Don’t Call It Retro: 2010s 5,000-Step Walking Playlist
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The older I get, the more I lose track of time. I see old pictures of my now-teenage daughter and her friends and think, I still remember every detail of that day. How was that nine years ago? Or someone will mention a movie that I remember seeing in theaters a couple of years ago, only to realize that it was more like a decade ago.
A couple of months ago, my daughter’s school band played a popular song at their concert, and I expressed surprise by how they were playing a song that was “still pretty new.” It turns out that it was actually from 2018. And that song inspired this playlist—a collection of songs that still seem pretty new, even though they’re from the 2010s.
So head out for a walk and enjoy them as if they just came out yesterday—because, in my mind, they did.
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) “High Hopes” – Panic! At the Disco
This, my friends, is the song that started it all. My kid’s band played this song at their spring concert, and I felt like they were rocking out to something recent, only to learn that it is…not so recent. But I still love this song—and it’s also the perfect way to kick off a 2010s don’t-you-dare-call-it-retro walk.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 82
Pace: 24:23
Steps: 261
2) “Best Day of My Life” – American Authors
From the moment I hear the first plucky notes of this 2013 song, I can’t help but smile. So here’s hoping that it puts a smile on your face, too, as you start picking up the pace on today’s walk.
Beats per Minute: 100
Pace: 20:00
Steps: 323
3) “Immortals” – Fall Out Boy
Whenever I hear this song, I still think of Disney’s lovable superhero adventure, Big Hero 6. And just when I think it didn’t come out that long ago, I flash back to my toddler asking to watch “Baymax movie” again. So…never mind.
Beats per Minute: 108
Pace: 18:31
Steps: 340
4) “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake
This is another song that brings me back to a kids’ movie. This time: Trolls. I ended up getting a copy of the film’s soundtrack, which my four-year-old insisted we play nonstop. Yet, somehow, despite before forced to listen to this song approximately 8 million times back then, I still can’t help but bust a move and sing along every time I hear it.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 113
Pace: 17:42
Steps: 446
5) “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
This one doesn’t remind me of a lovable kids’ movie—and it’s not a song that my own kid made me play on repeat. It’s just a fun, upbeat song that just makes me want to get up and move—which makes it the perfect song for a fun 2010s walk.
Beats per Minute: 116
Pace: 17:14
Steps: 479
6) “Dynamite” – Taio Cruz
For this song on our playlist, we’re taking it waaaaaaay back to 2010—though it still seems like this song it’s that old. And while it was once a great song for going out with your friends and dancing the night away, it’s now a great song for giving you a little extra motivation and inspiration for your morning walk.
Beats per Minute: 120
Pace: 16:40
Steps: 408
7) “Me Too” – Meghan Trainor
The sheer attitude…the swagger…the absolute self-love of this song just boosts my confidence every time I hear it. You got a problem with me? You’re just jealous—and you should be.
Find it on Amazon
Beats per Minute: 124
Pace: 16:08
Steps: 374
8) “Believer” – Imagine Dragons
Sure, I get that this song came out a while ago. I get that listening to Imagine Dragons isn’t really cool anymore. But you can’t deny that they wrote a whole lot of songs that make you feel stronger and more confident every time you sing along with the lyrics. And this is just one that, for me, just never gets old. Even if it kinda is.
Beats per Minute: 125
Pace: 16:00
Steps: 425
9) “Run the World (Girls)” – Beyoncé
Back in 2011, this song had every girl out there yelling, “Heck, yeah.” Admittedly, this Beyoncé hit is not exactly lyrical genius, but it doesn’t need to be. It just needed to (loudly, boldly) remind us of something that we’ve actually known all along.
Beats per Minute: 127
Pace: 15:45
Steps: 500
10) “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon
From weddings to proms to school rollerskating parties—this was one of those 2010s songs that always got the crowds up and moving and singing along. And, let’s face it—it still does, even if the kids think of it as an “oldie.”
Beats per Minute: 128
Pace: 15:38
Steps: 425
11) “Sucker” – Jonas Brothers
The Jonas Brothers were never really on my radar during the height of their popularity. But I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve enjoyed their later stuff—from Joe’s side project, DNCE, to this track, which sometimes pops into my head at random times. You don’t need to remind me that Joe and Sophie Turner were happy newlyweds when the video was filmed. I know…and I don’t care. Like Will Ferrell in the brothers’ Christmas movie…I can’t help singing along.
Beats per Minute: 138
Pace: 14:30
Steps: 416
12) “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
So we’ve picked up the pace in today’s walk to the point that you might have to push it a little bit (okay…probably more than a little bit) to keep up with the beat. But this 2010s mega hit makes it a little bit easier. I mean, how can you be anything but happy whenever this song comes on?
Beats per Minute: 160
Pace: 12:30
Steps: 584
13) “Remember the Name” – Fort Minor
Hey! You made it! You’ve pushed yourself through the last couple of songs, and now it’s time to cool down with a track that will give you a little extra swagger. You’ve earned it.
Beats per Minute: 85
Pace: 23:32
Steps: 326
Total Time for Today’s Workout: 45:27
Total Steps: 5,307
Congratulations! You got up, got moving, and made it through our walk through the 2010s!
If you’ve been keeping up with the beat, you’ve just gotten over 5,000 steps (or around 2.5 miles). Way to get those steps in! If you’re feeling like getting more steps, feel free to hit play again and keep going! Or move on to another playlist!
What are your favorite songs of the 2010s? Do you feel like they’re still pretty new, too—or is it just me?
