, and the dancier Fiery Furnaces songs.

And I love that there is a song about doing push-ups. I think there is a whole untapped genre here.

Sent by Michael | 12:29 AM ET | 07-18-2008

side one of the Pogues 'If I Should Fall From Grace With God' gets me where i need to be...

Sent by waj | 12:38 AM ET | 07-18-2008

I've recently realized that Kings of Leon get me more pumped up than any other band.

If I ever get in a fight (I'm a 21 year old male) I want my opponent to let me play Four Kicks in the background before we commence. I might have a chance then...

Sent by Brandon Pacyna | 12:50 AM ET | 07-18-2008

Strangely enough, the song that really pushes me while running is "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" by Queens of the Stone Age. It's very odd to exercise hard to the lyrics "Nicotine, valium, vicodin, marijuana, extacy and alcohol." But it really works!

Sent by km | 10:03 AM ET | 07-18-2008

Prodigy - "Breathe"

Nothing makes me push myself harder. When I inhale, I'm a feeble oxygen-dependent victim. "Exhale, Exhale, Exhale" empowers me to push though anything, HARD!

Sent by Merila | 11:01 AM ET | 07-18-2008

Electrelane!
Gogol Bordello!
Brutal Knights!
Mika Miko!

Sent by Doubledutchess | 11:05 AM ET | 07-18-2008

Jamiroquai remixes sound great and keep you moving.

Sent by G4st | 11:36 AM ET | 07-18-2008

I'm surprised no one's mentioned outkast's "Speedballin." No matter what I'm doing, that song just makes me go, go, go.

Sent by KFlowers | 12:35 PM ET | 07-18-2008

I'd have to say "Pump up the jam" by technotronic is a must on a work out play list. I run or bike everyday. My music also varies with my mood. So, to motivate me I would go with anything by the "Distillers," "Daft Punk," "The Yeah Yeah Yeahs," and "The Killers." Music with fast tempos, loud guitars, screaming, or positive lyrics. I must not forget afro-beats and latin music: manu chao, the roots, feli kuti, and tito puente.

fun topic. many great responses. So much music to work to....it great! =)

Daisy

Sent by Daisy | 1:39 PM ET | 07-18-2008

Forgot to mention the Beastie Boys! "Fight for your right!"

Sent by Daisy | 1:45 PM ET | 07-18-2008

Driver 8 and Begin the Begin by REM are great starters for a run, and there's something about Welcome to the Terror Dome by Public Enemy that goes well with loathsome weights. I have to say that almost anything by Lucero will get my legs moving on the treadmill.

Sent by Cliff | 4:09 PM ET | 07-18-2008

Talking Heads - Sugar on My Tongue
LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum

Sent by m | 6:28 PM ET | 07-18-2008

These get me going for my runs:
Heads or Tails - Booker T & the MG's
Line Dancing with Monkeys - Jeff Beck
Anything by Los Munequitos de Matanzas
Needle and Thread - Richard Thompson
The Letter - PJ Harvey
Innocence - Bjork
Chicken Strut - The Meters
Stones - Sonic Youth
The Comedian - Kneebody
Be Happy - Mahavishnu Orchestra
Packt like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box - Radiohead

Sent by DS | 6:31 PM ET | 07-18-2008

Stinkfist by Tool gets me totally pumped! A great mid run motivator is The Trick is to Keep Breathing by Garbage. Beastie Boys and Rage Against the Machine are reat also!

Sent by Ginger | 10:35 PM ET | 07-18-2008

"Appalachian Spring" by Aaron Copland. Does the trick.

Sent by Sneezer | 11:15 PM ET | 07-18-2008

I was in charge of all the sound equipment that was used during sporting events when I was in high school. Once I slipped a Sleater-Kinney mix into the girl's soccer teams pre-game program. I like to thank Sleater-Kinney's One Beat for being responsible for their win that night.

Sent by Anna | 5:18 PM ET | 07-19-2008

can't wait to try some of these suggestions in a new mix. it's all about the beats. lcd soundsystem - 45:33, sounds of silver, m.i.a. both albums, daft punk - alive 2007. definitely sk - the woods and one beat, and occasionally interpol and spoon

