Wildlands
156 BPM · D minor · 4:18
156 BPM: at about 156 steps a minute, every footstep lands on a beat. A shout and a choir open it, then the first big drop hits at 1:35.
When: For the main part of the run. Chorus at 1:02.
Running songs by BPM: match your steps to the beat
Many runners find it easier to hold a steady pace when their feet land on the beat. The trick is finding a song whose tempo, in beats per minute, matches your steps per minute.
Remember Home
155 BPM · D major · 3:09
155 BPM, with the voice in at 0:06: no long intro to wait through.
When: For the start of the run, to find your rhythm fast. Chorus at 0:47.
Break the Distance
128 BPM · B minor · 3:50
Its beat gallops along at 128 BPM. One step per beat is closer to a brisk walk than a run.
When: For the warm-up walk. Chorus at 0:44.
The Place Where We Belong
126 BPM · E♭ major · 3:45
126 BPM, soft at first and rising to a wide chorus.
When: For the cool-down, when the run is done. Chorus at 1:16.
Find your cadence
Run at your usual pace, count every step, left and right, for 30 seconds and double the number. That is your cadence, in steps per minute. If you are near 155, pick Wildlands or Remember Home. Break the Distance and The Place Where We Belong, at 126 to 128 BPM, match a brisk walk, so save them for the warm-up and cool-down.
A run in four songs
Warm-up walk: Break the Distance. Start of the run: Remember Home. Main run: Wildlands. Cool-down: The Place Where We Belong.
Common questions
- What BPM is best for running?
- The one that matches your cadence, the number of steps you take per minute. Measure it on a normal run, then pick songs with the same BPM. If you run well above 160 steps a minute, the songs here will feel a little slow.
- Are there running songs at 155 BPM?
- Yes: Remember Home is at 155 BPM and Wildlands at 156.
- Which song works for a warm-up walk?
- Break the Distance, at 128 BPM.
Also: Summer songs and beach songs for sunny days
Also: Hype songs and motivational songs that pump you up
Also: Good morning songs to wake up to
All moods: happy songs and upbeat songs for a good mood