Nike Running Blog - SportMusic en_US

THE MUSIC BEHIND THE RUNNER: ALLYSON FELIX

running_na — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:46:25 GMT

Where does Allyson Felix get that amazing speed? What’s running through her mind as she walks up to the starting blocks before a big race? Could it be a certain song that gives her the burst to bring home gold time and again? We sat down with Nike’s newest addition to the running family and got her to talk about the music that inspires her, including a few of her PowerSongs... How quickly she goes from a confident “Diva” to an ultra-focused “Hard” running machine.

Pre-run Focus PowerSong:
"Diva"

Running PowerSong:
“Hard”

Spring Sprints

running_na — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:00:22 GMT

Sometimes you need speed. It’s a great way to mix things up, add strength and burn some extra calories during your runs. But reaching high velocity sometimes requires a little help. You’ll feel the lungs burning and the legs protesting a little sooner, so you need to be prepared with some sonic fuel. We’ve put together a playlist of high-energy, uptempo songs to keep you on track for those days when you want to go fast. It’s the kind of soundtrack that just might propel you through the rest of the day too.

Paper Romance
These guys have been making great uptempo running songs since “I See You Baby” and they haven’t taken their foot off the pedal yet. This is a perfect track to start off the run, but remember to try and hit the half-beats!

Memories
House music has a certain power over people. It makes ‘em dance. This new single is laced with those thunking four-on-the-floor beats, adding a great chorus that pumps the pulse.

Out of the Blue
To go fast, it’s important to strip things down to the essentials. This track does it with a simple upbeat rhythm and instantly memorable melody. Rock it!

Man of Steel
“I’ll break your cage and go running free!” An amazing, high-paced track from a great voice of modern music —gone way too soon.

Twerk
Back into the electro world we go, with a dance floor anthem that begs for some serious sprinting. And where have I heard that sample before? Keep up for the whole song and you will have to ice your quads tonight.

Double Down Under
Time to pick up the pace a little with a new track by the legendary dance duo Crystal Method. We love these guys so much, we had them make a running mix for us and it ended up being our most popular Nike+ Original Mix!

Take It In
Again, this one is all about the half-beats. In other words, let your feet find a pace that strikes between and on every heavy 4X4 beat. And get into those ‘80s-style synths, this is your last track!

BIG CITY BEATS

running_na — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:30:09 GMT

Running in a new city a unique challenge. It always takes a little while to actually integrate yourself into the pulse of the street. You have to adjust to traffic lights, cars, pedestrians, bikes and the maze of an unfamiliar urban. But once you do, the sensation of syncing yourself into the flow can be completely energizing. You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again- “the best way to experience a city is to run it.” Hopefully this playlist of city-themed songs will help you “run this town,” wherever your legs may take you.

Amsterdam
With the amazing Vondelpark and Rembrandt Parks as your backdrops, imagine yourself in one of Europe’s most pedestrian-friendly cities as you bounce along to this uplifting song. Just watch out for bike traffic.

Empire State of Mind
The quintessential Big Apple theme. This track has an undeniable hook, a perfect running beat and a chorus runners respond to; “These streets will make you feel brand new, these lights will inspire you…”

Cemeteries of London
London is a cool running town. Just ask the Run Dem Crew. They do a lot of running at night which, if you’re anything like us, would keep us far away from cemeteries.

JAL to Tokyo
A seven-minute epic tribute to Tokyo, this song transports you to the land of the rising sun,with samples in Japanese and a beat that brings to mind bullet trains, neon kanji billboards and streets pulsating with people.

Berlin
It’s time to rock. The pounding beat is perfect for running and the city in question is completely runnable. “What happened to the revolution?” Find out for yourself.

Pieces of Ipanema
A far cry from the laid back samba you’d expect, this long and lovely dance track is full of broken beat goodness that would make the girl from Ipanema go running, not walking.

