row2k Features
Ultimate Erg Playlist - Volume I
December 11, 2012
Erik Dresser, row2k.com

At CRASH-B's they even sing to you!

Here's row2k's list of the top 15 erg songs for your ultimate erg playlist. We received so many great entries that we will be running Volume II in January, so check back for more!

A couple notes on how songs were selected as this is obviously a highly subjective list:

  • Song should be instantly recognizable as a great erg song
  • Only one song per artist as there many artists which qualified multiple songs (Eminem, Rage Against the Machine, etc.)
  • We tried to bring a variety of genres of music for a variety of types of erg pieces

    Songs listed alphabetically by artist. Spotify playlist here and poll voting results here.

    2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This
    "For years this was played during the last 500 meters at the C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints. Enough said."
    -Brian

    AC/DC - Thunderstruck
    "When I need to kick major ass, whether it be on the erg, in the classroom, or out the window of a Humvee on Main Street taking down zombies as I drive past, this song gets played. It's a classic. When that guitar comes on, who doesn't get the urge to straddle a nuke and wrap themselves in an American flag?!"
    -Austin

    Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started
    "Energizing lyrics, great rhythm, loud enough to be heard over the whirring ergs!"
    -Kathleen

    Blur - Song 2
    "Short and sweet, great for short power pieces."
    -Sarah

    Drowning Pool - Bodies
    "Every 2k I've ever done started with this song. Click play about 2 or 3 seconds before they call go and the second you go it's already at full hardcore rockingness."
    -Will

    Eminem - Lose Yourself
    Possibly the most overplayed song in erg rooms of the past decade. "Words make this song self-explanatory for why it's a good erg song."
    -Allison

    Europe - The Final Countdown
    Bonus points for fans of Arrested Development. "Goofy song, peppy beat, and appropriate to count down those last few meters!"
    -Liz

    Jackson Browne - Running on Empty
    "Great melody and lyrics for a long steady state work out. Helps keep me pumped when getting tired."
    -Richard

    Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
    "The whole theme of the song is "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", which could not describe erging better. It has never failed to pump me up when it comes on during an erg work out, no matter how hard it might be. It's great to sing-a-long to, which doesn't hurt either."
    -Astrid

    Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations
    "I erg to one song and one song only."
    -Erin

    Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
    "It's not too fast for an erg song and it's got just the right balance of motivating lyrics and beat."
    -Stephanie

    Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name Of
    "Song with a great steady-state beat to it. And the final chorus says what everyone is thinking...I won't do what you tell me. If I could get my 2k under 5:15 it would even be the right length!"
    -Jeff

    Rammstein - Du Hast
    "Du Hast always gets me through a 2k, pulling lower splits as soon as the song starts."
    -Rick

    Skrillex - Kyoto
    "You have to have some dub step on there, though this one is definitely not for everyone. Kyoto is like a rusty knife cutting through a well aged steak. Great for the 'angry' edgers."
    -Robbie

    Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
    "Reasons Why: 1. Opens with epic drum solo. 2. Guitar solo 3. Twisted Sister."
    -Matt

  • SUPPORT ROW2K
    If you enjoy and rely on row2k, we need your help to be able to keep doing all this. Though row2k sometimes looks like a big, outside-funded operation, it mainly runs on enthusiasm and grit. Help us keep it coming, thank you! Learn more.


    Comments

    Log in to comment
    jim413
    12/05/2015  7:07:58 AM
    Canto General, the live recording. Allman Bros, Mountain Jam for a 30min. piece.


    tiffer1984
    12/17/2012  11:42:07 AM
    Let's get some old records off the shelf .. OK. All time fav's : Beethoven's fifth symphony performed in 'C' minor, The Who "Quadrophenia", or the rock opera"Tommy" also by the Who. "Straight To Hell" by The Clash (I strongly beleive that this song should be on the list), The soundtrack from the movie Rocky Three -- "Eye of the Tiger", as well as the soundtrack from the original Rocky, (think of Rocky training in Philadelphia). Also, why The Pogues aren't up there baffles me. The soundtrack from "Rent" - for post-race comiseration or celebration."money Talks, by ACDC. "No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn" by the Beastie Boys, "Lover's in a Dangerous Time" by the Barenaked Ladies, ""where the Streets Have no Name" by U2, "walk This Way" by Aeorosmith and Run DMC, "Man in the Mirror" off the Thriller CD by Micheal Jackson, " Clampdown" another song by The Clash from "The Clash Live at Shea Stadium", 8 Mile soundtrack, "what is Love" Remix, performed by Haddaway on the "A Night at the Roxbury Soundtrack" , Gerry Garcia and Andy Stillman'S collaberation on a song called "The Painted Mandolin", Last but not least Neil Young and Crazy Horse -- "Rockin' in a Free World ".


    tiffer1984
    12/14/2012  11:26:04 AM
    1 people like this
    "Call Me Maybe" Carly Rae Jepson.


    dchurbuck
    12/12/2012  1:29:50 PM
    Awesome list with some classics (DuHast and Rage vs. Machine) already on my erg playlist. I'd nominate Sabotage-Beastie Boys and Jesus Built my Hotrod - Ministry for future compilations.


    vivabrazillia
    12/12/2012  10:11:26 AM
    Know by System of a Down


    5f7x
    12/11/2012  8:16:00 PM
    Back for More by 5FDP. The lyrics are so motivating and help you find some extra strength because "you gotta fight 'till it hurts and then you do it again." This song is simply perfect for erging.


    Barbara Phillips
    12/11/2012  5:42:44 PM
    No Sandstorm!!!!????? That is the ultimate erg tune....keeps your stroke rate even and pushes you for a power 10 every few. Good Vibrations???? Uck! for...well I can't type the word...let's just say it was popular when I was 16 and had no idea what erging was about.


    jayrules
    12/11/2012  5:32:15 PM
    Remember the Name by Fort Minor "This is 10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain and 100% reason to remember the name!" (Enough said, really... but I will also say...) The beat drives through the whole song. Great for any point, but especially the beginning of a 2k to get pumped or that 2/3 done time of any workout when you need to reach for that boost.


    jayrules
    12/11/2012  5:34:51 PM


    EliRothRI
    12/11/2012  2:29:40 PM
    Leaving Sandstorm off this list is a travesty. But my next five go-to songs are Billy Talent's Fallen Leaves, RATM's Guerilla Radio, DJ Khaled's All I Do Is Win, LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out, and Quiet Riot's Cum on Feel the Noize


    JJMcCluskeyIII
    12/11/2012  1:48:45 PM
    Your link for "Queen - Don't Stop Me Now" is wrong.


    ctr900
    12/11/2012  1:31:01 PM
    Invaders Must Die - The Prodigy



    ADVERTISEMENT
    row2k media is not responsible for external ad content
    Get our Newsletter!

    Support row2k!

    Tremendous thanks to our
    row2k supporters!

    Get Social with row2k!
    Like row2k on Facebook Follow row2k on Twitter Follow row2k on Instagram Follow row2k on Youtube Connect with row2k on LinkedIn

    Get the row2k app!

    row2k rowing store!

    Get our Newsletter!
    Enter your email address to receive our weekly newsletter.

    Support row2k!


    Advertiser Index
    Advertise on row2k