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For over a decade of leading fitness classes, I’ve curated countless workout playlists, and one genre consistently brings energy and fun to every session: oldies! As someone who fondly remembers the 1900s (yes, the 1990s!), I can confidently say that the music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s provides an unparalleled soundtrack for exercise. While some might use the term “oldies,” I prefer to think of these songs as timeless classics – high-energy tracks that stand the test of time and are perfect for getting your body moving.
To help you build your ultimate workout mix, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite oldies workout songs, categorized by tempo. This organization allows you to quickly find the ideal music for different workout intensities, whether you’re pushing your limits with high-intensity interval training (HIIT), maintaining a steady pace for endurance work, or focusing on strength training. Here’s how we’ve broken it down:
- 140+ BPM: These high-energy tracks are perfect sprint songs and for explosive HIIT exercises.
- 120-140 BPM: Ideal oldies workout songs for marches, jumps, and compound exercises like squats and lunges.
- 120 BPM and Under: These songs are great for climbs during cycling, yoga flows, and cool-down stretches.
Let’s dive into the playlists and get you moving to the best oldies workout songs!
High-Energy Oldies Workout Songs for Sprints and HIIT
This playlist is packed with upbeat, fast-paced oldies that will fuel your sprint intervals and high-intensity workouts. These tracks are designed to get your heart pumping and your body moving quickly, making them perfect for those moments when you need an extra burst of energy.
- “Bristol Stomp,” The Dovells
- “Hello Mary Lou,” Ricky Nelson
- “Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out),” Ernie Maresca
- “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” The Beach Boys
- “Wipe Out,” The Surfaris
- “She Loves You,” The Beatles
- “Good Lovin’,” The Young Rascals
- “Treat Her Like a Lady,” Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose
- “Signs,” Five Man Electrical Band
- “I Just Want to Celebrate,” Rare Earth
- “American Pie,” Don McLean
- “Rockin’ Robin,” Michael Jackson
- “Crocodile Rock,” Elton John
- “The Ballroom Blitz,” Sweet
- “Love Machine,” The Miracles
- “The Boys Are Back in Town,” Thin Lizzy
- “Barracuda,” Heart
- “My Sharona,” The Knack
- “Shake Your Groove Thing,” Peaches & Herb
- “I Was Made for Dancin’,” Leif Garrett
- “We Are Family,” Sister Sledge
- “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” KISS
- “Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor),” Robert Palmer
- “Call Me,” Blondie
- “Cars,” Gary Numan
- “Don’t Do Me Like That,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “You May Be Right,” Billy Joel
- “Heartbreaker,” Pat Benatar
- “Queen of Hearts,” Juice Newton
- “Whip It,” Devo
- “We Got The Beat,” The Go-Go’s
- “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” The Police
- “Kids in America,” Kim Wilde
- “Working for the Weekend,” Loverboy
- “Maneater,” Hall & Oates
- “She Works Hard For the Money,” Donna Summer
- “You Can’t Hurry Love,” Phil Collins
- “I’m Still Standing,” Elton John
- “Footloose,” Kenny Loggins
- “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” Deneice Williams
- “Would I Lie To You?,” Eurythmics
- “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” John Cougar Mellencamp
- “Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles
Example of an 80s New Wave spinning workout routine playlist, showcasing high-energy oldies suitable for HIIT workouts.
For those who enjoy indoor cycling, many of these songs are featured in my 80s New Wave cycling routine, providing a structured workout set to these energetic tracks.
Steady State Oldies Workout Songs for Weight Lifting and Endurance
When you’re in it for the long haul, whether it’s a steady-state cardio session or a strength training workout, you need music that maintains a consistent energy without being overwhelming. This collection of oldies workout songs is perfect for keeping your rhythm and motivation up during longer workouts and weightlifting sets.
