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There's a song "Once Upon a Time" by Danny Click (note: a friend), that can really get my legs pumping on a run. And "

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I've been doing this since January: https://1001albumsgenerator.com

Even though I mostly listen to rock/alternative/indie, especially 80s alternative, I've also been listening to Muddy Waters quite a bit this year.

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A few albums that are on constant rotation at present:

Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders “Promises”. This might be the album that finally opens the door to jazz for me …

Blood Orange “Cupid Deluxe”. Nice evening vibes to enjoy with a glass of wine at the end of a busy day.

Big Thief “UFOF”. Lots of feelings for this one. Got me through some low times during the first lockdown.

The Avalanches “We Will Always Love You”. A perfect album. Gorgeous, life-affirming stuff that makes you feel love for all the people and things around you.

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Going to check all of these out — thanks, Kevin!

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Anything by John 5 .... He's an awesome guitar player....while cutting the grass, CRANK IT was playing in my head....

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I listen to books most of the time. Currently, I am listening to the Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny. I just can't say enough about these books. Really love them. The narrator is fantastic, too, which is essential.

As for music, I have very diverse taste so I rarely get tired of listening to what is already in my library, but, I only have one playlist for when I run, and I am glad for the recommendations.

I do have three songs that may not be commonly in a run playlist, but motivate me when I hear them. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver, Rock Steady, Aretha Franklin, and, if you are a fan of mariachis, La Negra, Mariachi Vargas.

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💜 Louise Penny!

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I listen to books all the time also....can’t wait to try out these!! Right now I’m listening to a series that has Michael Bennet as a detective in NYC.

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Catherine, I am such a fan of detective novels, and cannot believe it took me so long to discover these. They might be my all time favorite. Such characters!!!!

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I have to check these out!

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I've been listening to a lot of 90s lately, Wilson Phillips Hold on &La Bouche Be My Lover, other than that I listen to a lot of new female rap artists haha, they get me pumped up and goin! :P

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Love this!

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I've been listening to a lot of NPR's Ted Radio Hour for my runs. Also, Brene Browns Dare to Lead Podcast. It's the one time of day when I can get great insight on various topics without being interrupted and just zone out.

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Don’t hate on me, but I absolutely cannot run with any music - it throws me off. If I need music to keep a pace, I sing whatever song is in my head and adapt its meter to my desired pace. Plus, most of my favorite music does not translate to running (varying and slow meters).

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I understand completely! I listen to Music for Music's sake, Running if for Running's sake. Somehow I cannot mix the two. Most music I listen to is classical, folk or Hawaiian which don't translate easily to "running."

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I'm a Spotify person. I have my own various playlists (very eclectic: late 60's, 70's rock, pop, current country, etc.). Then Spotify, using algorithms (I guess, creepy!) makes "Daily Mixes" made for me. They pull songs from my past that I've totally forgotten about and they're different all the time. Keeps it interesting and turns me on to new songs

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Zombie.

I really liked the Cranberries and Zombie was my favorite that they did, but there is a band doing a cover of it that's getting some air. I asked my son who it was and he told me, "Oh, that's a lousy cover. Listen to this one instead." and sent me a link to the Dreamer's version. And, of course, after I watched that video I saw more bands who had covered it and, yes, I fell down the rabbit hole and just kept clicking.

Do you know how many covers of Zombie are out there? Me either, but I can say there are a lot of them!

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I had no idea! I'll have to check it out.

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Try: This is how a heart breaks & Street corner symphony. 💪🎶

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Anything Rob Thomas. He can get those legs pumping.

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I'm a child of the 70s and I recently rediscovered the Bee Gees and ABBA. It's been fun running and taking a trip down memory lane at the same time.

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Barry Gibb just released an album of remakes of BeeGees tunes, with lots of partners ( Keith Urban, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlisle, Sheryl Crow). It's a lot of fun listening to the disco tunes re-done without all the disco "stuff". They wrote some great tunes...

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My favorite music to run to lately is also the 70s music station on treadmill only - outside no music - I love The Bee Gees - reminds me of roller skating and disco balls - just so much fun memories!

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Have you seen the HBO documentary on the Bee Gees? It's really, really good -- I came to the conclusion they're one of the most unfairly typecast bands of all time. Their stuff really stands up -- the melodies are just amazing.

