Songs to Get Me Up a Mountain
October 9, 2022 3:04 PM Subscribe
Another playlist question! Looking for songs to listen to during the hardest part of an extremely long and difficult hike - climbing up a very steep, long, and technical mountain pass. Songs that fit any of these descriptions would be great: inspirational, bad-ass, motivating, make you feel like a superhuman, powerful, conquering, etc etc etc. I've searched for old posts and pulled lots of ideas but looking for more.
Not as interested in metal/super hard rock, instrumental is okay if it builds to a good crescendo (putting Hoppipolla at the end as I reach the top, for example). Mainstream/well known songs are great because I may already have them, but unconventional/alternative ideas welcome as well. I need stuff that will take my mind out of the pain cave and make me believe I can do this!
(this will be listened to via headphones, btw - I can't stand when people blast music on the trail!)
Not as interested in metal/super hard rock, instrumental is okay if it builds to a good crescendo (putting Hoppipolla at the end as I reach the top, for example). Mainstream/well known songs are great because I may already have them, but unconventional/alternative ideas welcome as well. I need stuff that will take my mind out of the pain cave and make me believe I can do this!
(this will be listened to via headphones, btw - I can't stand when people blast music on the trail!)
Higher by Eminem!
posted by Sassyfras at 3:37 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Sassyfras at 3:37 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
KT Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See”
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 3:54 PM on October 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 3:54 PM on October 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Edwin Starr's 25 Miles...
lyric highlights include:
I got to keep on walkin'
Oh I got to walk on
Let me tell you, y'all
I'm so tired
But I just can't lose my stride
--
I got five more miles to go now
Over the hills just around the bend
Although my feet are tired
I can't lose my stride
I got to get to my baby again
I've never actually listened to it out in the world, but i've played it in my head real loud when trying to eke out the last few miles of a bike ride or walk that I would much rather have been done with. Helpfully it has a countdown too, which give the passage of time and distance a rhythmic sense.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 4:19 PM on October 9, 2022
lyric highlights include:
I got to keep on walkin'
Oh I got to walk on
Let me tell you, y'all
I'm so tired
But I just can't lose my stride
--
I got five more miles to go now
Over the hills just around the bend
Although my feet are tired
I can't lose my stride
I got to get to my baby again
I've never actually listened to it out in the world, but i've played it in my head real loud when trying to eke out the last few miles of a bike ride or walk that I would much rather have been done with. Helpfully it has a countdown too, which give the passage of time and distance a rhythmic sense.
posted by Cold Lurkey at 4:19 PM on October 9, 2022
Vienna Teng's Level Up. It helped get me up Kilimanjaro, FWIW.
posted by suelac at 4:20 PM on October 9, 2022
posted by suelac at 4:20 PM on October 9, 2022
St. Elmo's Fire by John Parr
Fighter by Christina Aguliera
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
What A Feeling by Irene Cara
posted by Constance Mirabella at 4:30 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Fighter by Christina Aguliera
Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
What A Feeling by Irene Cara
posted by Constance Mirabella at 4:30 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
At the risk of stating the obvious:
Running up that hill - Kate Bush
Some other songs that give me an extra jolt of energy:
Digging for fire - The Pixies
Plug in baby - Muse (verging on heavy but worth a shot)
Tightrope - Janelle Monae (a few songs on the ArchAndroid would also work)
Come Down - Anderson .Paak
posted by piyushnz at 4:31 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Running up that hill - Kate Bush
Some other songs that give me an extra jolt of energy:
Digging for fire - The Pixies
Plug in baby - Muse (verging on heavy but worth a shot)
Tightrope - Janelle Monae (a few songs on the ArchAndroid would also work)
Come Down - Anderson .Paak
posted by piyushnz at 4:31 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Here are some songs I used for a long bike ride with a lot of hill climbing.
Get Up Offa That Thang
Climbing Higher Mountains
The Push and Pull
Move on Up
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
You Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher & Higher)
Gonna Build a Mountain
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
posted by brookeb at 5:09 PM on October 9, 2022
Get Up Offa That Thang
Climbing Higher Mountains
The Push and Pull
Move on Up
Ain't No Mountain High Enough
You Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher & Higher)
Gonna Build a Mountain
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
posted by brookeb at 5:09 PM on October 9, 2022
I find bleak music uplifting, so with that in mind, there’s a bunch of stuff in VNV Nation’s catalog that has a good motivating walking rhythm.
