All-Time Running Power Hits
Experience the Running Hits All Times collection—the ultimate anthology of timeless running anthems that have powered millions of miles across decades. This isn't just another greatest hits compilation; it's a carefully curated selection of tracks that have proven themselves in the crucible of actual running workouts, from 1980s rock classics to 2020s chart-toppers.
Spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, indie, EDM, and more, with BPMs ranging from 85-180 and consistently high energy levels, these are the iconic tracks that runners return to year after year because they simply work. What makes a running hit timeless? It combines memorable hooks that prevent mental fatigue, strong rhythmic foundations that guide cadence, motivational elements that push through difficulty, and cultural resonance that triggers positive associations.
This playlist features everyone from Queen and Survivor to Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd—artists whose tracks transcend their original era to become permanent fixtures in running culture. Perfect for runners who want proven performance enhancers without genre limitations, race day playlists requiring guaranteed motivation, breakthrough workouts where confidence matters, and long runs needing varied stimulation without energy drops. These songs have soundtracked personal records, first marathons, comeback runs, and daily training—they're the soundtrack of running itself forward. Your essential soundtrack for every run.
About This Playlist
67
Run Boost
138
Avg. BPM
64
Minutes
16
Tracks
Customize with Song2Run
If you want to customize a playlist according to your taste and for your training plan, have a look at the free Song2Run application that allows you to find runnable songs among your music and create a playlist for a slow run, an interval training, or a growing speed session.
Track List
The Cave
Mumford & Sons
A driving folk-rock anthem known for its building intensity, banjo riffs, and passionate vocals, exploring themes of self-discovery and finding strength.
British folk-rock band known for their energetic live performances and use of acoustic instruments like banjo and double bass, achieving global success in the late 2000s/early 2010s.
Builds intensity throughout, great for motivation during challenging parts of a run or pushing through a hill.
Inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave, it explores themes of doubt, finding truth, and the courage needed to face reality and personal limitations.
"But I will hold on hope / And I won't let you choke / On the noose around your neck"
BPM:
141
Energy:
5
Danceability:
6
Run Boost:
40
Save Tonight
Eagle-Eye Cherry
A catchy acoustic rock hit from the late 90s with a simple, memorable melody, focusing on making the most of a final night before parting.
Swedish musician who gained international fame with his debut album 'Desireless' and its hit single 'Save Tonight'.
Provides a steady, mid-tempo beat suitable for maintaining a consistent pace during a relaxed or moderate run.
Tells the story of a couple spending their last night together, urging them to cherish the moment before separation.
"Save tonight and fight the break of dawn / Come tomorrow, tomorrow I'll be gone."
BPM:
119
Energy:
7
Danceability:
5
Run Boost:
62
Rehab
Amy Winehouse
A signature Amy Winehouse track blending soul, jazz, and R&B, known for its defiant autobiographical lyrics and retro sound.
Iconic British singer-songwriter known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, and jazz.
Features a strong, steady beat and defiant energy, good for adding some attitude and power to your stride.
An autobiographical account of the singer's refusal to attend rehabilitation programs for alcohol abuse, asserting her self-awareness.
"They tried to make me go to rehab / I said, 'No, no, no.'"
BPM:
71
Energy:
9
Danceability:
4
Run Boost:
40
Tubthumping
Chumbawamba
An incredibly catchy 90s alternative rock anthem known for its repetitive chant, pub singalong feel, and themes of resilience.
British anarchist music collective known for their political messages and their massive international hit 'Tubthumping'.
High-energy and repetitive, perfect for boosting motivation and pushing through fatigue with its 'never give up' vibe.
A song about resilience, getting knocked down (literally or figuratively, often associated with drinking) but always getting back up again.
"I get knocked down, but I get up again / You are never gonna keep me down."
BPM:
207
Energy:
9
Danceability:
4
Run Boost:
40
American Idiot
Green Day
A high-energy punk rock anthem serving as a critique of American politics and media culture in the early 2000s.
