Researchers Found the Best Running Songs of All Time!

What’s your favorite running song? Whether you prefer fast-paced EDM to help you speed up or chilled-out hip-hop to relax during a long run, everyone has their personal taste depending on how they run. Some even prefer listening to podcasts to keep their minds occupied. Whatever your preference, using one of the best workout earbuds can provide ultimate wireless freedom.

Despite the variety of options, some songs always make the cut for running playlists. A recent poll by RunnersNeed surveyed UK runners on their favorite tracks. Interestingly, 28% of respondents said they cannot run without music, and 22% have created their own running playlists to enhance their jogging experience.

The 20 Most Popular Running Songs

Here are the top 20 running songs, as voted by UK runners:

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (26%) Wake Me Up – Avicii (22%) Firework – Katy Perry (20%) I Like It – Cardi B (19%) Stronger – Kanye West (18%) Blinding Lights – The Weeknd (18%) POWER – Kanye West (18%) Vossi Bop – Stormzy (17%) Crazy in Love – Beyoncé (17%) Bad Guy – Billie Eilish (16%) Survivor – Destiny’s Child (16%) Dance Monkey – Tones and I (16%) Believer – Imagine Dragons (15%) Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk (14%) Holiday – Little Mix (14%) S&M – Rihanna (14%) Nice For What – Drake (14%) Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa (14%) Paint It Black – The Rolling Stones (10%) Venus – Bananarama (9%)

“Eye of the Tiger,” first released in 1982, gained fame as a training song thanks to its inclusion in the Rocky franchise. Nearly 40 years later, it still holds the top spot as the most popular running anthem.

Finding Your Perfect Running Beat

Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” is the second most common song heard through the best running headphones. Both “Eye of the Tiger” and “Wake Me Up” hover around 120 beats per minute (BPM), considered an ideal pace for a light jog, helping runners maintain rhythm without exhausting themselves prematurely. Crafting a playlist that suits your pace is an excellent strategy for maintaining a steady rhythm.

The Health Benefits of Running

Running is an incredible way to stay fit and active, especially with gyms having been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. A study by scientists from the University of South Carolina found that running distances of 0.1-19.9 miles per week, at speeds of 6-7 miles per hour, or frequencies of 2-5 days per week, led to a lower risk of all-cause mortality.

Interestingly, higher mileage, faster paces, and more frequent running were not associated with better survival rates. This suggests that a few miles a couple of times a week are sufficient to lower your risk of early death. Running’s cardiovascular benefits improve heart and lung health, aid in weight loss, and enhance mental health by getting you outside and away from screens, thereby normalizing and lowering the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

I remember covering a marathon event where participants shared their favorite running tracks. It was fascinating to see how music played a pivotal role in their training and race day performance. From “Eye of the Tiger” to “Blinding Lights,” the right song can make all the difference.

So, what’s on your running playlist? Share your favorite tracks and let’s discuss how they help you keep pace and stay motivated.