Thunderstruck: The perfect running song

Thunderstruck is the perfect running song.  The pacing is around 180 beats per minute which is ideal.  The bass and drum really drive it home once it gets going.  Even if you're not an AC/DC fan, it's virtually impossible not to perk up when Thunderstruck comes on the radio.

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a fan of Thunderstruck and love every version I've heard. These three stand out though starring with a group of Finnish Red Necks, Steve'n'Seagulls:

This is an all acoustic version and takes guitar playing to another level!  Here's Luca Stricagnoli's interpretation:

And Thunderstruck also sounds great on the Cello.  Go figure!  Here are the 2CELLOS doing their rendition:

So pitter patter, lets get at 'er...time to go running to Thunderstruck!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

My Top 10 Running Songs

While not strictly songs with 'running' in their titles or subject lines, these are a few of my favorite running songs. I can sing along, wail away on an air guitar and bash away on my imaginary drum set to all of them. Most are in the heavy metal rock genre but a couple will surprise you.



#10. 'Firestarter', The Prodigy.  "Wake up!".  This will get the blood flowing .  This is one track that needs to be played LOUD!

#9. 'Ramble On', Led Zeppelin.  My favorite Led Zepplin song and arguably the best Led Zepplin tune of all.  It combines their signature acoustic 'Gentle' side with driving rock riffs.  There's also a reference to Lord of the Rings that I love.

#8. 'Thunderstruck', AD/DC.  An amazing guitar riff to start followed up with a driving bass line that doesn't let up for the entire track.

#7.  'Tubthumping', Chumbawumba.  Motivation 101:  "I get knocked down but I get up again'.  One night in Minneapolis at a Dance Club called First Street I danced on stage to this.  Next time you see me ask me to tell you the story.

#6. 'Right here, Right now', Fat Boy Slim.  Whenever I feel like quitting on a run (or not going out at all), the lyrics of this track get me 'back on track'.

#5. 'Sausilito Summer Nights', Diesel.  By now you might be able to tell that I love a heavy, driving bass line combined with a catchy riff.  This is one of the best.

#4.  'Hold your head up', Argent.  A chesnut from my miss-spent teen years in High School which should give you a pretty good idea of my vintage.  As an FYI, the 70's were not a particularly good look for me.

#3. 'We don't need another Hero', Tina Turner.  From the movie, Thunderdome.  Starts gently with an undercurrent of tension then snaps to a driving, wailing Tina Turner in fine song.  Plus you have to see her costume from the official video.  Amazing!

#2. 'Down on the Corner', Creedence Clearwater Revival.  I fell in love with CCR when I heard this song. The guitar riff is never far from my consciousness.

And my all-time favorite song for running, driving, on the subway, on an airplane...you get my drift:

#1. 'Baba O'riley', The Who.  I've always loved this track from the Who.  It's the lead on Side 1.  One of my favorite lines is, "Sally take my hand...".  Maybe way back when I first heard this I knew I'd be with my Sally some day.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

The Top 10 Running Songs from my mis-spent Youth

Overnight camping on the hike up
Blue Mountain Peak, Jamaica

Or should I call this post, 'Songs that have running in the lyrics that I can remember from my mis-spent youth'.

To be clear, I was not a runner back in university, college, high school or grade school.  In Jamaica I went on a number of hikes with my classmates while at Campion College.  At high school in Canada I tried Cross Country running for a fall semester at Clarkson Secondary School.  I loved the hiking...didn't like the cross country running so much. I remember one miserable run through muddy fields just north and west of Highway #10 and Dundas Street...it was a cold, drizzly fall afternoon:  "I moved to Canada from warm Jamaica to do this?"

