There are some studies that show listening to music you like during exercise can increase your performance 5-10 percent. So it’s worth putting some effort into music that inspires you.
I once read the most popular exercise song is supposedly Eminem’s Lose Yourself. (These days. I’m sure Let’s Get Physical has its day). Not my favourite. What are your favourites?
Uptown Funk. Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Twist & Shout. Only the Good Die Young. Hey Ya. U Can’t Touch This.
Whatever gets YOU going and tapping your foot. Lose Yourself would not work for me as a workout song. Frankly some of the songs that would, though, are not songs I would otherwise choose to listen to. I won’t mention them on peril of earworming myself.
Music helps. Once I was at a silly party and we were playing horseshoes, which I had never done before. My team was doing horrible. I was doing the worst of anyone. Someone put on some good dancin’ music and we perked right up and won. I actually threw two successful whatever-they’re-called that pushed us into winning. (I don’t know the terminology as I never played that game again.) I credit the music.
Gonna Fly Now, really anything from the Rocky movies.
Tear it Up by The Cramps
Kush. Inhale. Exhale.
Since the OP specified one song, I’d go with Alice’s Restaurant. It’s just over 18 min long. That’s a decent workout.
For the sake of conversation, go nuts if you want to list a few favourites.
I like “Under Pressure” by Queen/David Bowie. It’s not as jumpy as Uptown Funk, etc., but I like the slower drive.
For intensity listen to some Metallica. Blow out that stairmaster.
tempo matters. I think exercise music should generally be 110-135 beats per minute.
Unpopular opinion: every time you hear the opening to Under Pressure you are secretly hoping it turns out to be Ice Ice Baby.
I pity the po’ fool that don’t think Rocky; Gonna Fly Now is the greatest workout song ever. And I wonder how many times I have posted that over the years. Also Going the Distance from the Rocky soundtrack is pretty good, not necessarily up-tempo, but really motivating.
The overture to Riverdance is also a good upbeat workout song.
Anything by Mantovani.* It helps me pass the time until the urge to exercise goes away.
*Percy Faith, if he’s not available.
I like the boxing songs. But the two I like for weightlifting are “You Can Do It” and, oddly, the Quincy Jones song which was the theme song to Austin Powers (Soul Bossanova).
“Work Bitch” by Britney Spears has a great tempo for workouts or running.
Pointer Sisters - Jump, Neutron Dance, I"m so Excited.
Flashdance soundtrack.
If you want long and medium tempo (get your mind out of the gutter) go for InAGaddaDaVida. My life goal is to ride the spin bike for the whole song.
I listen to various song from Jive Bunny & the Mastermixers. If I can. Figure out how to post a link, I will.