Bold Pace Music

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Running Music Video of the Month:

Lonely Boy – The Black Keys (BPM=165) — from album “El Camino” El Camino - The Black Keys

The Black Keys used to be only known to college radio DJs and record store clerks, but after their previous release “Brothers” and now this one, they are entering the mainstream. Combining their well-crafted music with a simple, amusing, and an instantly classic video like this one must be working. The whole album is excellent and the music is not so “alternative” that it will turn off anyone that enjoys pop music. In addition to Lonely Boy, enjoy running songs like Dead & Gone (bpm = 143), Run Right Back (bpm=160), and Hell of a Season (bpm=153). With four great running songs in one album (and the rest of the songs are not filler), this might keep you running even on a cold winter day…

Want to see more great running music videos? See Best Running Music Videos of 2011

Running Song(s) of the Week:

Wonder Why – Vetiver (BPM=152): #29 song on the Best Workout Music #2 Playlist

One of Rollo & Grady’s Top Songs of 2011. The gym is always a good place to reflect and think about your future goals. Vetiver serves up some themes many can relate to in this song, but in a finely crafted, up-beat, jaunty way and ends with… “Up ahead i know, there’s a rocky road. No complaint could ease the way it rides. Yet how far we are from where we once stood high. Wonder if. Wonder how. I wonder why.” The Errant Charm (Bonus Track Version) - Vetiver

Full song:

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Please note: the audio files above (if available) will only be posted for 1 week, if you are the artist or artist representative and would like this audio removed, please send us a note at boldpacemusic and it will be removed immediately)

What is Bold Pace Music?

It’s all about having great music on a run or during a workout. It started with a husband (that’s me) making running music playlists for his wife (Monica — owner/designer of Remanents and a bold pace)…then for her running “long distance friends”, and so on. All songs on the playlists below were carefully selected for running or working out. The songs are either inspirational, about running or fitness, or just fun w/ a great beat. If you are a marathon runner, you’ll really enjoy the running music playlists below as they are long enough for a marathon and the BPM (“Beats Per Minute” or the pace of the songs) increases so you can “start slow, finish fast”. If you click on a playlist and go to a post, you’ll see my “rationale” as to why the song was included.

If you’re wondering if music can really help when running or exercising…see what Physician.com has to say. Or find a good synopsis and several more good research articles at “Exercise and Music” on Wikipedia.

For a well done chart showing BPM by mile pace for walking, running, and cycling… see Exercise Pacing & Use of Music.

Off and Running CD Tin Notecard Set

Off and Running CD Tin Notecard Set (6 cards, 2 of each style for $15 at remanents.com)

Looking for a perfect gift for a runner or someone into fitness or yoga? Take some music below and slip it in with a CD tin notecard set from Remanents. These cards, gifts, and tees have been sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Nordstroms, Henri Bendel, Fortnum and Mason (London) and many other fine stores, however, you’ll find the largest selection at www.remanents.com. See more running cards and tees along with beautiful Couture Fabric Holiday cards and Halloween cards too.

Got an iphone or use an ipod? Check out this app and software that analyzes your itunes for BPMs and then lets you choose songs at that BPM from your iphone or ipod…see Cadence (need Mac w/ OS 10.4 or higher for ipod; PC version coming soon)

How Music Can Aid Athletic Performance:

It’s not just about running music, the “right” music works in the gym, on a bike and during a swim too (waterproof ipod review and purchase). Here’s a great video by the BBC (published 7/28/10) that documents a study done on triathletes that shows how music allows for longer training w/ less perception of effort.

Best Running Music Playlists:

Click name of playlist below to download songs from itunes. Click album images to hear samples or download songs from amazon.

1) itunes: Jamie’s Mix: 140 – 160 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 9.5 – 10.5 minutes)

See entire playlist #1: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

2) itunes: Monica’s Mix: 160 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7 – 8 minutes)

See entire playlist #2: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

3) itunes: Jean’s Mix: 140 – 160 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 8 – 9.5 minutes)

See entire playlist #3: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

4) itunes: Jane’s Mix: 160 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7.5 – 8.5 minutes)

See entire playlist #4: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

5) itunes: Marathon Mix: 130 – 150 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 10 – 11.5 minutes)

See entire playlist #5: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

6) itunes: Christmas Running Playlist: Indie and Alternative music for running at 140 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7.5 – 10.5 minutes)

See entire playlist #6: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

7) itunes: Best Workout Music: Fitness Playlist w/ 140 – 160 bpm songs

See entire playlist #7: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

8) itunes: 5K Running Music Playlist: Indie and Alternative music for running at 150 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ pace of 7.5 – 9.0 minutes)

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

See entire playlist #8: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

9) itunes: 10K Running Music Playlist: Indie and Alternative music for running at 150 – 180 BPM (mile pace of 7.5 – 9.5 minutes)

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

See entire playlist #9: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

10) itunes: Best Workout Music: 53 Song Workout Playlist w/ 120 – 180 bpm songs

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

See entire playlist #10: Learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

Running Songs by BPMs:

Here are additional songs that have not made it onto our “best running music playlists” because they didn’t meet one or two of these criteria: 1) about running or fitness, 2) inspirational, and/or 3) fun w/ great beat. Songs like “Blister in the sun”, “Loser”, “19th Nervous Breakdown”, etc…all great, but couldn’t quite see them coming up while running a marathon. However, if you are looking for more songs and are not particular about the lyrics…enjoy!

