Jan 28, 2008

The Top 15 Songs to Get You Pumped Up

Girl with Headphones

There are moments in life when you need to get jacked up. They could be when you’re preparing for a big presentation, going to the gym, getting ready for a big game, going out for a run or just needing to feel the blood and adrenaline rushing through your veins to remind you that you are alive.

Music consisting of a pattern of sounds and silences constructed into an art form is the most consistent way that I know to get amped up. A top 10 list is too restrictive, so I busted out 15 highly diversified, high-octane songs to get you pumped up (in no particular order). Enjoy.

“Killing in the Name of” by Rage Against the Machine

Zach de la Rocha brings an unbridled fire that rages through his lyrics, and his pleas for activism make you want to take on the whole world. With a war waging in Iraq, there is no better time than now to dust off this track and listen to Zach’s poetic guttural overture to think and act for ourselves and not do what we’re told. Link to song

“Blood” by Pearl Jam

“Blood” is Eddie Vedder’s punch in a 1-2 combination that knocks you down to the canvas looking for oxygen. If you want to lift a small Volkswagen off the ground or just need to get amped at the gym, this track will get you there. This is one of the craziest songs I’ve seen live in concert. With the combination of a strobe light in the background and Eddie going ballistic, the crowd was worked up into such a frenzy that the riot police subsequently quelled with a pepper bomb (like a stink bomb but filled with OC gas). Link to song

“Rock N Roll Star” by Oasis

Oasis bangs out this masterpiece that reminds you what you really wanted to be as a kid. You’ll want to take your car and drive really far but there’s no easy way out. Link to song

“For Reasons Unknown” by The Killers

The Killers crank out an anthem of longing for that time when things were right and perfect with that special someone. With one deep breath and one big step, Brandon Flowers will get you up and jumping for when your heart beat like it used too. Link to song

“Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2

There is never enough that can be said about this magnum opus. The best is the live version from Boston. You could tear down walls and build and burn down love with this as your soundtrack. Because really, it’s all you can do. Link to song

“Kickstart My Heart” by Motley Crue

Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee created one of the best songs to get you pumped up ever. Their hard-living lifestyle and general decadence was the inspiration for this 80’s anthem.

“In 1987, Sixx suffered a near-fatal heroin overdose. He was declared legally dead on the way to the hospital, but one medic refused to give up and gave Sixx two shots of adrenaline to the heart, bringing him back to life. His few minutes in death were the inspiration for the band’s song “Kickstart My Heart.” [via Wikipedia]

Play it loud enough and you might even be tempted to sky dive naked from an airplane. Link to song

“Rock and Roll” by Led Zeppelin

“Rock and Roll” is how the west was won. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham bust onto the scene in 1968 and we’ve been counting our lucky stars ever since. This should be your first track that you listen to when you get behind the wheel of a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini for the first time. Crank it all the way up, stomp the gas pedal to the floorboard and beg the cops to catch you as you wave them the middle finger. They might carry you back to jail, but you won’t forget about the time you rock and rolled. Link to song

“Soldier” by Eminem

Eminem’s “Soldier” is a perfect workout song. You’ll get so jacked up that your shoulders will hold so much, won’t budge, never fall or fold up. Even if your collar bones crush or crumble. Link to song

“Hit ‘Em Up” by Tupac

Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” is a lyrical assault on Biggie Smalls. 2Pac accused Biggie of setting him up in regards to his shooting in 1994. What’s better than a revenge song to get you pumped up? Nothing because you’re about to feel the wrath of a menace. Link to song

“Master of Puppets” by Metallica

“Master of Puppets” is one of the first songs I listened to as a teenager. Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield kick off this killer track with what Total Guitar magazine called “the greatest riff of all time.” If it doesn’t get your blood pumping, you’re clinically dead. Link to song

“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses

Gun’s N’ Roses gives Metallica a run for their money with “Welcome to the Jungle.” You know where you are? You’re in the jungle, baby. You’re gonna die. There’s not much I can add to top your appetite for destruction. Link to song