Influential American punk rock band that achieved mainstream success in the 1990s and experienced a major resurgence with their 2004 rock opera 'American Idiot'.
Fast, loud, and energetic, ideal for high-intensity intervals, sprints, or channeling frustration into your run.
Expresses frustration and disillusionment with the political climate, media manipulation, and suburban conformity in post-9/11 America.
"Don't wanna be an American idiot!"
BPM:
186
Energy:
10
Danceability:
4
Run Boost:
40
Eye of the Tiger
Survivor
The ultimate motivational rock track with its instantly recognizable opening riff and steady beat. Originally created for Rocky III, it has become synonymous with perseverance and determination.
American rock band formed in 1978, best known for their arena rock sound and motivational anthems that featured in several iconic films.
Inspires resilience and focus, perfect for overcoming tough running segments or finding a second wind.
A tale of rising to challenges, fighting to survive, maintaining focus on the goal, and the rivalry between competitors.
"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight!"
BPM:
108
Energy:
6
Danceability:
8
Run Boost:
70
Lose Yourself
Eminem
An iconic hip-hop anthem from the movie '8 Mile', known for its intense narrative, driving beat, and themes of seizing opportunity under pressure.
Hugely influential and best-selling American rapper, known for his technical proficiency, complex rhyme schemes, and often controversial lyrical content.
Highly motivational with a driving beat and intense build-up, perfect for pushing through barriers, focusing, and finding determination.
Narrates the story of a character (based on Eminem's B-Rabbit) facing a make-or-break moment, needing to overcome nerves and seize his one shot at success.
"You better lose yourself in the music, the moment / You own it, you better never let it go."
BPM:
171
Energy:
7
Danceability:
7
Run Boost:
71
Can't Stop
Red Hot Chili Peppers
A quintessential Red Hot Chili Peppers track featuring their signature funk-rock sound, energetic guitar riffs, a driving bassline, and near-rapped verses.
Iconic American rock band known for incorporating elements of funk, punk rock, and psychedelic rock, famed for their energetic live performances.
High-energy and funky, its driving rhythm and relentless pace are excellent for maintaining a strong, consistent speed.
Features abstract lyrics often interpreted as dealing with themes of momentum, creativity, addiction recovery, and the unstoppable forces of life and music.
"Can't stop, addicted to the shindig."
BPM:
91
Energy:
9
Danceability:
6
Run Boost:
77
The Real Slim Shady
Eminem
Eminem's breakout hit that introduced his Slim Shady alter ego, known for its catchy beat, satirical lyrics, and controversial commentary on celebrity culture.
Hugely influential and best-selling American rapper, known for his technical proficiency, complex rhyme schemes, and often controversial lyrical content.
Upbeat tempo with a playful, slightly chaotic energy, good for adding a fun, distracting burst or maintaining a lively pace.
A satirical take on pop culture, celebrity obsession, and hypocrisy at the turn of the millennium, establishing Eminem's provocative persona.
"Won't the real Slim Shady please stand up?"
BPM:
104
Energy:
7
Danceability:
9
Run Boost:
80
I Gotta Feeling
Black Eyed Peas
A global mega-hit electropop/dance-pop anthem known for its infectious energy, simple optimistic lyrics, and feel-good party atmosphere.
American musical group known for their blend of hip hop, pop, and electronic dance music, achieving massive global success in the 2000s.
Extremely high-energy and uplifting with a driving beat, perfect for boosting mood and energy levels, especially near the start or end of a run.
Expresses pure anticipation and excitement for a fantastic night out, filled with optimism, celebration, and positive vibes.
"I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night."
BPM:
127
Energy:
8
Danceability:
7
Run Boost:
75
Everyday I Love You Less And Less
Kaiser Chiefs
An energetic indie rock track from the mid-2000s post-punk revival, known for its driving rhythm, catchy guitar hook, and somewhat cynical chorus.
