Spotify is awesome for delivering your class music – at least for those of us teaching in a country where it's available. Seeing so many visitors here from Canada – where Spotify doesn't work, we decided it would be helpful to build a simple, free tool that will quickly convert a Spotify playlist into something a Deezer user can open and play!
The tool is located on it's own page that you can find here:
Please note that you need a free or premium Deezer user's account before you'll see the actual tool. Click this link to login into to your Deezer account and convert away!
When it comes to choosing music for my classes, I like to include several different genres in my playlists. Many that I create include a mix of classic rock, electronic, pop, and occasional country song and sometimes even classical. I always include at least a few current songs in each playlist, so it’s important for me to keep up with the latest songs as they come out each week.
Recently, I created a ride that included many favorite songs that came out in 2013, and since my riders had heard many of them through the year in my classes and of course on the radio, they really enjoyed the ride. You can check my post and playlist here.
Before I created the playlist for that particular class, I put together a separate Spotify playlist featuring all of my favorite cycling songs that dropped in 2013. I came up with forty-three of them, as well as a list of ‘honorable mention’ songs (songs that I used a few times, but wasn’t really crazy about-but some that you might find work just fine for you).
So without further adieu, I give you my top 10 Cycling Songs of 2013:
Counting Stars by One Republic: This song is so upbeat and catchy, that I could use it in every class. It has a great beat and can be used seated or standing, or in combination. Some other great songs from this album that made my top list: What You Wanted and I Lived. This is by far my favorite album that came out this year.
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up) by Fallout Boy: This one is hands down my favorite of the whole bunch. Perfect for accelerations on the chorus, (or sprints/surges-whatever name you give them). This song’s energy and lyrics are unlike anything else I’ve heard on the radio this year and it will definitely keep your feet pedaling. Also check out The Phoenix and Young Volcanoes from the same album.
Wake Me Up by Avicii: This song is a great mix of electronic, country-fusion. I remember the first time I listened to it thinking that it was different from anything I’d ever heard. Even after hearing it over and over, I’m still hooked. Some other great songs for cycling on this album: Heart Upon My Sleeve,You Make Me and Hey Brother.
Timeless by The Airborne Toxic Event: I’m always searching for songs to use for heavy climbs. The lyrics and the vocals on this song are breathtaking, and as the title suggests, this one is timeless. A close runner up for climbing song of the year goes to Rebel Beat by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Best I Ever Had by Gavin DeGraw: Another one of my favorites for accelerations on the chorus. I really like Gavin DeGraw’s music, and while this is a different sound for him, it works. It’s quirky, catchy and upbeat, and it’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
San Fransisco by The Mowgli’s: .This is one of those songs that sets the tone for your entire class when used as a warm up. It also works well as a fast flat road. Do you feel the love? I feel the love.
Best Day of My Life by American Authors: This song, which you may have heard in a Lowe’s commercial or in the trailer for the movie ‘Delivery Man’, makes a great seated, standing or alternating hill climb. I also love Believer from the same album.
#thatPOWER by will.i.am, Justin Bieber: While this is not a song I would typically listen to in my leisure time, I love a good strong beat that you can just get lost in while you’re pedaling. This one delivers just that.
Jubel by Klingade: This is a recent find and one that I can see using again and again. It’s fresh and unique. I love the sound of the saxophone and the pretty vocals. I alternated between seat work and a standing climb on the beat, but I can see many different ways to ride to this one.
Zorba’s Dance by David Garrett: This may seem like an odd choice to make my top ten, but every time I used this song, my classes LOVED it! It only clocks in at 2:34, but you’ll be tired and sweaty after this one. As the tempo builds, so does your cadence, ending with a 20 second all out sprint to the finish. Trust me. You and your class with love it!
Here’s the playlist that includes these top songs as well as the 33 others that made my list this year:
Honorable Mention: As I stated earlier, these are songs that didn't make my Top List this year. That’s not to say that you wont find the perfect spot for them in your next playlist:
-Clarity by Zedd
-Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus
-Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
-Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
-Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
-Cups by Anna Kendrick
-Get Lucky by Daft Punk
-Applause by Lady Gaga
-Suit and Tie by Justin Timberlake
Care to take a listen?
Did I miss any? What were your favorites from 2013?
So whether you use strictly mainstream music for your classes, or you like to mix it up, try adding some of these top songs to your playlists in the coming months. You might just find some keepers in this bunch.
Here’s to a great new year filled with more amazing new music! Happy 2014!
Music streaming service Deezer will launch in the US in 2014. French company Deezer currently has 5 million paying subscribers in 80 countries worldwide, a figure that puts it close behind the similar service Spotify – based in Sweden – which boasts more than 6 million paying users. Deezer will join a crowded market of subscription-based streaming music services that also includes Rdio, Google Play Music, and MOG.
Except this rumor is a bit distressing…
US networks such as Verizon and AT&T are obvious targets for a partnership as Deezer expands, but TechCrunch reports the company would also consider joining with a firm outside the telecoms industry. According to Digital Music News, that partnership could even become a takeover. Its sources say Microsoft is considering acquiring the service outright to gain traction in an industry where it has failed to make an impact in the past.
Let's hope for Deezer's sake that Microsoft (if they are involved) doesn't turn Deezer into a Windows 8 like disaster.
Question…can you direct me to the profiles/playlist that are more pop music? Or is there a way for me to search vs. going through each one? Thank you!
My response was: Most of our 60 Audio Class PROfiles are an eclectic composition of music, from many different genres. So there's no easy way to sort/search for playlists that are primarily pop songs. Unfortunately you will need to sample each playlist to learn if the music is to your taste.
I enjoy sampling music – what I do is:
NOTE: This all applies to Deezer as well.
I subscribe to a bunch of playlists > and set them as Available Offline.
Listen to each as I'm driving, working or some other activity when I'm alone.
When I hear one I like I click the little circle with the three dots —
That opens the sharing options:
Add to Playlist > and I add it to a special playlist I've created “Future to Use” – I keep at the top of my playlist column so it's easy to find. That's my go-to list (along with my Shazam Tags) when I'm ready to build a new class.
Or you can “Star” the track > which adds it to your starred list > left hand sidebar has a “Starred” display option.
Or if you swipe left, you'll see an option to; Go To Album, Go To Artist and Start Radio.
I enjoy the Radio feature a lot. Spotify will begin playing songs that are similar to the one you started with.
Comprehensive Training Exclusively for ICI/PRO Members.
ICI/PRO member Karin contacted me via email:
John, I still haven't gotten around to learning how to use Spotify so I'm not using the profiles yet. Is there any chance you will have a short training call to teach those like me?
Wishes for healthy & compassionate living,
Karin
Yes Karin, we will 🙂
Last fall we helped a bunch of Instructors skip the frustration of learning another new software program and quickly get comfortable using Spotify – which has become the choice of thousands of Instructors for delivering their class music.
I few will even tell you that Spotify has changed their lives!
Now that we have so many Instructors using Deezer, we'll be covering that service as well in separate training sessions.
We've created a special email list where you can receive notifications about upcoming live online training sessions.
With 6.4 million downloads on Spotify, this almost a cappella song- perfect for a flat road, isn’t just a favorite of mine! This 17 year old from New Zealand knows how to put out the singles. She’s already released 3 this year and she’s still finishing Year 12 at Grammar School.
My class has been enjoying the great harmonies and driving beat of this 3:21, 85 bpm by Lorde’s. Here’s “Royals”:
