Usually, running playlists do not consist strictly of songs with “run” in the title. Maybe because the majority of songs directly relating to running seem to deal with love. Artists not only love speaking about running toward and away from love, but they also love the physical imagery of a runner. Just ignore these references if you’re running for cardio instead of marriage. First, some older running songs that wind up on many playlists:

1. Paul McCartney & Wings – Band on the Run: For group runs, plus the intro is pretty sweet.
2. The Eagles – The Long Run: Slower tempo, but good for what-the-title-says runs.
3. Chuck Berry – Run Rudolph, Run: Replace Rudolph with your name and you’re good to go.
4. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – The Runner: The perfect song for a running montage. The runner’s “Eye of the Tiger”.
5. Jackson Browne – Running on Empty: For late in the run.
6. Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill: Make a deal with God to get up those pesky hills.
7. Van Halen – Running With the Devil: Sometimes it takes the devil to push us along.
8. Steve Miller Band – Take the Money and Run: Generally inspirational, applies more for professional athletes.

Newer songs that aren’t often found on running playlists. In fact, relatively few people know of these:

1. Tocadisco – Better Run: A house song with the chorus “you’d better run, you don’t know what you’re in for.” Pretty good motivation.
2. The Energies – Born Again Runner (Lifelike Remix): The instrumental is from another planet, and great lines like “endless circulation now” will keep you going for a few additional minutes.
3. Dash Berlin – Man On The Run: A radio-friendly vocal trance song with some powerful climaxes.
4. Real McCoy – Run Away: Sure, songs about running away don’t necessarily apply to a training run, but this one is exceptional. 90’s dance at its finest.
5. Doman and Gooding – Runnin: This song works best while on the track, since it talks about running circles out of love.
6. Evermore – Running (Sneaky Sound System): An Australian remix of an Australian track about staying afloat by running.
7. Max Coveri – Running in the 90’s: A Japanese euro-dance song intended for the auto crowd, but perfectly applicable for those runners stuck in the past, especially stylistically.
8. Empire of the Sun – Walking On A Dream: Probably one of the greatest least-known running songs. Lyrics like “running for the thrill of it” never grow old.