Running to an all Christian Music playlist can be dangerous. Perhaps it is only dangerous for music listeners like me, but let me tell you, if you add these songs to your running playlist and find yourself tripping over an unseen road hazard due to the fact that, instead of paying attention to what was in front of you, you were busy worshipping, don’t blame me. I’ve warned you. But let’s do this anyway. I am going to list my all time favorite songs that have been staples on my running playlist and then over time I will blog new running favorites songs that are creeping or bursting onto my playlist over the months.
These songs are NOT in any particular order other than alphabetical due to the fact that I went through iTunes alphabetically while I was deciding which were the songs for this list. There are songs on this list that are chosen more for their beat, making a steady rhythm for running (Hills Of Indigo Blue) and others are chosen for their lyrics (these will be the dangerous ones, i.e. Everything). Some were listened to clustered together because it almost seemed as if they were meant to be listened to together (the David Crowder list) and others were listened to at specific times in a run (Tear Down The Walls is 10 minutes long and I always used it during the most difficult part of my runs thus making that 10 minutes seem to fly by). Please let me know your favorites. I would love to add them to my next run!
I hope you enjoy and don’t hurt yourself.
1. City Harmonic- Manifesto
2. David Crowder Band- Do Not Move, Come Awake, You Are My Joy, Our Happy Home, We Win, Rescue Is Coming
3. Future Of Forestry- This Hour, Hills Of Indigo Blue, Slow Your Breath Down
4. Gungor- Let There Be, When Death Dies, Wake Up Sleeper, This Is Not The End
5. Hillsong United- King Of All Days, You Hold Me Now, Tear Down The Walls, Take Heart, Like An Avalanche, Rhythms Of Grace, Bones
6. Jars Of Clay- Shelter, Run In The Night
7. Jimmy Robeson- Heaven Resounds, Light My Way
8. John Mark McMillan- Reckoning Day, Carbon Ribs, Skeleton Bones
9. Kye Kye- Introducing Myself, Trees and Trust
10. Leeland- The Great Awakening, I Can See Your Love, We Will Sing
11. Matt Redman- Wonderful Maker
12. Paul Baloche- Glorious
13. Phil Wickham- True Love, Beautiful, Sun & Moon
14. Tim Hughes- Everything
March 20th, 2013 at 7:04 am
“Christian Music To Run To #1 | Sarah Mac” Matchstick Blinds seriously causes
me personally ponder a small bit further. I personally enjoyed each and every particular part of this blog post.
Many thanks ,Lela
January 21st, 2013 at 4:53 pm
Thank you! I’m looking to add more to my list!
November 28th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
I’m adding NEEDTOBREATHE – Keep Your Eyes Open to my list.
I love everything from the City Harmonic, especially the entire “I Have a Dream” album. It’s not long enough for my long runs, but it’s a good place to start and focus me.
October 19th, 2012 at 1:07 am
BIG THANKS to everyone for sharing!! Been wondering where to start with compiling a great running playlist
Now wondering no more!
October 14th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
I know they’re old, but Ron Kenoly, Mylon Lefever, some Steven Curtis Chapman and DC Talk are good for running, praising (& yes flying off the treadmil!!)…
October 19th, 2012 at 6:56 am
Mylon Lefever…ohhhh I used to love his music
thanks for your suggestions!
March 11th, 2012 at 6:52 am
If I really want to run I like something with a beat to keep me motivated. Here are some favorites:
1. FM Static – My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go
2. Future of Forestry – Hills of Indigo Blue, Protection
3. Mandisa – The Definition of Me
4. Rodrigo y Gabriela – Hanuman (Instrumental)
5. John Mandeville – He Is
6. Switchfoot – Stars
7. Remedy Drive – Stand Up
8. Plumb – Hang On
9. Needtobreathe – Don’t Wait for Daylight
10.House of Heroes – Burn Me Down
11. Charmaine – Run
12. Group 1 Crew – Breakdown, Need Your Love, Manipulation, Can’t Go On
13. Esterlyn – Freedom Is Here
14. Worth Dying For – Freedom Is Rising
15. Vota – Be Mine
16. Flame – Surrender
17. Lecrae – Far Away,God Is Enough
18. Tammy Trent – Rain On Me
19. Superchick – Cross the Line
20. Sugar & the Hi Lows – See it for Yourself
21. Robbie Seay Band – Song of Hope
22. Rebecca St. James – Lean On, All Around Me, Universe, Reborn
23. Phil Wickham – Hold On
24. Newsboys – Something Beautiful
25. Natalie Grant – I Will Not Be Moved
26. Heart of the City Band – One True God
27. Gungor – Call Me Out
28. Fleming & John – A Place Called Love
29. Fireflight – Desperate
30. Eleventyseven – Quota & The Best I can
31. David Crowder Band – almost anything from Church Music & the new CD
32. Capital Lights – Mile Away
33. Danyew – Silver Lining
If I was out for a good walk I’d listen to Jason Gray, Sara Groves, Phil Wickham, Matt Kearney, Audrey Assad, Gungor, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb, Josh Garrels, Katie Herzig, Sarah MacIntosh, The Hawk in Paris, Christa Wells & Nicole Witt’s new C, & Elenowen, Daniel Bashta, etc, etc. I’m a music fanatic & quite varied in my tastes. I’m loving the songs Current, Galaxy Former & Hope!