One Night in Bangkok
This remix of the ‘80s classic makes you imagine a city where it’s so hot that the only possible time to run is at night. Finish your run strong, then carbo load on some Pad Thai!

Get the mix

Got some better suggestions for city-themed running songs? Let us know in the comments!

Kara Goucher Shares Her Training Secret with SELF: PowerSongs

running_na — Thu, 20 May 2010 10:00:11 GMT

Kara Goucher's playlist constantly changes based on what she's training for and what's going on in her life. Check out the June 2010 issue of SELF Magazine for a full download on Kara's training techniques and how to get started on your own. Lace up with Nike+ and download Kara's current playlist!

"Hey, Soul Sister"

"Already Gone"

"Dead and Gone"

"I Gotta Feeling"

"Empire State of Mind"

"Bad Romance"

"Tik Tok"

"Gives You Hell"

"Love Lockdown"

"Under Pressure"

"Live Your Life"

"Cum On Feel the Noize"

Around the World in 8 Songs

running_na — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:50 GMT

Is the PowerSong a universal concept? Are there certain elements like tempo, energy, attitude and of course an earth-shattering power chord that transcend borders and can rock anybody’s run, no matter where they’re from? That’s what we sought to find out by putting together a playlist of popular running songs from eight countries around the world.

In order to accomplish this, we contacted real runners and asked them what they consider to be the quintessential PowerSong from their homeland. We also based some selections on actual PowerSong usage in those countries as recorded by Nike+. Here’s the result—a true boundary-leaping, genre-jumping soundtrack for your next run. No passport required.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” – UK
An incredibly popular PowerSong that runners around the world push the button for, this English run staple has inspirational lyrics and a melody that builds from a mellow intro to a heavy-hitting chorus.

Ali Maula (Bashment Mix) Pakistan
One of the greatest singers to emerge from the Middle East, this iconic voice is given a run-friendly backdrop courtesy of the “bashment” remix.

“American Idiot” – US
Plucked from the top of American PowerSong charts (from actual usage), this cut is a classic running song, complete with thumping drums, crunchy chords and a butt-kicking chorus.

“Soobax” - Somalia
If you want intensity, look no further than a track that originates from one of the most volatile locations in the world—Somalia. The beats on this one get you up to speed quickly, even if you can’t understand the impassioned words.

“Feuer Frei” – Germany
Our friends in Berlin swear by this hardcore industrial metal. It definitely pumps the adrenalin up and gets you moving a little faster!

“Dia De Sol” – Brazil
From the beaches of Rio to the clubs of Sao Paolo and beyond, the classic tropical sound of Brazilian vocals combine with the grit of drum ‘n bass to create the perfect pace-setter for a run. (Even if you’re not barefoot in the sand, you’ll feel like it!)

“Gasolina” — Puerto Rico
There was a time, not too long ago, when you couldn’t set foot into a Latin club and not hear this song playing. Its power to fill a dance floor and ability to get bodies moving is why it makes such an awesome running song. Sonic gasoline!

“Mind Wall”– Japan
One of Japan’s most legendary DJs teams up with one of its greatest exports to deliver a funky song to finish your run on.

Hope you enjoyed the trip!

The Real People Playlist

running_na — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:27:02 GMT

Since we started posting PowerSong recommendations on the Nike Running Facebook page, we’ve been getting a lot of comments from our fans about what they’ve been running to lately. The great thing is that these recommendations are coming from people of all different ages from around the world. The hundreds of comments we received included classic PowerSongs we all know, love and run to regularly as well as new tracks we’d never heard. Some are from the past and some are new releases. Hip-hop, rock, dance- anything goes.

So this playlist is a compilation of songs submitted by people like you. These tracks have been tested and approved by real runners across the globe.

Night of the Hunter
Martin, UK: “Awesome.”

Viva La Vida
Kathy, USA: “I listen to this for every race and just keep repeating it. Tried every song and this one works for me.”

