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Three Great Running Songs

I was challenged to compile a super short list of songs that one could jam out to while running. I dissected the most important elements of a workout song and what makes it so great; motivating, continuous and upbeat. Here’s what I came up with on-spot. Sidebar: I may run with this concept and make a full playlist shortly, so stay tuned.

Yelle – A Cause des Garcons (Tepr Remix)

This long remixed track is a pumped up version of a relatively tame Yelle song (tame for her, anyway). In this edition, her electric happiness is refracted in hypercolor and spewed across the dancefloor, making everything move in both slow and super-sped motion intermittently.  Elements are slowly added one by one until you’re in a full French disco frenzy, numb to all senses but sound. It’s about six minutes long, but it passes in a flash. Hopefully your run will too.

Betty Who – All of You

This track is serious fun. Like, the kind of ’80’s serious fun where you can’t tell if the attendees of the aerobics class are comedic geniuses, or just unaware of how strange the neon spandex singlets and teased up hair are. In any case, this song is made for moving. It feels like a flash mob at an airport with sunshine peeking through high glass windows while two international lovers embrace while everyone else goes about their intricate dance routine, throwing eachother in the air. Forget about how much pain you’re in, and I dare you not to smile while listening to this one.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Zero

“Shaking like a ladder to the sun.” And you’re off, hopefully destined for greatness. It sure feels like it, with Karen O challenging you during your arduous efforts. Are you gonna be a zero? Can you “climb, climb, climb?” A super fast guitar riff and building synths will get you in a trance. Totally in the zone to conquer your workout, and maybe smash a bottle over your head by the time you’re done. This is an all-time pump up song, and it hasn’t lost an ounce of potency since it came out in 2009. Go crazy, and move those legs as fast as you can to this juiced up jam.