How to Choose Music for Sidewalk Fusion

Sidewalk Fusion, at least for me, is a mix of hard work and fun with the emphasis on the fun part so I don't notice the work part. To help me achieve an enjoyable Sidewalk Fusion moment, I use music as a trigger. Most songs average around 3 minutes in length, so this is a perfect fit with my Sidewalk Fusion timetable and I don't need a watch.

Music is subject to individual taste, so it is unique to each of us. What one person likes may annoy someone else, so you must choose the music for yourself. However, I will attempt here to give you some guidelines for choosing and then a few examples of music I use.

Most of us like music and certain musical pieces will have us tapping our foot or swinging our hips. You know what moves you and that is the first requisite for Sidewalk Fusion music. It has to be something that has an impact on you--something that inspires action. The more it makes you want to jump out of your seat and start hopping around the better. The music should have a good solid back beat that will make your feet hit the ground with conviction and your hips sway with abandon. It would, also, be good if the music has its own little surprises. There is music that will go along at a steady pace and then suddenly speed up or down. There are songs that have laughter hidden in the background that will make you smile. There may be a word or phrase in a song that makes you want to shout.

Not all of the music should be fast paced, mix it up, so you can move at different frequencies. As an example, I have 'S&M' by Rihanna in my Run 1 playlist, but I also have 'Running up That Hill' by Placebo. These are two very different pieces. The first one I use for one handed weight pushes because it has 'punch' and a steady pace. The second one I often look to when I'm struggling with my last half mile. It has a dedicated marching beat and reminds me to be determined and finish what I start. Take this as an example that the music has to have meaning for you, something that will move you toward your goal.

There is one 'no, no' when it comes to Sidewalk Fusion music -- no relaxation music. 'To everything there is a season,' but Sidewalk Fusion requires upbeat, march to the drum, move it, move it, move it sound. Sidewalk Fusion is not a leisurely walk in the park, although it is not always fast. The brain is influenced by music. The music required for Sidewalk Fusion will excite the brain and therefore excite your body. Relaxation music does just that--relaxes you. It will lull your brain and your brain will try to lull your body. Hold the relaxation music for when you get home.

My tastes are eclectic and span centuries, so I like all kinds of things and different types of music. But there are some pieces in particular that get my blood going and my feet moving. Here are some of them. You can pick and choose from some of these or just get the idea of what you need. They are in no particular order other than the current shuffle mode of my Sansa player Run 2 playlist.

· Moon Spell by S. Constestabile, et. al. - pounding running beat that reminds you why you are out there, has an anxiousness about it, makes your brain tell your legs to move faster, as if someone is chasing you.

· Rag Doll by Aerosmith - good stomper and hip shifter, forceful.

· Green Onions by Booker T. and the MG's - good for tight power walking.

· Club Can't Handle Me by Flo Rida - good starter, initially a bit slow, but picks up to moderate tempo and changes back and forth, filled with bounce that makes you want to jump.

· Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Picket - good for side stepping/hopping, knee lifts, and walk dancing--even gives you some dance suggestions.

· Crazy Beautiful Life by KeSha - good stopper and good for weight lifts (some explicit language)

· Pon de Replay by Rihanna - how can you not get going with this one? They are even clapping for you in the background!

· Hands On My Body by Shlavens and D-Law - over 9 minutes long with excellent beat and very few words (some explicit language), good for pushing you up a hill or past that cranky old man's house--"March!" the drill sergeant bellowed.

· Only Girl In the World by Rihanna - solid back beat with little moments of 'charged' push. You are the only one who understands--la, la, la, la.

· My Perogative by Bobby Brown - to remind me that this is my life and I can do what I want without being a slave to what other people think. I strut this one.

· Hey, Soul Sister by Train - good for skipping, hopping and sidestepping, very playful.

· Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback - this music will push you hard, it is full of energy and some devilish laughter (some explicit language)

· Misery by Maroon 5 - good for walking squats and skating movements, inherent sunshine despite the title.

· Simarik by Tarkan (Kiss Kiss) - good for hip movements and marching, not in English. When it hits the kiss, kiss part, be sure to pop those hips like a belly dancer.

· Invisible Light by Scissor Sisters - good when you need a push and for all types of movements because it shifts momentum and direction. I find it particularly good for deep 'skate' walking. (There are a number of good Sidewalk Fusion compatible music pieces by the Scissor Sisters on their album Night Work, but some are suggestive and sexual, so if that bothers you skip them. This one is relatively harmless and what there is of suggestion, you may be able to overlook for the thrill of the beat.)

· Womanizer by Britney Spears - particularly good when someone has ticked you off and you're steaming, get rid of those stress chemicals and get even by looking good.

· Spoonful by Howlin' Wolf - good for dance walking, side or back stepping, and when you need to slow down a bit.

· Motivation of Love by Walter Trout - great for weight lifting moves, squeeze those muscles along with a slow duck walk (rocking back and forth with conviction as you walk leading with your chin).

· I'm Alright by Kenny Loggins - good for some jogging and I just can't get that little hip swinging gopher from "Caddy Shack" out of my head, makes me smile every time the song starts.

· I'm So Excited by Pointer Sisters - a little hopping, a little front kicking, a lot of shoulder rolling and hip shaking.

· Human by The Killers - starts out slow then gives you a steady beat push that will get you up that hill, across the street, past the donut shop and beyond the smell of those French fries.

· Cajunization Blues by Beausoleil - sexy French voice, good for making you feel all womanly, and excellent for a little weight lifting combined with a slow sidewalk shuffle. Laissez le bon temps rouler, cher!

· Corrupt by Depeche Mode - good for weight lifts.

· When I'm 64 by The Hit Crew - Don't laugh! It is an excellent little two stepper. I can hop from side to side, cross step and pump my weights to this when I'm in need of a break--and a giggle.

· Cajun Rogue by Tucker Conspiracy - good for a bit of dance walking. Imagine you are attempting to walk your dance partner into a corner and do it with attitude.

· Bad Romance by Lady Gaga - It is like the sun breaking the horizon telling you to get up and get going. Great back beat for whatever you choose.

· Hips Don't Lie by Shakira - Cha-cha your way up a block or two, roll those shoulders and shake those hips. How can you resist?

· Strict Machine by Goldfrapp - crack that whip Alison! Great back beat. Her '‹Å"Ooh La La' is good for putting a bit of bounce in your step, too.

· I Love A Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbit - what can't you do to this beat? It's not too fast or too slow and they keep snapping their fingers in case you forget the pace. Great for '‹Å"windshield wiper' arms.

This is only a sampling from my music lists, but it should show you that there is plenty of music out there that can work for Sidewalk Fusion. Just be sure it is something you like. Oh, but you can't be without 'I Love To Move It' by Will.I.Am or Sacha Baron Cohen. It will get under your skin.

Keep it fresh. Change the order of the music on your listening device periodically, so your brain and your body don't know what is coming next. Swap the music for something new when it gets dull or you notice you are not putting forth your best effort--you are bored. I have four preset tracks that I switch out and always put on shuffle. However, I just keep tripping over more and more great stuff and adding more tracks, so I am sure you will too.

Best of luck and enjoy.

Note: If you like the beat of the popular Top 40 music but can't get past some of the explicit language, take heart. You do not have to do without. Go to kidsbop.com to find some Top 40 music with cleaned up lyrics. They are up to Kids Bop 19, so there is plenty to choose from.