An Action Lover’s Workout Playlist
I like to workout. Not just because the ladies love it when you’re all veiny and whatnot but more so because endorphins are as addictive as heroin and listening to the bar crash to the ground after you’ve just jerked it over your head with 315 lbs. on it is a damned good feeling. Action “stars” of today just don’t posses the kind of masculinity that stars had back in the day. Even the music they kick ass to isn’t as good. That’s why I took it upon myself to put together a little playlist of some of my favorite songs to get buff to. You won’t hear any Drake or Five Finger Death Punch here. This is pure action movie workout magic!
“Nowhere Fast” by Fire, Inc. – Streets of Fire
I’m not sure that we, as fans, even deserve a movie as good as Streets of Fire. We definitely didn’t deserve it back in the early 80’s and that is probably the main reason why it never produced the kind of box office numbers that it should have. It could have been the type of film series in the vein of 48 Hours or Death Wish but instead it became the answer to a bunch of questions at movie trivia night. “Nowhere Fast” is one of the best songs performed by a woman that I would still marry to this day, Diane Lane. She doesn’t really sing the song, of course, but I could have been fooled into thinking that it was Warwick Davis playing Indiana Jones after staring at Diane Lane in that dress for four and a half minutes.
“Angel of the City” by Robert Tepper – Cobra
You can guarantee that this won’t be the last time you see Robert Tepper on this list. Not only did Tepper have great 80’s hair and make hilariously awkward videos, but his music also kicked loads of ass. The movie Cobra is one of the most underrated movies of the mid 80’s and the song “Angel of the City” is just the kind of stuff that needs to be pumping through your music maker as you prepare to get that pump!
“Fight to Survive” by Stan Bush – Bloodsport
Enjoy the one minute intro of awesomeness to this video as Frank Dux (Van Damme) and pals play mash’em with some bricks before Stan Bush barges in with one of the most badass songs of 1988. Not only did this movie transform Jean Claude from busboy to movie star, but it also introduced me to the sweet sounds of Stan Bush and his amazing way of singing about exactly what was happening in the movie at that moment.
“Meet Me Half Way” by Kenny Loggins – Over the Top
These next three songs are about to change your life. Coming straight out of the arm wrestling epic that is Over the Top, this first song from veteran hit-maker Kenny Loggins will make you want give it your best, no matter how many rich and powerful in-laws try to keep you from your biological son while also attempting to win the biggest arm wrestling competition in the world. If anyone can motivate a man to drive a truck without the promise of unlimited lot lizards than it would be Kenny Loggins.
“In This Country” by Robin Zander – Over the Top
I’m not aware of any other song by Robin Zander but I can tell that he and I are already going to be lifelong friends. This song sounds so great and carries with it so much of the emotional weight of the movie that it’s hard not to be moved by the father/son duo working out on the side of the highway with the accompanying music behind it. It just makes me want to turn my hat around backwards and grunt out a few extra reps on the preacher curl machine.
“Winner Takes It All” by Sammy Hagar – Over the Top
Somehow Sammy has taken a backseat to David Lee Roth all these years even though this song has been out for over 30 years. The song and video embody everything that this movie is about; the amazing hair, cool suspenders, and nearly unlimited designs of flannel that populate this most excellent movie centered around one man trying to win contest which an outsider might describe as “violently holding hands”. If you’re trying to get those striations in your delts and you’re not listening to Winner takes it all then you’re just plain dumb.
“Never Surrender” by Stan Bush – Kickboxer
Stan Bush returns in a big way a couple years later as Jean Claude trains in Thailand, beats up a bunch of locals, and eventually takes down a massive drug lord while also kicking the shit out of one of the Qissi Brothers. Bush could have made a career just following around JCVD singing songs about how great he was but something stopped the two juggernauts from continuing their dominance. Tie a hunk of raw meat to your waist and run a few laps around the local dog pound with this jamming and you’ll be as ripped as Van Damme in no time!
“We fight for love” by Power Station – Commando
You won’t find many movies more manly and badass than Commando and the band Power Station may have one of the coolest names in the history of music. What is a Power Station? Who cares. It sounds cool and they fight for love. What more do you want. Arnold not only looks cool with this song playing behind him but it’s made even more awesome since he had just murdered 120 guys before strolling off into the literal sunset with Chong’s daughter. He fights for love and punani. I don’t have the research data to back this up but you will be able to lift 3 times your bodyweight on any lift if you have this song playing in the background and you’re covered in camo paint. I’ve done extensive testing…
“No easy way out” by Robert Tepper – Rocky 4
I told you that you would see Mr. Tepper again and I didn’t lie. This video is incredible. I watch it far more often than any man should and after a re-watch you’ll see why. Tepper had to know that this video was weird but he also must have recognized that he could have used sock puppets in the background and this song would have still kicked ass behind it. Rocky 4 produced multiple songs that could have made this list but Tepper’s style and intensity put this video over the edge for me. Drago never stood a chance against Rocky after this song played.
“Tonight is what it means to be young” by Fire, Inc. – Streets of Fire
This is one of my favorite songs from a soundtrack and also one of my favorite scenes from any movie ever. I love it so much because it’s the perfect ending to a movie where the two main characters are madly in love with each other but just going in different directions. Tom Cody is a no-good, low-life whose only skills could get him busted or killed at any moment and Ellen Aim is on her way straight to super stardom. The song pounds in the background as the two decide the fates of their characters not by their actions, but by their inaction. The perfect song to fill out your playlist.
