5,000-Step ’80s Hits Walking Playlist
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I’ll be honest: I love the ‘80s. I love its Saturday morning cartoons and its Cabbage Patch Dolls and its blue eye shadow and its lack of social media proof of the terrible styles I sported as a little kid. And I especially love its music. I have no idea how I ended up loving the popular music of the ‘80s, since my parents either listened to country music or tunes from the ‘50s. But I loved listening to my surfer-dude older brother’s favorite music and roller skating parties were my jam—and eventually, as I grew up and started choosing my own stations on my pretty pink boom box, I fell in love with all that ‘80s bands had to offer.
Even though I have added a whole lot of great songs to my playlists through the years, I still absolutely love ‘80s music. It’s just upbeat and playful. It’s danceable and sing-along-able. And it’s great for getting me up and moving on a dreary Monday morning. So put on your favorite neon workout gear—and don’t forget the leg warmers!—because we’re heading out on an all-‘80s walk. I expect it’ll be just the first of a whole lot of ‘80s playlists—because even as I’m writing this one up, I’m thinking of more songs that really should have made the list.
A little more about the playlist:
I’ve included a number of different ways to listen. I’ve got YouTube videos posted below. If you want to download the MP3, I’ve also got links to find them on Amazon. Or you can listen to the whole thing by playing the Spotify playlist.
For each song in this playlist, I’ve listed the beats per minute, the pace (in minutes per mile) that you’ll be walking if you’re walking to the beat, and the number of steps that you’ll take during the song if you keep up that pace. We’ll start with an easy pace and work our way up, finishing with a cool-down. The songs here eventually build up to a pretty brisk pace, but take it at a pace that works for you—whether that means moving faster or slower. You’re totally allowed to dance and sing your way through this playlist, too (in fact, it’s almost guaranteed). But if you follow the pace of each song, you’ll be over 5,000 steps by the time you reach the end.
1) “Take On Me” by A-Ha
We’re warming up with one of my favorite songs—and music videos—of the ‘80s. It may have an easier pace, but it’s sure to get you moving (and probably singing along, too).
Beats per Minute: 84
Pace: 23:49
Steps: 315
2) “I Don’t Want Your Love” – Duran Duran
Everything about Duran Duran is just so perfectly ‘80s—and the synthesized ‘80s goodness of this track is perfect for picking up the pace on our walk.
Beats per Minute: 109
Pace: 18:21
Steps: 447
3) “Addicted to Love” – Robert Palmer
This is another MTV classic—a song that I can’t hear without picturing the video. It’s also another great song for singing along—and if it helps to picture yourself as one of those ‘80s-perfect models from the video, I won’t stop you.
Beats per Minute: 111
Pace: 18:01
Steps: 437
4) “A Little Respect” – Erasure
When I was in college, I went through a huge Erasure phase—thanks in part, I think, to Columbia House and its 12 CDs for a penny. Erasure’s greatest hits CD was on heavy rotation in my dorm room—and this song was always a favorite for dorm singalongs.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 114
Pace: 17:33
Steps: 405
5) “Bad” – Michael Jackson
No ‘80s playlist would be complete without at least one track by the King of Pop himself—and “Bad” is just an ‘80s workout classic. It’s sure to keep a smile on your face as you keep up the pace.
Beats per Minute: 114
Pace: 17:33
Steps: 469
6) “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
As the meme says, it doesn’t matter who or where you are. As soon as this song comes on, everyone is just a small-town girl…livin’ in a lonely world. Brace yourself for this one—because I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to get through this song without belting out the lyrics. I hope the other people on the trail (or in the gym) enjoy the show.
Beats per Minute: 119
Pace: 16:48
Steps: 498
7) “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper
I’m pretty sure that this is the official theme song of any girl born after around 1970. I love it, my daughter loves it, and whenever this song comes on, every female I know is going to try to screech her way through the lyrics with a big ol’ smile on her face.
Beats per Minute: 120
Pace: 16:40
Steps: 476
8) “Celebration” – Kool & the Gang
This ‘80s party classic is still one that you hear at New Year’s Eve parties, wedding receptions, and anywhere else that you’ll find people of a certain age out on the dance floor. And it also just happens to be a great song to keep your legs moving and your heart pumping as we make our way through our ‘80s walk.
Beats per Minute: 122
Pace: 16:24
Steps: 608
9) “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” – Pat Benatar
As we keep building up our pace toward the end of our walk, you might need a little womanly rage to help you push through—and Pat Benatar is here for it with her ‘80s tough-chick classic.
Beats per Minute: 127
Pace: 15:45
Steps: 362
10) “Love Shack” – The B-52s
The B-52s released a whole lot of playful, high-energy hits—but this is the one that ended up being played at every single high school dance for at least the next decade. And, even today, if you want to get people singing and dancing, just throw this one in the mix. So I had to add it to our walk, too. It picks up the pace a little, but you’ll be so busy rocking out that you won’t even notice.
Beats per Minute: 134
Pace: 14:56
Steps: 717
11) “Straight Up” – Paula Abdul
It’s cool-down time! We’re easing out of our ‘80s walk with a track by one of my late-‘80s faves: Paula Abdul. I loved this entire album, and I can still picture myself and my middle school friends pretending to sing this song to our crushes, who didn’t even know we existed.
Beats per Minute: 96
Pace: 20:50
Steps: 402
Total Time for Today’s Workout: 44:58
Total Steps: 5,136
Congrats! You’ve sung and danced and walked your way through a whole lot of ‘80s nostalgia—and you should have around 5,000 steps to show for it!
Now let’s hear it: which of your favorite ‘80s songs would you like to see added to our next ‘80s playlist?