Sent by NC | 11:21 PM ET | 07-19-2008

Madonna's Immaculate collection

Sent by K | 12:26 AM ET | 07-20-2008

I'm a bike racer in the midst of the late-July doldrums (I know "Le Tour is in full swing and stuff, but I'm tired". This mix keeps me motivated to grind up hills during the week in preparation for being crushed in races on the weekends:
Texas Never Whispers--Pavement (warm up)
Bluebell--Babes in Toyland
Bone Machine--Pixies
Bulldog Skin--Guided by Voices
Clumsy Grandmother Serves Delicious Dessert by Mistake--Jad Fair and Yo La Tengo
Cold-Blooded Old Time--Smog
Entertain--Sleater-Kinney
Gates of Glory--Half Japanese
Get Lit--7 Year Bitch
Going Underground--The Jam
Government Center--Jonathan Richman
Hyperactive--The Donnas
I will Dare--The Replacements
Judy is a Punk--The Ramones
Kissability--Sonic Youth
Police and Thieves--The Clash
September Girls--Big Starr
Tortoise Brand Pot-Scrubbing Cleanser--Shonen Knife
Women of the 90's--Hella
Whitey on the Moon--Gil Scott Heron (cool down)

Sent by Danny Goodwin | 9:55 AM ET | 07-20-2008

"Don't Wanna Dance" by Scissor Sisters is great - super happy, "Everlasting Love" makes me what to jump up and twirl around, ABBA is fun, "Welcome to the Jungle" by GnR gets me going...

But, the most consistent workout music I run to is the podcast "Pod Runner" by DJ Steve Boy. An hour of steady beat music...once I put it on, I focus on moving my feet, and the next thing I know, I'm done with my workout!

Sent by Kristen | 12:54 PM ET | 07-20-2008

James Brown "The Big Payback" Helped me cycle up this fearsome hill ... I had the tunes on random... and low and behold as I started the climb the king of Funk blessed me with some motivation.

Sent by Brigida | 1:06 PM ET | 07-20-2008

I have recently discovered that working out while listening to Explosions in the Sky is an oddly inspiring experience. It's perfect for when you need that boost for the last five minutes or a run.

Sent by jcg | 2:10 PM ET | 07-20-2008

i love to ride my big wheel in the playground while sipping on a juice box and listening to Get Ready to Wiggle by the Wiggles. after 15 mintutes of that, i am more than ready for my afternoon nap.

Sent by Dennis M. | 2:21 PM ET | 07-20-2008

here's a few for ya!
Stone Roses - Elephant Stone and She Bangs The Drum
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary or Love Removal Machine
And as odd as it sounds...The Rolling Stones - Give Me Shelter (a song for a long run on a hot day, no doubt!)

Sent by rah | 2:58 PM ET | 07-20-2008

Wow, that entry by Jeff Selis pretty much justifies the whole idea of blogging. Probably never thought the simple question of asking people what they jog to would elicit such a story. Classic.

That said, does nobody listen to dance music anymore? Am I totally alone? 92.7 in SF, if you want to refresh. I know it's not cool to admit such things, but I cannot go running without good dance base lines, or Latin rhythms, from Justin Timberlake, to Madonna, to Rhianna, to Elvis Crespo to Santana. Even (I know) Britney. It can't be totally her, right? 90% of her songs must be due to a crack production team. And I totally agree with the people who have posted Bohemian Like You by the Dandy Warhols. Perfect running song. Elevation by U2 is also pretty motivational....

Sent by She Dupree | 4:18 PM ET | 07-20-2008

Where I need motivation is running... I don't listen to music to prepare... I listen to start. At the beginning I listen to something slow (Gulf of Araby... starts slow and builds). Then I follow with something irresistibly infectious-- anything polka-esque and Weird Al will do... Then Running One from the Lola Rennt soundtrack. From there it is a combination of music that fits my energy pattern for the rest of the run (highs, lows). It's amazing how the "right" music can help you breeze through a tough workout.

Sent by Jenn | 4:43 PM ET | 07-20-2008

I spin to Girl Talk.

Sent by Carol | 8:03 PM ET | 07-20-2008

let's not forget about erasure. look them up, sample them. excellent motivational music!

Sent by liz sunde | 8:34 PM ET | 07-20-2008

I used to use Steppenwolf's first album to work out to.

Sent by Arthur Teige | 10:40 PM ET | 07-20-2008

another fan of DAFT PUNK.

Sent by michelle | 1:22 AM ET | 07-21-2008

I agree with Rage and The Thermals but have also found that Arcade Fire is good for a slow build-up, but the entire new Kanye West album is my most recent soundtrack for my 3 mile treadmill run

Sent by Tanya | 9:53 AM ET | 07-21-2008

I've got an old recording of Dr. John's "Goin' back to New Orleans" with Al Hirt and Charlie Neville. That always gets me going. Another fave for working out is Todd Rundgrens "Bang the Drum All Day". These two in particular will give me the impetus to do one more lap around the trail.

Sent by Susan | 10:09 AM ET | 07-21-2008

When I start my fighting career I want the Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Phenomena" to be my entrance music.

