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Do you have a playlist that adds some motivation to your workouts? What are some of your favorite songs involved?

I'm building a fresh HIIT playlist via Grooveshark to mix things up and curious to know what songs others enjoy when working up a sweat.

Feel free to categorize, i.e. "Here's what I listen to with HIIT workouts, here's what I listen to when doing cool downs..."

Bonus points if the lyrics are positive/inspirational. :)

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Motley Crue - Wild side and/or the entire Dr. Feelgood, Saints of L.A., Too Fast for Love Albums – Timbo Jan 10 2011 at 20:07
Late 70's/early 80's hardcore and punk - Wire, Cro-Mags, The Exploited, Bad Brains, Pere Ubu, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers, et al. When I'm doing strict presses or deadlifts pretty much anything 80's from a John Hughes movie. – jesuisjuba - paleorepublic.com Oct 21 2011 at 15:04
Depending on my mood, usually Electric Guest for HIIT, The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack for weightlifting, or Missy Elliot for both. – CC Oct 13 at 1:53

28 Answers

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basic heavy lifting: backsquats, presses, deadlifts

music: heavy new york hardcore and a bit of metal.

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1 
Metallica is something I save for when I feel really tough. – sherpamelissa Jan 3 2011 at 14:52
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metallica never finds its way in. im talking next some next level stuff:) – ben61820 Jan 3 2011 at 15:36
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As you can see from my bubblegum pop list, Metallica is about as tough as I get! Hahaha. I'm sure yours is too hardcore for me. :) – sherpamelissa Jan 3 2011 at 15:55
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MADBALL's got my back – ReformedVEGAN Jan 3 2011 at 20:52
We probably know each other. haha. – jenna Jan 4 2011 at 2:05
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I have some interval training mp3s by Workout Muse that the timing/music is built in and they include a lot of different music. Of course, I only have 2 of those, so I get pretty tired of them.

My most well thought out playlist is my BOOTY SONG playlist. I actually used this more for long runs/bike rides to amuse myself.

Ms. New Booty - Bubba Sparxxx

Like a 24 - Liffy Stokes, TI & Twista

@ss-n-Titties - DJ Assault

Shake that @ss - The Lovemakers

Bootylicious - Destiny's Child

Shake Ya @ss - Mystikal

My Humps - Black Eyed Peas

Shake that Sh*t - Shawnna & Ludacris

Smack That - Akon

Milkshake - Kellis

Back That Thank Up - Juvinile

You Can Do It - Ice Cube

Donk - Soulja Boy

Pull Over - Trina

Rump Shaker - Wrckx N Effect

Shake That - Curtain Call

Money Maker - Ludacris

I see You Baby - Groove Armada

The Thong Song - Sisqo

Culo - Pitbull

@ss Up - Baracuda (hilarious song!)

Baby Got Back - Sir Mix a Lot (gotta finish with the classic)

Other than that, I prefer to listen to whole albums, I just take out the slower songs. So I love Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas (always!) basically, if it's crappy pop music it's fun to work out to!

I also go old school once in awhile and pull out the Def Leppard and NSync and stuff like that. Pour Some Sugar on me is always a mood lifter. LOL.

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ummm... i think i see a running theme... i can't put my finger on it though... hahahahahah – luckybastard Jan 3 2011 at 17:14
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I had so much fun coming up with that playlist!! – sherpamelissa Jan 3 2011 at 17:22
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hah... yeah... i likes it. these days im not doing too much cardio so i don't listen to much music when lifting. but i could def rock this playlist if i were on the elliptical. – luckybastard Jan 3 2011 at 17:53
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Joy Division works for me.

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a few years ago i used to work out to closer. what a dark album to work out to but so fitting during the winter months. – luckybastard Jan 3 2011 at 18:15
joy division always works for anything. love. – being Jan 3 2011 at 19:55
funny, i had a generally punk/hardcorey playlist going at the local box and all the sudden a couple JD songs came on and i was all, "sorry guys, ill next track it." :) – ben61820 Jan 4 2011 at 0:14
Well, I can see it clashing with metcons (except maybe "Digital"), but for heavy squats and deadlifts? It's perfect. – Erik Cisler Jan 4 2011 at 18:05
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Eminem - Till I Collapse, Fort Minor - Remember the Name

Those two get me pretty pumped. The rest of my playlist is filled with heavier stuff (Disturbed, Drowning Pool, etc)

There are some nice Tabata compilations out there if you google for them - they have the interval chimes built in which is nice.