- “Cathy’s Clown,” The Everly Brothers
- “Stuck on You,” Elvis Presley
- “The Twist,” Chubby Checker
- “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” Connie Francis
- “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” Bobby Lewis
- “Hit the Road Jack,” Ray Charles
- “Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp),” Barry Mann
- “Little Sister,” Elvis Presley
- “Mashed Potato Time,” Dee Dee Sharp
- “The Loco-Motion,” Little Eva
- “Twistin’ the Night Away,” Sam Cooke
- “Peppermint Twist,” Joey Dee and the Starliters
- “Twist and Shout,” The Isley Brothers
- “I’m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song),” The Ikettes
- “It’s My Party,” Lesley Gore
- “Heat Wave,” Martha and the Vandellas
- “Donna the Prima Donna,” Dion
- “Shut Down,” The Beach Boys
- “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” The Beatles
- “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Roy Orbison
- “I Get Around,” The Beach Boys
- “A Hard Day’s Night,” The Beatles
- “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” Manfred Mann
- “Please Please Me,” The Beatles
- “Dancing in the Street,” Martha and the Vandellas
- “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss),” Betty Everett
- “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” The Temptations
- “I Saw Her STanding There,” The Beatles
- “Wooly Bully,” Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
- “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” Four Tops
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” The Rolling Stones
- “Help!” The Beatles
- “My Girl,” The Temptations
- “Stop! In the Name of Love,” The Supremes
- “Ticket to Ride,” The Beatles
- “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” James Brown
- “It’s Not Unusual,” Tom Jones
- “Do You Believe in Magic,” The Lovin’ Spoonful
- “Last Train to Clarksville,” The Monkees
- “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” Four Tops
- “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” Nancy Sinatra
- “You Can’t Hurry Love,” The Supremes
- “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” The Temptations
- “We Can Work It Out,” The Beatles
- “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” The Beach Boys
- “I’m a Believer,” The Monkees
- “Happy Together,” The Turtles
- “Soul Man,” Sam & Dave
- “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” Jackie Wilson
- “Dance to the Music,” Sly and the Family Stone
- “Born to Be Wild,” Steppenwolf
- “Jumpin’ Jack Flash, The Rolling Stones
- “Think,” Aretha Franklin
- “Sugar, Sugar,” The Archies
- “I Can’t Get Next to You,” The Temptations
- “Everyday People,” Sly and the Family Stone
- “Build Me Up Buttercup,” The Foundations
- “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond
- “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Marvin Gaye
- “Band of Gold,” Freda Payne
- “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” Three Dog Night
- “ABC,” The Jackson 5
- “Spirit in the Sky,” Norman Greenbaum
- “Green-Eyed Lady,” Sugarloaf
- “Mississippi Queen,” Mountain
- “I Want to Take You Higher,” Ike & Tina Turner
- “Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night
- “One Bad Apple,” The Osmonds
- “Me and Bobby McGee,” Janis Joplin
- “Brown Sugar,” The Rolling Stones
- “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves,” Cher
- “Alone Again (Naturally),” Gilbert O’Sullivan
- “The Candy Man,” Sammy Davis Jr.