Sent by Diana D'Angelo | 10:30 AM ET | 07-21-2008

The first 7 or 8 songs from Patty Griffin's Flaming Red make for a GREAT all-around work out. The pace varies in just the right places to allow you to catch your breath and you can maintain your musical integrity while listening. No reason to be embarassed to admit you're listening to Patty Griffin. My all-time favorite "bathtub" record is Jackson Brown Late for the Sky. Classic.

Sent by Lee Andrew | 10:33 AM ET | 07-21-2008

Great topic, but where is my ipod when I need it!!!

These are some of my favorites. The right song can give me that extra push when I'm out on a dusty, hot, West Texas run...

Ben Kweller - Commerce, TX
Flaming Lips - Race for the Prize
Elvis Costello - Radio Radio
ELO - Mr. Blue Sky
Happy Mondays - 24 Hour Party People
The Mountain Goats - Southwood Plantation Road
The Clash - I Fought the Law
Old 97s - Book of Poems
Flogging Molly - Whats Left of the Flag

Sent by Sandra | 10:52 AM ET | 07-21-2008

Nothing gets me through my elliptical time like Liz Phair, esp. whitechocolatespaceegg and the first 6 tracks of her eponymous album. Gnarls Barkley's Odd Couple is pretty good too...

Sent by susanova | 11:35 AM ET | 07-21-2008

I am ashamed to admit this,

Freedom 90 by George Michael.

I am not ashamed to claim that Ghostland Observatory will get my ass moving too!

Sent by mindy | 12:20 PM ET | 07-21-2008

Underground by Ben Folds Five
Fit But You Know It by The Streets

Sent by Lissy | 1:37 PM ET | 07-21-2008

My pump up song is totally J.T.'s SexyBack... guilty pleasure! I'll run to it or be inspired to put on an extra coat of mascara and a short dress when I'm getting ready to go out... or run harder so I can put on a short dress to go out.

Sent by Rachel | 7:12 PM ET | 07-21-2008

gwen stefani's sweet escape makes me want to do squats instictively thanks to a class i took called brand new booty. still waiting for the booty though. i had a martial arts instructor teacher who would play detroit hip hop, so i hear a little slim shady and i want to kick things.

Sent by tanya | 9:34 AM ET | 07-22-2008

It's Dub Trio for my night runs this summer. Especially the last minute of "Felicitacion."

Sent by Jane | 12:16 PM ET | 07-22-2008

Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor. It will absolutely kick your ass...and I bet you can't keep up with the beats, thumps, zips and of course Madonna's attitude.

Sent by Jay | 2:20 PM ET | 07-22-2008

For any variety of cardio, my favorites are...

Wake Up - The Arcade Fire
Housequake - Prince
Catastrophe Keeps Us Together - Rainer Maria
Southtown Girls - The Hold Steady
Stoned Part I - Lewis Taylor
Apache - Sugarhill Gang

Cool down favs include...

Lost Cause - Beck
Tuesday's Gone - Metallica
Fix You - Coldplay
Blind Willie McTell - Bob Dylan

Sent by Frank Erfurth | 2:44 PM ET | 07-22-2008

I must listen to the Rapture! Gets me going on the treadmill! Also, oddly enough, BOB by Outkast, Thunderkiss '65 by White Zombie, Let it Go by Keyshia Cole. Also, Black Metallic by Catherine Wheel is good for the long haul on the bike....

Sent by angie | 4:21 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Popcorn by Hot Butter.

Sent by Kim | 5:25 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Boris' Pink, Justice's Cross, LCD Soundsystem's Sound of Silver, and, oddly enough, Radiohead's In Rainbows. In Rainbows just has a quality that makes me feel like floating. Cross' first track, "Genesis," has a perfect intro and the first bass synth hit starts the record and the runner in motion.

Sent by Andrew Schramm | 12:59 PM ET | 07-24-2008

I have worked out reglarly with little interrruption for 27 years. I had a long career as a competitive (amateur) athlete. Today, I run stairs, lift free weights and ride a stationary bike at home, doing the same workout I have done all that time. I was also a runner as part of my training until 5 years ago. I never used any music when I ran because I have always thought that it important to be aware when you are running. When I work out indoors with my weights I always start with a good bouncy rock piece four or five mintutes long for my jumping jacks. I do like Celtic/Rock jigs for that. But when I do my stationary bicycle, I always do it to the entire fourth side of Cream - Wheels of Fire, which I have had a relationship with since I was fifteen. I never get tired of it.

But I dare anyone to find anything more driving than the long version of The Chambers Brother's "Time Has Come." Try doing jumping jacks through that!