Memories
BrenDax, Philippines: “His mixes take your breath away…literally.”

Holding Out for a Hero
Piotor, Poland: “It has a real PowerSong beat and I usually use it for the last 1km. Try it :)”

Brainstorm
Matthew, UK: “Seems to work for me if I need to step up the tempo.”

Visible from Space
Maria, Argentina: “I find it really inspiring.”

Mr. Blue Sky
Julian, UK: “This matches my stride great!”

Run This Town
Brittany, USA: “It’s both appropriate in lyrics and tempo when I run! ‘Victory's within the mile, almost there don't give up now...’”

Get Set Free with the Temper Trap

running_na — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 06:00:13 GMT

Melbourne, Australia, natives The Temper Trap are a band on the rise, propelled by their upbeat single, "Sweet Disposition." We recently caught up with vocalist/songwriter Dougy Mandagi for a quick Q&A based on the release of the new Nike Free Run+.

Which of your tracks most reminds you of feeling free, raw, or naked? Why?
The Temper Trap: "Drum Song" reminds me of being raw, naked, and free. It has a real tribal feel to it, and it was one of our first songs, born out of a jam.

What does it mean to you to be free?
Freedom to me is a way of life, where you are able to make decisions of your own accord and not be influenced by outside entities.

Describe the moment you were most free?
When I was born and was untainted by the world.

What does it mean for music to be naked, free, or raw?
I can only comment on the rawness of music, and I would say that happens in the studio, when you have only the bare bones of a song, which becomes the basis for the end product.

Which band member most epitomizes the notion of being free?
Our bass player Jonny. He would have to be one of the most free-spirited people I know and is constantly on walkabout.

Last question: what's your PowerSong?
Definitely "You're the Best."

Hear the Temper Trap's album Conditions, featuring "Sweet Disposition," now!

Keep Your Drive with The Crystal Method

running_na — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:38:23 GMT

The Crystal Method have a special place our hearts (and playlists) because they were the first group to produce an original run for Nike+. Released in 2006, their album Drive: Nike+ Original Run has since become the #1 selling Nike+ release. We caught up with Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan as they walked the streets of Aspen, Colorado before a show in support of their latest release, Divided By Night.

NIKE: Do you guys run or work out?

SCOTT: Well, I’m very bad about working out. Normally on the road my wife and I go on walks and see the city that we’re playing in. But I do get quite a workout on stage and I use Air Max 90s to support my wild behavior.

NIKE: Do you have any favorite cities?

SCOTT: European cities: Rome, France, London and some of the smaller US cities like Lawrence, KS or a city with a lot of shops and restaurants. Right now it’s a gorgeous day in Aspen and I’ve got time to talk and walk.

KEN JORDAN: On this tour we’ve been really lucky to play in some of the most beautiful cities. I did a mountain bike ride today. Gorgeous. I did one in Vancouver in Stanley Park along the seawall and that was amazing. I started the tour jogging every day.

NIKE: Do you listen to music when you exercise?

SCOTT: Music makes so much sense. Everyone has an iPod with music that gets them moving.

KEN: I’ve got one of the first versions of the Nano and I just put it in my pocket. The only running shoes I’ve got Air Max.

NIKE: What do you run to?

KEN: Mixes are also really good to run to. I actually do run to our Original Run. The warm-up and cool down works perfectly. And every time I do a run I log in. It’s just so automatic. It makes it really easy to see how slow you run… (laughs)

NIKE: What are your sports?

SCOTT: I’m amazing at chasing my kids around and playing soccer on my (game console). Used to play street ball when I was a kid. Never anything organized. My main sport and means of exercise is jumping around like a maniac on stage. Now that’s a good workout. I should put my Nike+ sensor in and see if I can log miles.

NIKE: Good idea. What’s your PowerSong?

KEN: Anything that has a good tempo. Our new mix of “Busy Child” is mine right now.

