Running with Dogs (with Music): Dog Running Playlist

by John on May 24, 2012

As I was putting together a new playlist, I happened to pick “Never Meant Any Harm” by Golden Dogs, then “We Don’t Have to do Anything” by The Dogs, and followed by “Omega Dog” by The Dears and I knew something was happening. Then I just happened to come across an article in Runner’s World about running with dogs and that was it…I was being called upon for an important task—create the World’s Best Running Music with Dogs Playlist. So I plunged into massive Google searches and music collection scanning to bring to you some of the best tracks about dogs. I gave myself a pretty wide latitude with what could be accepted…song about a dog, dog in the name of the band, dog in the name of the song, dogs barking in the song (“Been caught Stealing” – Jane’s Addiction), even dog-like references (“The Bitch is Back” – Elton John; “I Want Candy” – Bow Wow Wow). Most of all, they had to be great songs…couldn’t add “How Much is that Doggy in the Window” or “Puppy Love”. I also broke them down by BPM (Beats Per Minute) with songs for Walking with the dog (100 – 125 bpm songs), Jogging with the dog (126 – 135 bpm songs), and Running with the dog (136 – 210 bpm songs). Did I miss a favorite? Please let me know! Hope you enjoy…

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There are 38 dog running songs below with a total playtime of 2 hours. Enjoy…

Dog Running Music Playlist: 38 Song Playlist w/ 100 – 180 bpm songs

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To get this music, just click on either itunes or amazon playlist above and download either entire the playlist or individual songs. Or see our Amazon store for the very best full albums by artists on the playlists.

Walking:

Stranger – Dr. Dog (100): OK, not really about a dog, but Dr. Dog is so good that anything by them qualifies. A good song to start a walk with…
Been Caught Stealing – Jane’s Addiction (108): Love the barking dogs at the beginning of this classic.
Atomic Dog – George Clinton (108): From the frontman of Parliament who were arguably one of the best bands ever to see live (while not a dog song, nor a good bpm for running music…Give Up the Funk is an all-time fav)….
Errant Dog – Ben Folds (123) *explicit lyrics*: Ben has some fun at his dog’s expense with this song, but you can tell it’s in good fun. I tend to believe him when he says “He’s my everything, he means the world to me”.
Space Dog – Tori Amos (112): Here’s a song that perhaps is about a drug trip, a menstral cycle, a star named “Sirius”, a deity, or possibly the government. She also possibly references Patti Smith and Neil Young according to fans on Song Meanings. Perhaps the true meaning will come to you while walking your dog…
Pets – Porno for Pyros (115): You can definitely hear the sounds of Jane’s Addition in Perry Farrell’s post-Jane’s Addition band, Porno for Pyros. While not exactly about dogs, perhaps an alien invasion is just what you need to consider in order to empathize a little more with your dog :)
Walking the Dog – Rufus Thomas (115): A classic that made the top 10 in 1963 and was covered by the Rolling Stones on their first album called just The Rolling Stones.
Never Meant Any Harm – Golden Dogs (120): Not about a dog, but it’s an excellent song with a fun beat.
Diamond Dogs – David Bowie (121): A song from Bowie’s concept album of the same name. Another stellar album by Bowie and worth a listen (it also included “Rebel, Rebel”). Beck did a nice cover of this song as well in the Soundtrack for Moulin Rouge. Classic start to the song with “This ain’t Rock and Roll, it’s genocide!”
Me and You and a Dog Named Boo – Lobo (121): Another oldie, and one of my first musical purchases as a single on vinyl. Released in 1972, it’s another dog classic…
I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges (123): A 1969 hit that was ranked number 438 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Pitchfork placed it at number 16 on its list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s”. You’ll recognize this song as one of the original influences of punk rock. You might also recognize the lead singer Iggy Stooge, who later became Iggy Pop. Enjoy…

Jogging:

Hair of the Dog – Nazareth (128): Obviously, Nazareth was talking about a different type of dog with this one… “now you’re messin’ with a son of a bitch”
Joy to the World – Three Dog Night (129): As soon as you hear “Jeremiah was a bullfrog; was a good friend of mine”, you’ll have a smile on your face…guaranteed.
The Bitch is Back – Elton John (132): Bernie Taupin’s (wrote most of the lyrics to Elton’s songs) wife, Maxine, said “Uh-oh, the bitch is back” when Elton was in a foul mood and complaining. Elton has said “it’s kind of my theme song”.
Givin’ the Dog a Bone – AC/DC (132): Well, perhaps not one to sing along with while your walking the dog (at least when any neighborhood kids are around)…still, no one rocked like AC/DC. From the “Back in Black” album. Find at www.acdc.com
Jet – Paul McCartney & Wings (133): Jet was Paul and Linda’s black labrador. btw…the Australian rock band Jet also get their name from this song as the Beatles and Paul McCartney were a big influence on the band.
Dog Eat Dog – Ted Nugent (134): Whatever you think of Ted, he rocks on this one…
Quiche Lorraine – The B52s (135): “Oh no…here come the Great Danes!”, “Has anybody seen, a dog dyed dark green?”

