Looking for the best running songs? I’ve put together a collection of 100 great running songs to add to your running playlist right now. There are good running songs from years ago all the way to songs from this year! Whether you like pop, country, or rock – there are songs for you!
Want songs about runners or running in general? We have those too! So go through our list of top running songs to create your very own playlist or just download our free Apple Music running playlist and use this entire list of songs to get you started!
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Why Do You Need Good Running Songs?
I ran my first half marathon with my dad about twenty years ago in Athens, Ohio. We decided to run one in every state. My dad finished that goal last year, and my sister and I combined have about 40 half-marathons (and two marathons) under our belt.
So when I say I’ve run a lot of miles over the years, you can believe me. Half marathon training is no joke.
The only way I survived those races and all of the miles of training leading up to them was a playlist full of the best running songs.
There have been so many times that I felt like I needed to walk or like my legs just couldn’t go any further. And then a song like Perfect by Pink came on, and it helped me keep going and get across that finish line.
For me, running to good music makes running not feel like running. Great running songs can help you float along – your body moves to the beat and the music can take you somewhere else so you aren’t just focused on the actual running. Good running songs can really make the difference between an “I feel invincible” run and a run that makes you want to throw away your running shoes and just eat ice cream every day for the rest of your life.
A good workout playlist is almost as important as having the best half marathon training plan! And I’ve put together 100 of my favorite running songs below, favorites all for different reasons!
Want my playlist?
I’ve added all of these to this Apple music playlist if you have an Apple music subscription and want to start with my full list of running songs!
Great Running Songs with Positive Messages
These are the songs that get you to run because they’re all about how you can do it! And when you’re cramping on mile six of a ten mile run, you want someone telling you can do it! These ones are meant to be inspirational but they also have good enough beats to run to!
I’ve split these into two categories – I’m the best and can do anything messaging and life is great messaging!
You Can Do It Running Songs
- Perfect by Pink (this is my all-time favorite running song by the way)
- Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson
- Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
- Fight Song by Rachel Platten
- Roar by Katy Perry
- Not Afraid by Eminem
- I Can Do It With a Broken Heart by Taylor Swift
- Lose Yourself by Eminem
- Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
- The Greatest by Sia
- Don’t Give Up On Me by Andy Grammer
- If You’re Going Through Hell by Rodney Atkin
- Eyes Closed by Imagine Dragons
- Hall of Fame by The Script
- It’s My Life by Bon Jovi
- You Saved My Life by Andy Grammer
- Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
- If You Believe by Strive to Be & Patch Crowe
- So What by Pink
- I Wanna Get Better by the Bleachers
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
- Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
- Blow Up by Neffex
- Kiss the Sky by Maren Morris
- Bulletproof by La Roux
Good Running Songs About Life Being Great
- My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark by Fall Out Boy
- Just Like Fire by Pink
- Titanium by David Guetta
- On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons
- Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
- Why Don’t We Start from Here by Lucy Spraggan
- Where We Are by The Lumineers
- Marchin’ On by One Republic
- Smile by Sidewalk Prophets
- Texas Hold Em’ by Beyonce
- I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
- Belong Together by Mark Ambor
- I Lived by One Republic
- Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine
- High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco
- I Love It by Icona Pop
- I Ain’t Worried by One Republic
- Best Day of My Life by American Authors
Best Songs to Run To because of their beat
Alright, these next songs are songs on my playlist because they have an incredible rhythmn, beat, or cadence that just makes me want to move. They include dance songs, power songs, and well pretty much anything!
Obviously the bulk of the songs on my list are ones because they have beats that encourage your body to move! I’ve split these into two groups two – consistent/fast beats and more of dance beats!
Songs with Strong Consistent Beats
- Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (another one of my all-time favorites)
- Call It Love by Felix Jaehn & Ray Dalton
- My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson
- Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne
- Raise Your Glass by Pink
- Rolling in the Deep by Adele (another one of my top 10 running songs!)
- New Divide by Linkin Park
- Raging Fire by Phillip Phillips
- Gaslighter by The Chicks
- Someone to You by Banners
- The Heart by NeedToBreathe
- Carry You Home by Alex Warren
- Float On by Modest Mouse
- Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
- Bad Omens by 5 Seconds of Summer
- Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
- Maniac by Macklebore
- Goodbye Earl by The Chicks
- Somebody Like You by Keith Urban
- Hey Ya by Outkast
- You Should Be Sad by Halsey
- Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
- Sharks by Imagine Dragons
- Seven Nation Army by White Stripes
- I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons
- The Other Side by Hugh Jackman & Zac Efron
- Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leopard
Good Running Songs with Dance Beats
These are the songs that make you want to get up and dance (or in this case, run!). These are some of my favorites because my body just wants to move when this music comes on and if I’m moving, it might as well be running!
- Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida
- No Bad Days by Macklemore
- Austin by Dasha
- Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
- Alaska by Little Hurt
- Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
- Dance Monkey by Tones and I
- Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
- Rescue Me by One Republic
- Castle on the Hill by Ed Sheeran
- Stargazing by Myles Smith
- Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
- Shotgun by George Ezra
- Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra (just think about Baby Groot dancing!)
- Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson feat Bruno Mars
- Real Life by Story of the Year
- Tipsy by Shaboozey
- Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
- Spiderwebs by No Doubt
- Timber by Pitbull & Kesha
- You Time by Scotty McCreery
- Stick Season by Noah Kahan
- Where Have You Been by Rhianna
- Moving On by Blue October
- Wake Me Up by Avicii
- What the Hell by Avril Lavigne
Good Running Songs about runners
And last but not least – songs about runnings (or running, or something similar). These ones are on my list because well, they talk about running while still being catchy and upbeat! Some of them aren’t technically talking about running but use the word run, so just go with it!
- I Think We’re Alone Now by Tiffany
- Dogs Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine
- Run This Town by Jay-z and Rhianna
- Walk Me Home by Pink
- I Run to You by Lady Antebellum
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers – this one is walking but close enough!
- Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (also, the book Born to Run is great)
- Run by One Republic
- Running for So Long by Parker Ainsworth
- Running up That Hill by Meg Myers (or Kate Bush)
- Runaway by Galantis
Get the Running Playlist on Apple Music
Apple Music makes it easy to share playlists with other people! If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, you can get the running playlist here. Just add it to your playlists and listen to it while you run!
If you’re not already using Apple Music, I highly recommend it – one low monthly fee for pretty much any music you can think of! And sharing playlists is the best thing ever!
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