So it’s February, and walking to class or to Target or to Coffee Alley kind of sucks. It’s cold out, the wind is crazy, and you’re bound to get stuck behind somebody who’s walking just this shy of way too slow. Seeing as vocal outbursts of pure frustration are generally frowned upon by polite society (at least in my experience), it can be a lot easier to deal with the world with a good playlist to walk along to. There are a few things to consider when building the perfect walking playlist, but most importantly is to include music that you really like. Below, I’ve broken down a few suggestions by genre to get you started.
No matter what you like…
Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
It is a scientifically proven fact that listening to this song while you’re walking increases your self-confidence by at least 98%. You make that dragon wanna retire, girl! Besides having the perfect walking beat, this is just a fantastic, universally appealing song. It’ll probably make you feel a lot better about waking up for that 8 a.m. lab all the way at BSB.
I Wanna Get Better by Bleachers
This is another one that doesn’t really play to a specific genre because of universal appeal. It’s especially effective and relevant if your morning walking commute happens to take you near or on an overpass. Even if you don’t particularly feel as though you wanna get better, this song is an anthem and it’ll make you want to scream along to the lyrics, social norms be damned. It’s very upbeat, so it’ll also put a much more positive spin on your day. Every time this comes on my playlist, I get a little boost for the rest of the day.
If you like R&B…
Partition by Beyonce
Much like Uptown Funk, this song has a very good beat to walk to. And yes, that is the power of Beyonce making your hips sashay just a little bit. It’s also fun because when your headphones are in, nobody knows that you’re listening to such a scandalous song. You can be wearing a parka and snow boots and be totally jamming out to a sexy Beyonce song and nobody will be the wiser!
Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams
I don’t care how you feel about the word “bae”, because it in no way decreases the walk-ability of this song. Now that I’m thinking about it, R&B might just be the best genre to walk to. Anything that can be described as “funky”, really, is a good start. Specifically, Come Get It Bae has a great repetitive bass line and a catchy guitar lick that makes it ideal for walking.
If you like Pop…
Really Don’t Care by Demi Lovato feat. Chery Lloyd
My favorite thing about this song is that it applies very well to my general sentiment while I’m walking through campus trying to get to a class that starts in three minutes. Talking to your friends in a big group that completely blocks the sidewalk? I really don’t care! Walking right in front of me while you’re sending what I’m sure are very important text messages? I really don’t care! Plowing people over aside, this is just a really fun song that might just put a little extra bounce in your step.
Miss Moving On or Bo$$ by Fifth Harmony
You’ve got a hit here no matter which way you cut it. Heck, put both on your playlist. Or if you really feel the need to choose, go with Miss Moving On if you’re in a more “romantic comedy inspirational” girl power mood and Bo$$ if you’re in a more “get money” girl power mood. Personally, I fluctuate between the two about every 30 seconds, so I like the variety of having both available.
If you like Alternative…
Teenagers by My Chemical Romance
Man, nothing makes you feel like you’ve got your badass pants on like walking through campus listening to this. It may have the slightly unfortunate side effects of irrational anger and a sudden desire to stick it to the man, but that usually passes once the playlist shuffles back to Fifth Harmony. The beat is just quick enough to allow for a good pace, and it’s a nice throwback to the mid-2000’s pop/emo punk that you definitely do not have to be ashamed for listening to. And if you’re like me and you’re mentally stuck in 2005, there’s plenty of pop punk throwbacks out there to fill up a walking playlist (not that I have one) (I totally have one).
Sugar, We’re Goin Down by Fall Out Boy
I might be slightly biased with this one, because in addition to it being great for walking, it’s also probably my favorite song of all time. I don’t even have it on my walking playlist because every time it comes on I have an insatiable need to grab the nearest microphone-shaped item and dramatically lip sync along, which is not ideal for functioning in public like a respectable human being. But if you can handle yourself, the bass line in this song is perfect for pacing to, and the whole thing is ridiculously catchy.
If you like Indie…
Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
I guarantee that you’ve never heard a happier song than this one. Nine out of ten doctors agree that this is the best cure for Resting B*tch Face, which is the number one disease of all people walking to class, ever. You can’t help but smile when this song comes on. Shockingly enough, it really does make you want to shut up and dance, which you can totally do if you want to. Or you can just walk to it. Either way works.
Unbelievers by Vampire Weekend
You’d be safe with picking pretty much any Vampire Weekend song in this instance, but this one’s my favorite. It’s got a great drum backing and a really fun upbeat sound that might make your journey through the freezing cold just a little bit happier.
If you like Oldies…
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
So class isn’t exactly the same as working a day job, but when you listen to this song you mentally transform into a 1980’s secretary who doesn’t get nearly enough appreciation, big hair and all. This is a great remedy for any time you feel at all slighted by a professor and a good pick me up when you’re changing buildings on your longest day of classes. Also, how great is that album cover?
December 1963 by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
This is my favorite song to listen to while I’m walking back to my dorm after classes are over, because it sounds like happiness, and unadulterated joy tends to be the feeling that I have when I’m done for the day. Be forewarned: this is going to get stuck in your head to the point that you feel the need to grab four of your friends to harmonize with you while you do your best Frankie Valli impression.
All of the songs listed above can be found on this Spotify playlist here!