The Ultimate Midnight Runner's Playlist

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

1.

Night Running Playlist

There are two types of runners: those who like to run with the masses during the day time, and those who prefer to lace ‘em up at night, when no one else is around except them and the stars. If you happen to fall in the latter category, this playlist is for you. Cue the music.

RELATED: The Best Workout Songs of 2013
RELATED: The Best Glow-in-the-Dark Running Shoes
RELATED: The 10 Best Workout Songs of 2014 (So Far)

NONONO – Pumpin Blood

As you step out under the stars for your midnight run, get the blood pumping with this appropriately named jam from NONONO. Set the tone early with the uptempo beat—after the long day you've had, it's time to run the stress right off your shoulders.

Fitz and The Tantrums – Spark

Now that you got your blood pumping, keep the rhythm flowing courtesy of Fitz and The Tantrums. The American indie band knows how to put it down, and their hit Spark seems as it was destined to be on a night running playlist.

Pharrell Williams - Happy

This feel-good track from Pharrell should serve as a reminder of how you feel at the moment. Regardless of what you've had to put up with during the day, now that its just you and the open, moonlit trail, you can't help but feel on top of the world. The only down side? The song might make you want to stop and bust a move mid-stride.

Haim – Don’t Save Me

"All my life I wasn't trying to get on a high way, I was wondering which way to go. Spending all of my damn time Leaving all the weight behind yeah." Sounds about right.

Arctic Monkeys – One For The Road

Here's one for the road...

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Run

You man not have a secret room where you can be yourself like the song suggests. Instead, the night trail is you happy place--a place where you can run and be at one with your thoughts.

Kid Ink – The Movement

Kid Ink’s The Movement details the "movement" that the he is causing with his music. However the music industry isn't the only thing the West Coast rapper is shaking up with the hit. The song will have night runners feeling their own movement with the fast-paced rhythm.

Lionel Richie - Running With The Night

No ultimate night running playlist would be complete with this appropriately named throwback track from Lionel Richie. Listen and learn.

Betty Who – Somebody Loves You

This song should serve as a reminder that as much as you enjoy lighting up the midnight trail, "somebody misses you when you're away." And they're eager for you to get back home. So pick up the pace.

Grouplove – Ways To Go

You've put in a decent amount of mileage up until this point. Let Grouplove's Ways To Go serve as a reminder that you've only got a little bit longer.

Nicki Minaj - Masquerade

Whether you're a Nicki Minaj fan or not, as a runner you have to show her love for this jam. It's almost as if Nicki was thinking specifically of night runners when she laid down this adrenaline-packed track. If you weren't feeling the runner high up until this point, you will now.

Capital Cities – Safe and Sound

Running at night can pose potential hazards like cold temperatures and low visibility. This track from Capital Cities serves as a reminder that you're safe and sound—so long as you keep your head on a swivel and your legs churning under you. Some reflective gear can help too.

Smallpools – Dreaming

Many of you were probably introduced to this song by FIFA 2014. Little did you know that the track would serve up more than just your video game appetite. Now every time you hear it, you want to lace up your running sneakers and hit the midnight trail.

Avicii – You Make Me

Given his taste for upbeat, speaker-thumping EDM anthems, we could probably make a night running playlist exclusively of Avicii tracks. However for the sake of variety, we'll just leave this song here to remind you that no matter how many miles you've run, you're going to make it to the finish line.

Aloe Blacc – The Man

As played out as Aloe Blacc's track The Man is—thanks Beats by Dre, ESPN—there's no better song to bring it home as you start your cool-down lap. Go ahead and tell everybody—you're the man, you're the man, you're the man.