Although your running playlist might consist of plenty of songs that have nothing to do with running, it can be fun to have songs about running or that feature lyrics for running to listen to while you are actually running.
However, finding songs about runners or songs about running fast, or even just songs about running in general, can be difficult with the overwhelming number of running-related songs written over the years.
There are songs about running in most genres of music, allowing runners with all types of preferences in music to find at least a handful of songs with lyrics about running or songs about running fast to form the soundtrack to fuel your own workouts.
Although there are probably hundreds of running songs to choose from, we have hand-selected some of the best songs about running from different genres and styles of music and shared them below.
We will look at:
- 19 Awesome Songs About Running
Let’s jump in!
19 Awesome Songs About Running
Consider adding a couple to your favorite running playlist and see if the lyrics about running inspire you!
#1: Born to Run: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Ever feel like a “runaway American dream?” Ever “sweat it out in the streets”?
The Boss’ song title says it all: “Oh honey, tramps like us / Baby, we were born to run.” Be sure to time your kick to the gear change that happens about three minutes in…
#2: 2099: Charli XCX (feat. Troye Sivan)
This futuristic hyper pop track is what you want to say to the competition on race day: “Fast like a Nascar, never touch us. Got visions, levels, they don’t get me. Quiet, no discussions, please hush.”
#3: Born 2 Run: 7Lyons
There are some great running lyrics in the song Born 2 Run by 7Lyons.
Some of our favorite lyrics about running in this catchy pump-up song include:
“If the sky turns black, it don’t matter. We know the sun is coming up. Built so strong, it won’t shatter. We were born to run.”
“Sometimes, you gotta push through all your obstacles. No matter what the options are there is no lose, there is no fail.”
“I gotta go hard, gotta go far.”
#4: Run: The Knux
The title of this song says it all; it is truly a song about running and can be a running song anthem for women in particular:
“I said she’s gonna run run run that girl’s gonna run. Run, run, run, that girl’s gonna run. Run, run, run, that girl’s gonna run. And she’s gonna run, run, run, that girl’s gonna run.”
We also like the running lyrics: “She said catch me if you can.”
#5: Fast As You Can: Fiona Apple
This frantic and syncopated beat featuring an ever-changing selection of instruments will implore you to “Fast as you can, baby. Run, free yourself.”
#6: Fly: Nicki Minaj and Rhianna
This is a great pump-up song for running, with lyrics that make you want to run faster and compete at the highest level.
Check out these motivating lyrics for running:
“I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive. I came to win, to survive, to prosper, to rise. To fly.”
“Get ready for it. I came to win”
#7: The Long Way Around: The Chicks
While Natalie Maines might be singing about finding her own path in life, you’ll literally be tackling roads and trails.
This song’s for runners who “could never follow” and who like “takin’ the long way around.”
#8: People Like Us: Kelly Clarkson
When you are struggling in your run and just want to give up, Kelly Clarkson has some inspiring lyrics for runners in her song “People Like Us.”
“Don’t let it get the best of you, you’ll make it out alive.”
“Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever.”
“Everything will be okay even when you’re feeling like it’s going down in flames.”
#9: I’m Born to Run: American Authors
This is a great running song to listen to when you are heading out the door for your workout, especially to hit the trails with the opening line, “I’m born to run down rocky cliffs.”
#10: Further On: Bronze Radio Return
It’s hard to describe the genre of music for Bronze Radio Return’s song “Further On.”
It is sort of alternative rock meets country. And although the song doesn’t seem to be about running directly, there are some lyrics for running that most runners can resonate with:
“One big push is gonna get you there, takes a stronger eye to see. When you see it in front of you, accelerate up ahead and you see where you’re going to.”
“Moving every day, goin further on. Lead your way, keep on strong. Moving every day, goin further on.”
#11: Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty
Tom Petty’s gritty and rockin’ ode to hitting the road features a catchy little guitar lick and lyrics like,
“Yeah, I’m runnin’ down a dream that never would’ve come to me. Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads.”
#12: Ignition: TobyMac
Although this isn’t necessarily a song about running, and the lyrics do not speak to running directly, the motivating song lyrics will have you want to dig deep and run fast:
“Start it up, turn it on. We can ride this storm.” “Take it up a notch.”
“Turn on, turn on the ignition. Everybody, come on, come on and turn on the ignition.”
#13: Roar: Katy Perry
Again, although this song isn’t explicitly about running, it abounds with pertinent lyrics for runners.
Plus, how can you not feel pumped up and motivated by the powerful beat?
“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar. Louder, louder than a lion, cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar. Oh, you’re gonna hear me roar.”
#14: And We Run: Within Temptation
Not only does this song have running in the title, but the lyrics also talk about running and not giving up.
Every runner has faced those moments in a hard workout, long run, or race where your mind is screaming at you to quit or ease up, but this song urges you to push on through.
“And we run with a lonely heart. And we run for this killing love. And we run ’til the heavens above.”
“I’ma break these chains, run through the rain. Never look back, never quit, work through the pain. This blood in my veins runs cold when I think it’ll never be the same. But I never lose hope. This is my time now, no time for tears to celebrate. Put it in the air right now. Never back down.”
#15: Cake: The Distance
This is a great song about running far. Add it to your running playlist for a long run. Here are some of the best lyrics about running in this classic running song:
“He’s going the distance. He’s going for speed. She’s all alone. In her time of need. Because he’s racing and pacing and plotting the course. He’s fighting and biting and riding on his horse, He’s going the distance.”
#16: Well Done: Moriah Peters
This song has one line that in particular is about running fast or racing your best:
“I’ll run, I’ll run. I’m gonna run this race to hear you say well done.”
#17: You Gotta Want It: Jordin Sparks
This entire song has motivating lyrics for athletes, and even though it has more of a wider application than running alone, it’s certainly a song about running fast or pushing yourself by finding that inner spark within you that drives you to be your best.
Here are some of the best lyrics for runners in this pump up song:
“You gotta want it, you gotta need it. When it’s time to lay it on the line you gotta feel it, you gotta need it. When you dig down deep, so deep, you gotta want it, you gotta want it.”
“In the end, victory will be won. But only for the champion and now there’s no holding back.”
#18: Where the Streets Have No Name: U2
Does it get better than an anthemic song crescendoing into the lyrics, “I want to run” to give you that boost you need in the middle of your morning miles?
Besides, does it get any better than The Edge’s jangly guitar echos, Bono’s passionate vocals, and the driving rhythm section of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullin Jr. for hitting the road?
#19: Almost Home: Mariah Carey
Ah, the powerful Mariah Carey. She may not have written this song about running, but it has running lyrics that may resonate with you:
“When you run, run so far you’ve forgotten who you are. Where you’re from, it’s like some other universe. You count your steps, like they’re regrets. You catch one breath then lose the rest.“
“When you hear the sound of the trumpet louder than ever before, you’re almost home.”
That last line can be great in a race when you are entering the final stretch, where you pick up the energy of the finish line crowd and spectators, the music, and the announcer over the loudspeaker. That is your “trumpet, “ and the finish line is “home.”
What are your favorite songs about runners? What lyrics about running have resonated most with you?
If you want a list of songs with a specific BPM for running workouts, check out our article: High BPM Songs To Power Your Workout.