I just don't think some of those old compositions have been topped. And I used to work at concerts - although I have certainly grown less attentive in the past ten to fifteen years.

Sent by Mark L LeRoux | 8:56 PM ET | 07-24-2008

Is "Eye of the Tiger" taken yet?

Just fooling. My workout favorites include straight-ahead high intensity rock all the way from Led Zeppelin to the Foo Fighters to Ukrainian legends Okean Elzi (with Hot Rod Circuit and River City High tossed in between).

And a little dose of The Chieftains is perfect for that foggy early morning, dew-drenched jog.

Sent by John | 1:21 PM ET | 07-25-2008

MIA--Paper Planes

Sent by Kiran | 3:51 PM ET | 07-25-2008

I'm generally a happy person, but something about working out brings out out the angry in me, so, NIN and anythings else against "the man" is fantastic. Then you throw in a little gay house/pop and Reggaeton and I'm happy. Here's a list:

NIN
Wish
The Hand That Feeds
Only
Gave Up
March of the Pigs
Sin
Ringfinger
Head Like A Hole

JANET JACKSON
So Much Betta
2Nite
Throb
Feedback
All Night (Don't Stop)
Freexone

TTC
La Travellier (Remix)

NIKKA COSTA
Til I Get To U
Everybody's Got Their Something
Like a Feather
Swing It Around

OPERATOR PLEASE
Get What You Want

REGGAETON
Toma - Pitbull
Ay Chico - Pitbull
Gasolina - Daddy Yankee
El Jefe - Daddy Yankee
Oye Mi Canto - N.O.R.E.
Trafico - N.O.R.E.
Maz Maiz - N.O.R.E.

But as for cool down stuff...I listen to latin jazz or bossa nova for when I do pilates.

Sent by KJ | 1:26 PM ET | 07-26-2008

Mary J. Blige's MJB da MVP and Just Fine

Sent by tmurff11 | 11:32 AM ET | 07-28-2008

supergrass this week!

Sent by jon | 4:33 PM ET | 07-28-2008

I like songs that shout: it's a new day! Even/especially if they get dark after that.

Chris Mills: Brand New Day
David Kilgour: Today is Gonna be Mine ("I wrote my name across the sky")
Barbara Manning: Shalala Song ("there's a brand new day beginning")
Yo La Tengo: Big Day Coming

Sent by Shannon | 12:47 AM ET | 07-29-2008

i always listen to devo when i run and sometimes i'll replay. also like the cramps,pong(band from austin)
and the clean (band from new zealand)
when i go on walks or bike rides i like to listen to jonathan richman,cat power and other fun mellow sappy stuff. either way, devo always gets me going!

Sent by stella | 9:25 AM ET | 07-29-2008

What a FABULOUS topic for music/health geeks!!

I really, really enjoy Arcade Fire's "No Cars Go" at the very end of the workout. The way it builds at the end enables me to pushpushpush till the music stops and I subsequently drop. I love how he yells, "LET'S GO!!!"

Other favorites are...
of Montreal "The Past is a Grotesque Animal" It has such a steady beat and it's such a long, intense song. It motivates me to stay focused and not stop for 12 minutes. Most of of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer is a great workout album.

Hot Chip "Wrestlers" has been on repeat before. It's competitive and upbeat.

I also really respond to that one old 90s dance tune that talks about how he's going to 'make you sweat.'

And Bloc Party's "Flux"

Sent by renae | 11:19 AM ET | 07-30-2008

anything by the Avett Brothers.
Tv on the radio.

Sent by Heather | 4:40 PM ET | 07-30-2008

"Motor Away" Guided by Voices
"Flexible Flyer" Husker Du
"Cowboy Song" Thin Lizzy
"Velvet Guitar" Alejandro Escovedo
"Eres tu" Mocedades

Sent by Irv | 1:25 PM ET | 07-31-2008

Hey Carrie, I came across your blog on NPR music and have been enjoying it for the past few months. My current summer fitness soundtrack consists of Fugazi, Queen, Prince and M.I.A. And of course long runs are all the more interesting with Ira Glass et al.

Sent by Kate | 6:26 PM ET | 08-03-2008

Catching up on the older blog entries....hands down TV on the Radio's "wolf like me," get me moving everytime.

Sent by Jen | 5:33 PM ET | 08-06-2008

B.O.B.-Outkast,Untitled Instrumental (From "Motherlode")-James Brown.

Sent by peter | 2:24 PM ET | 08-10-2008

modest mouse goes well with snowboarding.

and the go! team makes me want to jog. although i don't actually jog.

Sent by jessica | 3:22 PM ET | 08-21-2008