Epicentre and Genesis from Futurepefect,
A great deal of the Empires album, tbh, more than half of it, probably.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:24 PM on October 9, 2022
Epicentre and Genesis from Futurepefect,
A great deal of the Empires album, tbh, more than half of it, probably.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:24 PM on October 9, 2022
It’s a bit of an unusual choice, but I’ve been using All The Way (I Believe in Steve) by jacksepticeye to get through the tail end of my longer training runs lately.
Also on that list - Lizzo’s Good as Hell, the Inspection 12 cover of St Elmo’s Fire, Seanan McGuire’s My Story Is Not Done, and the Wombats’ Let’s Dance to Joy Division.
For more of a general vibe (less about the lyrics, more just blood-pumping fun): Boom Shack a Lack by Apache Indian, Hotsteppa by Ini Kamoze, the Kaiser Chiefs’ Oh My God, Ken Yokohama’s cover of Can’t Take my Eyes off You, My Shot from Hamilton, I Can’t Decide by Scissor Sisters, Nerf Herder’s Kiss Me Deadly, Lizzo’s Truth Hurts and Tempo, The Wombats’ Turn, Ghoti Hook’s cover of Waking on Sunshine, and ALWAYS Mr. Brightside by the Killers.
posted by okayokayigive at 5:34 PM on October 9, 2022
Also on that list - Lizzo’s Good as Hell, the Inspection 12 cover of St Elmo’s Fire, Seanan McGuire’s My Story Is Not Done, and the Wombats’ Let’s Dance to Joy Division.
For more of a general vibe (less about the lyrics, more just blood-pumping fun): Boom Shack a Lack by Apache Indian, Hotsteppa by Ini Kamoze, the Kaiser Chiefs’ Oh My God, Ken Yokohama’s cover of Can’t Take my Eyes off You, My Shot from Hamilton, I Can’t Decide by Scissor Sisters, Nerf Herder’s Kiss Me Deadly, Lizzo’s Truth Hurts and Tempo, The Wombats’ Turn, Ghoti Hook’s cover of Waking on Sunshine, and ALWAYS Mr. Brightside by the Killers.
posted by okayokayigive at 5:34 PM on October 9, 2022
Three songs from Muse, their Black Holes and Revelations album, that make me really pick up the pace while running no matter how tired I am:
- Glorious
- Knights of Cydonia
- Invincible
posted by sweetpotato at 6:13 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
- Glorious
- Knights of Cydonia
- Invincible
posted by sweetpotato at 6:13 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Muse - Dig Down
Sia - Never Give Up
Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
TheFatRat - Monody
Porter Robinson- Unison
posted by Eyelash at 6:15 PM on October 9, 2022
Sia - Never Give Up
Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes
TheFatRat - Monody
Porter Robinson- Unison
posted by Eyelash at 6:15 PM on October 9, 2022
This gets me going: Underworld - Rez - YouTube
This is a live version: Underworld - Rez/Cowgirl - YouTube
You should also check out Deadmau5 (especially the full/continuous mixes).
You want like rave/dance/DJ mixes that keep people moving with a strong beat that you'll have to find.
Like Bolero, words or not, it's knowing what's coming next that makes it good. Depends on how long the clib is..... :)
(That Bolero.... Once upon a time a long time ago... At a summer camp we *borrowed* a campus master key, crawled thru steam tunnels, broke into the library (the tallest building on campus) and sat on the roof top listening to Bolero timed perfectly to climax at sunrise. It was awesome, then we scattered back into the darkness pretty quickly.)
IMNSHO you want to find things that match your pace that have strong beats to keep you dancing/walking/climbing, not so much inspirational.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:43 PM on October 9, 2022
This is a live version: Underworld - Rez/Cowgirl - YouTube
You should also check out Deadmau5 (especially the full/continuous mixes).
You want like rave/dance/DJ mixes that keep people moving with a strong beat that you'll have to find.
Like Bolero, words or not, it's knowing what's coming next that makes it good. Depends on how long the clib is..... :)
(That Bolero.... Once upon a time a long time ago... At a summer camp we *borrowed* a campus master key, crawled thru steam tunnels, broke into the library (the tallest building on campus) and sat on the roof top listening to Bolero timed perfectly to climax at sunrise. It was awesome, then we scattered back into the darkness pretty quickly.)
