Broken – Born to Run

Springsteen’s best song hands down. Probably one of his most famous but I love it. I love to run to it, drive to it. Puts me in a great mood. There were a few things that helped me through the Pandemic. The occasional date, Jennifer, projects with the kids, and running. I probably ran close to 800 miles during the pandemic.

All those things were important but the running was all encompassing. I had runs to clear my head, fill my head, and just reflect. But as bad as this may sound nothing was more important than my Revenge runs. It was my motivation for two things. For Hailey to rue the day she let me go but also to be the best physical version of myself. I never thought about vanity with it. But the better I feel the sexier and more confident I feel. I think anyone could relate and it’s just that simple.

Thinking about that day she would have to lay eyes on a sexier version of myself gave me such a delicious thought that it helped me squeeze out more miles and more runs when I just didn’t want to. And it got me through that pain in every joint from your hips to your toes when you pick up running again after a 6 year hiatus.

I was on a mission but I needed fuel for it and that always comes in music for me. I need a beat and a good song. I learned to run with pace in my Army days and singing helps. You should be able to speak or sing while running and that is your pace.

Here are some important revenge songs that are good to run to that got me through that time…

These Days – Foo Fighters: It’s a perfect revenge song simple, strong, and surprising.

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette: Perfect romantic revenge song. “And every time I scratch my nails down someone else’s back I hope you feel it.” Best revenge lyric ever uttered. Damn that is soo good. I wish I could write something like that… and you know to a melody.

Back in the Game – Airbourne: Just petal to the metal noise empowering kind of fuck you song. I am back in the game!

Another on Bites the Dust – Queen: Freddie’s Vocal is stunning in this. Great bass line and beat to run to. And just mow the miles and the ex-gf down.

Psycho Killer – Talking Heads: For that part of us that is just a little insane.

You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid – The Offspring: I love running to the Offspring. Pop Punk at it’s finest here. This song could have been written about Hailey. As well as Self Esteem for me in regards to Hailey. This band knows how to nail sentiment.

Gone Away – The Offspring: God they are so good at this. While not strictly revenge it touches almost exactly how I felt at the time.

Freedom! – George Michael: Love George! Great song and he literally burnt his “Revenge” jacket in the name of revenge in the video. It’s so fucking meta I can’t stand it. But also simultaneously getting Revenge and claiming freedom makes this song so powerful. It’s a near perfect run song it won’t take long for you to run in cadence with the song.

Jesus of Suburbia – Green Day: Green Day is one of my favorites for so many reasons. Is this a revenge song?.. sort of, it’s a stick it to the man song. But it’s a 9 minute epic. A full mile or more of running. So when I am on empty I find this fucker and it always gets me further than I should be going. I absolutely sink into the song and more than likely am audible while running. Sorry world. Always do yourself a favor and listen to the live version from Bullet in a Bible tour.

Going to pause a moment to appreciate this song. It is written in 5 parts that flow into each other so well. Almost like a small Abbey Road. There is no long instrumental section. I don’t know how Billie Joe is Still Breathing (Couldn’t help slip a nod to another song, also a good pick yourself up song.) after performing JOS live. It’s grueling but in the best way possible. Best Revenge Lyric in it- “And I leave behind. This hurricane of fucking lies”