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hint on the tabata compilations: google "tabata music mix" – tylerw Jan 5 2011 at 5:30
mmm, Eminem ... – Allie Jul 19 2011 at 13:29
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this is actually my playlist, in order. i use it for almost everything.

Alphabet Aerobics (The Cut Chemist 2 1/2 Minute Workout)- Blackalicious

Horchata- Vampire Weekend

Tir Aux Pigeons- Prototypes

Everythings Just Wonderful- Lily Allen

Banquet (Phones Disco Edit)- Bloc Party

Je Ne Connais Pas- Prototypes

Izzo (H.O.V.A)- Jay-Z

Shut Up and Let Me Go- The Ting Tings

Radio Freq- Dead Prez

Spazz- N.E.R.D.

Sex Beat- The Gun Club

Y Control- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Perfect Gentleman- Wycleff Jean

Time Bomb- Old 97s

Stronger- Kanye West

Helicopter- Bloc Party

Sea Lion Woman- Feist

Ziggy Stardust- David Bowie

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i forgot about bloc party and yeah yeah yeahs on my list. – luckybastard Jan 3 2011 at 17:16
but no gun club? porquoi? – being Jan 3 2011 at 19:56
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MASTODON!

I submit for example lyrics to "The Wolf is Loose":

Shapeshifter rolling on winds of tyrants make; Fierce lore of fanged horn, danger all the way; Night's sea reflection, the faces of bodies slain; Returning to the form of natural human's fate

Also: Slayer, Maluca, Justice, KMFDM, Thunderheist, the Cramps, Electric Six, dancy mash-ups, and that version of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" that has somebody impersonating Danzig.

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Madball. I have every album and I just shuffle away. It's perfect.

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a woman after my own heart. – ben61820 Jan 4 2011 at 0:14
Demonstrating My paleo Style shirts need to be made – ReformedVEGAN Jan 6 2011 at 19:02
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any young jeezy/ any gucci mane/ trey songz- bottles up/ rage against the machine/ any danceable madonna/ arch android- janelle monet/ any crystal castles/ the bends- radiohead/ any the knife/ michael jackson/ prince/ lady killer- cee-lo/ my dark twisted fantasy- kanye west/ only built for cuban linx 2- raekwon/ any jayz/ the soft bulletin and yoshimi- flaming lips/ any rick ross/ sir lucious leftfoot- big boi

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PRINCE! Yes, I forgot him on my old school list. I know every word to Purple Rain and it can seriously take your mind off a tough workout to sing along! Kanye is also always good. I need a Kanye playlist. – sherpamelissa Jan 3 2011 at 17:23
Oh man, Michael Jackson is a perpetual staple for me. Also Jackson 5. – familygrokumentarian Jan 3 2011 at 19:16
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Seems my old playlist selections are rather tame. :)

Here are some that I used to have ranked by beats per minute (BPM). You'll notice a distinct penchant for cheesy power ballads, 70s funk and disco, a few classic rockers, Switchfoot, and Billy Joel. (And yes, yes, you do see "Lovefool" by the Cardigans in the same list as "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang.) Of course, the problem with many of them that they don't quite furnish the intensity I'd like to drive an HIIT; hence me pinging PaleoHackers for fresh inspiration.

My old chronic cardio selections, which would drive 60-90 minute sessions on the elliptical; I started on the list wherever I felt I had enough energy (knowing the BPM/pace would increase) and used the slower stuff for the post-cardio free weight session.