SCOTT: Like Ken says, we’ve done some remixes of our songs like “Busy Child” and “Keep Hope Alive.” When we decide to put them out they’ll be PowerSong worthy for sure. Top of the PowerSong tracks.

NIKE: What was it like to make an album specifically for running?

SCOTT: We’re really into dynamics and changing things up with different tempos and builds, so it fit well with what we like to do. It’s not just for runners, although we did consult runners who were trying it out along the way. We liked the word “Drive” because it’s more about motivating people to do any activity that requires physical movement and energy — who might need a little bit of inspiration.

Get "Divided by Night"

Get Drive: Nike+ Original Run

Run Inspired. Run with Bravery.

running_na — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:30:54 GMT

Running seems to be the exercise of choice for touring musicians who have to fit workouts in on the road (literally) between shows. And so it goes with the Bravery, the New York-based band whose stride-friendly, new wave-inflected rock seems to find its way onto many runner’s playlists, including our own. Songs like “Slow Poison” demonstrate why they provide such solid sonic fuel: throbbing synths and power chords deliver the fist-pumping backdrop for a heartfelt chorus.

We caught up with Michael Zakarin (lead guitar/backing vocals), John Conway (keyboards/backing vocals), and Anthony Burulcich (drums/backing vocals) before a show in Portland where we were psyched to find out that they use Nike+ when they run. It didn’t take us long to grill them about their favorite PowerSongs.

Get The Bravery's new album: Stir the Blood

BRAVERY POWERSONGS

"Slow Poison"
Michael – “Last Nite”
John – “The Conductor (Remix)”
Anthony – “Separate Ways":

Shamrock Shuffle's Top 10 PowerSongs

running_na — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:50:24 GMT

On Sunday the streets of Chicago were flooded with green as the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle unofficially kicked-off Chi-town’s running season. But before the starting gun fired, participants weighed in on their favorite PowerSongs—those essential running tracks that helped them train for the big day. The votes have been counted, and the tracks are right here, ready for you to load up and push “shuffle” on yourselves.

Get the Rock the Shamrock mix

Stronger
There’s no better mantra for a running song: “Harder, better, faster, stronger. That that don’t kill me can only make me stronger. ” ‘Nuff said.

Disturbia
Some beats are just made for the streets. This one makes you move from the moment the baseline kicks.

Tik Tok
This falls under the category of “Party PowerSong,” meaning that it inspires through a mix of thumping rhythms and lyrics about all kinds of nocturnal debauchery. I guess the run is the remedy?

Just Dance
Holy auto-tune party anthems! Has more sweat been shed for this song in nightclubs or in gyms and during runs? Tough one.

I Gotta Feeling
This is one of those, “I’m going to get totally fit so I can rock it tonight,” type workout tracks. Nothing like a healthy dose of optimism to get your heart pumping.

Eye of the Tiger
The undisputed heavyweight of PowerSongs. Don’t call it a comeback, this one’s been on the charts since day one.

Runnin' Down a Dream
Awesome lyrics and a perfectly stride-friendly 170 BPM. What dream are you running down?

Born to Run
There’s something about blue-collar rock that will always get people moving. Not to mention the fact that… well… you know… “Baby you were born to run!”

SexyBack
Great beats. And isn’t that one of the reasons a lot of people run? So that they can have a “sexy back?”

Lose Yourself
This cut contains so many characteristics of a great PowerSong: Beats that build, motivating lyrics, and memories of a movie were the underdog wins.

Which PowerSong will Rock the Shamrock?

running_na — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:00:25 GMT

Music helps a lot of people train for big races and it’s always interesting to think of all the tracks that provided the sonic fuel to get runners to the starting line on the day the event finally takes place. As part of the build-up to the big Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago this Sunday, we’re asking runners to vote on their favorite PowerSong from a select list of some of the greatest running tracks of all time (as determined by Nike+ users). If you’re at the event, make sure to vote at the expo — and feel free to submit your favorite PowerSongs in the comments, Irish or otherwise!

