Trainer Ear Candy From PEZ — And My Own Trainer Playlist

What are PEZ's readers listening to on the trainer this winter? Lots of metal, according to this story. And especially a lot of Slipknot, whose members wear masks and jumpsuits (R.I.P, Kiss. Gene, Paul. Ace, and Peter: We aren't in the '70s anymore.).

With snow blowing into town tonight, seeing those playlists at PEZ made me think about burning a new CD or two for tomorrow's trainer workout. Since Apple hasn't asked me to provide an iTunes celebrity playlist — yet, anyway — I'll do it here and now:

"Slippery People," Talking Heads: Turn it up to 11.
"Everlong," Foo Fighters: This song got stuck in my head during one of my first marathons. "You've got to promise not to stop when I say when."
"Float On," Modest Mouse: A good ride will help you get your "float" on in a way that's legal in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
"What It Is," Mark Knopfler: Is there a more underrated guitar player than Knopfler? Here he transports us into a London tavern and lets it rip.
"Talk," "Speed of Sound," or "White Shadows," Coldplay: All from "X&Y." Any of these three alter my consciousness enough to take me to that place where I'm hammering a never-ending, smooth piece of country road with winds at my back.
"Texas Ride Song," The Bodeans: Riding is fun. This song is fun. Life should be fun.
"The Seed," The Roots & Cody Chestnutt: Break away from the pack from the downbeat.
"Won't Get Fooled Again," The Who: Roger Daltrey's primal scream at the climax must be the transcendent moment in rock 'n roll. And hearing it in person while watching Pete Townshend windmilling on his guitar is one of my top concert memories.
"All These Things That I've Done," The Killers: "I got soul but I'm not a soldier." Great lyrics.
"(Ghost) Riders in the Sky," The Outlaws: There's something about Southern rock and riding. So it's either this or some Skynyrd. Freebird!
"Shimmer," Fuel: Is every love story doomed to be a tragedy? Is all that shimmers sure to fade away? Not if you buy a carbon or titanium frame.
"Like a Hurricane," Neil Young: Hey, new generation of punks, rappers, and rockers: Neil Young always will be able to kick your ass.
"I'm Not Like Everybody Else," Camper Van Beethoven: Why would you want to be like anybody else? I don't want to get all in their bidness, but if I were a creative making TV spots to sell running shoes, I'd use this song.
"Island in the Sun," Weezer: Gotta keep the dream and hope all the hard work and sandcastles built will pay off with an island in the sun.
"Breakdown" (Live at the Wiltern Theatre), Tom Petty: Sing along with Tom. "It's alright!"
"Fish," Daniel Johnson: This guy is way crazy. The authentic tortured artist.
"All Along the Watchtower," Jimi Hendrix: In the presence of perfection...you better put down the hammer and earn the right to listen.
"Monkey Gone to Heaven," The Pixies: Sludge? Hole in the sky? You can kill a few minutes during the ride trying to figure out the bizarre lyrics.
"Monkey Man," The Rolling Stones: Two monkey songs on one list. Let It Bleed.
"Cold Hard Bitch," Jet: Enough said.
"Youth of a Nation," P.O.D.: These guys hit it hard for Christian rockers.
"Shook Me All Night Long," AC/DC: "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean." This is more than old school — it's forever school. And it satisfies the mandate of the World Spinning Playlist Authority (WSPA) that all spin mixes must include at least one AC/DC tune.
"Seven Nation Army," The White Stripes: "Make the sweat drip out of every pore."
"Mental," Eels: "They say I'm mental 'cause I'm not amused by it all." Beautiful Freak is a great disc.
"Heaven and Hell," Black Sabbath: You can find heaven and hell on any long ride. And you can really climb to the bassline of this song. Ozzy who?
"Crank," Catherine Wheel: A Catherine Wheel was some kind of medieval torture device. Spin fast enough during this song and you can make your trainer feel like one.
"Breathe Me," Sia: Even real men do a cooldown. Just when you thought you could forget the haunting finale of Six Feet Under.

Bring on the snow! And get me some good asthma drugs.