How can I maintain a good supply of new running songs?

February 6, 2011 1:29 PM

Suggestions for running songs and ways to collect them?

I have difficulty keeping a supply of running songs on my iPod because I get fed up with any given song after about three runs.

I started using Pandora instead of trying to curate a collection and it's OK but once you create a "station" they keep playing the same songs on it over and over.

1. What are some songs with female singers that are up-tempo and high energy without being idiotic. Ones I like are "Hella Good" by No Doubt, "Hazy Shade of Winter" by the Bangles, "Cities in Dust" by Siouxsie and the Banshees.

2. Any suggestions for keeping a steady and various supply of good songs? Ideas for a better way to maintain a playlist or a way to get more out of Pandora?

posted by eeby to Media & Arts (13 answers total)

You might try JogTunes or Podrunner.
posted by procrastination at 1:33 PM on February 6, 2011 [2 favorites]

In iTunes you can create a smart playlist with live updating sorted by least recently played. Then, each time you sync your ipod, the most recently played songs will drop off the playlist and be replaced by older songs. Having a good selection of 100 songs or so and syncing regularly should keep your playlist fresh.
posted by Brittanie at 1:44 PM on February 6, 2011 [1 favorite]

2. Any suggestions for keeping a steady and various supply of good songs? Ideas for a better way to maintain a playlist or a way to get more out of Pandora?

The key to using Pandora is to realize that it's algorithm is based on genre, and the way the music sounds. So if you put in songs that all sound similar, you're going to run out of songs faster. Try and use songs that are different genres on the same station.

Here, try this station to get a bunch of uptempo music from the 60s till today:

The Marvelletes (Mr Sandman)
Donna Summer (I Feel Love)
Shannon (Let the Music Play)
Dee-Light (Groove is In the Heart)
Lady Gaga(Telephone)
Alice Deejay (Better Off Alone)
posted by empath at 1:48 PM on February 6, 2011

(Seconding Robyn)
posted by empath at 1:48 PM on February 6, 2011

Can't answer #2 and my answer for #1 is probably really dorky, but I LOVE running to Gypsy by Stevie Nicks.
posted by kirst27 at 1:58 PM on February 6, 2011

I'm in the same boat! Songs are so hit and miss with me for running. Here are some of my favorite female artist songs to run to:

Just Fine-Mary J Blidge
My Struggles-Missy Elliot
Dancing on My Own-Robyn (nthing Robyn but recommend this one specifically)
Single Ladies-Beyonce
American Boy-Estelle
I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked-Ida Maria
Tightrope-Janelle Monae (PLEASE try running to this!)
Mr. Big Stuff-Jean Knight
Austere-The Joy Formidable
Bulletproof-La Roux
Deceptacon-Le Tigre
The World Should Revolve Around Me-Little Jackie
I'm Good, I'm Gone-Lykke Li
How Does That Grab You-Nancy Sinatra
Heavy Cross-Gossip
You've Got the Love-Florence + the Machine
Corporeal-Broadcast
Me Plus One-Annie (This is great, too! So dancable.)
posted by shortyJBot at 2:13 PM on February 6, 2011 [6 favorites]

Also, it's a dude singer, but if you're in the mood for a happy, poppy run, I like The 1990s.
posted by shortyJBot at 2:13 PM on February 6, 2011

Santogold, Creators
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maps
Gwen Stefani, Hollaback Girl
Lady Gaga, Paparazzi
Robyn, The Girl and the Robot
Bjork, Army of Me + Human Behavior
Metric, Poster of a Girl
posted by january at 5:26 PM on February 6, 2011

For maintaining a supply, I find that listening to dance/top40/etc radio on iTunes gives me a few good songs that I can run to every week or so. I hear them, procure them, and listen until I'm sick of them!
posted by hepta at 8:10 PM on February 6, 2011

Totally depends on your definition of "idiotic", but some that immediately spring to mind as music which fits your description/to which I like to run while listening:

Most Pat Benetar
All Lady Gaga besides her ballads
"Vanity", "Ain't No Other Man", "Fighter", and "Woohoo" by Christina Aguilera
Many Pink songs... "So What" is a good one for this
Probably some Kelly Clarkson songs.
Probably most Paramour songs. Again, definition of idiotic is important here.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 9:48 AM on February 7, 2011

Also, try grooveshark instead of pandora. Make a playlist of songs you like for this purpose (running) and then turn the "radio" option on... it will add similar songs to the playlist for you.
posted by jitterbug perfume at 9:50 AM on February 7, 2011

My favorite running songs featuring female singers are:

Roisin Murphy - You Know Me Better
Robyn - With Every Heartbeat
Robyn - Be Mine
The Veronicas - Untouched
posted by keep it under cover at 11:57 AM on February 7, 2011

I don't see a running tag on stereomood, but maybe there should be...
posted by Seboshin at 12:47 AM on February 8, 2011