I loved music though.  Hard rock which of course might seem odd since I grew up in Jamaica and was exposed to Reggae early on.  Even though I wasn't into running back then, I'm amazed with the 'running' references.  Check out my top 10 running songs:

1. 'Running back to Saskatoon', The Guess Who.  While on vacation in Canada in 1967 I found a 45 RPM disc lying in a mall parking lot.  I picked it up and despite the scratches it was the Guess Who!  True story.  I already knew 'American Woman' but this song was catchy and oh so exotic.
2. 'Running on Empty', Jackson Brown.  Just a catchy tune.  I really don't know any other Jackson Brown songs and am not a fan.  I just loved this sone.
3. 'Ramble On', Led Zeppelin.  I'm still a huge Led Zeppelin fan.  Which is incongrous given the fact that I grew up in Jamaica and was exposed to Reggae early on.  For some reason I loved heavy metal and Led Zeppelin was the best at it.  For me this is the best ever Led Zeppelin song...it helps that it refers to Lord of the Rings as well.
4. 'Race with Devil on Spanish Highway', Al di Mineola.  Fusion-Jazz;  Jazz-Rock...no matter what you called it, Al di Mineola was and still is a master of the guitar.  This is one of his best.
5. 'Magic Carpet Ride', Stepenwolf.  OK, this really isn't a song about running but what would a Top 10 list without Stepenwolf.
6. 'Long Distance Runaround', Yes.  I saw Yes live at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.  Floor seats to boot!  They played 6 songs in 3 hours.  This was one of the highlights.  
7. 'Downpressor Man', Peter Tosh.  Busted!  As I grew out of my teen years...and after living in Canada for a number of years...I 'discovered' Reggae.  This is one of my favourites.
8. 'Born to Run', Bruce Springsteen.  I'm not a Springsteen fan.  This is a masterpiece.  Period!
9. 'It Keeps you Running', Doobie Brothers.  I still am a big Doobie Brothers fan (and no it has nothing to do with the alternative meaning of 'Doobie'.  I love a ton of Doobie Brothers songs...this one because it has running in its title.
10. 'Run Like Hell', Pink Floyd. Ahhh...by the time this track came on the 'LP', we were usually quite mellow...running was the last thing on our minds.

True confession:  I really didn't have a mis-spent youth.  I stayed out of serious trouble for the most part...my Grand Mother called me 'Mischevious'.  And I met and made friends with guys who are now my best friends.  Must have been the music.

That's my list.  What's yours?

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Getting High with my Favourite Running Songs

The Runner's High...it is real. Not psychedelic high like drug-induced highs.  Endorphin high that washes away anxiety, stress, moodiness and replaces them with euphoria, calmness and a state of general well being.  I generally can't go a day without running and not feel anxious...so to reduce the anxiety I go running.  I love the Runner's High!

Most of my running is alone.  Since I run early morning along city streets, I need to be aware of vehicles and traffic.  When I run the trails, I like to hear the birds chirping.  Sally who has recently started walking the Humber River Trail near our place says the same thing.  She has already experienced the Walker's High!

I love music.  Rock, Jazz and that wonderful combination of Jazz/Rock mastered by bands like The Dave Matthews Band are favourite genres.  But even though I love music, I don't run to music.  I don't like the earbuds at all and I carry my Samsung Galaxy Note Smartphone to take pictures and videos.  But I do like running music...music that gets my foot tapping, my blood pumping...music that I have to play LOUD!  Here are a few of my favourite 'Getting High' running songs:

1. "Running Back to Saskatoon", The Guess Who
2. "Life is a Highway", Tom Cochrane and Red Rider
3. "Two Step", Dave Matthews Band
4. "Loose Yourself", Eminem
5. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves
6. "Echo Beach", Martha and the Muffins
7. "Thunderstruck", AD/DC
8. "Relax", Frankie Goes to Hollywood
9. "Two Tribes", Frankie Goes to Hollywood
10. "Desire, the Hollywood Mix", U2
11. "Firestarter", The Prodigy
12. "Running Down a Dream", Tom Petty
13. "I Got a Feeling", Black Eyed Peas
14. "Tubthumping", Chumbawumba
15. "1999", Prince
16. "Beat It", Michael Jackson
17. "Ramble On", Led Zeppelin
18. "Midnight Rambler", The Rolling Stones
19. "Brick House", The Commodores
20. "Last Dance", Donna Summer

I have been know to sing these songs out loud while running.  Out of tune and flat for sure but sung with all the emotion and energy they inspire.  And I'm pretty sure that after going through the above list at least one of them is currently playing in your head right now. You're welcome.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy
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I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My planned races in 2013 include:

• The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20

• The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.