IMNSHO you want to find things that match your pace that have strong beats to keep you dancing/walking/climbing, not so much inspirational.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:43 PM on October 9, 2022
Eye of the Tiger is the best known song from Rocky but the song used during the training montage e.g. “Getting Stronger” is called gonna fly now
posted by mmascolino at 8:08 PM on October 9, 2022
posted by mmascolino at 8:08 PM on October 9, 2022
Riffing off part of your description, Superheroes by The Script, or Hall of Fame by the same, featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.
If rap / hip-hop works for you, Remember the Name by Fort Minor, or Lose Yourself by Eminem.
posted by sigmagalator at 8:31 PM on October 9, 2022
If rap / hip-hop works for you, Remember the Name by Fort Minor, or Lose Yourself by Eminem.
posted by sigmagalator at 8:31 PM on October 9, 2022
"Voldemort Under My Headscarf" by We Are Lady Parts. And yes, you can buy this song on itunes! ^_^
(This is from a TV show about a fictional Muslim Punk band, but all their songs are available to buy on itunes)
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 8:34 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
(This is from a TV show about a fictional Muslim Punk band, but all their songs are available to buy on itunes)
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 8:34 PM on October 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Hope it’s not too metal, but Rush - Cut To The Chase. Good energetic song and the drum work is choice. One thing you may want in addition to something motivational is something with a good pace. It sounds like you’re going to be on a long climb, so something with energy and pace can help you keep moving in a good rhythm. Long climbs are all about embracing the difficulty and keeping on moving.
(You mentioned “I need stuff that will take my mind out of the pain cave and make me believe I can do this!” Mindset is important. You know this is gonna be difficult. Treat that as just part of the package of what you’ll need to get this done. When it comes to a difficult hike, if you think it’s gonna suck, then that’s what you’re gonna get. Train up, and then go up that pass knowing you’ve got this. I know this feeling first hand, there’s nothing like passing hikers who are grumbling about how hard the hike is and you’re just chugging along confidently. Every tough hike you’ve done to train for this will be worth it when you’re climbing that hill and you realize you truly can do it. Good luck, take some good pics, and have fun!)
posted by azpenguin at 9:02 PM on October 9, 2022
(You mentioned “I need stuff that will take my mind out of the pain cave and make me believe I can do this!” Mindset is important. You know this is gonna be difficult. Treat that as just part of the package of what you’ll need to get this done. When it comes to a difficult hike, if you think it’s gonna suck, then that’s what you’re gonna get. Train up, and then go up that pass knowing you’ve got this. I know this feeling first hand, there’s nothing like passing hikers who are grumbling about how hard the hike is and you’re just chugging along confidently. Every tough hike you’ve done to train for this will be worth it when you’re climbing that hill and you realize you truly can do it. Good luck, take some good pics, and have fun!)
posted by azpenguin at 9:02 PM on October 9, 2022
At the risk of stating the obvious:
Running up that hill - Kate Bush
At the risk of stating the even-more-obvious:
Ain't no Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
posted by rongorongo at 10:10 PM on October 9, 2022
Running up that hill - Kate Bush
At the risk of stating the even-more-obvious:
Ain't no Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
posted by rongorongo at 10:10 PM on October 9, 2022
Muse - Survival !! Official song of the Olympics in the UK, the refrain “I’m gonna wiiiiiiin” should propel you to the top of your challenging mountain.
posted by seawallrunner at 11:01 PM on October 9, 2022
posted by seawallrunner at 11:01 PM on October 9, 2022
Pat Benatar - Invincible
BTS - On
Even if you don't understand all the lyrics, the beat is motivating and some of the English lyrics include:
Can't hold me down 'cause you know I'm a fighter
Bring the pain
Win no matter what
My blood and tears, got no fears, I'm takin' over
posted by paperback version at 11:31 PM on October 9, 2022
BTS - On
Even if you don't understand all the lyrics, the beat is motivating and some of the English lyrics include:
Can't hold me down 'cause you know I'm a fighter
Bring the pain
Win no matter what
My blood and tears, got no fears, I'm takin' over
posted by paperback version at 11:31 PM on October 9, 2022
What's that coming over the hill (is it a monster) by The Automatic always used to make me laugh when it came on my trail running playlist as I was running over hills.
Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is great - not so much the lyrics, but the pounding rhythm is great.
Fifty Foot Queenie by PJ Harvey is super-empowering and another one with a stonking beat.
Those are all particularly good for running because of the tempo/aggressive beat, so YMMV but they feel pretty badass pounding in your ears (except monster, which is also pounding but fun rather than badass) so hopefully good for hiking too.
posted by penguin pie at 3:32 AM on October 10, 2022
Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is great - not so much the lyrics, but the pounding rhythm is great.
Fifty Foot Queenie by PJ Harvey is super-empowering and another one with a stonking beat.
Those are all particularly good for running because of the tempo/aggressive beat, so YMMV but they feel pretty badass pounding in your ears (except monster, which is also pounding but fun rather than badass) so hopefully good for hiking too.
posted by penguin pie at 3:32 AM on October 10, 2022
instrumental is okay if it builds to a good crescendo
Opus by Eric Prydz is the most motivating song I've ever heard, for any task. The effect it has on my mood is as reliable as any stimulant. It just makes you feel unstoppable.
posted by rollick at 3:54 AM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Opus by Eric Prydz is the most motivating song I've ever heard, for any task. The effect it has on my mood is as reliable as any stimulant. It just makes you feel unstoppable.
posted by rollick at 3:54 AM on October 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ariana Grande's "Successful" always makes me feel like I can do anything.
posted by rikschell at 5:31 AM on October 10, 2022
posted by rikschell at 5:31 AM on October 10, 2022
Hundred Waters - Wave to Anchor
Bjork - Army of Me
Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove
Nas - The World is Yours
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
Clipse - Grindin
Azealia Banks - 212
Isley Brothers - Climbin up the Ladder
James Brown - Mother Popcorn
Smashing Pumpkins - Geek USA
Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly
I know it doesn't fit thematically or musically with a lot of my other suggestions but I'll be damned if SpottieOttieDopaliscious by OutKast doesn't pump me the hell up when I'm dragging ass on a long run.
posted by saladin at 7:17 AM on October 10, 2022
Bjork - Army of Me
Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove
Nas - The World is Yours
Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
Clipse - Grindin
Azealia Banks - 212
Isley Brothers - Climbin up the Ladder
James Brown - Mother Popcorn
Smashing Pumpkins - Geek USA
Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly
I know it doesn't fit thematically or musically with a lot of my other suggestions but I'll be damned if SpottieOttieDopaliscious by OutKast doesn't pump me the hell up when I'm dragging ass on a long run.
posted by saladin at 7:17 AM on October 10, 2022
Jack Ingram - Attitude and Driving
Trolls [Anna Kendrick]- I'm Not Giving Up Today
Charles Wesley Godwin - Strong
Kings of Leon - Waste a Moment
Down by Law - 500 Miles punk rock version of the Proclaimers' song
Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Happy the lyrics are not very motivational, but the tempo works perfectly for lulls and then acceleration while moving - whether it's driving jogging etc.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:53 AM on October 10, 2022
Trolls [Anna Kendrick]- I'm Not Giving Up Today
Charles Wesley Godwin - Strong
Kings of Leon - Waste a Moment
Down by Law - 500 Miles punk rock version of the Proclaimers' song
Ned's Atomic Dustbin - Happy the lyrics are not very motivational, but the tempo works perfectly for lulls and then acceleration while moving - whether it's driving jogging etc.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:53 AM on October 10, 2022
Possibly the greatest disco track of all time, Dan Hartman's Vertigo/Relight My Fire (feat. Loleatta Holloway) is a ton of tension building and then some of the best tension release you'll find. It drives the whole time, toward something. As soon as the first notes hit me I'm amped for the entire time cuz I know what's coming. Maybe it'll do the same for you.
posted by wemayfreeze at 12:45 PM on October 10, 2022
posted by wemayfreeze at 12:45 PM on October 10, 2022
I have liked "Hungry" by Rob Bailey and the Hustle Standard for heavy lifting. It is an extremely motivating song! Like in a getting me pumped to PR a deadlift way.
posted by virve at 7:08 PM on October 10, 2022
posted by virve at 7:08 PM on October 10, 2022
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posted by j810c at 3:13 PM on October 9, 2022 [4 favorites]