Which song will shine like a pot of gold at the end of an 8K-long rainbow? Tune in Monday to find out.

And the current PowerSong leaders are:
Stronger
Disturbia
Tik Tok
Just Dance
I Gotta Feelin'
Runnin' Down a Dream

Which one will pull ahead?

Serena Gets Amped

running_na — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:55:22 GMT

For a player as passionate about the game as Serena Williams, music plays a vital roll in her training and pre-match focus. Over the course of her dynamic career, she’s used great songs to propel herself to championship wins and to the top of the tennis rankings. “I’ve won Grand Slams with playlists that I put together that I’d listen to before I’d go out there,” she says. “Some songs get me really amped up.”

Her ability to get amped has given her that intensity that enhances her sheer talent on the court. In this exclusive interview, Serena talks to guest correspondent Sway about her favorite PowerSongs and which track she considers to be her theme.

Checkout Serena’s personal playlist – Good Stuff:
Everytime
Deja Vu
Good Life
Gladiator
Upgrade U
No One
Should I go

Anatomy of a PowerSong

running_na — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:00:16 GMT

The PowerSong is a universal concept. In simple terms, it’s your psych-up anthem. For running, it’s that track that gets you out the door, up a steep grade, or over the proverbial wall with a burst of aurally-inspired adrenaline. But for how simple the idea of a PowerSong seems, it’s also intensely personal and can come in many forms.

For some, the best PowerSongs are those that motivate through uplifting lyrics. These tracks might even bring to mind a movie where an underdog wins against all odds. For others, lyrics are insignificant, but the energy of a song is everything. Jagged guitars and driving beats rule here. The louder the better. Other runners might rely on a specific BPM that matches their stride, completely fixated on cadence and building playlists at specific BPMs.

We run to all of these styles and decided to make a playlist of PowerSongs recommended by YOU in the comments of previous posts, breaking them down into categories. As you’ll find out, the magic happens when more than one of these characteristics overlap in the same track.

What kind of PowerSong gets you going?

Get the mix

Heart of a Champion – LYRICS
Not only is the title a great motivator, but the lyric “I got that can’t stop, won’t stop, in my veins,” pretty much sums up the sentiments you need to get you through the toughest part of your run. Think of it as a mantra.

Eye of the Tiger — LYRICS (with a side of energy)
I mean, this has been a top-ranked PowerSong since the inception of Nike+. How can you not be inspired by the Italian Stallion downing raw eggs, tenderizing some beef with his fists and running up a huge flight of stairs when you hear the lyrics?

Danger Zone – LYRICS (with a side of BPM)
Another track with pump-up lyrics (“Take it right into the danger zone…”) and a strong association to an ‘80s flick. Think shirtless jet pilots playing volleyball on the beach. If your “danger zone” is pumping your pulse past your target heart rate, dial it back a notch, maverick.

Born Slippy — ENERGY
Sometimes dance music has a perfect bass-driven groove that makes you completely trance out. I guess that’s why they call it trance. Anyway, this one builds slowly but then goes into complete hysteria with an echoing vocal and repetitive beat. Before you know it, 7:33 has blown by. Where did the time go? Oh yeah, and it’s also a track that was made famous by a movie.

Wake Up – ENERGY
This song’s all about the build-up to the big chorus. A totally different kind of PowerSong, with a slower, more cinematic feeling, it motivates emotionally through the music as well as a lyric that incites a wild-eyed lucidity. The guy who recommended this said it got him through is first marathon. I’d say that’s proof that it works…

Blood and Thunder – ENERGY (with a side of BPM)
Talk about runnin’ with the devil. This track is a real headbanger’s delight. The rhythm guitar also can be used as paint remover if you place your speaker close to the area you’d like to have cleaned. The BPMs are on the high side of a runner’s stride, but would definitely get you to speed up. The lyrics might work as well, but I have no idea what they’re saying.

