5,000-Step New Year’s Walking Playlist
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and make a purchase, we’ll get a small percentage at no extra cost to you.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Whether you’re one to spend time reflecting on the old year and looking ahead to the new one…whether you make resolutions or set goals…or whether you’re just winging it, year after year…there’s something exciting about the beginning of a new year. This time of year, there’s a feeling that anything is possible.
To celebrate the beginning of another new year—a year full of opportunities and possibilities—I’ve put together a New Year’s playlist. It’s a mix of fun, party songs to celebrate the start of something new and inspiring songs to keep that New Year’s inspiration going all through the month. And if you live in a place that’s cold and gray during January, like I do, it’s a high-energy playlist that will keep you moving, even when you don’t really feel like it.
So grab your favorite walking shoes and hit the trail (or the treadmill…or head to the mall) for some New Year’s miles!
If you need some help restarting your walking routine for the new year, be sure to check out the 30-Day Walking Reset challenge!
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). If you follow the pace of each song, you’ll be over 5,000 steps (or around 2.5 miles) by the time you reach the end. If you’re looking for more steps, feel free to play it again—or move on to another one of my playlists. You can find them all on the Playlists page.
1) “This Is the New Year” by A Great Big World
For some reason, I’m just discovering this upbeat track about new beginnings—and it’s the perfect song for kicking off our playlist.
Though my source (SongBPM.com) claims that this song has a relaxed, near-26-minute-mile pace, there’s something about it that’s so upbeat and uplifting that you may find yourself getting more than 250 steps from this one.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 77
Pace: 25:58
Steps: 250
2) “On Top of the World” – Imagine Dragons
This is another song that just makes me feel so…hopeful. It’s a song about making it through the hard days—about fighting through the challenges—and being proud of how far you’ve come. And that’s my wish for you this year: that, at some point, you’ll take the time to celebrate your accomplishments (no matter how big or small, no matter what they are) and get to feel like you’re on top of the world.
Beats per Minute: 100
Pace: 20:00
Steps: 403
3) “Let’s Get It Started” – The Black Eyed Peas
Not only is this Black Eyed Peas track just a classic party song, but it’s also one that’s loaded with energy, excitement, and anticipation of what’s to come—whether that means a fun night out with friends or a new year filled with new opportunities.
Beats per Minute: 105
Pace: 19:03
Steps: 383
4) “Stronger” – Britney Spears
I don’t know what last year looked like for you. Maybe it was a great year, filled with love and success, fame and fortune. Or maybe it was a dumpster fire, with one challenge after another. But, no matter what you faced in the last year, take it from Brit: it’s all made you stronger today than you were a year ago.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 108
Pace: 18:31
Steps: 365
5) “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake
I am just now realizing the irony of following Britney Spears with Justin Timberlake. But, well, it’s just where the songs fell… So we’re following up Brit’s song of inspiration and resilience with another fun party track—because, at this time of the year, it’s important to have a mix of both.
Beats per Minute: 113
Pace: 17:42
Steps: 446
6) “It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi
Sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get moving and make things happen. And this Bon Jovi track will give you the extra push you need—while also giving you a good beat that’s great for your daily walk.
Beats per Minute: 120
Pace: 16:40
Steps: 448
7) “Raise Your Glass” – P!NK
This is a song that shows up on a lot of my playlists—not just the ones toasting a new year. Because it’s a reminder to celebrate being your own person—and standing out from the crowd. And since I’ve never really fit in with the rest of the crowd, it’s become one of my own personal anthems.
Beats per Minute: 122
Pace: 16:24
Steps: 413
8) “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” – Michael Jackson
Sure, there’s never a wrong time of year to start something that will change your life for the better—but a whole lot of people make their resolutions to start now. So if you’re thinking about starting something (like a new walking routine), this song’s for you!
Beats per Minute: 122
Pace: 16:24
Steps: 738
9) “Celebrate” – Pitbull
New Year’s is a time for celebrating—whether you’re celebrating your accomplishments or just celebrating that you made it through another year, and you get to start fresh. Whatever you’re celebrating this year, this high-energy track will put an extra spring in your step while you do it.
Beats per Minute: 127
Pace: 15:45
Steps: 409
10) “Beautiful Day” – U2
You know how some songs just instantly take you back to a memory? This one brings me back to a day I spent by myself, maybe 25 years ago (yikes—that makes me feel so old), exploring a beautiful little town, and as I was listening to this song while driving, I found a little park on the water, and I just had to pull over and enjoy it. Every time I hear this song, it brings me back to that moment—to the awe and contentment that I felt. And that’s what I wish for you this year—to experience more moments of happiness and inspiration.
Beats per Minute: 136
Pace: 14:42
Steps: 558
11) “Can’t Hold Us” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Ray Dalton)
We’ve been building up to this one—the song where we push the pace before our cool-down. And this track is perfect for that—not just because of its fast beat but because it’s a song about fighting for your goals and making them happen and celebrating how far you’ve come. So hold on for just one more track, and then you can slow it down.
Beats per Minute: 146
Pace: 13:42
Steps: 628
12) “High Hopes” – Panic! At the Disco
Way to go! You’ve made it to our cool-down track! Now’s the time to bring down the pace while celebrating your hard work with this inspiring track. Take this time to be proud of yourself for making a difference in your life by putting in the miles!
Beats per Minute: 82
Pace: 24:23
Steps: 261
Total Time for Today’s Workout: 46:14
Total Steps: 5,302
You’ve made it to the end of today’s New Year’s walk! If you’ve kept up with the beat, you’ve already gotten more than 5,000 steps. That’s more than 2.5 miles! If you’re not ready to call it a day quite yet, feel free to replay the playlist (or jump to another one)
Have you made any goals for the year? Let’s hear about them! We’ll be here to cheer you on all year long!
