The Music That Moves Me
MAY 4, 2021 | WORDS BY MATT DELLAVALLE
I am a complete audiophile...I absolutely love music. The right song can change my entire sense of reality.
A song will hit me and suddenly I am transported to a different time and place...old memories, people, places, and things. Music is hugely powerful for me in all aspects of my life, but none more powerful than during my workouts. I’ve been doing fitness for a long, long time and over the years I’ve probably listened to thousands (maybe even hundreds of thousands!) of songs. Music has been constantly by my side and in my ears through all the different twists and turns of my journey in life and fitness. It’s part of my soul, and it will always be a driving force in my workouts.
My taste in music is diverse. I certainly have my favorites, but I really don’t discriminate when it comes to my listening taste. I’m into everything from pop-punk and emo to broadway and musicals to rap, country, classic rock, and jazz. When it’s time to workout, I have a core list of songs that help bring my energy to the next level. I’m sure you’ve got your personal faves, but these are my top-10 all-time workout songs. These 10 songs never fail to get me fired up to train. So, turn the volume up to 10, and let’s get after it!
*Warning! Some of these songs are explicit, but of course, you can always find the clean versions. Also, since this is MY LIST...my taste plays heavy into the top-10. Different strokes for different folks –hit me up on Instagram @mdv_fit to let me know your favorite workout tracks.
10. The Downfall of Us All - A Day to Remember
The Inside Scoop...
Classic mid-2000s power punk-emo-pop. ADTR is a band that danced between the being hardcore yet catchy enough for the mainstream. A band with lots of great workout songs, but this one pumps start to finish with a great lead-in, heavy guitar, and great vocals.
9. Numb / Encore - Jay-Z & Linkin Park
The Inside Scoop…
One of the best modern collabs between two masters of their genres. This song is a great remix of the two hits with both artists showcasing their talent in one amazing track. Hard to hate on this collab.
8. Forgot About Dre - Dr. Dre
The Inside Scoop...
Chronic 2001 was Dre’s return to rap after some time off, and this is my favorite track on an album full of amazing tracks. This is also Eminem’s mainstream debut.
7. Misery Business - Paramore
The Inside Scoop...
Haley Williams, lead vocalist of Paramore, is one of the most dynamic singers of the pop-punk era. This was the band’s breakout hit on their RIOT album. This song is fast-paced and fun throughout.
6. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) - My Chemical Romance
The Inside Scoop…
I’m a huge MCR fan. This song along with Helena, Welcome to the Black Parade, and Famous Last Words are always on my heavy rotation. Another insanely talented lead vocalists on a fast-paced pop-punk track. I’m not telling you to play Misery Business & I’m Not Okay on repeat back to back, but...I’m not not telling you either.
5. ‘Til I Collapse - Eminem
The Inside Scoop...
Absolute classic Eminem. Perhaps the most “I need to get fired up right now” song on the list. This one is popular with just about everyone for the ability to send you right to the moon. Need your pulse at 100+...turn up the volume.
4. One Step Closer - Linkin Park
The Inside Scoop…
LP were absolute trendsetters in the late 90s / early 00s. Mike, Chester, and the band mixed everything from rock, rap, alternative, and even electronic to bring a completely different sound to the music scene. One Step Closer is an absolute masterpiece among masterpieces on the album Hybrid Theory.
3. Dreams and Nightmares - Meek Mill
The Inside Scoop…
Starts a little slow, BUT...just you wait. Just play it out. Let it ride. At about the 1:30 mark you’ll be ready to run through a wall. HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE...woah.
2. Jamie All Over - Mayday Parade
The Inside Scoop...
By now you know I’m a sucker for pop-punk in my workouts. This might feel a little overrated for some here at the Number 2 spot, but this is my list people! I love this song, and I’m a huge Mayday Parade fan. This was their most mainstream hit and for good reason -- this song PUMPS.
1. Sugar We’re Going Down - Fall Out Boy
The Inside Scoop...
My favorite band of all time, and their number one track of all time. There are plenty of FOB songs that could go on this list, both hits and deep cuts; however, any top-10 list for me will have this one at the top. One of the best pop-punk songs ever written. Still gets me fired up even after thousands of plays.
