I like to mix things up. I also like to have way more material than I could EVER listen to in one particular run … just so I have options, and it keeps me going.
There are some surprises here. For instance, who knew that Monty Python’s “Every Sperm Is Sacred” would work so well on a workout mix? I assure you it does. It starts out a bit slow, but by the end … well, first of all, I’m running, listening to it, and laughing out loud … but it also has a strangely MARTIAL feel to it, like you have to keep going. Or God will get quite irate.
Here it is. In the order I have it set up right now on the iPod.
I feel no shame. Ricky Martin is here, as is Britney Spears (multiple times). Deal with it. Justin Timberlake. Eminem. Backstreet Boys. Oh, and Gene Krupa. Plus Monty Python. It is the weirdest workout mix ever created – but it works wonderfully, in terms of motivation and the Fun Factor.
I’m sure this is fascinating.
20th Century Boy – Placebo
9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
You’re The One That I Want – Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch – Gary Hoey (seriously, with screeching electric guitars … it’s not as good as the Whirling Dervishes’ version … but it’s close)
(You Drive Me) Crazy – Ms. Britney Spears
Whole Lotta Lovin’ – Huey Lewis
White America – Eminem
What I’m Looking For – Brendan Benson
Welcome To The Black Parade – My Chemical Romance
We’ve Got It Goin’ On – Backstreet Boys
We Two Are One – Eurythmics
Trou Macacq – Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Train Kept A-Rollin’ – Johnny Burnette & the Rock ‘n Roll Trio
Tony – Patty Griffin
Till We Reach That Day – finale to Act I – Ragtime
Till I Collapse – Eminem
Teenage Brain Surgeon – Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Tear Me Down – from Hedwig & the Angry Inch
Strong – Robbie Williams
Stars and Planets – Liz Phair
Spineless – Alanis Morrisette
Soon – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Snuff That Girl – from urinetown
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
Sing! Sing! Sing! – Gene Krupa and his orchestra
A Shameless Use Of Charm – Everclear
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake
Say Yeah – Pat McCurdy
Rehab – Amy Winehouse
Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
Raspberry Swirl – Tori Amos
Portland Rain – Everclear
Pink – Aerosmith
Phoenix – Dan Fogelberg
Outside Villanova – Eric Hutchinson
One Night Only – from Dreamgirls (the movie soundtrack)
The One – Foo Fighters
Old Before I Die – Robbie Williams
No News – Lonestar
My Prerogative – Britney Spears
Magic – Olivia Newton-John
M.I.A. – Foo Fighters
Lucky Charm – Stray Cats
Love Conquers – Pat McCurdy
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Lonely As You – Foo Fighters
Livin’ La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
Live and Let Die – Wings
Little Cream Soda – White Stripe
Let’s Get Retarded – Black Eyed Peas
Les Champs-Elysees – Joe Dassin
La La – Ashlee Simpson
Knutsford City Limits – Robbie Williams
Keep the Customer Satisfied – Simon & Garfunkel
Jungle – ELO
Jeepster – T Rex
It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
In Pursuit of Happiness – Divine Comedy
I’ll Get Over You – Pat McCurdy
Home – Marc Broussard
Holding My Breath – Hellogoodbye
Heaven On Earth – Britney Spears
Heartbreak Express – Dolly Parton
Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Gimme More – Britney Spears
Get the Party Started – Pink
Future Sex/Love Sound – Justin Timberlake
Flight Of the Passing Fancy – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Father Of Mine – Everclear
Excuses – Alanis Morrisette
Everything Is Everything – Lauryn Hill
Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
Every Sperm Is Sacred – Monty Python
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Driven By You – Queen
Down In Mexico – The Coasters
Dead! – My Chemical Romance
Cool, Cool, Considerate Men – from the 1776 soundtrack
Come Sail Away – Styx
Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You – SR-71
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo) – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Bungle In the Jungle – Jethro Tull
Breakout – Foo Fighters
Brave New Girl – Britney Spears
Brain Stew – Green Day
Bitterroot – Indigo Girls
Big Wheel – Tori Amos
Big Time Sensuality – Bjork
Between My Legs – Rufus Wainright
Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
As – George Michael & Mary J. Blige
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
All Over the World – ELO
All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
All I Really Want – Alanis Morrissette
Dude, you’ve got two songs from the soundtrack to Xanadu on there. You are the greatest person ever. I guess they just stood out because earlier this morning, my cassette copy of that I’ve had since I was like twelve years old finally got eaten by my stereo. I really need to share the pain of that. It’s like an old, reliable friend dying unexepectedly. I am typing this through tears.
I used to go roller skating with my middle-schoolers and the music there was every bit as tweeny-bopper as you imagine it would be. And I found that stuff to be SO invigorating! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one over 14 with Britney and Avril on my exercise playlist. (And the Xanadu tracks were playing at the roller rink when I was 14, so they’re perfect!)
Emily – I am so sorry! I am crying with you! All I have to say is: Got some dancin’ to do.
Ya know what I’m sayin’?
Diana – totally. There’s nothing like a regular old pop beat to get the blood pumping and help you keep going.
My PE teacher in seventh grade used to have us do jumping jacks (was that not the most ridiculous, least effective “exercise” move ever?) to “All Over the World.” And you know how seventh graders are, everyone had to act like that song really sucked, but come on, I can’t have been only one who secretly loved it.
I adore that you put “9 to 5” on there even more than I like the inclusion of Python. Why didn’t I ever think of that one? It’s perfect!
I love All Over the World! It is so grandiose and ridiculous.
And I love the image of the 7th graders doing jumping jacks to that – bwahahahaha!!
And yes – the opening strains of 9 to 5 are just perfect workout beat. I love that song, anyway – but the beat is what calls me for the workout mix.
I once made an offhand, nonsense comment at work one day that if I were a pro wrestler, “9 to 5” would be my entrance theme.
In a display of initiative, creativity and resourcefulness not displayed before or since in any of their work, those who work for me had a digital copy of the song playing over the intercom any time I walked into the store, and had the game going within minutes of my statement.
It’s funny the first dozen times….
Tommy – HAHAHA That is so awesome!!
Gene Krupa!!! Awesome! You have activated drummer glee in me!
Oh goodness, now I’ve got visions of that horrible, horrible scene stuck in my head. There’s only one thing to do about it.
Go watch in on Youtube.
Have you tried the So So Def remix of All I Want for Christmas? It’s even BETTER and feels less holidayesque when running in May.
Pasty – never even heard of it – I’ll check it out!
Love,
Special Ops