Songs to Get Pumped To

Yesterday, we discussed great songs for walking. Today, we will discuss songs that are perfect for training, preparing for a big game, or getting excited about a major event. The songs that follow are a sampling of what you can use in any of these situations.


"Sleep Now in the Fire" by Rage Against The Machine: This is a perfect pumped-up song, as it has all the neccessary factors, including pounding drums, an up-temp catchy guitar riff, and screamed vocals. Everything about this song gets you pumped: when the bass slides in after the intro riff, when that crazy guitar effect kicks in at the end...everything. This one is a gem. However, pretty much every Rage songs follows this formula, and therefore are all suitable to get pumped up to, especially "Killing in the Name Of" "Bulls on Parade" "Testify" and "Guerilla Radio."

"Song 2" by Blur: Even though this was an honerable mention in the Most Overplayed list, this song is another perfect getting pumped song. The opening drum beat gets you ready to go, thats where you jump up and down in place. Then the clean riff, thats where you roll your neck and shake your hands out, Then the distorted riff: one of the most glorious moments in music, featuring perhaps the dumbest, simplist and most brilliant choruses ever: 'whoo-hoo.' as simple as that, and as awesome as that. At that moment you burst into action, and usually fight people and stuff.

"Go With the Flow" by Queens of the Stone Age: Thus songs wastes no time and kicks your ass right out of the gate. It is 3 solid minutes of up-tempo rock gold, and for those 3 minutes, you will get so pumped for your day that you can tackle any problem that comes your way. The singable chorus and pulsing beat will be stuck in your head all day, and make you want to play football against people bigger than you, just so you can look all badass with a black eye and ripped shirt as this song plays.


"Kick out the Jams" by The Presidents of the USA: a cover version of an old MC5 song, this nugget will have you lying on the floor staring at the ceiling holding your head before you even realized it had ended. With a riff and energy that never quit, this song clocks in at under 1:30, but it will fill you will levels of pumpedupittude that you didn't know you could handle. This is a great one to keep on loop or start a party with.


"Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys: This one is a classic. No matter who you are, you hear this song and you are suddenly the coolest person on earth, no matter who you are ot what you are doing. You could be in middle-management for a small shower-curtain ring company, and if this song comes on, you are suddenly transformed into a kick-ass dude who doesn't take any crap from anyone. This is a perfect one for sledding or snow sports, to get that "I'm so cool I'm literally insane" mindset.

"From out of Nowhere" by Faith No More: This may be the single greatest pumped-up song ever. Seemingly custom made for car chases and getaways, this song should be the only one playing when you go running or jogging. It is literally the perfect pumped song, with a dynamic chord progression that will fuel you for miles, a slowed break to give your activity an epic sense of purpose, and then breaking back into the main riff to power you to your finish with no problem.

here are some honerable mentions:

"Monkey Wrench" by Foo Fighters
"Blitzkrieg Bop" by the Ramones
"Fuckin in the Bushes" by Oasis (this is the song used in the film "Snatch" as Mickey enters the ring)
"Lump" by the Presidents of the USA
"Weekapaug Groove" by Phish


Tomorrow we will discuss the best songs to listen to while star-gazing


Peace Love and Understanding