British indie rock band that rose to prominence during the mid-2000s post-punk revival, known for energetic anthems like 'I Predict a Riot' and 'Ruby'.
Fast-paced and driving with relentless energy, excellent for maintaining a quick tempo or for high-intensity sections of a run.
Chronicles the decline of affection and growing irritation in a relationship with a blunt, almost cheerful cynicism.
"Everyday I love you less and less."
BPM:
160
Energy:
10
Danceability:
5
Run Boost:
40
Happy
Pharrell Williams
A universally beloved neo soul and funk song with an incredibly infectious melody and simple message of joy, featured in 'Despicable Me 2'.
Highly successful American singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer, known for his work with The Neptunes, N.E.R.D., and his major solo hits.
Incredibly upbeat and feel-good, perfect for boosting mood on any run, particularly good for warm-ups, cool-downs, or easy-paced sections.
A simple and direct expression of overwhelming happiness and resilience against anything that tries to bring the singer down.
"Because I'm happy / Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof."
BPM:
159
Energy:
8
Danceability:
7
Run Boost:
70
Clocks
Coldplay
An iconic alternative rock song built around a distinctive, hypnotic piano riff, known for its atmospheric sound and themes of urgency and complexity.
Hugely successful British rock band known for their anthemic songs, stadium performances, and evolving sound from alternative rock to pop.
The driving piano riff provides a steady, hypnotic rhythm excellent for pacing, while the atmospheric quality can aid focus on longer runs.
Features somewhat ambiguous lyrics often interpreted as dealing with themes of urgency, missed opportunities, helplessness, or unresolved relationships.
"Lights go out and I can't be saved / Tides that I tried to swim against"
BPM:
130
Energy:
7
Danceability:
6
Run Boost:
66
Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Wanz
A novelty hip-hop hit known for its infectious saxophone riff, humorous lyrics, and celebration of finding bargains at thrift stores.
American hip hop duo (Macklemore as rapper, Ryan Lewis as producer) who achieved massive independent success. Wanz provided the memorable hook for this hit.
Funky, upbeat, and humorous, great for adding a lighthearted and energetic boost to your run, good distraction.
A humorous celebration of thrift store shopping, finding cool clothes for cheap, and rejecting expensive consumerism and brand obsession.
"I'm gonna pop some tags / Only got twenty dollars in my pocket."
BPM:
94
Energy:
5
Danceability:
8
Run Boost:
65
Wonderwall - Remastered
Oasis
One of the most iconic Britpop anthems of all time, known for its distinctive acoustic guitar strumming, soaring chorus, and ambiguous lyrics about salvation or dependence.
Seminal British rock band of the 1990s Britpop era, known for their stadium-filling anthems, Beatles influences, and the volatile relationship between the Gallagher brothers.
Features a steady, mid-tempo rhythm suitable for a comfortable cruising pace; its familiarity can be comforting or motivating for long stretches.
Ambiguous lyrics often interpreted as being about an imaginary friend, a potential lover, or a real person who will be one's 'wonderwall' – a source of salvation or strength.
"Because maybe / You're gonna be the one that saves me / And after all / You're my wonderwall."
BPM:
174
Energy:
9
Danceability:
4
Run Boost:
40
Lonely Boy
The Black Keys
A catchy garage rock / blues rock hit known for its infectious fuzz-guitar riff, driving beat, simple structure, and memorable music video.
American rock duo (Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney) known for their raw blues-rock and garage rock sound, achieving widespread commercial success in the 2010s.
Possesses a strong, driving beat and infectious raw energy, excellent for maintaining pace, adding a burst of intensity, or powering up hills.
Simple, direct lyrics expressing intense longing and lovesickness for a particular woman who keeps the singer waiting.
"Oh, whoa oh oh / I got a love that keeps me waitin'."
BPM:
166
Energy:
9
Danceability:
4
Run Boost:
40