- “Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green
- “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress,” The Hollies
- “Burning Love,” Elvis Presley
- “School’s Out,” Alice Cooper
- “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” Tony Orlando and Dawn
- “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” Jim Croce
- “That Lady,” The Isley Brothers
- “Superstition,” Stevie Wonder
- “Stuck in the Middle with You,” Stealers Wheel
- “Love Train,” The O’Jays
- “Dancing in the Moonlight,” King Harvest
- “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” Loggins and Messina
- “Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu,” Johnny Rivers
- “Ramblin’ Man,” The Allman Brothers Band
- “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” The Temptations
- “Seasons in the Sun,” Terry Jacks
- “Come and Get Your Love,” Redbone
- “The Loco-Motion,” Grand Funk Railroad
- “Jungle Boogie,” Kool & the Gang
- “Hooked on a Feeling,” Blue Swede
- “Hollywood Swinging,” Kool & the Gang
- “Takin’ Care of Business,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Captain & Tennille
- “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Glen Campbell
- “Philadelphia Freedom,” Elton John
- “Some Kind of Wonderful,” Grand Funk Railroad
- “Jive Talkin’,” Bee Gees
- “Kung Fu Fighting,” Carl Douglas
- “The Hustle,” Van McCoy & the Soul City Symphony
- “Fight the Power,” The Isley Brothers
- “Get Down Tonight,” KC and the Sunshine Band
- “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” James Taylor
- “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” Bachman-Turner Overdrive
- “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” Elton John & Kiki Dee
- “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” The Four Seasons
- “Play That Funky Music,” Wild Cherry
- “You Sexy Thing,” Hot Chocolate
- “Get Up and Boogie,” Silver Convention
- “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” KC and the Sunshine Band
- “You Should Be Dancing,” Bee Gees
- “Turn the Beat Around,” Vicki Sue Robinson
- “That’s the Way (I Like It),” KC and the Sunshine Band
- “Sing a Song,” Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Rock and Roll Music,” The Beach Boys
- “Rock and Roll All Nite,” KISS
- “Take the Money and Run,” Steve Miller Band
- “I Just Want to Be Your Everything,” Andy Gibb
- “Best of My Love,” The Emotions
- “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher,” Rita Coolidge
- “I’m Your Boogie Man,” KC and the Sunshine Band
- “Dancing Queen,” ABBA
- “Hot Line,” The Sylvers
- “Car Wash,” Rose Royce
- “Feels Like the First Time,” Foreigner
- “Don’t Stop,” Fleetwood Mac
- “Way Down,” Elvis Presley
- “Keep It Comin’ Love,” KC and the Sunshine Band
- “Walk This Way,” Aerosmith
- “Boogie Nights,” Heatwave
- “Go Your Own Way,” Fleetwood Mac
- “Shadow Dancing,” Andy Gibb
- “Night Fever,” Bee Gees
- “Stayin’ Alive,” Bee Gees
- “Boogie Oogie Oogie,” A Taste of Honey
- “You’re the One That I Want,” John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
- “Take a Chance on Me,” ABBA
- “Hot Blooded,” Foreigner
- “Disco Inferno,” The Tramps
- “What’s Your Name,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
- “Bad Girl,” Donna Summer
- “Le Freak,” Chic
- “I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor
- “Hot Stuff,” Donna Summer
- “Y.M.C.A.,” Village People
- “Ring My Bell,” Anita Ward
- “I Want You to Want Me,” Cheap Trick
- “Boogie Wonderland,” Earth, Wind & Fire, The Emotions
- “Disco Nights (Rock-Freak),” GQ
- “September,” Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough,” Michael Jackson
- “Rock With You,” Michael Jackson
- “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” Queen
- “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” Billy Joel
- “Upside Down,” Diana Ross
- “Stomp!” The Brothers Johnson
- “Heartache Tonight,” Eagles
- “Fame,” Irene Cara
- “Celebration,” Kool & the Gang
- “Kiss On My List,” Hall & Oates
- “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton
- “Urgent,” Foreigner
- “You Make My Dreams,” Hall & Oates
- “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar
- “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,” The Police
- “Another One Bites The Dust,” Queen
- “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” The Police
- “I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross
- “Physical,” Olivia Newton John
- “Eye Of The Tiger,” Survivor
- “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
- “Don’t You Want Me,” The Human League
- “Hurts So Good,” John Cougar
- “Tainted Love,” Soft Cell
- “Let’s Groove,” Earth, Wind, & Fire
- “Our Lips Are Sealed,” The Go-Go’s
- “Get Down On It,” Kool & The Gang
- “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Van Halen
- “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson
- “Beat It,” Michael Jackson
- “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” Eurythmics
- “Come On Eileen,” Dexys Midnight Runners
- “Hungry Like The Wolf,” Duran Duran
- “Mickey,” Toni Basil
- “1999,” Prince
- “Always Something There To Remind Me,” Naked Eyes
- “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,” Michael Jackson
- “Jump,” Van Halen
- “All Night Long (All Night),” Lionel Richie
- “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper
- “Uptown Girl,” Billy Joel
- “Love Is a Battlefield,” Pat Benatar
- “Like a Virgin,” Madonna
- “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” Don Henley
- “Addicted to Love,” Robert Palmer
- “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Bon Jovi
- “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” Janet Jackson
- “Manic Monday,” The Bangles
- “Take Me Home Tonight,” Eddie Money
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Whitney Houston
- “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi
- “Open Your Heart,” Madonna
- “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” Cutting Crew
- “Hip to Be Square,” Huey Lewis and the News
- “Rock Steady,” The Whispers
- “Got My Mind Set on You,” George Harrison
- “Never Gonna Give You Up,” Rick Astley
- “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” Billy Ocean
- “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- “Nothin’ but a Good Time,” Poison
- “My Prerogative,” Bobby Brown
- “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul
- “She Drives Me Crazy,” Fine Young Cannibals
- “Wild Thing,” Tone Loc
- “Bust a Move,” Young MC
- “Love Shack,” The B-52’s
- “Funky Cold Medina,” Tone Loc
Selection of 80s workout songs playlist, ideal for steady state cardio and weight lifting routines, offering consistent and motivating rhythms.