Run to the Hills – ENERGY + LYRICS
Okay, this track is a pure rocker, complete with shunting power-chords a massive guitar solo that’ll make you want to keep your running tights on much longer than it’s appropriate. The lyrics are incredible too: “Run to the hills/Run for your life!”

Ruby Soho – BPM (with a side of energy)
A classic punk vibe and tempo make this a great running song. It clocks in at around 170 BPM, a good trot for the average runner. “Destination unknown!” has a slight running reference — if you like getting lost — but otherwise this is all about the beat.

Helicopter – BPM + ENERGY
This is actually the first PowerSong I selected and used when Nike+ was released. I’ve never been able to make sense of the lyrics, but the tempo and energy are absolutely perfect for a run.

Lose Yourself – BPM + ENERGY + LYRICS
Yes indeed, this list proves that movie soundtracks are pretty motivating. And here’s a great example of a song that contains everything: Inspiring lyrics, thumping energy, and a BPM that is right in the 180 range. It’s the kind of running track you can get lost in. And that’s a good thing.

Get the mix

Cold War Kids Wanna Warm You Up

running_na — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:07:36 GMT

It’s always incredibly motivating to discover that one of our favorite bands to run to actually run themselves. Such is the case with Cold War Kids, who, aside from having unleashed an arsenal of hooky indie rock songs on the world since they formed in 2004, also have a penchant for running, biking, and booting the odd soccer ball around. Lead singer, piano player, and guitartist Nathan Willett was actually involved in Wells For Africa earlier this year, where he clocked 57 miles over a month on Nike+ to raise money to install wells in Southern Africa. Not too shabby for a dude who sees a million faces and has to rock them all.

These guys are the real deal. And their music provides great inspiration for hitting the pavement. Their new album, Loyalty to Loyalty, is full of run-worthy songs that will make a loyal Cold War Kids follower out of you. And they just teamed up with Nike SportMusic to offer you a free single from the album, “Audience of One.” We plugged it in at the beginning of our playlist, where it provides a perfect soundtrack to that critical first mile of a run. Warm up to the Cold War Kids now!

And stay tuned for an exclusive interview in the coming weeks…

Always be in-the-know. Follow Nike Running on Facebook.

HIT the Road, Vol. 2

running_na — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:39:26 GMT

The radio’s still the place where hits are made. Four months ago we compiled a collection of charting singles that were also great to run to. It was one of our most popular playlists to date. Our second installment is another set of songs that you hear in your car, in the mall, at a party, on TV. These are tracks that have become part of the collective conscious this fall and winter. It’s an eclectic mix with cuts that all have one thing in common: the power to get you on the road and up to speed during the frigid season and beyond. Pop goes the running playlist!

Hey Soul Sister
Mellow and upbeat, this song is perfect for warming you up on that first mile of your cold winter run. “Just in time, I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me.”

Use Somebody
A cut that cuts straight to the chase, creating an immediate blast of energy from the start. Then it runs through those great loud-quiet-loud transitions to draw you into the lyrics and pump you up. “I’ve been running around always looking down at all I see…”

Meet Me Halfway
Another massive tune from the PowerSong machines of pop music. The rhymes work well with a chorus that begs you to meet her halfway. Not a problem!

Down
Not only does this track feature one of our favorite rappers, pretty much captures that “tonight’s the night” vibe that always makes for a good running song.

Paparazzi
Pretend like you’re famous and have a bunch of paparazzi on your tail that you need to shake. Stars. They’re just like us, right? Minus the weird music videos.

Empire State of Mind
One of my favorite styles of running music is the kind that celebrates a city. Gives you a connection to the streets you’re on. This one should have been on our This Is My Block playlist!

Whatcha Say
Bring it in. Voice modulations and wicked drum loops make this a great piece of pop candy. Catchy tune that’ll be in your head long after your heart rate drops back down.

Get the mix