  • Club Foot (Kasabian) 102
  • Angel (Gavin Friday) 104
  • Cash Machine (Hard-FI) 104
  • Do You Right (Kyle Riabko) 104
  • Strength (The New Life Community Choir) 104
  • Zambra (Willie & Lobo) 104
  • Worms Vs. Birds (Modest Mouse) 106
  • Remember Me (Journey) 108
  • Through the Iris (10 Years) 108
  • I Can't Get Next to You (The Temptations) 110
  • Lovefool (The Cardigans) 112
  • One Evening (Feist) 112
  • Undo Me (Jennifer Knapp) 112
  • Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (McFadden & Whitehead) 112
  • Don't You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds) 112
  • Rapper's Delight (The Sugarhill Gang) 112
  • Be My Escape (Relient K) 115
  • Over My Head (Cable Car) (The Fray) 116
  • Keep Your Hands To Yourself (Georgia Satellites) 116
  • Innocence Again (Switchfoot) 116
  • Young Hearts Run Free (Kym Mazelle) 122
  • Hide Away (Rock Kills Kid) 124
  • You're The First, The Last, My Everything (Barry White) 128
  • Canned Heat (Jamiroquai) 128
  • Starseed (Our Lady Peace) 128
  • Stumblin' (Powderfinger) 128
  • This Is Your Life (Switchfoot) 130
  • Clocks (Coldplay) 132
  • Bom Bom Bom (Living Things) 132
  • I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) (The Proclaimers) 132
  • Get Ready (The Proclaimers) 138
  • Let Go (Frou Frou) 140
  • Dare You to Move (Switchfoot) 140
  • Low Rider (War) 140
  • We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel) 144
  • More Today Than Yesterday (Spiral Starecase) 144
  • You And Me Song (The Wannadies) 146
  • You May Be Right (Billy Joel) 150
  • Munich (Editors) 150
  • Meant to Live (Switchfoot) 152
  • How Many Times (Zack Hexum) 156
  • Mike Mills (Air) 160
  • Bleed American (Jimmy Eat World) 160
  • I Predict a Riot (Kaiser Chiefs) 160
  • Blush (Only You) (Plumb) 160
  • Alive (P.O.D.) 162
  • Stars and Boulevards (Augustana) 164
  • La Grange (ZZ Top) 164
  • Different (Acceptance) 166
  • Get Over It (The Eagles) 166
  • Better Days (Robbie Seay Band) 168
  • O-o-h Child (The Five Stairsteps) 172
  • Wish You Were Here (Incubus) 172
  • When It Comes (Tyler Hilton) 172
  • The River of Dreams (Billy Joel) 176
  • Send the Pain Below (Chevelle) 188
  • More Shine (Si*Se) 188
  • Edge of the Ocean (Duotone Mix) (Ivy) 192
  • Come to Mama (Lina) 192
  • I Want You Back (The Jackson 5) 194
  • He Reigns (Newsboys) 194
  • Today Is The Day (Apollo Sunshine) 200
  • Extreme Ways (Moby) 200
  • Human Beings (Seal) 200
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2

I go for the heavy stuff when lifting:

  • Gojira
  • Slipknot
  • Killswitch Engage
  • Pantera
  • DevilDriver

And mellow out for my post work out stretching

    • Dredg
    • Radiohead
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    1

    I mostly stick with podcasts or audio books, but my music would be death, symphonic, power or prog metal.

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    blood for blood....

    anything positive sXe works, feel like i can lift the world!

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    realize bfb is the opposite of positive sXe but it's damn good – ReformedVEGAN Jan 3 2011 at 20:56
    ha, this morning i had death before dishonor on for lowback squats. – ben61820 Jan 4 2011 at 0:13
    gotta love boston!!! your my home – ReformedVEGAN Jan 4 2011 at 17:40
    just got the new LIONHEART, that cd is the truth – ReformedVEGAN Jan 24 2011 at 19:39
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    Kirtan chanting for meditation

    Propellerheads for running or sprinting

    And I am now conditioned to do tabatas whenever i hear Confusion from the blade soundtrack. Laughs at self

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    Do you have a tabata mp3 with time cues that uses that music? Or do you just listen to it while you do tabatas and use a timer? – sherpamelissa Jan 6 2011 at 3:20
    I just listen to it, but I like the idea of editing in the timing beeps – Adam Crafter Jan 6 2011 at 3:45
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    nuthin beats some ccr followed by some dark, heavy dubstep.

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    I'm a fan of Black Metal.

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    I stick to the old school stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYBNoFcvcWI

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    Here's another good example: youtube.com/watch?v=brjkma54LdU – Carl_Stawicki Jan 3 2011 at 14:57
    Good call, Carl, but that was just a teaser clip! ;-) – Lalalalala Jan 3 2011 at 15:00
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    Drone for yoga (Sunn O))), Earth, Boris, Melvins, Om), thrash/punk metal (Overkill, Slayer, Motorhead, Exodus, Whiplash, early Metallica, early Maiden) for everything else. Also, I'm pretty sure Phoenix's "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" was made to RUN AROUND TO.

    I made a mix a while ago here: http://8tracks.com/greatsufficiency/see-your-blood-begin-to-flow

    Does anyone else use 8tracks or something to build/share playlists?

