Add Some Grammy Hits to the Playlist

Who needs some updating to her iPod or workout mix? I do, I do.

We all need a little updating now and again to our favorite running mix or set of songs for Spinning class. At least for me, that slight change helps keep me out of a rut with my running, especially when I'm lacking leg power and need some tunes to give me a jolt. I grab a lot of my songs from hits I hear on the radio, a few of which this year were up for Grammy nods last night. Turns out there are plenty of songs from the 2009 Grammy nominees that make you want to move, and move fast. Here's a Grammy nominee playlist you might want to download before your next workout:

1. Coldplay, "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love." Nominated for Album of the Year for Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends. Perfect fast pace for a quick cycle or run.
2. Death Cab for Cutie, "I Will Possess Your Heart." Nominated for Best Alternative Album for Narrow Stairs. My spin instructor uses the full 8-minute cut for a long headwind in class; "Soul Meets Body" off the Plans album is another good one.
3. Beck. Nominated for Best Alternative Album for Modern Guilt. "E-Pro" and "Girl" on 2005's Guero album are two of my favorites, especially if I want to push my quads to an intense level.
4. Duffy, "Mercy." Nominated for Best New Artist. Another one introduced in Spinning and works well for working the glutes.
5. Lady Gaga and Colby O'Donis, "Just Dance." Nominated for Best Dance Recording for "Just Dance." Another fast-pace song that gets you moving.
6. Moby. Nominated for Best Electronic/Dance Album for Last Night. I love running to "Extreme Ways" on the 18 album and "South Side" on Go- the very best of Moby.
7. Metallica, "Enter Sandman" and "Nothing Else Matters." Nominated for Best Rock Album for Death Magnetic. This band may be more an acquired taste but some tunes make for good tempo work on the run and climbs on the bike.
8. Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, "4 Minutes." Nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "4 Minutes." Who didn't listen to this song this year? Great for working the glutes.
9. Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl." Nominated for Best Pop Performance, Female for "I Kissed a Girl." Upbeat tune that hit the radio a lot in 2008.
10. Pink, "So What." Nominated for Best Pop Performance, Female for So What. Angry vocals help you take aggression out at the gym. "Who Knew" is another good one.
    
11. Kid Rock, "All Summer Long." Nominated for Best Pop Performance, Male for "All Summer Long". Taken from the tune of "Werewolves of London," I might be partial to this one because I grew up in Michigan. But you have to buy the full album for this one, Kid Rock doesn't have his albums available for download on iTunes.
    
12. Bruce Springsteen. Nominated for Best Rock Song for "Girls in their Summer Clothes." For me, no playlist would be complete without a hit from The Boss. "Born to Run" and "Rosalita" are currently on my running mix.

Granted several of the songs selected above didn't actually go home with any awards, they still get my feet moving. Apparently Fitness thought so too-- my e-newsletter from the magazine this morning revealed the Top 100 Workout Songs of 2008 and listed some tunes with Grammy nods. Photo grabbed from karolines_retro at Flickr. Posted by Kate