Favorite Music Sites and Stuff:

Best Headphones for running or working out:

These suggestions are courtesy of an article in the September 2011 edition of Details magazine (not posted on-line). (Some good deals are courtesy of Amazon and affiliate links help support new music/content on boldpacemusic):

Best Music Speakers for home computer:

These suggestions are courtesy of an article in the Wall Street Journal. (Some good deals are courtesy of Amazon and affiliate links help support new music/content on boldpacemusic):

Top 5 Running Music Albums:

If you are looking for a full-length album w/ the most up-beat, inspirational running songs, consider one of these…

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

Jamie January 4, 2010 at 12:56 pm

Hey John! Happy New Year!
This sounds like your kind of (radio) show—you can listen to podcasts or it’s on 90.9 on Mondays at 9.
Sound Opinions from Chicago Public Radio and American Public Media
“Rock ‘n’ roll talk show” produced by Chicago Public Radio. Show synopses, staff biographies, message board, reviews, streaming audio and MP3 podcast.
http://www.soundopinions.org/

John January 6, 2010 at 12:16 am

Thanks Jamie! Just added to “Favorites”…great site and love the quick links to excellent bands/artists.

polly October 2, 2010 at 10:07 pm

I love your imix’s but when I go to Itunes to download them, I keep getting an error message that the prices have changed on some songs ( guess from .99 to 1.29) and so it asks if I authorize the new price but it will never access the itunes store and therefor never “buys” the imix. Really frustrating……do you know a fix?

Polly

John October 2, 2010 at 11:45 pm

Hi Polly– Sorry to hear that you are having troubles w/ the downloads. Please let me know which playlist you are trying and I’ll open a ticket w/ Apple. Are you trying to download individual songs or the whole playlist?

polly October 3, 2010 at 9:25 pm

John, I was trying to download the entire imix but could not. I just ended up doing them one at a time and that worked–was just more time consuming! Thanks.

Polly

Josh January 4, 2011 at 11:41 pm

Hello… great website. I have heard a song played at the start of several Disney marathon’s in Orlando as far back as 2004-2006. It got stuck in my head and I have never been able to identify it. It’s a dance/club style song with vocals that sound a bit like Depeche Mode and the main chorus/lyrics have something to do with “coming home” or “running home”. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I would love to figure out what it was. I was all set to try and record it with my phone at the start of Disney 2010 to try and ID it later but of course they didn’t play it. Thanks for any help.

John January 5, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Hi Josh– Thanks for checking out the site! I am a big Depeche Mode fan, but can’t place the song you mentioned. I’ll keep thinking about it and post here if I come up w/ something. I’ve been hoping to find a Depeche Mode song w/ faster bpm, but that has been eluding me as well… Good luck w/ your running in 2011 and keep on the look out for a new “workout” playlist I’ll be posting soon.

Josh January 6, 2011 at 4:41 am

Thanks. Let me know if you come across anything that sounds like what I heard at Disney. It could also be a band that simply sounds a lot like Depeche Mode. There seem to be many. I have spent time online sampling several other similar sounding bands with Euro/male vocals and similar musical styles… but no luck. I even emailed the Disney Marathon folks but hever heard back. Wish I was down there this weekend running my favorite Goofy event but I couldn’t make it this year. Next up for me is Ragnar Relay (New England) then NYC Marathon (if I make lottery) and/or Philly or Marine Corps. I like to train to peak for a couple of fall or winter marathons each year.

John January 6, 2011 at 8:52 am

Hey Josh– No problem, we’ll keep on the lookout. Good luck w/ the training this year and hope some of our other music helps keep you motivated. Please keep in touch as you find good songs for running or working out. Thanks!

Tracey February 28, 2011 at 7:57 am

Hi John – I came across your site looking for good running songs to suggest to my blog readers. I’m impressed with your musical knowledge and ability to find the right rhythm to run to, but most of all like your choice of running songs.
I wondered if you or someone at a Bold Pace would be interested in trying and reviewing a new musical running program about to be launched in the US and UK. It’s new software that adapts the musical rhythm to your running pace but mixes it with the voice of a coach. I think your blog readers would be interested in these programs and it could be a good partnership with your musical recommendations. What do you think?
Hope to hear from you soon.

Tracey

Hayley July 23, 2011 at 12:34 pm

I loved every single word of your post! I’m a music lover myself and also a runner. I found the “How Music Can Aid Athletic Performance” part great. While I’m running I often listen to Pronobozo. He’s a great artist and all his musics are free on his own website. It’s a fast paced music, I recommend it! Thank you for your recommendations!

John July 24, 2011 at 10:07 am

Thanks for the support Hayley! I’ll be sure to check out Pronobozo. I’ve never been a big techno music fan, but I do always try to keep an open mind to new music (and I do love New Order, Yazoo, and Depeche Mode) and I know a lot of people swear by techno for running…so I really appreciate the tip! Keep um’ coming, please. Thanks again.

April January 1, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Or Angels and Airwaves Distraction “Ill be your distraction” 182 bpm

Kim Slater January 30, 2012 at 12:38 pm

Wow, I think you put my playlist making to shame! Nice work!

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