“Cochise” by Audioslave

“Cochise” can best be illustrated by watching the music video. Fireworks mixed with a devilish bass line and Chris Cornell’s throaty rage to go and save yourself. Can you ask for much more? Link to song

“Feeling This” by Blink 182

Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker lay all out on “Feeling This.” Show me the bedroom floor. Show me the bathroom mirror. “Feeling This” will show you the way you move. And that I got no regret right now. Link to song

“A Decade Under the Influence” by Taking Back Sunday

Taking Back Sunday delivers with “A Decade Under the Influence.” Adam Lazzara and John Nolan’s screaming back and forth that they got a bad feeling about this takes angst to the next level. Juices will be sure to be flowing. Link to song

“Johnny B. Goode” by Jimi Hendrix

Finally, Jimi Hendrix finishes off with a live rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” Asking the crowd if it’s too loud, they respond “No way!” Ranked by Rolling Stone as the 7th greatest song of all time, the guitar licks and driving beat will have you yelling, “Go, go, Johnny, go, go!” It’s literally a rock-and-roll version of the American dream. For that blessing, we can never give Chuck Berry enough praise. Link to song

Did I leave something off the list? Feel free to leave a comment with your top songs to get you pumped up.

photography by flattop341

26 Comments, Comment or Ping

Anthony

Great list. I also like:

1. Triumph - Wu Tang Clan (quite possibly the best group rap song ever!)
2. Machinehead - Bush (this usually get’s me going)
3. Lose Yourself - Eminem (c’mon who doesn’t know that beginning part by heart?)
4. We Are the Champions - Queen (Classic)
5. Limp Bizkit - Faith (think I broke a table at a Karaoke place singing this.)

Jan 28th, 2008
kram

Fort Minor-Remember the Name
Gangstar - Mass Appeal
B.O.B - Outkast
Hate Me Now - Nas
Till I Collapse - Eminem

constant rotation on my ipod.

Jan 28th, 2008
ugly

-Welcome to the Jungle, GNR. I 2nd this one.
-Triumph, Wu Tang. I 2nd this one too.
-Masta Ace, Born to Roll. When the album title is Slaughtahouse, nuff said.
-Uptown Anthem, Naughty by Nature. When I’m feeling violent.
-Sober, Tool. Best song while playing video games.

Jan 28th, 2008
David

My 2007 goes to:

Pinback- All albums
http://www.myspace.com/pinback

Blackalicious- Blazing Arrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDv2s35zPCM

Emery- I’m just a Man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Er7S7z56w

Ratatat- Classics
[http://www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic]

Dance Gavin Dance- Downtown Battle Mountain
[http://www.myspace.com/dancegavindance]

Jan 28th, 2008
David

gotta add:
Emery- I’m just a Man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1YQxWspgs

PLUS HERES MY [Last.fm] RSS/xml feed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1YQxWspgs

Jan 28th, 2008
David

Lydia has an awesome selection of music:

http://www.last.fm/listen/user/skyvillain/personal

Jan 28th, 2008
EB Coucher

Ah…brings me back to the good ol’ Football days. Here are a few more….

Toxicity - System of a Down
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IJmt3dr9XYQ

EVERY Rage song

Slayer and Pantera for just pure madness

And the ultimate: WHIPLASH by Metallica (only on some Kill Em All Albums)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z2CajAg9TDc

Jan 29th, 2008
Anthony

I forgot about Debaser by the Pixies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mCoOlUjhlc

Jan 29th, 2008
mira

“Asterick”, by M83.
http://miramadethis.com/media/asterick.mp3

I don’t suggest listening to this on a daily basis, though. It can get you addicted. And by the end of day, you’ll max out your energy.

Jan 30th, 2008
David

I like those types of songs ‘mira’ where could i find more?

good stuff..

Is this your creation?

Jan 30th, 2008
David

awesome,..I just found it…

What other types of music do you listen to?

