Motivation in the Form of Music

So I have been thinking lately about how important music has been in my life. I am not musically talented, I have never played an instrument, and you DO NOT want me to sing in public. But there is a huge place in my heart for music of all kinds. Rock, rap, pop, classical, country, bluegrass...doesn't matter, I love it all.  It can change my mood, my outlook or my day with just one song. So naturally, when I decided to start running, music had to be right there with me, literally, every step of the way.

Currently, I have a large play list that you can see part of on my "Running Playlist" page. It does consist of a lot of rap, pop and rock songs that are fast and upbeat. Most days I just hit shuffle and enjoy whatever comes up.

Then there are the days when I am so unmotivated, or not feeling positive about me or my workout. Those are the days that I have to play those super motivating, upbeat songs that can totally change my mood and the direction of my workout. Here are a few songs and the lyrics I hold dear to my heart on those yucky days that I don't want to run:

1. Lose Yourself - Eminem

"Here I go, It's my shot, feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got..."

"Lose yourself in the music, the moment, you OWN it! You better never let it go! You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow!"

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man"

That last line is at the end of the song and at that point, I'm always pumped and running as hard as I can. I know a lot of people don't like Eminem, for whatever reason, and that's understandable. But this is my favorite song to run to, especially in a race. No doubt it's super motivating.

2. Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine

"Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children for your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind you
Can't carry it with you if you want to survive"

I really like hearing that line in the middle of the song. The song gets really fast at this point and it energizes me to run faster every time it repeats.

Those two are my top 2 "go to" songs when I need a good kick in the butt to get going. I never get tired of hearing them because I love to hear those lyrics egging me on. There are other songs that really keep me moving, but don't necessarily have the lyrics that pertain to running or pushing yourself or working hard.

Songs about accepting yourself, perseverance and overcoming obstacles:

1. Airplanes (part 2) - B.O.B. featuring Hayley Williams and Eminem 

2. Move Along - All-American Rejects

3. Live Your Life - T.I. featuring Rihanna

4. Firework - Katy Perry

Feel-good, make you wanna dance songs:

1. I Got A Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

2. The Time (Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas

3. My Hero - Foo Fighters

4. Hot 'n' Cold - Katy Perry

5. Poker Face - Lady Gaga

6. Animal - Neon Trees

7. Bottoms Up - Trey Songz (featuring Nicki Minaj)

8. D.J. Got Us Falling In Love - Usher (featuring Pitbull)

9. Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson

10. So What - Pink

11. Tik Tok - Ke$ha

12. Your Love is My Drug - Ke$ha

13. Days Go By - Keith Urban

*Most of these songs have explicit lyrics and I apologize if this offends anyone. To each his own...

There's something about angry rap songs that just pushes me when I run...

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. 

Bob Marley  

Without music, life would be a mistake.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
Jimi Hendrix

What's your favorite song to run to, workout to or just dance to? What music motivates you?