If you are looking for inspiration on how to use these songs, check out my favorite 80s indoor cycling routines. For a high-energy, hard rock themed workout, consider my 80s Hard Rock routine.
Relaxed Tempo Oldies Fitness Music for Climbs, Yoga, and Cool Downs
For the moments in your workout where you need to dial it back, whether it’s during active recovery, yoga, cool-downs, or slower-paced climbs in cycling, these oldies provide the perfect backdrop. These songs are selected for their moderate tempos and feel-good vibes, ideal for lower intensity portions of your fitness routine.
- “I Like It Like That,” Chris Kenner
- “Stand By Me,” Ben E. King
- “I Got You Babe,” Sonny & Cher
- “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” Marvin Gaye
- “California Dreamin’,” The Mamas & the Papas
- “Paint it Black,” The Rolling Stones
- “Respect,” Aretha Franklin
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
- “It’s Your Thing,” The Isley Brothers
- “Come Together,” The Beatles
- “Let It Be,” The Beatles
- “Everything is Beautiful,” Ray Stevens
- “Spill the Wine,” Eric Burdon & War
- “O-o-h Child,” Five Stairsteps
- “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Denver
- “Mr. Big Stuff,” Jean Knight
- “What’s Going On,” Marvin Gaye
- “Whatcha See is Whatcha Get,” The Dramatics
- “Proud Mary,” Ike & Tina Turner
- “Lean on Me,” Bill Withers
- “I’ll Take You There,” The Staple Singers
- “Rocket Man,” Elton John
- “I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash
- “Let’s Get It On,” Marvin Gaye
- “You’re So Vain,” Carly Simon
- “Me and Mrs. Jones,” Billy Paul
- “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” Stevie Wonder
- “Bennie and the Jets,” Elton John
- “Tell Me Something Good,” Rufus & Chaka Khan
- “Shining Star,” Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Fame,” David Bowie
- “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” Bad Company
- “Take It to the Limit,” Eagles
- “Dream On,” Aerosmith
- “You’re My Best Friend,” Queen
- “Fly Like an Eagle,” Steve Miller Band
- “Somebody to Love,” Queen
- “Baby Come Back,” Player
- “We Will Rock You,” Queen
- “We Are the Champions,” Queen
- “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” Rupert Holmes
- “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” Prince
- “Take It On The Run,” REO Speedwagon
- “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey
- “Down Under,” Men at Work
- “Africa,” Toto
- “Little Red Corvette,” Prince
- “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” Journey
- “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now),” Phil Collins
- “If This Is It,” Huey Lewis and the News
- “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
- “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!),” Beastie Boys
- “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Def Leppard
- “Fast Car,” Tracy Chapman
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If you enjoyed this selection of oldies workout songs, you might also appreciate my other music compilations. And don’t forget to subscribe to my free Spin Routine of the Week newsletter to receive a fresh, instructor-approved spin routine and playlist directly to your inbox every Tuesday. Start incorporating these Best Oldies Songs into your workouts and experience the timeless energy they bring!