Running:

Queen Bitch – David Bowie (137): “Hunky Dory” was certainly one of Bowie’s best albums (hard for me to choose between Hunky Dory, Young Americans, and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars) with “Life on Mars”, “Changes”, “Kooks”, “Oh! You Pretty Things” and of course, “Queen Bitch”…
Hounds of Love – Kate Bush (145): Kate Bush has always been a favorite, this is from the album of the same name (same album that has “Running Up That Hill” and “Cloudbusting”). btw…The Futureheads did a nice cover of this song, but can’t compare with Kate.
The Underdog – Spoon (145): One of my favorite running songs, also works as a dog song!
Black Dog – Led Zeppilin (145): “Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove”…just rock n’ run with this one and enjoy one of the best rock riffs ever courtesy of Jimmy Page!
Omega Dog – The Dears (150): Simple lyrics to this one, but the instrumentation is just so strong they get away with it. No mention of a dog here, but it can just be about your dog…the Alpha and Omega Dog. *Free Download* from NME.com

We Don’t Have To Do Anything – The Dogs (150): Excellent, driving beat from this Chicago band, the Dogs. “We don’t have to move, we don’t have to speak”… perhaps your dog is trying to tell you something? Download song or album from the Dogs website and “name your price” or order their new album “Camping” and get the print record with a “one-of-a-kind, hand-printed cover made by a Dog.”
Dog Days Are Over – Florence & The Machine (150): “Run fast for your mother, run fast for your father, run for your children for your sisters and brothers”.
Truth Serum – The Honeydogs (161): Written by Adam Levy who supposedly had a son that wanted to go into the marines and fight in Iraq and he wrote this song as a plea for him not to go. He references parents sacrificing children for wars with… “Spar with him, grow old with him but don’t let them turn you into fodder, boy.” Perhaps a little heavy for a run with fido, so just enjoy another great song by dogs…
Dog Bite – Dead Kennedys (163): “Dog bite, on my leg, not right” there are a couple more words to this song, but that’s the main story.
Christmas Is Going To The Dogs – Eels (163): Running song, dog song, xmas song all in one…what more could you want?
Hang On – Dr. Dog (164): A great Philly band. This song has one of my favorite lines of lyrics ever: “Why you think we need amazing grace just to tell it like it is?…Well, I don’t need no doctor to tear me all apart, I just need you, to mend my heart”
Howling At The Moon – The Ramones (168): ): RIP Joey, Johnny, and Dee Dee. If you are starting to get tired, this is a great pick-me-up song.
Hound Dog – Elvis Presley (170): Be careful of involuntary hip movements while running and yelling: “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog…well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine”…your dog will definitely give you that look.
Dog On Wheels – Belle & Sebastian (176): Belle & Sebastian are just so good….love the line: “Every song I ever wrote was written for you…written for you.” and for running: “Then one day in spring I’ll take him down to the road…anything goes”
Martha My Dear – The Beatles (180): Paul had a sheepdog named Martha and many people believe the song is either about the dog or the dog was named after an old girlfriend or Paul’s muse. In any case, it’s a classic from the The Beatles (White Album)
Me and My Arrow – Harry Nilsson (183): Considered one of rock/pop’s greatest songwriters, Nilsson had hits like Everybody’s Talkin’, and Without You (both songs won Grammys), and Coconut (and many more you would probably recognize). John Lennon was once asked who was his favorite American artist, he responded “Nilsson”. Paul McCartney was later asked who was his favorite American group, he responded “Nilsson”. He also led an amazing life in music (Keith Moon died in Nilsson’s London flat, he was friends with Monkee’s Micky Dolenz and used to party with John Lennon). If interested in more about Nilsson, watch the 2010 documentary on his life “Who is Harry Nilsson (and why is Everyone Talkin’ about him?)”
Gonna Buy Me a Dog – The Monkees (185): While not in the same song writing universe as the last song by Belle & Sebastian, the Monkees were always about having fun. Here’s a fun fact about this song from classictvgirl50 at songmeaning.net…” It was originally written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Don Kirshner originally wanted the boys to sing it just like a normal song…no wisecracks. The Monkees, along with Boyce and Hart, thought the song would be dull and kinda stupid…and if you think about it, it would be!! So…they had a trick up their sleeve to just ad lib funny things during the recording, without Kirshner’s consent. When they finally did it, Don Kirshner ended up loving it, and it was released on “The Monkees” album.”
Hey Bulldog – The Beatles (200): Can’t beat “woof…what did you say? I said, “woof”, you know any more? Ahh…!!”
I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow (200): ): A throw back to the early MTV days…
Dog Eat Dog – Adam Ant (208): Adam Ant has some great songs for running and here’s no exception… “We’re gonna move real good – yeah right”

There are a number of ways to get BPM for your music collection. See this comprehensive post from mmartins.com on BPM detection software.

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