Hi Trippers!

Bring on the tunes!

Here’s another feature idea I thought I’d give a “spin” (to use the old vinyl vernacular). I’ve written a few posts in the past talking about how I love to listen to music when I run solo (“The Day the Music Died”) or having a fun song to motivate you (“Running with Rodents”).

Also, some of the other running blogs I read (like 2 Cups ‘N Run… one I really enjoy) have posted articles about songs they listen to on their runs (several of which I’ve happily added to my own mixes). There’s so much good music out there (and let’s be honest, horrific as well), that it’s impossible for anyone to know everything…

• Legendary songs
• One hit wonders
• Brand spanking new tunes
• Oldies but goodies
• Obscure B-sides
• Great songs from little known (or local) bands
• Diamonds in the rough

In short, there’s a helluva lot of music out there… eat your heart out Pandora.

So, I thought I’d toss my sweaty running hat into the ring and start my own “repository of records” where I highlight and share songs that have places of prominence in my marathon music mixes (oh, the joy of alliteration).

CD’s… remember that format (like cassettes, 8-tracks and LPs)?

Now be forewarned, my tastes are all over the place. A veritable musical mishmash, if you will. And some of my friends absolutely hate my taste in music; I prefer to think of it as eclectic (yeah, that works).

I also feel that running mixes get a free pass. Because let’s be honest, every single one of us has songs on our iPods that we’re grateful can only be heard via our headphones and aren’t broadcast to the public at large. Remember, at one point in time the “Macarena” was #1 on the charts.

So don’t judge me too harshly if I offer up an “iffy” tune or one that makes you want to purposely rupture your own eardrums. But don’t worry… I do have a “Bieber ban” in place, so I will spare you that horror show.

And since I always endeavor for this blog to be a back and forth forum, please recommend to me songs that make you move… I’d love to give them a listen and perhaps add ’em to my mix. You can never have enough tunes.

So, without further ado, let’s hit “play” on our first “Training Tune” that was also the first song on my mix for the OC Marathon.

SONG: “Promises”

GROUP: Def Leppard

ALBUM: Euphoria (Released 1999)

BACKGROUND:

Anyone who grew up in the ’80s knows about the guitar rock band import from England “Def Leppard.” Following their initial album offerings of “On Through the Night” and “High ‘N’ Dry,” Def Leppard hit the big time in the US with the release of their 1983 album “Pyromania.” I remember rocking out in eighth grade (or as much as an eighth grader can rock out) to songs like “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph.”

The group hit their high point in 1987 with the debut of the album “Hysteria.” Spawning seven hit singles and selling over 20 million copies, Hysteria cemented Def Leppard as arguably one of the greatest rock groups of that or any other decade. I remember buying Hysteria on CD the day I arrived to college at the University of Wisconsin (at the Discount Den) and playing it non-stop on repeat. Hysteria definitely served as one of the “anthem albums” of my college days.

As for the song “Promises,” it appeared on the album Euphoria in 1999 (Def Leppard’s seventh studio album) and its hard and fast moving beat harkens back to the group’s original sound. Give it a listen.

VIDEO:

Click photo for music video of “Promises”!

LYRICS:

The last night I was blown away
I said a million things I’d never say
I was knocked right down, it got to me
Gonna get me some of your Chemistry

You want me to promise you
That everything is true

I won’t make promises that I can’t keep
I won’t make promises that I don’t mean
I’ll even mean the things I tell you in my sleep, yeah
I won’t make promises babe, that I can’t keep

Oh, my my, I lost control
I told you everything, I said it all
You came right out and said to me
“Gonna get me some of your honesty”

You want me to promise you
That everything is true

I won’t make promises that I can’t keep
I won’t make promises that I don’t mean
I’ll even mean the things I tell you in my sleep, yeah
I won’t make promises babe, that I can’t keep

You want me to promise you
That everything is true

I won’t make promises that I can’t keep
I won’t make promises that I don’t mean
I’ll even mean the things I whisper in my sleep
Oh, let me tell you
I won’t say a single thing darling, that you can’t believe
You gotta believe me

I won’t make promises that I can’t keep
Oh baby believe me now
I won’t make promises that I don’t mean
Oh why won’t you believe me now
I’ll even mean the things I tell you in my sleep, yeah
I won’t make promises that I can’t keep
Baby, you gotta believe me

OTHER GOOD RUNNING SONGS BY DEF LEPPARD:

• “Let’s Get Rocked”
• “Armageddon It”
• “Animal”
• “Rock of Ages”
• “Slang”

Crank it up… and Run on!

(Be sure to send me songs that you thing would make good additions to a running mix)