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    damn... forgot the pheonix on my list. that was such an awesome record for when i was doing more cardio. so good. – luckybastard Jan 3 2011 at 17:15
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    I particularly enjoy Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon, &Aenema by Tool for running intervals! I like the newer Eminem CD for working out as well.

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    where does everyone there there music from??

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    Once upon a time it was iTunes, but now I'm lovin' Grooveshark - huge selection, free to make an account and create/save playlists, can play from my PC and Droid. – familygrokumentarian Jan 4 2011 at 12:42
    Oh, and alsol: artists are paid royalties by Grooveshark. – familygrokumentarian Jan 4 2011 at 12:44
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    btjunkie.org is great for free stuff. – ben61820 Jan 5 2011 at 23:58
    Most music on daytrotter.com is free, since most of the artists are indie/non-mainstream – Marina Jan 6 2011 at 4:36
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    Here's mine, I tried to get rid of all the repeats but might have missed a few. It's fun to look for musical near-soul mates and know they're nutritional soul mates too.

    Thrash Unreal Against Me!

    Brother Sport Animal Collective

    Rebellion (Lies) Arcade Fire

    Where’s Your Head At Basement Jaxx

    Banquet Bloc Party

    Surrender Cheap Trick

    Mono Courtney Love

    Echo Cyndi Lauper

    Just Can’t Get Enough Depeche Mode

    Let’s Go Surfing The Drums

    I Felt Stupid The Drums

    Calabria 2007 (Radio Version) Enur

    I Am Not a Robot Marina and the Diamonds

    Seven One Eight Fannypack

    Slow Hands Interpol

    What a Feeling Irene Cara

    11th Dimension Julian Casablancas

    Rumenye Rumenye Klezmer Conservatory Band

    Shake It Metro Station

    Animal Mike Snow

    Kids MGMT

    Flash Delirium MGMT

    Temptation New Order

    Sinnerman Nina Simone

    Truck The Octopus Project

    Enola Gay Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark

    The Spirit of Radio Rush

    Wolf Like Me TV on the Radio

    A-Punk Vampire Weekend

    Little Secrets Passion Pit

    Always on my Mind Pet Shop Boys

    Party Like a Rock Star Shop Boyz

    Jump The Pointer Sisters

    Can’t Stop Movin Sonny J

    Dance, Dance Fall Out Boy

    Dancing on my Own Robyn

    I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ Scissor Sisters

    Lazy Eye Silversun Pickups

    Stand Back Stevie Nicks

    Mouth Full of Dry Sand Voxhaul Broadcast

    Dog Days are Over Florence + The Machine

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    Dubstep is awesome for that.

    You can listen to an online radio like dubstep.fm

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    When I'm lifting or doing body weight routines and need to get myself going, I have a playlist with lots of Metallica, Korn, Deftones, Distured, etc.

    Some days I let my iPod create a random shuffle or I listen to a favorite album (e.g. RHCP's Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Radiohead's OK Computer). I've also listened to Bach while on an elliptical. It all depends on my mood.

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    These are the BEST: http://zze.st/best-music-weightlifting-workout-top-15-tracks/

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    faith no more bomfunk mc fat boy slim gwen stefani prodigy

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    Most anything metal: Slayer, Bolt Thrower, Dethklok, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Lamb of God, Goatwhore, Melechesh, Allegaeon, Dimmu Borgir, Disturbed, Pantera, Devildriver, Iced Earth, Dream Theater, Nile, Morbid Angel, Satyricon, Sepultura, Skeletonwitch, etc.

    Allegaeon has some very interesting stuff, Accelerated Evolution fits right in with paleo. :)

    There's something very primal about metal that you don't get from other genres.

    I have my DVR record a few hours of the metal channel so that way I can work out infront of the TV and if something comes on that doesn't have a fast beat, I can fast forward past it.

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    Rammstein, Prodigy and Chemical Brothers are my usual 'go to' playlist when I want to work hard!

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    I don't usually listen to music besides what's playing on the gym speaker. Lululemon pants pull me through the workout quite frequently though.

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    Trance music. Armin Van Buuren, Dash Berlin and Ferry Corsten for cardio.

    All heavy lifting: Markus Schulz, W&W, Sander Van Doorn and Orjan Nilsen.

    ASOT, TATW, GDJB podcatss

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