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I completely agree. Most people only know their music from Saturday Night Fever, but there were so much more as a band. I'm going to look up that documentary, thanks!

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i'm a classic rock girl but lately i am addicted to the punk/pop brat Machine gun kelly LOL. his music is totally inane (and super catchy and i love it!)

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If you like true crime, I highly recommend True Crime Bullshit podcast. It’s incredible.

Here for the music suggestions

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Subscribing now 👍

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Let me know what you think!

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I've always been exposed to multiple genres of music so I listen to different types during different things. Lately, I've been on a country music kick in my car while running to late 80's early 90's rock & roll stuff [provides a great "cadence keeper beat"] and some jazz and R&B in the house. Allows a different feel while still keeping the rhythm! I use Pandora at home and when I run while the local radio in the car as well.

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I have been making theme based Playlists on Spotify to listen on runs

I would be happy to share them on this thread

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Please do!

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I think I am worse than you with listening ruts lol. Running- country, Weight Lifting- Rap, Cooking- Raggae and it has been that way for years. I will take this as a sign that maybe i should dip my toe outside my comfort zone lol. Have a great weekend everyone.

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Right back at you, Brian!

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That podcast looks good - thanks for the recco! I also have listened to a couple of REALLY good ones lately so I'll throw them out there as well..... Finding Fred and Dolly Parton's America.... both worth the listen! :)

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I've heard the Dolly Parton one is great -- never heard of Finding Fred, will give it a Google now...

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I love new alternative - so Fitz and the Tantrums, Cage the Elephant, Bleachers all keep me moving. I am a HUGE Brene Brown fan, both of her podcasts -Dare to Lead and Unlocking Us; Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard, Simon Sinek's a Bit of Optimism, Freakonomics, WTF with Marc Maron...ps LOVING THE NEWSLETTER!

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John Wicks, drummer for Fitz and the Tantrums, owns a coffee shop in Missoula, MT, fairly close to the UM. My son was between classes and walked down there for a cup and saw a guy sitting at a table doing books. He was pretty sure it was Wicks, so while he was standing in line he started humming one of their songs. The guy looked up, grinned, and played a few licks on air drums. I thought that was pretty cool.

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Dax Shepard's podcast is the BEST, isn't it? I love Marc Maron's too -- did you hear his interview with Jerry Seinfeld from last summer? Thanks so much on the kudos, too!!!! 😃

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I did not - will put that on download RIGHT NOW!!! And didn't know about the ones you mentioned (except Serial) - flagged those already...great post for all of us to find more to listen to!

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I don’t run listening to anything, but, lately, I have found that Reggaeton music (e.g. Bad Bunny and similar) is somewhat helping keeping my pace. Only if you speak Spanish or don’t care what the lyrics say, yeah… 😂

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Ha! I love that -- have a list on Spotify that you love of it?

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Not in Spotify. I use Apple Music and they have created essential playlists by music genres. Search for Reggaeton and several lists will pop up. My favorites are “Dale Play” and “Dale Reggaeton”. Cheers!

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I usually listen to the Strength Running podcast. I find the interviews and conversations motivating. If not, one of the running playlists on Spotify. I'm new to Spotify, so I'm still feeling these out.

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Spotify has changed how I listen to music -- it's almost spooky, in a way, how it can find things for you. What are your favorite running playlists there?

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So far, Retro Running, and Running to Rock 170-190 BPM. I used to listen to the playlists on the Rock My Run app until they stopped their free-with-ads version. That was great because they had playlists where all the songs were dialed into a specific tempo, like 175BPM. Oh well, nothing lasts forever.

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Some things I've been listening to:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7FtluEiwPzD2NR3gw4AQpt?si=a3875562054f4b70

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Thanks for this, Mark! I'll definitely check it out.

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btw, I'm enjoying the new direction of your newsletter. Thanks!

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I second this!

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Thanks!! Really glad to hear that. Honestly, I've been a little nervous about how people would respond, but so far I've been really (pleasantly!) surprised at how most readers have taken to it. It's a little like walking out on a limb by yourself, but it's worth it 👍

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Yes! Count me in too. Especially as a non-runner 😂

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