Drum me off the couch
August 23, 2019 11:13 AM   Subscribe

I'm trying to create a playlist of songs with a strong drumming beat that pumps me up, both to boost my mood and to get me to move via jogging or dancing terribly around my apartment. What songs that fit this mold work for you?

A few songs that I reeeeally like for this are:

Beyonce - Freedom
Beyonce - Run the World
Florence + The Machine - Drumming Song

I could listen to Bey all day, but I need to expand my music palette. Truly.

I tend to prefer strong female voices, contemporary sounds, and messages of female empowerment, but am open to all. Except Eye of the Tiger. Anything but that.
posted by pdxhiker to Health & Fitness (30 answers total) 18 users marked this as a favorite
 
Check out Drum Machine by Big Grams. (The video has an into before the music kicks in. Song begins around :20.)
posted by hydra77 at 11:41 AM on August 23, 2019






Best answer: Just based on the above the fold portion of this question I came in to recommend "Ring The Alarm" by Beyonce so I was very amused to see that was already your current preference.

In lieu of that, I'll recommend Run The Jewels, if you can tolerate hip-hop:
Close Your Eyes & Count To Fuck
Nobody Speak
posted by zeusianfog at 12:00 PM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]


First sound in my head reading your question was Rusted Root. Then it was Tabla Beat Science
posted by cross_impact at 12:08 PM on August 23, 2019 [2 favorites]


Róisín Murphy's Rama Lama (Bang Bang) should do it.
posted by srednivashtar at 12:26 PM on August 23, 2019 [2 favorites]


Best answer: I used to use Tusk for this.
posted by middlethird at 12:38 PM on August 23, 2019 [2 favorites]


Kate Bush's song The Dreaming scratches this itch for me.
posted by fiercecupcake at 1:18 PM on August 23, 2019


Best answer: I think you will really like Alice Merton, try out Hit the Ground Running, Lash Out & No Roots
posted by FormerMermaid at 1:29 PM on August 23, 2019


GooGoo Dolls, Slide
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 1:44 PM on August 23, 2019


How would you like to be the drummer opening up a concert for the hottest female group since Fifth Harmony? Bennie Rodgers has got you covered
posted by forforf at 2:05 PM on August 23, 2019


Best answer: Let's Go by Travis Barker, Busta Rhymes, Lil John, et al.

Look at These Hoes by Santigold. The title might not scream female empowerment, but it has that vibe for me, in part because I think of it from a great scene in the movie Booksmart. If you're interested, there are lots of choreography videos to this one on youtube.
posted by kochenta at 2:08 PM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]


Matador by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs! Banger!
posted by sestaaak at 2:22 PM on August 23, 2019


Atlas by Battles. This is the song I put on when I have to pump myself up to do something boring like clean the kitchen.
posted by ejs at 2:58 PM on August 23, 2019 [3 favorites]


Old friend of mine, who was an incredible athlete, used to swear Led Zeppelin’s “Fool in the Rain” was the most motivating workout song. It does have monster drums. Oh and two quite different tempos and rhythmic feels to pace yourself to, plus a whistle.
posted by spitbull at 3:26 PM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Empire State of Mind
posted by pinochiette at 3:59 PM on August 23, 2019 [1 favorite]


The inimitable Siouxsie Sioux Not Forgotten
posted by weirdly airport at 4:16 PM on August 23, 2019


Pump It Up - Elvis Costello
posted by humboldt32 at 4:29 PM on August 23, 2019 [4 favorites]


Rusted Root has already been suggested, though specifically the track Ecstacy was not :)

How about Igbe by Fela Kuti from Nigeria?
posted by jander03 at 10:50 PM on August 23, 2019


Best answer: standby
posted by sixswitch at 11:15 PM on August 23, 2019


Ok well female and empowerment and drum banging for the pump up list... Phew!

Best fit:
Gangsta by the Tune-Yards
has some wild percussion and it's definitely a band about empowerment that's mostly women

Tank and the Bangas has Quick
I am Here by Pink has a message of empowerment, but the drums that start strong disappear

This stuff is more chill like Beyonce's sister Solange:
Bantu Knots and Boudain has like a drum track in it
Diddy Boo by Noname hitting the snare

A couple of strong women that might not pump you up enough but may be interesting to you anyway
Travel by Thao and the Get Down Stay Down - they might be new to you
Silver Lining by Rilo Kiley - also might be new to you
)
posted by jander03 at 11:23 PM on August 23, 2019


Best answer: OOIOO - UMO

OOIOO - UMA
posted by zoinks at 1:36 AM on August 24, 2019


Best answer: I think this one ticks all the boxes: Those Dancing Days - Fuckarias.
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 4:10 AM on August 24, 2019


Anyone my age would say Wipeout by the Surfaris.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:41 AM on August 24, 2019 [5 favorites]


Response by poster: I listened to every one of the links and most of the unlinked suggestions! Both the Run the Jewels tracks was the most ear-catching for me. There is a lot of new-to-me interesting stuff in here and some favorites I forgot all about. I'm still making my way through the unlinked suggestions and welcome others anyone feels compelled to share. Thank you boatloads! :)
posted by pdxhiker at 10:56 AM on August 24, 2019 [1 favorite]


Totally by accident, I came across a video entitled How Rhythm Drives the Music of Ace Combat. (Ace Combat is video game. A lot of great music is written for video games.) It describes some of the techniques used to generate interesting rhythm in music. At the very end, there are links to the pieces used as examples.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:08 PM on August 24, 2019


Pon De Replay - Rihanna
Radar Love - Golden Earring
Cool Jerk - Go-Gos
Iko Iko - Belle Stars
I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
posted by SisterHavana at 8:15 PM on August 24, 2019


Also I Like It Like That - Tito Nieves
posted by SisterHavana at 8:19 PM on August 24, 2019


And WTF (Where They From) - Missy Elliott
posted by SisterHavana at 10:52 PM on August 24, 2019


Late to the party. Janelle Monáe and friends: Hell You Talmbout. Can confirm have run to this a lot; bonus #blacklivesmatter vibes.
posted by chronic sublime at 3:15 AM on August 25, 2019


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