This playlist is all about momentum: running, jumping, grooving, and generally making progress with more enthusiasm than planning. If life feels stuck, don’t worry, these songs have already started moving. Let’s go. 🎧✨
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Run Through The Jungle | Creedence Clearwater Revival | Written by John Fogerty, from Berkeley, California (USA), the song is often mistaken for a Vietnam War narrative because of its swampy atmosphere and jungle imagery. Fogerty has explained that it was actually inspired by the proliferation of firearms in America and the sense of danger associated with gun culture. John Fogerty played the harmonica part. Creedence Clearwater Revival became one of the defining American rock bands of the late 1960s, blending roots rock, blues, and country influences. |
| Runnin’ With The Devil | Van Halen | Written by the members of Van Halen, formed in Pasadena, California (USA), the song is less about evil than about freedom, rebellion, and life on the road. David Lee Roth described it as celebrating independence and living by one’s own rules. Its iconic bass pulse and Eddie Van Halen’s innovative guitar work helped establish the band as one of hard rock’s most influential acts. |
| Jump Into The Fire | Nilsson | Written by Harry Nilsson, from Brooklyn, New York City (USA), the song explores temptation, risk, and surrender to intense experience. The track became famous for its extended bass-driven jam featuring Herbie Flowers and was later revived through its memorable use in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. Flowers created his most famous bassline for Lou Reed’s 1972 hit single “Walk on the Wild Side” from the album Transformer. Jim Gordon (born James Beck Gordon on July 14, 1945 and died in prison on March 13, 2023) provided the tom-heavy rhythmic pulse on drums. |
| Run | Gnarls Barkley | Written by CeeLo Green (Thomas DeCarlo Callaway) and producer Danger Mouse (Brian Joseph Burton), the song addresses emotional escape, personal transformation, and the urge to break free from limitations. Gnarls Barkley, formed between Atlanta, Georgia and New York City (USA), became known for combining soul, psychedelic pop, hip-hop, and experimentation. The song features a sample of “Junior Jet Set” from Keith Mansfield. |
| Jump (For My Love) | The Pointer Sisters | “Jump (For My Love)” was written by Steve Mitchell, Marti Sharron and Gary Skardina and popularised by The Pointer Sisters from Oakland, California (USA). June Pointer sang lead while her sisters Anita and Ruth spread out the lead vocals equitably so none were consistently the lead singer. The group successfully evolved from jazz and soul into mainstream pop, and this upbeat hit became one of their biggest international successes. |
| The Power Of Love | Huey Lewis and The News | Written by Huey Lewis and bandmates, from San Francisco, California (USA), the song celebrates love as a force stronger than money, fame, or power. Commissioned for the film Back to the Future, it became one of the most recognisable movie songs of the 1980s and helped define the band’s upbeat, blue-collar rock sound. The Tower of Power horn section played on this track. |
| The Heat Is On | Glenn Frey | Written by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey for the film Beverly Hills Cop. Glenn Frey, from Detroit, Michigan (USA), co-founder of the Eagles, delivered a performance that perfectly captured the fast-paced energy and tension of the movie. The song became one of Frey’s most successful solo hits. The prominent saxophone part was played by David Woodford. |
| Jump, Jive An’ Wail | Louis Prima | Written and performed by Louis Prima, from New Orleans, Louisiana (USA), the song is a joyous celebration of dancing, partying, and swing culture. Louis Prima recorded the song with another Italian-American saxophonist, Sam Butera, at the casino lounge of the Sahara Las Vegas. Keely Smith, Prima’s wife at that time, was one of the backup singers. |
| Jumpin’ Jive | Joe Jackson | “Jumping Jive” (also known as “(Hep-Hep!) The Jumpin’ Jive”) was originally written by Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba, and Jack Palmer, in 1939. Joe Jackson’s version pays tribute to the jump-blues and swing traditions that influenced rock and roll. Jackson, from Burton upon Trent, England (UK), temporarily stepped away from new wave to explore jazz and big-band music, introducing these styles to a new generation. |
| Jump City | Willy DeVille | Willy DeVille, born William Borsey Jr. in Stamford, Connecticut (USA), was known for blending rock, blues, Latin, and New Orleans influences. The song reflects his fascination with urban life, restless energy, and street-level storytelling, themes that ran throughout his career. The track was arranged by Dr John who also plays piano. |
| Loose Caboose | Joe Tex | Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington Jnr. in Rogers, Texas (USA)), was one of soul music’s great entertainers, known for humour, spoken-word interludes, and audience engagement. “Loose Caboose”, written by Gloria Thompson and Joe Tex, combines funk, dance rhythms, and playful lyrics. Joe Tex changed his name to Yusuf Hazziez when he converted to Islam in 1972. Back in the sixties Joe Tex and James Brown entered into a bitter feud after Brown had started a relationship with Tex’s ex-wife, Bea Ford. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