Do you have a Last.fm account?

heres mine:
http://www.last.fm/user/redescape/

Jan 30th, 2008
mira

Hey David. Cool playlist on your last.FM, especially diggin’ “Pingback”. You’re probably the 3rd person that I personally know who listens to metal. Reminds me of my friend who’s a fan of Dragon Force (or something like that?). :)

I usually listen to epic/instrumental rock (i.e, Godspeed, you black emperor and Mogwai) to get me either relaxed or pumped.

I’m not registered anywhere w/ a music playlist, but uh… the closest would be: http://www.thesixtyone.com/johnnywolfe/collection/22236/

Jan 31st, 2008
Rob

Please please please come to www.FindLikeminds.com and add these songs!!

Feb 6th, 2008
Squarehead

There are several songs that can get me pumped as hell. I’m surprised this one wasn’t on the list.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Pt-NvcuDVBc
Clubbed to Death by Rob Dougan.
Gets adrenaline in me every time I listen to it. Man, it’s so awesome.

Feb 20th, 2008
Shirish Kamath

. A Perfect Circle - Passive
. Professional Murder Music - Slow
. Saliva - Your Disease
. Nickelback feat. Kid Rock - Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
. Nine Inch Nails - Wish
. Prodigy - Smack By B*tch
. Incubus - Pardon Me
. Seether - Remedy
. Godsmack - Straight Out of Line
. Muse - Hysteria
. Feeder - Brand New Car
. Everclear - The Boys are Back in Town
. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of | Agreed.
. Limp Bizkit - Take A Look Around
. Placebo - Every You Every Me

Feb 20th, 2008
John Hooper

You deserve to be “pumped up” the arse for your bad taste in music.

Feb 21st, 2008
romkeh

beaten to the punch.
get a new music taste, guys… seriously

Feb 21st, 2008
Larry

Seven Nations Army by The White Stripes
How did this not make these lists? This is “the pumped up song”

Feb 29th, 2008
Chudd

OK well Classics of all time #1’s for lifting are:

1. Master of Puppets - Metallica

2. The Trooper - Iron Maiden

3. Fade to black - Metallica

4. Enter Sandman - Metallica

5. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns and Roses (every body’s fav)

6. Walk - Pantera

7. The Glass Prison - Dream Theatre

8. Chop Suey - System of a Down

9. Holy Wars… The Punishment Due - Magedeth

10. Cowboys From Hell - Pantera (A MUST HAVE!)

11. Iron Man - Black Sabbath

12. Dig - Mudvayne

15. Through the Fire and the Flames - Dragon Force

Ok guess heres some new songs…..so go get that Ipod/Mp3 player and get Pumped!

Mar 4th, 2008
doug

Nice on the Rage, but check out “Know Your Enemy” and for Eminem “Till I Collapse”. But if you want a song that will make you run through a brick wall and just go crazy listen the “Anger” by Downset.

Mar 11th, 2008
Myk

When Worlds Collide - Powerman5000

Mar 24th, 2008
Jim

Space Lord - Monster Magnet

Mar 25th, 2008
Ian

Joker and the Thief - Wolfmother

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - Dragonforce (too many to name, just look them up)

Hell’s Bells - AC/DC (intro)

Mindfreak - TV Theme Song

I listen to a lot of the songs already listed, so I won’t repeat them.

Mar 28th, 2008
GARY

Fatboy Slim-right here right now/Praise you
Fort Minor- remember The Name
The Glass Prison - Dream Theatre

Apr 19th, 2008
craig

1. lamb of god - redneck
2. chamaira - pure hatred
3. behemoth - the nephilim rising
4. lamb of god - beating on death’s door
5. biggie - victory
6. baltimore club - don’t make me kill
7. dying fetus - born in a casket
8. lamb of god - ruin
9. metallica - enter sandman
10. bring me the horizon - eyeless
11. easy e - still cruisin
12. dying fetus - judgement day
13. trivium - pillars of serpents

Apr 30th, 2008
Deion James

Reqieum For a dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DUDE THIS IS THE FUCKING BEST SONG TO GET PPUMPED UP

it starts off slow and the tempo gets like WOAH!

May 7th, 2008