August 2nd, 2012 at 5:43 pm
I like your taste, thanks God I found it! both list are really good°
October 10th, 2012 at 5:52 am
Yay!
March 10th, 2012 at 8:25 am
Great list. Thank you!
February 17th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I would love to leave a VERY LONG list of songs to add….but my top 2 “running artists” are David Crowder and Switchfoot, who didn’t seem to make the cut on your list. They have several great running tracks….and three of my favorites are on Hello Hurricane.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:11 am
I agree with Switchfoot being great to run to. In fact they are on my playlist but I tried to do strictly Christian music only artists. Most people know about the christian bands who are having mainstream success but know less about the christian bands who are working only in the christian market. I am hoping to help those artists be found out so I left out the Switchfoot’s, Paramore’s, Flyleaf’s, POD’s, Civil Wars, Mute Math’s etc of music. Maybe they will be on one of my regular Music to Run To blogs
February 17th, 2012 at 8:32 am
I had thought about changing my play lists to incorporate more of the Christian music I like, but I was completely terrified of flying off the elliptical in a moment of praise and worship.
Great songs though, I think I’m going to realign my lists here…
Thanks for sharing!!
February 21st, 2012 at 7:07 am
Be safe!
February 17th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Foster the People, M83, The Police, TRON:Legacy Soundtrack, Coldplay
February 21st, 2012 at 7:07 am
What a great list (although I wouldn’t have thought to put TRON on there, maybe I will add it:). Foster the People, M83 and Coldplay have been on many of my playlists thats for sure
February 17th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Where is Current? Love your music. Blessings
February 21st, 2012 at 7:05 am
Current is being re-released on March 6th. So you will be able to find it on iTunes and other major christian music retailers then
February 17th, 2012 at 6:58 am
so true about christian music and running being hazardous…
every time i mix worship with endorphins i just get all choked up and my face contorts and i [try not to] cry and then the people driving by me think i’m running to escape the funny farm or an abusive boyfriend or something…
your last post about your running mix was epic- i’m now addicted to aaron strumpel.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:04 am
Yesssss Aaron Strumple….sheesh so good
Happy you’ve found him!
February 17th, 2012 at 1:49 am
I’m a total girl band gal but here’s a few. I love melodic stuff, and these may not be running songs, especially because I don’t run, but I like to drive around to these, and maybe you might like something here. I’m really into the avalanche song by hill song, and I know it’s been out for a bit, but I’m slow and just discovered how pretty it was.
MY MIXED CAR CD
Christine Glass- Machine (no longer available cuz I’m old like that I guess)
Delirious- How Sweet The Name, it’s ok.
Chillout worship- the sun will rise,come and worship, ( I can drive for hours listening to this album. It will put you to sleep too, which is not good when driving)
Jesus music- cry, psalm 30
Sheri young ward- repay
Celtic prayers and worship- Emmanuel
Brett meader band – the crush
Saving grace- fly away
The cry- ill find you there
Andy hunter-angelic
Luna Halo- complacent ( this album is my hubby’s but I borrowed this song from it).
Trevor Davis- affliction from addiction
Cathedral Of Sound- phase one
Me- there is only one
Enough of my excitement and personal genre and probably stuck in the 90′s/early 2000. I am so embarrassed, but honest to say that I NEED to add your gift of music to my driving around list. I love your sweet voice, but i need to get to know your music more, and “actually” purchase it. I just need to get my hubby to help me buy it off of iTunes. I don’t buy to much off the net. And Iv been asking him to buy it for me. I herd one of your songs and knew that you were my kinda style. I love to sing along with my girl bands as well as my five year old daughter. We make a great worship team. I have a taste for all different types of music, but my favorite is melodic, soft, and thoughtful. I still say album because I like the sound of saying album. I like allot of the hill song UK-ish stuff (again especially the girl singers) and the ones we hear at church. Also, I must be old and outta the loop because Iv never herd half of your list, but i will be looking into those because I’m always looking for new music. Thx for sharing, and so sorry for my horrid grammar. And long rambling comment.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:03 am
I love seeing Trevor Davis on your list. I almost put his Dr. Seahorse “System of a Trend” on there but I realized my list was growing too long
February 17th, 2012 at 12:45 am
Hillsong United “Run” “The Stand” “None But Jesus” “Mighty to save” “From the inside out” typically find their way in my ears when I am running/walking.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:02 am
Hillsong United could have their own playlist thats for sure