must-have-music

Today’s guest post is brought to you by Amy of Second City Randomness.  She kinda silly, which is awesome… I know you’ll enjoy it!

Hello all! I’m Amy from Second City Randomness and am honored to be asked by the lovely Heather to help her keep her blog friends entertained while she’s enjoying quality time with the new lil’ addition to her family. Oh… and changing diapers. I’m sure she’s busy with that, too…

Let’s talk about our workout playlists for a minute.

Is anyone else like me where it is totally not a good representation of the music you normally listen to?

Sure. There are songs in my regular rotation that make it to the workout playlist. But there are also songs on there I most likely don’t want my friends to know I paid $1.29 to download.

Lucky for you, as I continue my long runs, I don’t seem to have much shame and have decided to share a list of the Top 10 Songs that make every single running playlist I make:

1. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers. It’s catchy. And truth be told, this is my official “happy song” and in my top 10 favorite songs OF ALL TIME (dun dun dunnnn). I can’t not stop life for a second to be cheerful while listening- no matter what kind of crap I’m dealing with. If you don’t already have your own happy song, you’re totally allowed to borrow it until you do. You’re welcome.

2. On To The Next One by Jay-Z. Gotta feel balla’. Especially somewhere near the middle or end of a run. Sometimes I imagine J sitting on the side of the race with a 40 in his hands and a Yanks hat over his eyes (races are pretty early in the morning) saying “run yo’ ass off, girl”. It’s just what I need. Thanks boo.

3. See You Again by Miley Cyrus. The first of many embarrassing tunes to grace the ‘pod. However, I’m totally guilty of playing this song whenever because I just sorta like it. Even if she was maybe 16 when it was recorded and she sings like she smoked a pack a day since birth. What gives?

4. What Doesn’t Kill You by Kelly Clarkson. This is a relatively new addition. But she’s been a staple in my list for years. Something about that slightly bitter yet empowering rant of a song that she can produce time and time again. I hear ya, Kelly. Guys do sometimes suck, don’t they?

5. A Favor House Atlantic by Coheed and Cambria. Do you know much about these dudes? Yeah… me either. However, my ex-boyfriend in college downloaded this to my music library maybe 8 years ago (omg- how old am I?!?!). The song has stuck around. Much unlike the boy. Ah well. I got a few good tunes out of it, a band t-shirt and all of his N64 games. So uh… winning? (please don’t tell him about the N64 games- I heart Zelda)

6. All The Things I’ve Done by The Killers. Much like my girl Kelly Clarkson, The Killers happen to always make it on my playlist some way or another. This just happens to be the tune of theirs I’m feelin’ as of late.

7. I Want You Back by N*Sync. There really isn’t an explanation necessary, is there? Good… because I don’t have one. But I do have to admit I also know the little “dance” to this song. And even broke it out during a wedding dance once. I am not ashamed.

8. Back in Time by PitBull. Another new one that I’m sure to kill by playing it on repeat 100 times and then hearing it another 1,000 on the radio. I never learn.

9. The Distance by Cake. How cliché, right? Funny thing is we used to listen to the entire album (Fashion Nugget) on the way to track meets in junior high. It was always super cool if you were the one in the back of the bus that got to hold the cd player blaring the music. Now that I think about it, I feel this was Tom Sawyer/fence painting trickery. Because who wants to have to hold the cd player the entire time? Everyone else was able to socialize and, I dunno, use both of their hands…

10. Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind. Yet another shout out to past Amy. And another song in my all-time top 10. I’m pretty sure almost everyone within a 20-year age range can sing this song by heart.

So there you have it. 10 songs guaranteed to be played during any race I do in the next year or so.

I know. I’m weird.

What’s your most embarrassing song on your iPod?

It’s possible mine would be some old-school Enrique. Because it’s awesomely bad.

I can be your hero, baby…

Amy is a 20-something who enjoys running and baking her way through life in Chicago, IL. Her blog is random in nature and reflects her attempts at a quirky spin on healthy living. You can find her at Second City Randomness.