5 Classic Rock Songs Every Baby Boomer Needs in Their Workout Playlist – Grunge

It seems like a universal rule that the music played in gyms these days has to be, to say the least, uninspiring. But thankfully, modern Bluetooth headphones are designed specifically for sports and workouts. That means baby boomers looking to stay in shape don’t have to be exposed to the kind of headache-inducing stuff that dominates the homepages of streaming services and dominates today’s Billboard charts. Instead, you can enjoy some of the best workout music in classic rock history. Use this article as a guide to create the ultimate Boomer Classic Rock workout playlist.

We’ve selected a starter pack of five energetic and engaging tracks from the classic rock era. We help rock-loving boomers power up through workouts. From epic heavy metal to barroom blues rock, each of these tracks features a consistently upbeat tempo, driving instrumentation, and enough swagger to keep energy levels high from the initial warm-up to the final cool-down. Here are five classic rock songs every boomer needs on their workout playlist. This is the ultimate boomer classic rock workout playlist.

Led Zeppelin is definitely the place to start for your classic rock workout playlist. The British four-piece have plenty of hard-hitting rock classics that are sure to get your heart rate up. But sadly, the most obvious songs, such as 1969’s “Whole Lotta Love,” contain extended instrumental passages that allow the band to ease off on the gas for sonic exploration. But “Immigrant Song,” the opening song for 1970’s Led Zeppelin III, was sure to be a hit.

The song begins with a dirty, grinding riff from guitarist Jimmy Page and a haunting wordless vocal from Robert Plant, before the rhythm section arrives to fill out the track with a driving tempo. “Immigrant Song” then shifts into a more adventurous mode as Plant moves from a battle cry to a battle story, with the brutal first riff starting again after a brief pause at the end of each verse. These are the kind of moments that promise a new burst of energy during your workout, perfect for long sessions when you’re looking for extra motivation.

When you’re doing sets and reps, you need a reliable backbeat to accompany your pump. And even in the classic rock canon, few are as effective at helping you overcome burnout as Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust.” The 1980 track is built around disco rhythms, and while the tempo isn’t as high, it pulsates unwaveringly and propels you through your workout. In fact, its beat is so reliable that healthcare workers are trained to imagine the song while performing chest compressions during CPR.

These poems make it clear that the story of “Another One Bites the Dust” is about a gunfight. The song features frontman Freddie Mercury at his theatrically meanest, explaining with maximum bravado that he is in a position to overcome all opposition. Without a doubt, hearing Mercury chime in, “And then another is gone/And another is gone/And yet another bites the dust” is great encouragement for gym-goers.

Queen wasn’t the only classic rock band to incorporate disco rhythms. Pink Floyd’s biggest charting single, “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2,” also fills dance floors with the same rhythm. Producer Bob Ezrin was inspired by disco-funk group Chic. Thicke was recording in the same studio as Pink Floyd while they were making their legendary album The Wall.

“Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” is the centerpiece of the record, a rock opera about the mental struggles of a rock star. The song reflects composer Roger Waters’ experiences with the British school system, and the lyrics are an ode to schoolboy rebellion. The track features the school choir singing, “I don’t need education/I don’t need thought control” over the song’s pounding instrumental. Indeed, at first glance, the theme of this song may not match the concept of exercise. But if you embrace its defiant tone, pure stubbornness may make you want to keep going once the beat sets the pace.

From disco intonations to bossa nova rhythms, The Doors’ “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” is timeless. Of course, this title emphasizes the positive message that any exercise enthusiast knows can improve performance and maintain perseverance. But there’s a lot more to this song that makes it ideal workout music.

The opening track of The Doors’ 1967 self-titled debut album, Break on Through (To the Other Side), is absolutely mind-blowing. Frontman Jim Morrison delivers an impressive verse, while a restless, frenetic keyboard line keeps it floating. The dynamics of this song are adrenaline-inducing. When you reach the refrain, the sound jumps out of your headphones with added volume and tempo, as if suddenly sprinting towards the finish line. “Break On Through (To the Other Side)” is the ideal track to listen to at the end of a run when you want to pick up the pace here and there to improve your stamina for your next session. At just two and a half minutes long, it’s like a psychedelic shot of espresso.

“Sharp Dressed Man” is ZZ Top’s growling, nodding blues-rock classic that went on to become one of the era’s most enduring jukebox tunes, despite falling outside the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. A highlight of the group’s 1983 album Eliminator, the song is all about relaxed arrogance and ego, and is sure to foster confidence in any gender. Confidence makes a big difference during your workout. With the right mindset, you can feel like you can do anything. With this perspective, you’re much more likely to push your limits and achieve your fitness goals.

“Sharp Dressed Man” is also one of ZZ Top’s most infectious grooves. It’s a great track for getting into a flow state, helping you set a steady, reliable pace for yourself with easy momentum. It’s perfect for a wide range of aerobic training, from running to rowing, but it also has the drive to help you get through those last few sets in the weight room.